Arts & Tourism
Ingrained with rich cultural and musical heritage
With 200 years of musical and historical tradition to build from, McNairy County is an attractive tourist destination for young and old travelers alike. The McNairy County Tourism Department identifies local assets to preserve and promote, while also utilizing the talent of local artists and musicians to spread the rich traditions of McNairy for travelers to enjoy for years to come.
Arts in McNairy
Arts in McNairy was founded in 2001 on the principle that participation in the arts is a cornerstone for the development of a healthy community. Over the past 20 years, AiM has demonstrated this principle through arts programs, concerts, performances, cultural festivals, workshops, public art installations, exhibits and an in-depth exploration of McNairy County's rich cultural heritage. The organization has been recognized at the local, state, and national level for excellence in rural arts development and planning. Simply stated, they aspire to connect local creatives to the larger community where their gifts may be shared and appreciated.
Buford Pusser Home and Experience Center
Legendary Sheriff Buford Pusser whose life was encapsulated in the movie "Walking Tall" is a native of McNairy County. His rough and tough style of law enforcement and legendary fights with the State Line Mob earned him fame all across The United States, and he himself was set to star in two more movies prior to his tragic death. His story lives on in two museums dedicated to his life and work as the Sheriff who walked tall.
Big Hill Pond State Park
Big Hill Pond State Park is located in the southwestern part of McNairy County and encompasses 4,138 acres of timberland and hard wood bottomland. Guests visiting Big Hill Pond State Park enjoy camping, hiking, mountain biking, and fishing with approximately 14 miles of horse trails. It is also the home of the Big Hill Pond "Walking Tall" 50/25k which is the 3rd weekend in October.
Coon Creek Science Center
Within the 232-acre grounds of Coon Creek Science Center, located in rural McNairy County, Tennessee, lies one of the most important fossil sites in North America. It was acquired by the Pink Palace Family of Museums in 1988 and as of May of 2020 is currently operated by the University of Tennessee at Martin, this property contains a treasure trove of superbly preserved Upper Cretaceous marine shells and vertebrate remains left there 70 million years ago when the water of the Gulf of Mexico receded. The site attracts both youth and international scientists.
McNairy County Planetarium
Built in 1969, the McNairy County Planetarium was built to inspire wonder in the minds of those who viewed the spectacular showings of space. After falling into disrepair local highschool students partnered with the McNairy County Department of Tourism to provide upgrades in 2018 with all-new digital equipment so that it can be enjoyed once again for years to come.
Hockaday Handmade Brooms
Fourth generation Selmer broom maker Jack Martin is a prime example of McNairy County’s dedication to craftsmanship and tradition. Even today, the Martin family broom machine handcrafts each Hockaday Broom one at a time. Due to their impeccable craftsmanship, Hockaday Handmade Brooms are highly sought after across the nation. To support the folk arts in the community, Jack Martin started the Broomcorn Festival, inviting top artists across the country to McNairy County. It remains one of the finest and most authentic cultural festivals in the Southeast. In 2015, Jack Martin was honored with the Tennessee Governor’s Folklife Heritage Award, the state’s highest honor in the arts.
Shiloh National Military Park
Visit the sites of the most epic struggle in the Western Theater of the Civil War. Nearly 110,000 American troops clashed in a bloody contest that resulted in 23,746 casualties; more casualties than in all of America's previous wars combined. Explore both the Shiloh and Corinth battlefields to discover the impact of this struggle on the soldiers and on the nation.