You can not start a day trip off in Cookville without first loading up on one of Ralph’s famous donuts. And funny enough, that is the exact area of town where we spent our entire day.
Once you have indulged in one of their melt in your mouth donuts. Hop back in your car and hang a left out of the parking lot.
A couple of blocks past Ralph’s donut shop is a gravel parking lot. Find a spot and park, and let’s explore this little corner of Cookville.
First stop, or technically the second stop, The Cookville Depot Museum. Drop in and see some of Tennessee's railway history, then head outside and see the steam engine and caboose. Sadly, you can not walk around the steam engine or caboose because people were vandalizing the property, so now you have to admire it from a distance.
Inside, the museum, you can see what Cookville looked like back in 1955. So long ago, especially for our babies born in the 2000s.
If you like trains or history, add this stop to your list. While you are in the area, don’t forget to check out the bicycle arch. It is a sight to behold.
After all that walking around and learning the history of Cookeville, you are ready for lunch. And guess what, there is a great pub a couple of blocks down the street from the depot.
We walked down to Father Tom’s Pub. Be prepared for a little nostalgia when you walk in. The walls are full of photos, unique artwork, and even art made from corks. The whole place had a laid-back feel. Not that I have ever been to a speakeasy, but imagine the same type of vibe.
Our food was delicious, and the service was on point. But one of my favorite touches was the old cigar box on our table. When asked about the box, we were told the idea is to place your phone inside the box and spend time with the people at your table.
There was even a game inside our box to help break the ice. I don’t know about your family, but once ours gets going, there is no silence. Sometimes it is hard to get them started.
The game is a nice touch, even though we didn’t need it this time. It did, however, however, remind us that apparently we needed another new game at home.
After lunch, we took a short stroll down the other side street, where we landed at a bookstore, Plenty Bookshop.
Who knew this tiny building could hold so much?
When you walk into the store, you are greeted with displays of books. But as we made our way to the back we realized just how much room there was. It made me think of a Dr. Who line, “It is bigger on the inside.”
There is a coffee bar, a children's section, a reading nook for children to play or read, and a chessboard tucked away in the corner on a small platform. Once the chessboard was spotted, we camped out for a while.
I was in love with this bookstore. No one seemed to be in a hurry. People were browsing, reading, and taking their time. And the library ladder? That was a special touch. The whole place had a mix of a modern bookstore and an old library that made me want to stay.
If you are a reader, add this bookstore to your places to visit.
Donuts, a tad bit of history, good food, and a bookstore we weren’t in a hurry to leave. I’d call that a day well spent.
Cookeville Depot Musuem - webiste
Father Tom's Pub - menu
Plenty Bookshop - webiste
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