Martin area
Around Martin area
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Greater area · Tennessee · 63k people
Martin area
Locals say Martin
Where Southern charm meets college spirit
UT Martin OrangeUT Martin Blue
Welcome to Martin, where the courthouse squares are the heart of the community and the catfish is always worth the drive. Whether you're here for a Skyhawks game or just passing through, you'll find friendly folks and a slower pace that grows on you.
Clubs for Martin area
No clubs for Martin area yet.
The room
Martin area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Martin's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Martin. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Martin area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- UT Martin Campus Home of the Skyhawks, a public university set among rolling farmland.
- Hardy M. Graham Stadium Football stadium on the UT Martin campus, hosting Skyhawks games.
- Kathleen and Tom Elam Center Basketball arena and fitness center on the UT Martin campus.
- Weakley County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Dresden, surrounded by a classic square.
- Carroll County Courthouse Century-old courthouse in Huntingdon with a traditional town square.
- Big Cypress Tree State Natural Area Protected swamp with towering cypress trees and a boardwalk trail.
- Outdoors Fishing on the Obion River
- Outdoors Hiking at Big Cypress Tree State Natural Area
- With kids Attend UT Martin sports events
- With kids Visit the Tennessee Soybean Festival
- Evenings College bars near UT Martin
- Evenings Local honky-tonks
- Locals love Courthouse squares
- Locals love Catfish houses
Through the year
- Tennessee Soybean Festival September Celebrates the area's top crop with a parade, live music, and food vendors in downtown Martin.
- Weakley County Fair July Traditional county fair with livestock shows, carnival rides, and local exhibits in Dresden.
- Carroll County Fair July Similar county fair in Huntingdon with agriculture displays and family entertainment.
- UT Martin Homecoming October Skyhawks football game with alumni events and campus celebrations.
- Martin Christmas Parade December Annual holiday parade through downtown Martin with floats and local bands.
Humid subtropical climate with hot, sticky summers and mild winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal, with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Getaways
- Reelfoot Lake Fishing, boating, and bald eagle watching in a unique flooded forest lake.
- Paris Landing State Park On Kentucky Lake, offering boating, fishing, and camping.
- Land Between the Lakes A vast national recreation area with hiking, wildlife viewing, and water sports.
- Dyersburg Larger town with shopping, dining, and the Dyer County Fairgrounds.
Local flavour
Teams
- UT Martin Skyhawks NCAA Division I (Ohio Valley Conference)
Eat and drink
- Catfish Fried catfish is a staple in West Tennessee, often served at local fish camps and restaurants.
- Barbecue Pulled pork and ribs are popular, with a regional style that favors a vinegar‑based sauce.
- Sweet tea The quintessential Southern drink, served at nearly every meal.
- Meat and three A classic Southern plate lunch with one meat and three vegetables, common in local diners.
Where people go
- Courthouse squares Historic town centers with shops, diners, and a sense of community.
- Catfish houses Casual eateries specializing in fried catfish, often near rivers or lakes.
- Cotton fields The agricultural landscape that defines the region, especially in autumn.
- University campus The UT Martin campus, with its iconic clock tower and green spaces.
Heritage and traditions
This region is proud of its small-town friendliness, strong agricultural heritage, and the community spirit centered around the University of Tennessee at Martin.
This time of year in Martin area
- Hunting season Fall–Winter Deer and turkey hunting in fall and winter.
Say it like a local: “supper” — evening meal
Festivals
- McKenzie Strawberry Festival May Celebrates the local strawberry harvest in May with food and crafts.
Landmarks with a story
- First Baptist Church of Martin A long-standing church in the heart of Martin.
- Weakley County Museum Housed in a historic building in Dresden, showcasing local history.
Food traditions
- Country ham with red-eye gravy A breakfast tradition, the gravy is made from ham drippings and coffee.
- Tomato sandwiches with Duke's mayo A summer staple using fresh garden tomatoes on white bread.
- Fried apple pies Hand-held pies often sold at local bakeries and festivals.
- Sorghum molasses on biscuits Local farms produce sorghum, a sweet syrup for biscuits.
- Chicken and dumplings A hearty Sunday dinner dish, especially in cooler months.
Music and arts
- Gospel music Strong church tradition with quartets and choirs.
- Country music heritage Johnny Paycheck's roots in Greenfield inspire local pride.
- Bluegrass jam sessions Informal gatherings at community centers and festivals.
A little history
- 1800s Settlement in the early 1800s
- 1860s Civil War skirmishes in the area
- late 1800s Railroad arrival boosting commerce
- 1900 Founding of University of Tennessee at Martin
- 1987–1995 Ned McWherter's governorship
Rivalries
- UT Martin Skyhawks vs. Murray State Racers A heated Ohio Valley Conference rivalry with nearby Murray, KY.
- Martin vs. Dresden high school football Local Friday night rivalry that fills the stands.
- McKenzie vs. Huntingdon high school sports A long-standing county rivalry in Carroll County.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day UT Martin Skyhawks games
- Outdoors Fishing on the Obion River
- Outdoors Hunting deer and turkey
- With kids Attending the Tennessee Soybean Festival
- With kids Going to county fairs
A Southern accent with a drawl, common in rural West Tennessee. Words like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to' are everyday, and 'coke' refers to any soda. The 'r' is often soft, and 'pen' and 'pin' sound similar.
Only here
- The Tennessee Soybean Festival, a September celebration of the area's top crop.
- Big Cypress Tree State Natural Area, named for a giant cypress that once stood here.
- UT Martin Skyhawks, the only NCAA Division I team in the region.
- Vast cotton and soybean fields that define the landscape.
New here? A few tips
- Be ready for hot, humid summers and mild winters; air conditioning is essential.
- Learn to say 'y'all'—it's part of everyday conversation.
- Try the local catfish and barbecue at a family-owned restaurant.
- Attend the Tennessee Soybean Festival in September to meet neighbors.
- Drive carefully on rural roads; farm equipment and deer are common.
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Areas in Martin area
Nearby
Every areaFultonKentuckyWhere the river meets the fieldsReelfoot LakeTennesseeWhere the cypress meet the water and the fishing is always good.HuntingdonTennesseeWhere the rivers meet the fieldsParisTennesseeBig peanuts, bigger sunsets on Kentucky Lake.MayfieldKentuckyWarm welcomes and wide open skiesDyersburgTennesseeWhere the Delta meets the river.MurrayKentuckyRacer pride and lake lifeSikestonMissouriWhere the river meets the fields and the rolls fly.
Union City-Martin, TN CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.