Union City, TN Road Trips

Union City got its name from the union of two railroads, the Nashville and Northwestern Railroad and the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, back around 1854. It developed alongside, as you might expect, tobacco and labor intensive cotton growing, with all that goes along with that. Later years saw some manufacturing, including a Goodyear Tire plant, but the latter didn't last, and the town looks a little rough around the edges. A bit ironically, it has a theme park devoted to innovation called Discovery Park of America. It also sits near the New Madrid fault.

1 Obion Courthouse, 7 Bill Burnett Cir. A Public Works Administration construction circa 1939, although not terribly mesmerizing. (updated Sep 2021) 2 Dixie Gun Works, 1412 W Reelfoot Ave, ☏ +1 731-885-0561. Large collection of Model T's and that other stuff if you're into that. (updated Sep 2021) 3 David Crockett Cabin, 219 N Trenton St, Rutherford, ☏ +1 731-665-6195. Replica of David "Davy" Crockett's last home, before he went to Texas and died at the Alamo, along with the grave of his mother. (updated Sep 2021)

1 Discovery Park of America, 830 Everett Blvd, ☏ +1 731-885-5455. Thu-Mon 10AM-4PM. A theme park and heritage park all about innovation and history in America, with an assortment of scenes ranging from dino models and pioneer town buildings to airplanes and spaceships. (updated Sep 2021) 2 Reelfoot Lake State Park, 2595 Highway 21 East, Tiptonville. Daily 8AM-4PM. A swamp and milieu of Mississippi oxbows and back bays. You can enjoy cypress trees and bald eagles and ample kayaking opportunity. It is quite expansive with many points of entry, but the visitor center is at the above address. Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge also exists adjacent to the park. (updated Sep 2021) 3 Capitol Theatre, 118 S 1st St. Home of the Masquerade Theatre, you can catch live productions here. (updated Sep 2021)

1 Country Hearth Inn & Suites Union City, 2009 W Reelfoot Ave, ☏ +1 731-885-7774. Cozy lodging that looks like it could be from the 1950s. (updated Sep 2021)

Union City is situated along Hwy 51, which becomes I-69 a few miles to the north, giving direct access to Memphis and Paducah. There's a Greyhound bus stop at the Phillips 66 station, located at 2021 W Reelfoot Ave.