Henry County: Nature, History, and Experiences

Eiffel Tower Park is home to a 60-foot-tall steel Eiffel Tower. Paris Landing State Park offers a different focus: recreational activities there include fishing, boating, and swimming. The experiences described range from distinctive landmarks to activities on the water.

Nature and Wildlife Watching

At Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, you can explore three units: Big Sandy, Duck River, and Busseltown. Bennetts Creek Overlook offers an opportunity for birdwatching. There is also an observation platform at the visitor center, with year-round views of wildlife in a cove of Kentucky Lake. Birdwatching at the overlook and wildlife viewing from the platform offer different experiences.

You can also plan your drive to the visitor center: Oak Grove Road leads there from Highway 79, north of Paris, over a distance of 7 miles. This distance refers to the route to the visitor center. For a nature-focused visit, you can include the refuge units, the overlook, and the platform as different points of interest in your plans.

Downtown Paris and History

In Downtown Paris, the Henry County Courthouse is at the center of a traditional Tennessee town square. Downtown Paris's business district is part of a Historic District listed on the National Register. The square and the historic designation offer two different ways to take in the area: the traditional layout around the courthouse and the designated historic business district.

Cavitt Place was built in 1916. Its original details include stained-glass windows, a marble staircase and marble floors, ceiling and wall murals, and mahogany woodwork. Architecture enthusiasts will find specific details here that differ from the broader history of Downtown's business district. The Paris-Henry County Heritage Center features a permanent exhibit on Henry County history, adding its own historical perspective on the region.

Events and Culture

At the World's Biggest Fish Fry, more than 12,500 pounds of catfish are served in the Fish Tent. The Tennessee River Jam takes place annually in Downtown Paris and features local and regional food vendors. ARTS Round the Square is an all-day festival on the lawn of the Henry County Courthouse. The events offer different highlights: a specific fish dish in the Fish Tent, food vendors at the River Jam, and a festival centered around the courthouse.

Dates and event details may change. Check event dates before your trip; information about performers and vendors may also vary. This lets you plan your stay around an actual event date rather than assuming a festival will take place regardless of when you travel.

Year-round cultural programs are another option: the Paris Academy for the Arts offers classes and workshops for people of all ages from Paris and Henry County. The Krider Performing Arts Center offers the KPAC Young Artists Theatre program. The Academy's offerings are for people in various age groups; the Young Artists Theatre is a specific program at the performing arts center.

Planning Your Hotel Stay

If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Henry County, start with the purpose of your stay: activities on the water, wildlife watching, history in Downtown Paris, or an event date can each shape your itinerary in different ways.

Explore more destinations: Paris, Shelby, Campbell County, Hamilton, Cocke, Morgan County, Dickson County, Haywood County.

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