Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Woodbury, TN

  • Published 2022/09/22

Woodbury is a small town in Tennessee, an hour’s drive from the state capital, Nashville.

It is also the county seat of Cannon County, which got its name from Levi Woodbury, a former United States Senator.

Woodbury features rolling hills, a historic town square, and homegrown establishments.

Thanks to its laid-back atmosphere and small-town charm, Woodbury has become one of the best places to visit on a weekend getaway.

Offering a slow-paced lifestyle for those tired of bustling city life, here are the best things to do in Woodbury, Tennessee:

Catch a Movie at the Moonlite Drive-In

Go back in time for a one-of-a-kind movie experience in Woodbury!

The Moonlite Drive-In is a seasonal drive-in theater along W Main Street, a popular activity among locals and tourists.

Not only will you enjoy the movie within the comfort and privacy of your car, but you can also avoid rowdy or noisy moviegoers affecting your movie experience.

Park your car, buy popcorn and snacks at the concession building, and enjoy the movie.

If you have children with you, there’s a small playground to keep them busy while waiting for the film to start.

The movies screened here range from mainstream titles, superhero movies, Hollywood blockbusters, and family-friendly titles, so there’s a movie for everyone at the Moonlite Drive-In.

Taste Authentic Thai Food at Kountry Thai Restaurant

Kountry Thai Restaurant brings the taste of Thai cuisine to Woodbury with its hearty and healthy dishes.

Prepared from recipes handed down for generations, the food combines bold Asian flavors with the health benefits of turmeric, coconut milk, and galangal, a Thai version of ginger.

During your trip to Woodbury, stop by Kountry Thai Restaurant and travel halfway across the globe with their dishes.

Sample their eggrolls, spring rolls, and dumplings as an appetizer before sipping a bowl of warm tom kha (coconut) or tom yum soup.

For the main dish, enjoy gluten-free curry, sesame chicken, and the classic pad thai paired with a sweet mango sticky rice for dessert.

Shop for a Cause at Cannon Outreach & Thrift Store

Cannon Outreach & Thrift Store is a local thrift store that offers anything and everything under the sun.

Unlike most thrift stores, however, all sales and proceeds go to providing food and assistance for children in Cannon County, victims of domestic abuse, and more.

This volunteer-driven shop offers clothing, accessories, shoes, furniture, household items, books, and even holiday-themed decor.

While the items are donated and used, the store screens them for cleanliness and overall condition before putting them on the shelves.

If you have other clothes, home decor, furniture, and other items to spare, you can donate them to the Cannon Outreach & Thrift Store to give them a new home.

Shop Local at Higgins Woodbury Flea Market

Support Woodbury’s businesses and shop local at Higgins Woodbury Flea Market.

The flea market features woven products, antiques, clothes, appliances, furniture, children’s toys, rare DVDs, and other knick-knacks.

At the Higgins Woodbury Flea Market, you can also find food items like salsa, corn relish, pickled vegetables, and other homemade products.

Vendors set up stalls in old storage facilities, but there’s plenty of room to walk around and go window shopping before buying an item or two.

Halfway through your shopping trip, rest and refuel with burgers, hotdogs, sandwiches, and drinks at the food stalls, and chat with the friendly vendors and locals.

Enjoy a Meal at Sophia’s Off the Square

Located near the historic Woodbury Square, try delicious Southern food at Sophia’s Off the Square.

The family that runs the restaurant came from South Florida until they moved to Tennessee, the hometown of their matriarch.

The restaurant’s bestsellers include house fries with various toppings, country-fried steak, and fried bologna sandwiches.

On certain nights, the restaurant holds live music and fun events like Karaoke Night and Trivia Night, where locals and tourists can meet and socialize.

With its unmissable location along W Main Street, Sophia’s Off the Square is a must-try family restaurant in Woodbury.

Watch a Show at the Arts Center of Cannon County

The Arts Center of Cannon County is an 18,000-square-foot facility born from a collaboration between the Cannon Community Playhouse, the Cannon County Historical Society, and the Cannon Association of Craft Artists.

The establishment offers educational programs for children focusing on various art forms, museum and gallery exhibitions featuring local and rural artists, annual concerts, and theatrical shows.

Theatrical shows at the arts center include mainstream titles and works from local and lesser-known playwrights.

Learn about Cannon County’s rich art scene and find paintings, fabric works, handmade jewelry, glasswork, and other artisanal works as you explore the halls and galleries.

Besides admiring the works, visitors can also volunteer, audition for a role, and donate to the Arts Center of Cannon County.

Go Antiques Shopping at Various Stores

Woodbury is a haven for bargain hunters and antique enthusiasts, with numerous antique shops in town, ideal for a half-day of antique shop-hopping.

These stores offer used good-quality items: clothes, jewelry, furniture, home decor, Christmas decor, and unusual collectibles.

Start your hunt at Old Feed Store Antique Mall, located near Cannon County Courthouse, a two-story establishment filled with pre-owned furniture, cookware, home decor, quilt items, and more.

Then, walk across the street and head to Willow 210 Vintage Market, where you can find rustic-themed antiques.

You can also find vintage gaming consoles, vinyl records, and other unique decor and trinkets at Iron Pig Antiques.

Tour the Short Mountain Distillery

Short Mountain Distillery produces small batches of authentic Tennessee whiskey, bourbon whiskey, moonshine, and various fine and original spirits.

