Union City
Around Union City
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Town and around · Tennessee · 30k people
Union City
Locals say Obion County · “Hub City”
Home of Reelfoot Lake
Tennessee OrangeUT Martin Blue
Welcome to Obion County, where Reelfoot Lake and the Mississippi River shape our days. Come for the catfish and stay for the quiet evenings on the square.
Clubs for Union City
No clubs for Union City yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Union City. 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 Union City. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Reelfoot Lake Natural cypress swamp lake famous for bald eagles and fishing
- Mississippi River Forms the western border; boating and fishing access
- Discovery Park of America Large museum and park in Union City with interactive exhibits
- Reelfoot Lake State Park State park with trails, a nature center, and lake access
- Obion County Courthouse Historic courthouse on the Union City square
- Outdoors Fishing on Reelfoot Lake
- Outdoors Duck hunting in the bottoms
- With kids Discovery Park of America
- With kids Reelfoot Lake State Park
- Evenings Local taverns
- Evenings Lake cabin gatherings
- Locals love Fishing camps
- Locals love Hunting lodges
Through the year
- Reelfoot Lake Eagle Festival February Bald eagle viewing and nature programs in February
- Obion County Fair July Carnival rides, livestock shows, and local food in July
- Union City Christmas Parade December Holiday parade through downtown with local floats
- Reelfoot Lake Fishing Tournaments Spring–Summer Bass and crappie tournaments held throughout spring and summer
Humid subtropical climate with hot, sticky summers and mild winters. Best outdoor time is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for being outside, with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “The Lake”
- Reelfoot Lake
- “The Bottom”
- The low-lying floodplain along the Mississippi
Getaways
- Martin, TN College town with UT Martin campus and local eateries
- Mayfield, KY Small city with historic downtown and nearby lakes
- Dyersburg, TN Larger town with shopping and dining options
- Paris, TN Known for Paris Landing State Park on Kentucky Lake
Local flavour
Rooting for Tennessee Titans (NFL), Memphis Grizzlies (NBA), St. Louis Cardinals (MLB), University of Tennessee Volunteers (NCAA), UT Martin Skyhawks (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Reelfoot Lake catfish Fresh catfish from the lake, often fried.
- Turtle soup A Reelfoot Lake specialty, made from snapping turtles.
- West Tennessee barbecue Pulled pork with a vinegar‑based sauce.
- Sweet tea Staple drink in the South.
- Biscuits and gravy Classic Southern breakfast.
Where people go
- Reelfoot Lake A shallow, cypress‑filled lake known for fishing and birdwatching.
- Mississippi River The river borders the area, shaping its history and landscape.
- Fishing camps and hunting lodges Common spots for outdoor recreation.
- Small‑town diners Places serving Southern comfort food and local gossip.
- Courthouse square The historic center of Union City and other towns.
Heritage and traditions
Locals are proud of their small-town Southern heritage, the unique natural wonder of Reelfoot Lake formed by earthquakes, and the area's deep roots in rockabilly music, thanks to native son Carl Perkins.
This time of year in Union City
- Fall duck hunting Fall Hunters flock to the bottoms.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to
Festivals
- Reelfoot Lake Catfish Festival June Celebrates the lake's catfish with cooking contests and music.
- South Fulton Pickle Festival August Honors the town's pickle industry with pickles, crafts, and a parade.
Landmarks with a story
- Obion County Museum Preserves local history and artifacts.
- Union City Depot A reminder of the town's railroad heritage.
Food traditions
- Fried pickles A local snack from South Fulton's pickle heritage.
- Hushpuppies Cornmeal fritters often served with fried catfish.
- Pecan pie A Southern dessert common at family gatherings.
- Collard greens A side dish often cooked with ham hocks.
Music and arts
- Rockabilly Pioneered by Carl Perkins, blending country and blues.
- Gospel music Strong church tradition with local choirs.
- Blues Influenced by the Mississippi Delta nearby.
A little history
- 1811-1812 New Madrid earthquakes formed Reelfoot Lake.
- 1818 Chickasaw ceded land in the Jackson Purchase.
- 1850s Union City grew as a railroad town.
- Civil War Skirmishes occurred in the area.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Duck hunting contests
- Outdoors Camping near Reelfoot Lake
- Outdoors Canoeing on the lake
- With kids South Fulton Pickle Festival
- With kids Reelfoot Lake Catfish Festival
People speak with a Southern accent, often using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.'
Only here
- Reelfoot Lake is the only lake in Tennessee formed by earthquakes.
- South Fulton is known as the 'Pickle Capital' with an annual festival.
- The Reelfoot Lake area has a unique cypress swamp and eagle population.
New here? A few tips
- Summers are hot and humid; winters are mild but can be cold.
- Drive carefully on rural roads, especially around the lake.
- Try the fried catfish and fried pickles.
- Visit Reelfoot Lake in winter to see bald eagles.
- Learn about the New Madrid earthquakes that shaped the land.
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Part of Martin area
Nearby
Every areaFultonKentuckyWhere the river meets the fieldsMartinTennesseeWhere Southern charm meets college spiritReelfoot LakeTennesseeWhere the cypress meet the water and the fishing is always good.MayfieldKentuckyWarm welcomes and wide open skiesDyersburgTennesseeWhere the Delta meets the river.HuntingdonTennesseeWhere the rivers meet the fieldsParisTennesseeBig peanuts, bigger sunsets on Kentucky Lake.SikestonMissouriWhere the river meets the fields and the rolls fly.
Union City, 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.