Pelham is situated at the base of Tennessee’s South Cumberland Plateau near the headwaters of the Elk River, one of the five major rivers in Tennessee. The community is believed to have been named for a family of early settlers.
Today, Pelham is home to The Caverns, a world-renowned destination for underground live music and home of the Emmy-winning PBS television series The Caverns Sessions (formerly "Bluegrass Underground"). The venue also offers tours – for a variety of skill levels – of its magical Big Room cave system.
For nature lovers who prefer to stay aboveground, spring wildflower season draws visitors from around the world. Each April, Bluebell Island, on the banks of the Elk River just west of Interstate 24, puts on a massive and vibrant display of some of nature’s most amazing flowers.
Near the center of Pelham, local businesses along U.S. Route 41, the historic “Dixie Highway,” provide visitors with opportunities to purchase crafts and gifts as well as freshly- cooked meals at family-owned restaurants.
Pelham Pointe
3BR/2.5 BA log cabin on 35 private acres with bluff views
Mountain Point of View Cottage
2-bedroom cottage 8 miles from The Caverns in lush farmland with views of the mountains
Mountain Mobile Massage
Individual or couple massages with optional add-on treatments in your accommodations
Simply Southern Cafe
Southern comfort food
Tess's Kitchen Cafe
Country food, Asian food & pizza
The Caverns - Home of 'The Caverns Sessions'
Underground concert hall plus above-ground amphitheater that features nationally-touring acts. Cave tours also available.
Things to do in Pelham
Lodging in Pelham
Altamont
Northcutt-Moffitt Manor
An Elegant Mansion and an Eccentric Heiress
Monteagle
Oakes & Oliver's Modern Mercantile
Cool vintage items, unique home decor and local handcrafted goods
Tracy City
Olde House Shoppe
A carefully selected collection of home & garden decor, antique/vintage finds, gifts & unique items
Monteagle
Papa Ron's Pizza & Italian Steakhouse
Pastas, steaks, pizza & sandwiches
Tracy City
Potbellies
Chow down on a hearty breakfast of omelette, skillets, or the hillbilly bowl, or come at lunch time for a sizzlin' sandwich or mouth watering burger.
Tracy City
Rosie’s Farmhouse Kitchen
Country breakfasts, daily plate lunches and evening meals
Tracy City
Roundhouse Park and Historic Tracy City
Park with historic marker, picnic pavilion and playground
Tracy City
Schoolhouse Falls
This small waterfall has the remains of a moonshiners' still at its base -- an easy quarter-mile walk from the Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead, if you bear left at the first trail intersection, about 100 feet from the trailhead kiosk.
Monteagle
Smoke House Patio Grill
Barbeque and other casual options with cold beer and live music weekend nights
Monteagle
South Cumberland State Park Visitor Center
Park info, gift shop, mini-museum and trailhead for a kid-friendly "storybook trail"
Tracy City
Sycamore Falls
This is a great summer swimming hole on Big Fiery Gizzard Creek. Access this adventure from the Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead.
Tracy City
Taste of Ink Tattoo Studio
Private tattoo studio offering a variety of custom tattoo, art and piercings.
Tracy City
Tenacity Adventure Fitness
Martial arts studio with weight training equipment and indoor climbing, trampolines and obstacle courses for kids
Monteagle
The Depot Cafe
Home cooked Southern food, including burgers, Philly cheese steaks & desserts
Monteagle
The Hotel, The Eagle & College Hijinks
An Epic Tale of Fire, Abduction, Guilt and Repatriation
Monteagle
The Mabee Homeplace
A Storied Home with Connections to Al Capone
Tracy City
The Marugg Company
The Business that Scythes Built
Monteagle
The Whimsy Willow
Clothing, gifts and home goods boutique with a little something for everyone
Monteagle
Werner Military Museum
Unique Military Equipment from a Unique Collector
Monteagle
Wrenn's Nest
A place to escape summer heat and yellow fever