You can look closely at how they produce authentic Tennessee alcohol on a distillery tour of their 400-acre farm property.

Tour the Short Mountain Distillery and sample their signature spirits, like their organic Tennessee whiskey and flavored moonshine.

The distillery also offers cocktail-making classes where you can channel your inner bartender and come up with the best-tasting drinks using the distillery’s drinks.

After the distillery tour, stop by the restaurant and enjoy delicious farm-to-table food made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Purchase Organic Products from Half Hill Farm

Half Hill Farm is a small farm that commits to sustainable farm practices and a healthy lifestyle for its customers.

The farm used to supply organic vegetables to the local farmer’s market and now has three stores and a manufacturing kitchen that produces food, beverages, and botanical extracts.

In addition, they grow USDA-certified organic apples, mushrooms, herbs, and vegetables used to make products like kombucha, kefir, tonic, and more.

Visit Half Hill Farm, learn more about their goal, sample their products, and purchase a bottle or two to bring home.

Besides kombucha and kefir, you can also buy raw hemp oil, propolis extract, salsa, herb bitters, and hemp salve.

Stay Active at Cannon County Community Center

Cannon County Community Center is near the Moonlite Drive-In and the flea market, just a few minutes from the busy town center.

The recreation center has a swimming pool, playing fields, and other sports facilities where residents and tourists can get fit and meet others.

Reserve a slot at Cannon County Community Center and have a fun get-together over a baseball game.

Even if you don’t plan on breaking a sweat, you can head to the community center and watch an exhilarating baseball game during the season.

Take note that if you plan on using the fields, pool, and other facilities, the community center may require a day-use fee and additional rental fees.

Get Fresh Fruits and Vegetables at 6R Farms

Located slightly far from downtown Woodbury, 6R Farms have grown vegetables for over 30 years.

The family-owned and operated farm provides fresh produce free from harmful chemicals and pesticides.

Head southeast of downtown Woodbury and score freshly harvested sweet corn, okra, squash, cucumbers, zucchini, potatoes, onions, and bell peppers, depending on the season.

They also sell sunflowers and fruits like melon, peaches, blackberries, blueberries, and watermelon.

6R Farms also holds seasonal events like strawberry picking and fall festival activities, perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Explore the Caves at Cumberland Caverns

Three chessmen rock formation in Cumberland Caverns

Denlah, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cumberland Caverns is the second longest cave in Tennessee, located in McMinnville, 38 minutes from Woodbury.

This National Natural Landmark has over 27 miles of cave systems, underground passageways, rock formations, waterfalls, and other fascinating structures.

The cave offers guided explorations, ranging from one-and-a-half-hour walking tours to longer and more challenging routes that involve boulder climbing, rock climbing, and passing through deep crevasses.

Chandelier at Cumberland Caverns' volcano room

RL0919, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Go on an underground adventure and see the stunning stalactites and stalagmites of Cumberland Caverns.

During your tour, gain knowledge of its geology and history, including its role during the Civil War.

On select days, the cave holds concerts and live performances, a unique way to enjoy your time underground.

Spend the Day at Cedarwood Pumpkin Patch

When autumn comes, head to McMinnville, Tennessee, and look for the Cedarwood Pumpkin Patch.

The pumpkin patch started in 2001 when the owner and his son decided to grow eight acres of pumpkins for fun.

His wife, a school teacher, started agritourism activities to educate visitors.

Today, the Cedarwood Pumpkin Patch has over 40 acres of pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hay mazes, and a petting zoo where you can interact with different farm animals.

There’s also an inflatable obstacle course, kid’s cabin, jump pad, carousel, pumpkin train, and many more fun activities for kids and adults.

On the weekends, enjoy a warm bonfire with live music and delicious food near the lake.

You can find the farm 17 minutes from Woodbury.

Visit the Interactive Exhibits at Discovery Center at Murfree Spring

Take a short 20-minute drive from Woodbury to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and spend the day with family at the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring.

The museum has interactive and hands-on exhibits that provide learning opportunities for children to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills.

Some permanent exhibits include 5 Senses, with larger-than-life models of the nose, ear, eye, tongue, and hand.

You also have the Farmer’s Market, where children can learn the basics of grocery shopping, and the Super Slide, which runs two and a half stories below.

Discovery Center at Murfree Spring also features an outdoor nature area and an elevated boardwalk through the wetlands.

You can also explore the city of Murfreesboro after visiting the museum.

Take a Tour of Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens

Exterior of Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens

Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

From Woodbury, take a 30-minute trip to McMinnville and visit Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens, a Queen Anne-style historic house.

The house was once the residence of the Faulkner Family and a former hospital.

Today, it functions as a bed-and-breakfast and an events place.

Join a guided tour of Falcon Rest Mansion and its well-manicured gardens as you listen to stories about the Faulkner family and the decades of restoration spent for the mansion.

Don’t miss the opportunity to ask questions about paranormal stories, ghost sightings, and strange occurrences within the mansion.

After exploring Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens, stop by the Victorian tea room for lunch or a light afternoon tea.

Final Thoughts

Nestled in the sweeping hills of Middle Tennesee, Woodbury offers various activities and sites.

From shopping for antiques, visiting the flea market, and exploring its distilleries and farms, the town offers a perfect weekend getaway for those wanting a change of scenery.

Plan your trip today and discover the best things to do in Woodbury!

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