the birthplace of Tennessee whiskey
lynchburg tennessee
Visit lynchburg tN.com
Welcome to the birthplace of Tennessee Whiskey Set among the hills and hollows of Moore County, Lynchburg is a small Tennessee town known around the world through Jack Daniel Distillery, officially registered in 1866, and still one of the most recognizable names in Tennessee whiskey. As you explore, you’ll find that story reaches beyond the distillery grounds, from the midday meals served at Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House to the Lynchburg City Cemetery, where Jack Daniel and his nephew Lem Motlow are buried. Located on the historic Jack Daniel Distillery campus, the Tennessee Whiskey Trailhead and Welcome Center gives you a place to begin your Tennessee Whiskey Trail journey, learn more about Lynchburg, and connect with travel advisors who can help point you toward local stops and destinations across the region. Even with its quiet pace, Lynchburg is rarely still. Visitors come from around the world to tour Jack Daniel Distillery, and that steady stream of travelers has helped shape the town’s restaurants, shops, museums, and gathering places. Around the historic downtown square, you’ll find local shops, classic Southern cooking, slow-smoked barbecue, and landmarks that tell the story of the people who shaped this town. Here, the past isn’t tucked away. It is part of the streets, buildings, meals, and stories you can still experience every day. A good visit to Lynchburg rarely stops with one tour. There is food to try, a square to wander, history to uncover, and plenty of reasons to stay a little longer than you planned. Welcome to Lynchburg!
LOCATION IN TENNESSEE
ExperienceTN.com This guide is developed in partnership with the South Central Tennessee Tourism Association and Experience Tennessee. To learn more, visit SCTTA.org or ExperienceTN.com. Don’t just Travel Tennessee, Experience Tennessee!
TABLE OF CONTENTS RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCES.........................
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BIRTHPLACE OF TENNESSEE WHISKEY...........
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BARBECUE AND BOARDING HOUSES..............
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HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LYNCHBURG.............
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Find more travel information, business listings, event info, and more on the official website.
VISITLYNCHBURGTN.COM
ANNUAL EVENTS June - Frontier Days October - Jack Daniel’s World Championship International Barbecue December - Christmas in Lynchburg
RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCES
by: ExperienceTN.com DINING OPTIONS Bar-B-Que Caboose Cafe
217 Main Street, Lynchburg
A restaurant serving pulled pork, ribs, smoked chicken, and homemade pecan pie.
Barrel House BBQ
105 Mechanic Street S, Lynchburg
A popular, slow-smoked BBQ restaurant known for its “Grilled Cheese on Crack.”
Canterero Mexican Grill
185 Main Street, Lynchburg
An authentic Mexican restaurant featuring special dishes made with fresh ingredients.
Lullete’s Sweet Shop & Bakery
14 Short Street, Lynchburg
A locally owned candy store renowned for its whiskey-flavored fudge.
Lynchburg Cake & Candy Company
134 Cashion Rd, Lynchburg
A dessert shop known for their famous Whiskey Cake made from a 135-year-old recipe.
Miss Mary Bobo’s
295 Main Street, Lynchburg
A legendary institution, known for southern comfort food and family-style dining.
Prince’s Parlor
22 Short Street, Lynchburg
A homemade ice cream shop that also serves pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches.
Southern Perks
10 Short Street, Lynchburg
A cozy local coffee shop serving breakfast and lunch, including paninis and calzones.
Woodard’s Market & Deli
1415 Fayetteville Hwy, Lynchburg
A family-owned country grocery store, gas station, and deli.
LODGING OPTIONS Hilltop Homestead
388 Homestead Lane, Lynchburg
A tranquil cabin hand-built with rustic charm, only minutes away from downtown.
Lynchburg Campground
301 Wiseman Park Rd, Lynchburg
A pet-friendly campground that includes full service hook-ups, restrooms, & a park.
Lynchburg Valley Inn
1328 Main Street, Lynchburg
A beautiful historic home featuring new beds, cable, wifi, and a fire pit on the patio.
Miss Elizabeth’s Place
64 Lynchburg Highway, Lynchburg
A four-bedroom home in downtown Lynchburg, with a fully equipped kitchen.
The Silo’s at Promise Manor
686 Motlow Barn Rd, Lynchburg
Converted 60-year-old grain bins with a garden, a you-cut floral garden, & fresh eggs.
Tolley House Bed & Breakfast
1253 Main Street, Lynchburg
A bed and breakfast that has hosted some of the most elite visitors for over 150 years.
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THINGS TO DO Bike TN- Lynchburg Loop
241 Main Street, Lynchburg
This scenic ride starts & finishes downtown. It has some steep grades and challenges.
Company Distilling
34 Hiles Street, Lynchburg
Offering premium spirits from TN whiskey & crafted gin to small batches of beer.
Harley Davidson
6 Short Street, Lynchburg
Selling Harley Davidson merchandise, motorcycle parts, and souvenirs.
Jack Daniel Distillery
133 Lynchburg Highway, Lynchburg
Tour the distillery where every drop of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey is made.
