Henderson, TN: The Perfect Day Trip from Memphis and Nashville

There are many things to do in West Tennessee, including Chickasaw State Park. Top activities include:

• Horseback riding
   
• Lake Placid paddling and fishing
   
• Jack Nicklaus golf course 
   
• Birding
   
• Biking

Henderson, TN is 134 miles southwest from Nashville. Just under two hours by car, a road trip from Henderson, TN to Nashville, TN is easy to plan and makes a great weekend getaway.

Henderson, Tennessee is located in the heart of West Tennessee, about 95 miles west of Memphis. The small town is the county seat for Chester County and is located is the southwestern part of Tennessee.

• While downtown, grab a coffee and spend some time learning about the town of Henderson's music history.
   
• A Tennessee Music Pathways marker is erected to honor Eddy Arnold, a pioneer of what’s considered “the Nashville Sound.”
   
• His first recording session in Nashville was the first in the city since 1928, laying the groundwork for Nashville to become the recording paradise of country music it’s known as today.
   
• Snap a photo at the commemorative guitar, fashioned by metal canisters by students of Freed-Hardeman University.

• Shop local at the amazing boutiques located in the town square.
   
• Do some retail therapy at Hello Gorgeous Boutique where you’ll find dresses, cardigans, jackets, accessories, tops and bottoms.
  Address: 580 East Main St. Henderson, TN 38340
  Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
  Parking: Paved, free parking is available in front of the store.
  Accessibility: Hello Gorgeous Boutique is ADA compliant with an ADA parking spot in front of the store and a no-step entry into the store.
   
• Step into Back in Time Antiques and Boutiques for 18,000 square feet of multiple rooms and a lower level filled with treasures. Timeless pieces and unique décor wait for you.
  Address: 225 W Main St., Henderson, TN 38340
  Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday
  Parking: Paved, free parking is available in the front and to the right side of the store.
  Accessibility: Back in Time Antiques and Boutiques is ADA compliant with a no-step entry and ADA parking spots in the parking lot.

• Set out on hiking trails for birding (over 100 species of birds), biking, horseback riding and more at Chickasaw State Park.
   
• Saddle up with the help of The Chickasaw Riding Stables, a family-owned and operated concessionaire offering guided tours, horse rentals and stall rentals if you’re bringing your own horse.
   
• Rent a canoe or kayak to paddle on Lake Placid, a gorgeous 54-acre lake.
   
• Hit the green at the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Design Golf Course that offers challenging and rewarding holes among a tranquil setting.
   
• Address: 20 Cabin Ln, Henderson, TN 38340
   
• Hours: Park trails and grounds are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
   
• Parking: Parking is available near the Visitor Center and near picnic shelters throughout the park.
   
• Accessibility: All-terrain wheelchairs that navigate a wide range of terrains are available. Advanced reservations are highly encouraged. An adult-sized changing table is located in the Visitor Center. A colorblind viewfinder that allows those with red-green colorblindness experience the brilliance of Tennessee colors is wheelchair friendly and is located near the corner of Lake Levee Road and Campground Road. The Lake Placid Boardwalk and Beach are ADA accessible. The sand on the beach is level and may be wheelchair friendly. Please be cautious when navigating this area. Shelters 2 and 3 are ADA accessible. Finally, ADA accessible RV camping includes sites 23, 24, 25, and 26 as well as Cabins 5 and 13 are wheelchair-accessible.

• A quick drive will take you to Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park which is home to at least 15 Native American mounds which archaeologists suggest the mounds were used for both burial and ceremonial purposes.
   
• Visit the museum filled with Native American history and artifacts.
   
• Then, take a short walk to Sauls Mound, climb the stairs at the rear of the mound to the observation deck on the top.
   
• Take the additional paved loops from Sauls Mound to see archaeological features like Duck’s Nest, the barrow pit and several additional mounds. 
   
• Address: 460 Ozier Rd, Pinson, TN 38366
   
• Park Hours: 
  7 a.m. to 7 p.m. - March 16-Oct. 31
  7 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Nov. 1-March 15
   
• Parking: Parking is available at the Interpretive Center Museum and the Playground Shelter.
   
• Accessibility: All-terrain wheelchairs that navigate a wide range of terrains are available. Advanced reservations are highly encouraged. An adult-sized changing table is located in the Visitor Center. Wheelchair-friendly paved trails include the 2.45-mile Outer Loop Trail, the 1.6-mile Inner Loop Trail, and the 0.85-mile Central Mound Trail. Accessible facilities include the Interpretive Center and Museum, playground and picnic areas that feature wheelchair-accessible parking spaces. 

