The 12 Best Things to Do in Linden, Tennessee

Located along the Buffalo River and just a short drive from the Natchez Trace Parkway, Linden, Tennessee, 90 miles southwest of Nashville, is a welcoming retreat for visitors seeking small-town hospitality. Just 1,000 people call Linden home. The tight-knit community is one of twelve small towns along the Continental Divide known as “Nashville’s Big Backyard.” But nothing about this quaint town feels big, and that’s the appeal.

When you arrive in Linden, you’ll feel right at home. The local shopping, restaurants, and history along the revitalized Main Street give this community the right amount of charm and activity while still remaining tucked away. Here are the 13 best things to do in Linden, Tennessee on your next trip.

Things to do

Blooming art festival

The Blooming Arts Festival is an annual event that spotlights local artisans, quilters and musicians each March. Combined with the festival’s quilt show and quilt sale, the event draws nearly 10,000 attendees each year. Don’t miss the live musicians playing on several stages – many of them hailing from the nearby music scene in Nashville and Memphis.

bloomingartsfestival.com, 200 E. Main St, Linden, TN 37096

Buffalo River Craftsmen Cooperative

Shop for a variety of works by local artisans at the Buffalo River Artisans Cooperative. An “artist on duty” is on-site during store hours and the store serves as a studio for twelve active artists. Browse home goods, clothing, art, woven rugs and more, all made locally in Perry County. Artists often host hands-on classes in the store on topics such as dyeing with natural materials and weaving.

facebook.com/p/Buffalo-River-Artisans-Cooperative-100063487662795/, 110 E. Main St, Linden, TN 37906

Custom creations

Just a block away, jewelry owner and designer Terry Klein’s online search for a small town with “the most trees and the fewest streets” led him to Linden in 2012. His Main Street store, Custom Creations, offers rings, necklaces, earrings, watches and more, all handcrafted by Klein with his distinct attention to detail.

facebook.com/CustomCreationsOlean/, 94 E. Main St., Linden, TN 37906

Kayaking at night

Just a short walk from downtown, the Buffalo River is a popular destination for kayakers. Guided tours and self-guided trips are available along a five- and ten-mile stretch. The Commodore Hotel in Linden rents kayaks and organizes nighttime kayaking trips. The Glow with Flow Show decorates landscapes and trees along the river banks with colorful lights.

commodorehotellinden.com/nighttimekayaking, 114 E Main St., Linden, TN 37906

Natchez Trace Parkway

Take a drive on the nearby Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile parkway that runs from Natchez, Mississippi, through Alabama and ends just outside Nashville. This leisurely scenic route is operated by the National Park Service and is popular with bicyclists and motorcyclists, so stay alert during this 55-mph ride.

Local shopping

Family-owned and operated, Shades of Vintage sells reclaimed and repurposed gifts and home goods. Each item is one of a kind. Don’t miss the collection of vintage signs and hand-cut and painted wood pieces that have been transformed into Southern works of art.

On Main Street, you can shop for gifts, souvenirs and clothing at Tamara’s Gifts. The store is located in the former First Bank in Linden. Local customers love being able to fill out wish lists so friends can come by and purchase items from the list for birthdays, graduations and parties.

facebook.com/shadesofvintage, 106 S. Mill St., Linden, TN 37096

facebook.com/theframeshoplinden, 200 E Main St., Linden, TN 37096

Remembering the Second World War

Each September, spend a weekend in Linden remembering WWII veterans. Remembering WWII brings volunteers and veterans together to share stories and honor retired soldiers. The weekend is a living history experience with two WWII reenactments, an army camp, an authentic replica of the French Cafe de Normandie, and vintage cars on display.

rememberingwwii.com, 121 E Main St., Linden, TN 37096

Where to eat

Live music, food and drinks

For lunch, the Commodore Hotel’s Music Café serves local ingredients and Southern specialties, such as Nashville hot chicken. On weekend nights, enjoy Nashville musicians, fried green tomatoes and tasty cocktails at the adjacent speakeasy.

commodorehotellinden.com/music-cafe, 114 E. Main St., Linden, TN 37096

Home cooking

For a relaxed breakfast or lunch, head to Mayberry’s Deli & Café. Once the town’s grocery and general store, this property was owned by the Mayberry family. Today, the name lives on, offering a menu of home-style cooking and daily specials. Don’t forget to write your name on the restaurant’s “guest board” so they know where you’re from!

facebook.com/mayberrys, 107 W Main St., Linden, TN 37096

A cup of coffee

Located right in the middle of downtown, Pumphrey and Beard Coffee Company is the perfect place for a pick-me-up. Grab a cup of your favorite coffee and relax with a book, check your emails, or get to know the locals. Stop by when events like painting nights, bingo, and pottery nights are happening.

pumphreyandbeardcoffeecompany.com, 111 E. Main St., Linden, TN 37096

Where to stay

Stay in a historic hotel

For a restful night, stop at the historic Commodore Inn in downtown Linden. Built in 1939 and restored in 2007 by locals Kathy and Michael Dumont, this historic building is also home to the Commodore Music Café. Each room in the twenty-room hotel is decorated with unique antiques and period furniture.

commodorehotellinden.com, 114 E. Main St., Linden, TN 37096

Mousetail Landing State Park

The 3,000-acre Mousetail Landing State Park offers overnight camping in 21 basic sites along Spring Creek along the Tennessee River. The park’s main campground offers electric and water hookups and bathrooms. Stay overnight and get up early to fish the rivers and streams for bass, bream, bluegill and catfish.

tnstateparks.com/parks/mousetail-landing, 3 Campground Rd., Linden, TN 37096