Location: Tiptonville
Top Things to do in Tiptonville
- 1. Reelfoot Lake State Park
- 2. New Madrid Historical Museum
- 3. Marston Welcome Center
- 4. Reelfoot Lake
- 5. Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge
- 6. Mississippi River Observation Deck
- 7. Reelfoot Lake Pontoon Boat Cruise
- 8. Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site
- 9. Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge
- 10. Higgerson School Historic Site
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Tiptonville, United States
Tiptonville is a town in northwest Tennessee and the county seat of Lake County, Tennessee. Its population was 2,439 as of the 2000 census and 4,464 in 2010, showing an increase of 2,025. It is also home to the Northwest Correctional Complex, a maximum security prison, known for once housing mass murderer Jessie Dotson, Jr.
Restaurants in Tiptonville
1. Reelfoot Lake State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 107 reviews
This hunting and fishing harbors almost every kind of shore and wading bird, as well as the golden and American bald eagles.
Reviewed By Banchansky
Absolutely wonderful. We lodged outside of the park but attended all of the festivities of Eagle Festival. We saw the birds of prey show, the wildlife show, took an eagle bus tour, went to the opening talk on Friday, explored the visitors center, walked the...MoreThank you for your wonderfully detailed review of Reelfoot Lake. The Eagles and Cypress trees are plentiful and a unique hallmark of our region in Tennessee. Come enjoy more family getaways soon! We just cut the ribbon on our brand new lake front cabins!
2. New Madrid Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Come see us and find out the story of the Great Quakes of 1811-12. We also have exhibits on New Madrid's role in the Civil War, the pre-Columbian civilization known as The Mississippians, and many other interesting displays. We are open 9a-5p Monday- Saturday and 12p-5p Sunday from April through November. December through March we are open 10am-4pm Mon-Sat and 12p-4p on Sun. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 7-17. 6 and under are free.
Reviewed By IdaIllinois - Illinois
This is an excellent smaller museum in New Madrid, Missouri, which illustrates not only the strongest earthquake ever to happen on the North American continent but also the rich history of this Mississippi area.
There are a number of exhibits, displays, and storyboards from the Pre-Columbian Mississippian culture here to contemporary happenings. Be sure to watch the 17-minute video and visit the second floor of one of the buildings which has a number of artifacts and displays from the 19th-20th centuries.
The museum is more than just about the earthquake.
3. Marston Welcome Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member
We're headed to see the Great Eclipse, destination River Ridge winery in Scott City, MO. Made a pit stop here to use restrooms.
Excellent facilities, lots of clean restrooms. Place is staffed. Maps, and information brochures. They have food, besides a huge play area and ample parking.
Highway 55 is pretty neat. Flat farmland stretching to the horizon on both sides.
4. Reelfoot Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
Beautiful lake surrounded by acres of forest and miles of hiking trails: great for fishing and bird watching.
Reviewed By Butterflydays - Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Reelfoot Lake is peaceful and serene. It has lots of water foul, and many fishing spots. Nice drive around lake.
5. Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By BluegooseTraveler - New York Mills, MN, United States
My wife and I traveled here this March and were delighted that we found this gem. This NWR is located in NW Tennessee near the town of Union City, TN. It was established as a sanctuary for migratory birds. We enjoyed the new visitor/interpretation center, observation deck and hiking trail. The refuge offers many other things to do like kayaking/canoeing, hunting, fishing and photographic opportunities. Bring your family (including children), binoculars, camera and enjoy what this part of NW Tennessee has to offer.
6. Mississippi River Observation Deck
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Zephyr_Travel - Fredericksburg, Virginia
Enjoyed pairing with the New Madrid Historical Museum. Their are historic signs related to all historic eras, including the national trail of tears path. don't miss the historic underwater saw display down the hill. We parked in the Museum lot and walked from there, due to the levee walkway and observation deck being across the road. Just below the deck is a nice outdoor cannon/and flag exhibit to all of New Madrid's history
7. Reelfoot Lake Pontoon Boat Cruise
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Senior5510 - Russellville, Kentucky
If you truly want to see Reelfoot - this is the way to do it! Great value-for only $10 ea. (adult), you get a 3 hour tour of most of the lake as well as a very knowledgeable park guide relating the history and nature of the area. The Boat Cruise departs from the Visitor's Center & best to make reservations in advance. It so happened that the others on our cruise had canceled, so we got a 'personal' tour of the lake! Seats are very comfortable, but beware of the sudden attacks of 'stumps' on the underside of the boat! We saw so much wildlife, including 5 eagles, osprey & nests, herons, and lilypad fields (which were in bloom) & the beauty of the cypress trees growing in the water. Would not recommend for younger children, as they might get bored & 3 hours is a little long to hold their attention - but great for history and nature lovers. Spend some time in the visitor's center - wonderful museum relating history of area, how the earthquake changed it, and even had small aquarium with snakes and fish. Small gift shop with the usual's. Tried to find some walking trails in the park, but they are rather hard to locate and not marked too well. So glad we did the boat tour, though & highly recommend it.
8. Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site
Overall Ratings
5 based on 14 reviews
Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site preserves a now-vanished part of Missouri: The stately Bootheel mansion. Filled with original pieces and furnished in the style it was in during its heydays of the 1860s-1880s, the ornate mansion provides a history lesson in every corner. In fact, most of the original furnishing purchased by Amanda Hunter, the house's first owner (with her husband William) are still in the house.
Reviewed By CMcWaters - Sikeston, Missouri
There aren't many attractions in Southeast Missouri that compare to the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site. The house is absolutely beautiful and the collection of the family furniture is unlike anything I've ever seen. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable.
9. Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By DyersburgTraveler - Newbern, Tennessee
If you want to get really isolated in your bird watching, go to the Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge. It is in an extremely isolated part of northwestern Tennessee, along the Lake-Obion County border.
The refuge has a 600-acre lake, along with open fields and woodlands. It is 1,800 acres in all. Visitor facilities are at a bare minimum. There is an open-air observation tower, along with a map below it, and free literature on the kinds of birds found there.
Historically, Lake Isom is the oldest national refuge in Tennessee, being established in 1938, three years ahead of its larger neighbor on the north side of Reelfoot Lake.
This refuge is not for the drive-by tourist. You will need good binoculars, even a high-powered telescope would help, if the geese are in town. The refuge roads are closed normally when the geese show up. The observation tower is a good platform, but you'll still need to strain to see them. And if it is cold and windy, you'll need to bundle up plenty.
If you are lucky enough, you will see the wintertime Canada geese flocks either coming in from, or going out to the nearby Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge a few miles to the north. That refuge has better facilities, and a visitors center.
Directions: the best way is to go on Greasy Lane (yes, that's the name) straight south from Highway 21. Greasy Lane is located on the south side of Tenn. 21, just a bit west of the Reelfoot Lake spillway. This road takes you directly to the tower area. Coming in from Hwy. 78 to the west requires a confusing series of turns for anyone not familiar with the area. It would be longer, but more sure, to make the trip to Tiptonville, and turn east on Hwy. 21 to reach the needed road.
10. Higgerson School Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Zephyr_Travel - Fredericksburg, Virginia
The inside was closed when we were there, however, the outside has been preserved nicely with a historic sign. If you like small town history, worth a quick peak. We reviewed more local history through the new madrid historical museum further down the road by the levee.
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