memphis area self-guided driving tour Welcome to the Cotton Junction Trail. SEE THE DRIVING TOUR MAP ON PAGE 12. Get ready for the Cotton Junction Trail, a rural journey TAKING IN THE TRAIL through West Tennessee, named for the hypnotic beauty of the region’s signature cotton fields in early fall. It’s dotted with • These 320 miles are full of historic sites, preserved homes and museums that bring the stories of the Cotton Junction amazing stories, historic landmarks, and unique sights. Trail to life. Many of them require advance reservations, Just as the first railroads once did, this route connects the admission, or both to experience our history. area’s classic small towns, with plenty of stops to admire • Many historic buildings open their doors to visitors. Many handsome courthouses, pop into art galleries, and visit local properties remain as they have for over a century: private residences. Please be respectful of the private museums. Learn about the American EXperience through land and homeowners on our tour. the stories of early pioneers, railroad heroes, the reign of • This is a drive that promises an off-the-beaten-path “King Cotton,” the struggles of slaves and sharecroppers, Tennessee experience. What we can’t promise is steady R A TENNESSEE ROAD TRIP? We’ve got and more. Sample some famous West Tennessee barbecue, cell phone service. Don’t be surprised if you don’t always READY FO you covered on the new, self-guided driving trails of the have a signal. and indulge your sweet tooth — and your nostalgic side — at Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways. On the Great River Road • The Cotton Junction Trail features long, beautiful stretches National Scenic Byway & Trail, you’ll discover how the Mighty one of the best old-time candy stores in the South. of scenic driving. Make sure you fill your tank and Mississippi River has shaped West Tennessee’s history and The musical heritage on this trail is as rich as the culture. You’ll visit quaint towns, explore Reel Foot Lake and use the restroom in the towns along the way. There will so much more. Pick up a self-guided map at theMemphis Delta soil. Learn about blues legends, rock-a-billy heroes, and always be a “next town” on the route, but it may not be GreatRiverRoadTrail.com. Welcome Center or visit international icons like the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” herself — within the next few miles. You’ll find the directions, stops and stories that make the Great River Road National Scenic Byway & Trail a one-of-a-kind Tina Turner — who have called this area home. • Summer through early fall is a great time to stock up on local Tennessee road trip you won’t want to miss. produce at farm stands along the trail. Many stands are Like any good road trip, this trail is full of one-of-a-kind cash-only, so visit the ATM before you hit the road. discoveries including quirky roadside attractions. Get • Don’t forget to visit your favorite online review sites up close and personal with exotic wildlife on a century-old (like tripadvisor.com or yelp.com) and help us blaze a trail family farm in Alamo; marvel at the giant, ever-evolving steel to these wonderful hidden gems. structure of Brownsville artist Billy Tripp; and tour the world’s The colorful stories and interesting facts you’ll find along the largest collection of teapots in Trenton. Cotton Junction Trail have Whatever your “sweet spot,” you’ll find it on the Cotton been uncovered with Junction Trail. the invaluable help of ® county tourism partners and historians in these communities. Symbol Key: Great Motorcycle Outdoors Route African- American Land Trust National Register Heritage for Tennessee of Historic Places Live Music Picture Spot Civil War Venue Tennessee Festivals Lodging Main Street Pictured on cover: Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store, Jackson; West Tennessee Delta Program Heritage Center, Brownsville; Teapot Collection, Trenton. Pictured above: Tennessee Safari Park, Alamo; record covers by area natives; Gibson County Courthouse, Trenton; For complete visitor information Paper contains Food & Wine MotorcoacH- on Tennessee, call 1-800-GO2-TENN 10% recycled Friendly (R) RIGHT (L) Left West Tennessee cotton field; Cotton Museum, Memphis. content. or visit tnvacation.com. Find more information at CottonJunctionTrail.com. 1 Pt. 3 is at corner of 3. Front Street Deli – (R) Continue N on 3rd St. 8. McEwen’s on Monroe – MEMPHIS Union Ave. & Front St. For more than 30 years, Turn L onto Monroe Ave. (R) Executive Chef Keith GREAT RIVER ROAD 77 S. Front St. guests have enjoyed to pt. 8. Bambrick combines Memphis 120 Monroe Ave. The city of Memphis was originally settled