Lynchburg Outdoors
45 Park Alley, Lynchburg
Offering motorcycle and bike parts, service, accessories, and rental bikes.
Moore County Old Jail Museum
231 Main Street, Lynchburg
Historic 1893 jail museum featuring local artifacts, history, and ghost stories.
Tennessee Whiskey Trailhead 133 Lynchburg Highway, Lynchburg Recieve travel information and guidance for exploring the Tennessee Whiskey Trail.
White Rabbit Bottle Shop
133 Lynchburg Highway, Lynchburg
The only place in Moore County to purchase bottles of Jack Daniel’s TN Whiskey.
Wetumpka Falls
1195 Shipman Creek Rd, Lynchburg
A roadside 20-foot waterfall located 10 minutes from Lynchburg.
MORE TO DO NEARBY: Beechcraft Heritage Museum 570 Old Shelbyville Hwy, Tullahoma A one-of-a-kind aviation museum that traces the lineage of the Beechcraft legacy.
“Crafting Whiskey” Mural
975 Main St, Lynchburg
A mural at the entrance of the Retreat at Whiskey Creek, depicting charcoal mellowing.
Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. 1950 Cascade Hollow Rd, Tullahoma Small-scale Tennessee whiskey producer, home of George Dickel Tennessee Whisky.
“Nature’s Spirit” Mural
1923 N Jackson St, Tullahoma
A mural in downtown Tullahoma celebrating the natural side of whiskey distilling.
Prichard’s Distillery
11 Kelso-Smithland Rd, Kelso
Distilling hand-crafted, award-winning, pot-stilled spirits using pure spring water.
Short Springs Natural Area
200 Short Springs Rd, Tullahoma
A 420-acre preserve known for waterfalls, wooded trails, and impressive wildflowers.
“White Dog” Mural
125 Main Ave S, Fayetteville
A two-story work of art entitled “White Dog and the Spirit of the Process”.
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JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY
LYNCHBURG
TENNESSEE WHISKEY TRAILHEAD
LYNCHBURG
COMPANY DISTILLING
LYNCHBURG
JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY - BARRELHOUSE
LYNCHBURG
BIRTHPLACE OF TENNESSEE WHISKEY Known as the birthplace of Tennessee whiskey and often called America’s favorite small town, Lynchburg has been crafting something special since long before Jack Daniel registered his distillery in 1866. That milestone put this quiet town on the map with what would become the world’s most famous Tennessee whiskey, but the legacy reaches back even further. These rolling hills and hidden hollows were already known for time-honored distilling traditions, shaped and refined over generations. Today, Jack Daniel Distillery remains the heart of Lynchburg’s whiskey story. Registered in 1866 by Jack Daniel, it is recognized as the first registered distillery in the United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Each year, about 300,000 people tour the distillery and visit Lynchburg to see where their favorite whiskey is made. Visitors come from all 50 states and countries around the world, drawn by the history, the craft, and the chance to experience the home of Jack Daniel’s for themselves. The distillery offers a variety of tours and experiences, giving guests a closer look at the process, the historic campus, and the Tennessee whiskey tradition that made Lynchburg famous. Jack Daniel is not the only distillery experience in town. Company Distilling fits right in with its award-winning bourbon, relaxed atmosphere, and strong connection to Tennessee whiskey. Visitors can enjoy tastings and tours, a cozy indoor lounge, thoughtfully crafted cocktails and mocktails, a retail shop with bottles and branded goods, and regular community events. Its bourbons are finished with native Tennessee hardwood, giving each bottle a smooth, distinct flavor. The Lynchburg location is Company Distilling’s third in Tennessee, joining others in Townsend and Thompson’s Station, with each location offering its own setting while sharing a commitment to quality, good conversation, and memorable whiskey. For travelers who want to explore even more, the Tennessee Whiskey Trailhead is an essential stop. Located on the historic Jack Daniel Distillery campus, it serves as a starting point for the statewide Tennessee Whiskey Trail. The Trail stretches from Memphis to Bristol and includes more than 30 distilleries, where visitors can collect stamps and poker chips at each stop, including Jack Daniel Distillery and Company Distilling. Those who complete visits to 24 distilleries receive a commemorative poker set from the Tennessee Distillers Guild. The Trailhead also connects visitors with trained travel advisors who can help with distillery visits, local attractions, and regional travel information. Together, Jack Daniel Distillery, Company Distilling, and the Tennessee Whiskey Trail make Lynchburg more than a place to tour. They make it a destination where Tennessee whiskey history, small-town character, and modern craft all come together.
