Weekends in Cookeville
If you are trying to decide how to spend your weekends (besides studying, of course!), look no further than right here in Cookeville! Whether you are looking for entertainment, sports and recreation, community events and festivals, or local eats and shopping, there’s always something to do on the weekends here in Cookeville, Tennessee’s College Town!
In fact, you may have heard of “College Town Weekends.” This is a curated list of events happening both on campus and within the local Cookeville community for students to get engaged, and you can find out what’s happening by visiting www.tntech.edu/weekends.
Local Eats and Sweets. Cookeville has an array of restaurants, coffee, and sweet treats, including both local specialties and well-known chains. If you’re in the mood to try something new and local, head over to Cookeville’s historic WestSide district and try a local favorite like Crawdaddy’s, Seven Senses, 37 Cedar, Father Tom’s or Blue Pig. If you’re looking for something more familiar, head over to Interstate Drive (known as Restaurant Row) where you’ll find many of your favorite chain restaurants. For those sweet tooth cravings, check out Cream City, Lazy Cow Creamery, Ralph’s Donuts, Jamie’s Eats & Sweets, P-Dilly’s Cupcakes, or Big O’s Donuts.
Coffee shops. Coffee seems to be a specialty here in Cookeville, so we thought it deserved its own category. If you’re looking for somewhere to be productive on a weekend, Cookeville has plenty of coffee shops that will fit the vibe. Poets, Soul Craft, the Exceptional Bean, and Vertical Coffee Company are some of Cookeville’s favorite coffee shops. Whether you need somewhere to study, or just a midday pick-me-up, one of Cookeville’s coffee shops would be the place to go.
Entertainment & Events. Cookeville has several places you can go to feel like a kid again. If you love to play board games, you can go to The Table. With over 600 board games, you’re sure to have a fun filled day at The Table. You can also go bowling at Bowling World over the weekend. Thrive Family Fun Center is a trampoline park and arcade, which is sure to bring out the kid in you. If you love pizza and arcade games, you can spend the afternoon at The Slice Pizza and Games. You can also check out live performances happening at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center or Dogwood Park, such as Shakespeare in the Park and Cookeville Community Band concerts. If you’re looking to really immerse yourself in Cookeville, make sure to check out all of the great local events and festivals! From Fall FunFest to the Banana Pudding Festival and the Putnam County Fair, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! You can find a full list of community events at https://www.visitcookevilletn.com/events.
Shopping. Need a new outfit? Want some new room décor? Looking for a gift? Cookeville has plenty of shops to cover all your needs. Poppies, Lexi Jades, Hashtag Holly’s and other boutiques are the perfect places to go to update your wardrobe. Mission 931, Broadway Antique Mall, and The Market on the Square are your one stop shops for décor and gifts. Places like TJ Maxx, Ross, and Five Below can also be an incredibly fun way to spend your weekend shopping. You can also check out some local bookshops like PLENTY or Walls of Books.
Support the Golden Eagles. Did you know that with your Eagle Card you get into all home athletic games for free? Take advantage of this opportunity to grab your group of friends, wear your purple and gold, and cheer on your favorite Golden Eagle sports team. Catch a rugby match or a volleyball, soccer or football game, among so many others! You can find a schedule of all athletics events at ttusports.com.
Get Outdoors. Cookeville’s location makes it easy to enjoy the outdoors and embrace nature. If you’re looking to hike, kayak, paddle board, or get outside, Cookeville has plenty of options. Cummins Falls, Burgess Falls, and Fall Creek Falls are all less than an hour away from campus. Spending a weekend in nature is both fun and relaxing. Grab a group of friends and go for a hike. If it’s warm enough, you may even be able to swim at Cummins Falls or Fall Creek Falls. Can Creek Park, which is located right here in Cookeville, is a great option if you’re looking for walking paths, disc golf, and mountain biking trails!
Take advantage of discounts. Several businesses across the Cookeville area offer student discounts. When you go out to eat, be sure and ask about a Tech discount! Some shopping locations in town offer one as well. Our Golden Eagle Perk Partners make weekends in Cookeville even better!