by the Spanish in the 901-522-8943 one-of-a-kind sand- classic Southern cuisine NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY late 1700s. It was officially founded in 1819 by a group of property Memphis wiches and deli dogs 901-527-7085 with South American, Legendary author Mark Twain called the Mississippi River investors that included Andrew Jackson, and named for the ancient here while taking in a Asian and Creole ele- “The Body of the Nation” and on the Great River Road National capital of Egypt. The area proved tough to develop, with natural view of the river. ments to create dishes Scenic Byway it’s easy to see why. The byway stretches across disasters, epidemics, and competitions with neighboring cities both familiar and new. 10 states through Minnesota, Wisconsin, presenting challenges to the first residents. When the railroad came Continue E on Union Ave. 4. The Peabody Hotel – (R) Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, to town in 1842, Memphis began to grow, and by the 1860s, it was for 2 blocks to pt. 4 This 1925 landmark Go W (toward river) on 9. The Little Tea Shop – at corner of Union Ave. Monroe St. to pt. 9. Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. That’s connected to the Southeast and Midwest. The city grew to 12 times continues to welcome (L) Founded in 1918 in & S. 2nd St. visitors to the heart of 69 Monroe Ave. the basement of the over 2,000 miles of sweeping views, charming its size in those 20 years, with many German and Irish immigrants 149 Union Ave. Memphis drives, lush riverbanks and well-preserved ® shaping the culture. It was during this prosperous time that Memphis downtown. It is most Cotton Exchange build- Memphis 901-525-6000 landmarks for travelers to enjoy. In Tennessee, earned the title “Biggest Inland Cotton Market in the World.” Once 901-529-4000 famous for its unusual ing, the eatery moved the byway follows the western border of the a slave trading center in the 1850s, the city has been an important residents: a group of to its current location in the 1930s. They state and takes you to incredible scenic areas landmark for African-American ducks lives on the serve up old-fashioned comfort food with a along the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Plain, cultural experience as well as a rooftop. Each day, they smile — be sure to try the “Lacy Special.” home to an amazing array of wildlife and a crucial battlefield in the fight for march to the Grand YELP.COM: I recall three things vividly: Cornsticks, lentils on rice and the birdwatcher’s paradise. Visitors can take in civil rights. Memphis is the birth- Lobby at 11 a.m., and return to their quarters charming owner, Miss Sue. All three were spot on. spectacular views from the four historic Chickasaw Bluffs, travel place of Holiday Inn and FedEx, the at 5 p.m. The tradition dates back to 1933. Did You to Reelfoot Lake for fishing and canoeing or experience the famous home of Elvis Presley and Continue W on 10. Confederate Park – (L) On June 6, 1862, the KNOW Duck has not been seen on the hotel’s menus Monroe St., turn R on route’s various campsites, state parks, country stores and Civil Beale Street, and a popular destination Mississippi River was the site of an since its 1981 reopening, quite possibly making Front St. to pt. 10. War sites. There are few roads in America that contain the depth for visitors from around the world. intense Civil War battle. In the Battle of Chez Philippe the only French restaurant in the Front St. Memphis, Confederate forces fought fear- and breadth of the Great River Road National Scenic Byway. As a ? world that does not serve the traditional dish. Memphis lessly to keep true piece of Americana, this journey is meant to be savored. DIRECTIONS Turn R on S. 2nd St., 5. Beale Street – The control of the National Scenic Byways are go 2 blocks to blues are alive waterfront, but it designated as such based on their 119 N. Riverside Dr. pt. 5. and well today wasn’t enough. archaeological, cultural, historic, Memphis 1. Riverside Drive Welcome Center Beale St. 901-543-533 on this historic Take in a view from natural, recreational, and scenic Memphis street. Dance to the bluffs where Pose for photo mem- qualities. There are 150 nationally From 2nd to 3rd the music of live nearly 10,000 designated byway routes in 50 states, ories here with statues Sts., Beale St. is people watched as the Union crushed the closed to vehicles. bands in open-air Puerto Rico and the District of Abbreviation Key: of Elvis Presley and B.B. W.C. Handy Park, or spend a night sliding Confederacy. Today, those who died are King on the shores of Park & walk to see Columbia, with five located in Tennessee.