Haywood County: Hatchie River, nature and music history

In Haywood County, the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge stretches for 23 miles along the Hatchie River. The refuge is home to more than 100 fish species, 35 mussel species, and 250 bird species. The river landscape and wildlife are a distinctive highlight of your trip, complemented by canoeing and hiking opportunities in the refuge.

The Hatchie River is 238 miles long in total and is the longest free-flowing tributary of the Lower Mississippi. The 23 miles refer to the stretch of the refuge in Haywood County, while 238 miles is the river’s total length. There are also ten public TWRA boat ramps along the Hatchie River. The refuge’s recreational offerings also include an annual youth fishing event. If you plan to attend, check the specific dates.

Walking trails and outdoor activities

Webb Banks Passive Park has walking trails measuring 4,950 feet in length and informative signs. In Brownsville, the Rockin’ Roll Hatchie Trails consist of five separate trails named after notable musicians from Brownsville. They are suitable for mountain biking, hiking, and trail running; one of the trails is suitable for all fitness levels. You’ll find a variety of outdoor options: signposted walking trails in the park and several sports activities on the music trails.

Education, history, and heritage

The Dunbar Carver Museum preserves the history of African American education and community life in Haywood County. Its account of local schools spans from the 1880s to the end of segregation in 1970. The College Hill Center houses the Haywood County Historical Museum, a collection on Abraham Lincoln by Morton Felsenthal, and the Haywood County Sports Museum. The College Hill Historic District includes 83 buildings, one vacant lot, and a cemetery. The district is anchored by Brownsville Baptist Female College, built in 1851.

The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center features more than 8,000 square feet of exhibits on music and cotton in West Tennessee, as well as the scenic Hatchie River. The center offers free self-guided tours. Other museums offer their own perspectives: The West Tennessee Music Museum explores the musical history behind the road between Nashville and Memphis known as the “Music Highway.” The West Tennessee Cotton Museum traces the origins of cotton in West Tennessee and its influence on life in the region; its exhibits include old plows, an old roller cotton gin, cotton baskets, sacks, and scales. The Hatchie River Museum explains the river’s ecosystem through exhibits and freshwater aquariums.

The Flagg Grove School, home to the Tina Turner Museum, was built in 1889 by Tina Turner’s great-uncle. The museum displays costumes, gold records, and Tina Turner’s high school yearbook. Another connection to music history is the last home of “Sleepy” John Estes: the publicly accessible two-room shotgun house is located on the grounds of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. Estes was a blues pioneer who played a major role in shaping the country blues sound. The Mindfield, meanwhile, is a steel assemblage begun in 1989, made from found metal objects and depicting events and periods in the life of artist Billy Tripp. It was assembled over more than 30 years.

Music, events, and local products

Hatchie BirdFest is an annual birdwatching festival in Brownsville associated with the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge. The Exit 56 Blues Fest takes place every Memorial Day weekend on the grounds of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville. The center is located off Interstate 40 at Exit 56, between Memphis and Nashville in historic Brownsville. If you’re planning your trip around a festival, it’s worth checking the event dates.

The Haywood County Farmers Market offers another way to experience the region, with local products and food trucks. Brownsville Amphitheater is a public outdoor event venue in historic downtown Brownsville. Together with the museums, river, and trails, these attractions offer a range of ways to enjoy your stay—from nature and outdoor activities to music, history, and local products.

Discover more destinations: Brownsville, Stanton, Weakley County, Scott County, Hamilton, Tipton, Anderson, Hickman County

For the main travel overview: Tennessee.