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MISS MARY BOBO’S
LYNCHBURG
BARREL HOUSE BBQ
LYNCHBURG
THE BBQ CABOOSE CAFE
LYNCHBURG
MISS MARY BOBO’S
LYNCHBURG
BARBECUE AND BOARDING HOUSES Savor the flavor of classic Southern cooking mixed with a little Tennessee history at Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House and Restaurant in Lynchburg. This historic attraction’s origin dates back to the 1820s, when a portion of the building was constructed around a spring that’s still visible today. The structure received an addition in 1867, and it operated as the Salmon Hotel until Miss Mary Bobo purchased it in 1908. She turned it into a boarding house, where she hosted both short-term and long-term guests and became well known for her midday meals. “Miss Mary Bobo’s is a Lynchburg institution,” says Laura Zimbrick, manager of hospitality for Jack Daniel Distillery, which currently owns Miss Mary Bobo’s. “Miss Mary and her daughter would host lunches, usually called ‘dinners’ in Lynchburg, for their guests and members of the community, giving them a wonderful experience, passing around food and storytelling. It was truly something special.” Miss Mary, the first female business owner in Lynchburg, cooked and served dishes until she passed away a month shy of her 102nd birthday in 1983. Her spirit remains alive in the restaurant as people continue to come from far and wide to gather around tables at “dinnertime” and choose from an ever-changing menu of Southern comfort food favorites like fried chicken, fried okra, and mashed potatoes. Nestled near Jack Daniel’s original rick houses that line Tanyard Hill, Barrel House BBQ has a story of its own. Owner Chuck Baker says the idea for the original Barrel House BBQ came to him one night during dinner with good friends. He built every piece of his business from the ground up. For the first year and a half, he laid brick during the week and served barbecue at night and on the weekends, working two jobs. Today, his days generally start at 7 a.m. in the smokehouse, preparing chicken, pork, and ribs so that everything is served fresh that day. Baker and his crew serve their signature dish, the now-famous Grilled Cheese on Crack, to visitors from around the globe. It’s so popular that Yelp and BuzzFeed both recognized it as the number one grilled cheese in Tennessee, and Money named it the third best in the world in 2018. Bar-B-Que Caboose Cafe has been serving up slow-smoked Southern goodness on the Lynchburg square for more than 20 years. The menu features barbecue favorites like juicy pulled pork, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and tender smoked chicken, all cooked low and slow for the perfect flavor. Another local favorite is their “Piggy Mac,” macaroni and cheese topped with pulled pork. Guests can top it off with house-made sauces and hearty sides, then finish with homemade desserts such as pecan pie. Located just steps from Jack Daniel Distillery, it’s a popular stop for visitors wanting a true taste of Tennessee barbecue after a distillery tour or a short stroll through town.
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LYNCHBURG-MOORE COUNTY JAIL MUSEUM
LYNCHBURG
LYNCHBURG CITY CEMETERY
LYNCHBURG
HISTORIC LYNHCHBURG COURTHOUSE
LYNCHBURG
JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY - JACK STATUE
LYNCHBURG
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LYNCHBURG In Lynchburg, local history is woven into the square, the courthouse, the old jail, and even the cemetery. One of the most memorable stops is the Lynchburg-Moore County Old Jail Museum, a landmark building that gives visitors a look at the area’s heroes, villains, and everyday life from another time. Built in 1893, the structure served as the county jail until 1990 and is especially interesting because it was both a jail and a residence. The sheriff’s family lived in the building, with a living room, two bedrooms, a dining room, and a kitchen, while inmates were housed under the same roof. Meals were prepared on-site, giving the building a unique connection between law enforcement, family life, and the people held there. From 1893 to 1990, the jail operated under 25 Moore County sheriffs, including two women. Pearl Ervin Hobbs became the county’s first female sheriff after her husband, Wiley Oliver J. Hobbs, died while in office in 1932. Margaret Wiseman later served from 1950 to 1952. A former schoolteacher, she stepped into the role of sheriff during a time when women in law enforcement leadership were still uncommon. Today, the museum helps preserve the stories of the people who served Moore County and offers visitors a closer look at the community’s past. The story continues at the Lynchburg City Cemetery on Cemetery Street, established in 1847. The cemetery is the resting place of Jack Daniel, who died in 1911, as well as his nephew Lem Motlow, who operated the distillery for nearly 40 years after Daniel’s death. Another well-known Lynchburg native buried here is Johnny Majors, the celebrated football player and coach. Majors was a standout halfback at the University of Tennessee, an All-American in 1956, and a two-time winner of the Southeastern Conference’s Most Valuable Player award. He died on June 3, 2020, and was buried in his hometown. For visitors interested in Lynchburg’s legacy, the cemetery offers a quiet place to pay respects to several figures connected to the town’s history. In the heart of downtown Lynchburg, the Moore County Courthouse anchors the square. Built between 1884 and 1885 by contractor S.L.P. Garrett, the courthouse features 20-inch-thick brick walls and is one of only four surviving 1880s courthouses in Tennessee. In 1967, local officials considered replacing the aging structure, but architect Tom Woodard proposed a more sympathetic expansion that would preserve its 19th-century character. Side wings were added in 1968, allowing the courthouse to continue serving the community while maintaining its historic appearance. The courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, along with the nearby county jail, helping preserve two of Lynchburg’s most important landmarks.
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