Dayton
Around Dayton
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Countryside and towns · Tennessee · 57k people
Dayton
Locals say Cumberland Plateau
Where the plateau meets the river
Cumberland Plateau greenTennessee River slateAutumn amber
Welcome to the Cumberland Plateau, where the hills are full of stories and the lakes are full of fish. Come for the waterfalls, stay for the small-town charm. We're glad you're here.
Clubs for Dayton
No clubs for Dayton yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Dayton. 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 Dayton. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Watts Bar Lake A Tennessee River reservoir popular for boating, fishing, and lakeside camping.
- Chickamauga Lake Another Tennessee River reservoir, known for bass fishing and quiet coves.
- Rhea County Courthouse Site of the 1925 Scopes Trial, now a museum in downtown Dayton.
- Fall Creek Falls State Park Home to one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern U.S., with trails and a lake.
- Cumberland Trail A long-distance hiking trail that crosses the plateau with scenic overlooks.
- Big Bone Cave State Natural Area A historic cave with saltpeter mining remains and guided tours.
- Outdoors Hike Fall Creek Falls trails
- Outdoors Boat on Watts Bar Lake
- With kids Picnic and swim at Fall Creek Falls State Park
- With kids Visit the Rhea County Courthouse and Scopes Trial Museum
- Evenings Live music at local bars
- Evenings Bluegrass jam sessions
- Locals love small-town diners
- Locals love country general stores
Through the year
- Rhea County Fair July The big summer fair with livestock, rides, and local food.
- Bledsoe County Fair August A traditional county fair in Pikeville with agriculture exhibits and carnival.
- Van Buren County Fair August Spencer's community fair with crafts, music, and a parade.
- Fall Creek Falls Bluegrass Festival September Bluegrass performances set near the state park's scenic falls.
- Dayton Christmas Parade December Holiday parade through historic downtown Dayton with floats and lights.
Humid subtropical with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, winters mild with occasional snow. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal—mild temperatures, blooming dogwoods, and brilliant foliage.
Talk like a local
- “holler”
- A small valley or hollow between hills.
- “crick”
- A creek or small stream, pronounced 'crick'.
- “yonder”
- Over there, or in that direction.
- “fixin' to”
- About to do something, as in 'I'm fixin' to go fishing'.
Getaways
- Chattanooga City trip with the Tennessee Aquarium, Lookout Mountain, and riverfront.
- Crossville Outlet shopping, golf courses, and the Cumberland County Playhouse.
- Grundy County (Savage Gulf) Hike the rugged gorges and sandstone bluffs of Savage Gulf State Natural Area.
- Monroe County (Cherokee National Forest) Drive to the Bald River Falls and the Citico Creek Wilderness.
Local flavour
Rooting for Tennessee Volunteers football, Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, Atlanta Braves
Eat and drink
- country ham often served with red-eye gravy
- catfish from the Tennessee River
- cornbread a staple at every meal
- biscuits and gravy classic Southern breakfast
- sweet tea the house drink
- meat-and-three a local diner style
Where people go
- small-town diners where everyone knows your name
- country general stores selling everything from feed to fishing tackle
- Appalachian mountain trails winding through the Cumberland Plateau
- Tennessee River a lifeline for recreation and commerce
- state parks like Fall Creek Falls, a natural wonder
- rural crossroads communities where neighbours gather
- churches the heart of many towns
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaAthensTennesseeWhere the river runs through historyClevelandTennesseeWhere the mountains meet the river.CrossvilleTennesseeHighland lakes, fairways, and apple orchards.Monroe CountyTennesseeWhere rivers run deep and the mountains feel like home.Grundy CountyTennesseeMountain air, small-town heart.ChattanoogaTennesseeWhere the mountains meet the river, and everyone feels at home.McMinnvilleTennesseeRooted in the hills, blooming with pride.DaltonGeorgiaWhere the mountains meet the mills
Rhea, Bledsoe and Van Buren counties, TN. 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.