Cookeville: Upper Cumberland hub

Ralph's opened in Cookeville in 1962.
Ralph's opened in Cookeville in 1962.

For some of the best doughnuts you've ever had and a dose of small-town charm, Cookeville, Tenn., is the place to be. It's long outgrown its reputation as a small college town. Now, as a regional center for employment, health care, education and recreational opportunities, the city boasts a population of more than 30,000 who are happy to welcome visitors to their town.

When you go, be certain to bring your sweet tooth by Big O for the best buttermilk blueberry doughnut around. Your taste buds and stomach will thank you.

AT A GLANCE

-Population: 30,435

-Biggest employers: Tennessee Technological University, Oreck Corp., Cummins Filtration

-Landmarks: Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville Depot Museum

-Founded: 1854

-Namesake: Cookeville was named for Maj. Richard F. Cooke, a Tennessee senator active in the formation of Putnam County.

-Distance from Chattanooga: 98 miles, or 1 hour and 38 minutes

-Famous residents: J.J. Redick, NBA basketball player for the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers; brothers Mack and Watson Brown, head football coaches of the Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, respectively; and Bobby Greenwood, former PGA Tour player.

FOOTBALL CHAMPS

For the past eight years, Cookeville has been the host city for the BlueCross Bowl, the TSSAA state football championship. In January, a delegation of Cookeville and Putnam County leaders won a bid to continue hosting the championship through 2020.

Cookeville also hosts the Toyota East vs. West All-Star Class, an all-star high-school football game held in December that is coordinated by the Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association the week following the BlueCross Bowl.

CRAPPIE, CARP AND CATFISH

The city-owned Cane Creek Park is a 260-acre park that features:

-A 56-acre lake stocked with rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, carp and catfish.

-Three shelters, picnic tables with grills, walking and mountain bike trails, basketball and volleyball courts, an 18-hole disc golf course, and paddleboat rentals. Athletic equipment such as basketballs, volleyballs, disc golf discs or fishing poles may be rented at the concession stand for $1 per hour. (201 CC Camp Road; 931-520-4FUN; cookeville-tn.gov/ls/city-parks/cane-creek-park)

CUMMINS FALLS STATE PARK

Cummins Falls is a day-use park with 211 acres of beautiful, rugged terrain. It is located nine miles north of Cookeville on the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River.

The gorge and waterfall can only be reached by foot; trail routes are steep and uneven. It is an adventurous hike that is not suitable for small children. Two routes descend into the gorge: a 1-mile and a 1.5-mile trail. Natural trail surfaces include water crossings, boulders and other obstacles. Trails and rocks at the waterfall are often slippery; wear sturdy shoes and keep your hands free.

-Sept. 1-30, guided daily morning hikes to the falls will be offered at 9 a.m. CDT. (390 Cummins Falls Lane; 931-261-3471; tnstateparks.com/parks/about/cummins-falls)

WHERE TO EAT

-Crawdaddy's West Side Grill: Seafood and Cajun dishes. (53 W. Broad St.; 931-526-4660; crawdaddysgrill.com)

-Mauricio's Italian Restaurant: Italian, gluten-free options; vegetarian-friendly. (232 N. Peachtree Ave.; 931-528-2456; mauricioscookeville.com)

-The Cooke House: Focus on small, shared plates. (319 E. Spring St.; 931-854-9550; cookevillesocialdining.com)

-Seven Senses Food & Cheer: American pub food. (32 W. Broad St.; 931-520-0077; sevensensesfood.com)

-Ralph's Do-nut Shop: Serving doughnuts and coffee for 55 years. (59 S. Cedar Ave.; 931-526-4231)

FLOATS, FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

-Fall FunFest: This street fair with arts and crafts, a cook-off, food and live music is set for Sept. 8-9 this year. The street party covers four city blocks between East First Street and East Spring Street. (fallfunfest.com)

-Christmas Parade: More than 30,000 spectators line the streets of Cookeville to ooh and aah over floats, bands, costumed characters and, of course, welcome Santa to Cookeville. Set for Dec. 9, it's a 50-year tradition that has grown to one of the largest Christmas parades in the Southeast.

-Putnam County Fair: Held each August, the fair includes a carnival, beauty pageants, rodeo, livestock and poultry competition, dance competitions, demolition derby, music and food. (155 Fairground St.; 931-528-9316; putnamcountyfair.org)

Sources: Cookeville/Putnam County Chamber of Commerce;fallfunfest.com; TripAdvisor

photo Cummins Falls

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