• Every corner of Besso’s Coffee is photogenic as it was designed to inspire Freedman-Hardeman photography students.
   
• Now, it inspires everyone who walks in their doors. You’ll love the warm and cozy European-inspired décor.
   
• Order up your favorite coffee or try one of their seasonal and themed drinks (they’ve had a menu inspired by Taylor Swift songs).
   
• Grab a variety of tasty pastries and desserts, soups and sandwiches.
   
• Address: 112 West Main St., Henderson, TN 38340
   
• Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday
   
• Parking: Drive-thru service is available. Street parking is available in front of Besso's Coffee. A parking lot is located across from the coffee shop as well.
   
• Accessibility: Besso's Coffee has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, no-step entry and wide aisles. Nearby ADA parking is located on Main Street in Henderson, TN.

• Grab a table at Snookum's Steakhouse in Henderson, TN for their delicious steaks, steak burgers and chicken and seafood.
   
• Lunch and dinner are served.
   
• Children's menu is for 12 years and under. Options include chicken tenders, chicken nuggets, cheeseburger, chopped sirloin and popcorn shrimp.
   
• Address: 806 E. Main St. #1706, Henderson, TN 38340
   
• Hours: 
  11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 5-8:30 p.m. - Wednesday
  11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 4:30-9 p.m. - Thursday-Friday
  4:30-9 p.m. - Saturday
   
• Parking: Ample paved parking is available in front of Snookum's Steakhouse.
   
• Accessibility: Snookum's Steakhouse has a no-step entrance, ADA parking onsite and wheelchair-friendly tables.

• If you’re craving pizza, put in an order at Dulcie Dough Pizza Co./Bishop's Chow Wagon
   
• Try one of the specialty pizzas like the hot honey based BBQ Chicken with Attitude Pizza or the BLT Pizza topped with bacon, lettuce and tomatoes.
   
• Start with bone-in or boneless wings, cheese bread or garlic breadsticks.
   
• Salads, subs like the pizza sub, gluten free pizza, burgers and cookies for dessert round out the menu.
   
• Address: 229 W Main St, Henderson, TN 38340
   
• Hours:
  10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Sunday-Thursday
  10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. - Friday-Saturday
   
• Parking: Ample paved parking is available for free on the side of and in front of the restaurant.
   
• Accessibility: An ADA parking spot is located in front of Dulcie Dough Pizza Co./Bishop's Chow Wagon and the shop features a no-step entryway.

• Enjoy the serene acres of Stillwaters Farm with a boutique farm stay while in Henderson.
   
• The cottage includes spacious living areas furnished with antiques, an eat-in kitchen, outdoor lounging area, free critter tour and more.
   
• Soak in the sounds of quiet farm life from the bray of a donkey to a horses’ whinny and a cow’s lowing.
   
• Stillwaters Farm also has two properties close to downtown Henderson including The Urban Cottage and The Urban Farmhouse.
   
• Address: 375 Oak Grove Ln, Henderson, TN 38340
   
• Parking: Parking is available for overnight guests onsite.
   
• Accessibility: Offers a peaceful, low-impact environment for nature lovers, though the historic cottage itself currently has limited accessibility.

• If you want to spend more time in Chickasaw State Park (who wouldn’t?), reserve a standard two-bedroom cabin for a weekend full of hiking, paddling, fishing and swimming.
   
• The standard cabins are nestled among tall pines and sleep up to six people.
   
• Enjoy a kitchen with full-size appliances, a living room with a wood-burning fireplace (wood is provided October – March) and comfortable sleeping quarters.
   
• The Historic WPA cabins are rustic with beautiful views of Lake Placid.
   
• You’ll enjoy a full kitchen, wood-burning fireplace, satellite TV and a patio overlooking the area with a picnic table, fire ring and grill.
   
• Address: 20 Cabin Ln, Henderson, TN 38340
   
• Parking: Parking is available near the Visitor Center and near picnic shelters throughout the park.
   
• Accessibility: Cabins 5 and 13 are wheelchair-accessible. All-terrain wheelchairs that navigate a wide range of terrains are available. Advanced reservations are highly encouraged. An adult-sized changing table is located in the Visitor Center. 

Henderson, Tennessee is a great Tennessee road trip destination. Local shopping, plenty of outdoor activities and conveniently close to Nashville and Memphis, this West Tennessee small town is full of memories just waiting to be made.