Barren Fork River Guide
McMinnville's Finest Paddles and Places
- by Hannah Carroll
- June 5, 2023
A GUIDE TO EXPLORING THE CUMBERLAND RIVER BASIN
McMinnville is home to an abundance of eateries, historic landmarks, and opportunities for outdoor exploration. And, running straight through the middle of the city, is the Barren Fork River. Come along on a day of river revelry and fun in this guide of Warren County’s finest digs.
Cumberland Biscuit Company
Cumberland Biscuit Company
114 W Main St, McMinnville, TN 37110
Before you hit the river, stop by Cumberland Biscuit Company in downtown McMinnville for some delicious breakfast.
Open Thursday through Sunday for breakfast and brunch. Try one of their signature biscuits or eggs benedict, and pair it with a cup of coffee roasted by Calfkiller Brewing, a local brewery out of Sparta, TN.
Come back on Friday & Saturday nights and try the dinner menu. They offer a wide selection of delightful cuisine from seafood to signature burgers.
Smooth Rapids Outfitters and Grill
Smooth Rapids Outfitters and Grill
245 Durham St, McMinnville, TN 37110
Smooth Rapids Outfitters and Grill is a premiere outfitter company located in downtown McMinnville, just off the Barren Fork River.
Smooth Rapids provides a wide variety of high-quality gear rentals and shuttle services. They also offer overnight accommodations from tent camping to full-hook-up RV sites.
Hook up your own RV or book one of Smooth Rapids Airbnb campers. Grab a bite at the Smooth Rapids Grill overlooking the River and enjoy some Blackened Shrimp Tacos or a Barren Fork Burger. Choose from their great selection of craft draft beer and listen to live music on the weekends.
All experiences are available at one location. Spend the weekend or your next vacation with Smooth Rapids. You won’t have a reason to leave!
Canoeing the Barren Fork
Barren Fork River
The Barren Fork River is a great place to start for beginner kayakers to start. Depending on the length and level of difficulty, Smooth Rapids offers three different river routes to best suit your needs.
>Short Float: Pepper Branch Park to Smooth Rapids 2 Miles/ 1 hr in kayaks
>Medium Float: Smooth Rapids to VFW 6 miles / 4.5 hrs in kayaks
>Longest Float: Pepper Branch to VFW 8 miles/ 5.5 hrs in kayaks
Vanilla Bean Baking Co
Vanilla Bean Baking Co
224 E Main St, McMinnville, TN 37110
If you are seeking that afternoon pick-me-up or just have a hankering for something sweet, stop in at Vanilla Bean Baking Company.
The Vanilla Bean is a bakery and coffeehouse on historic Main St. in McMinnville, TN. There are so many delicious goodies to choose from, it is hard to leave with just one item.
The menu changes daily and a new weekly menu is posted to Facebook every Monday.
Begonias Restaurant
Begonias Restaurant
239 E Main St, McMinnville, TN 37110
Catch up over dinner at Begonias Restaurant.
Located in downtown McMinnville across from the beautiful historic Park Theater. Begonias offer a wide selection of brick-oven pizzas, pasta, salads, and much more. Pair a great draft beer or dessert with your brick-oven pizza and enjoy the ambiance of this instant favorite.
1886 Downtown Loft on Main Street
1886 Downtown Loft
If the finer air-conditioned accommodations are what you seek for a weekend stay in downtown McMinnville, then book a stay through Airbnb at this charming loft that overlooks Main Street. This modern chique 3-bed loft is complete with all the amenities you might need for your Warren County weekend getaway.
There are plenty of great eateries within walking distance of the loft, including Collins River BBQ and Cafe located right downstairs.
The Park Theater
The Park Theater
115 W Main St, McMinnville, TN 37110
Be sure to check out the schedule of events at the beautiful, historic Park Theater on Main Street.
The historic theater dates back to 1939 and since then has been completely renovated and hosts live performances regularly. They offer a wide variety of acts, from music, theatrical, and comedy, to dance. There is always a great selection of live performances at the Park Theater.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The Upper Cumberland Development District is a governmental agency created by the Tennessee General Assembly to administer regional programs to the fourteen counties of the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee.
