Veteran’s Muesum

The Dyersburg Army Air Base at Halls was the largest combat crew training school built during early WWII years. As pilots began flying faster combat planes, the training was essential to airmen.

In 1997, the Veterans’ Museum was founded on the site of the Dyersburg Army Base, which served as a training facility for B-17 pilots during World War II. The museum honors American veterans from that era through displays, photographs and a history of the base. Also, there are displays from other conflicts and wars in which the United States was involved. The base was the only inland B-17 training base east of the Mississippi River.

View WWII through this former B17 training base. You will find displays from WWI to Desert Storm, as well as a WWII staff car, a Jeep, uniforms and more.

Charlene’s Tea Room

Though the atmosphere of Just Divine Tea Room is country-casual, visitors might be inspired to wear their Sunday best when stopping by for a weekday lunch. That’s because the eatery makes its home in the former Hale’s Point Baptist Church. But no matter how they dress, customers will find themselves singing the praises of the tasty, home-style fare.

Charlene’s Colony of Shoppes

This unique shopping experience includes an antique store, located in a former World War II U.S. Army base hospital building, and a tearoom, housed in a 1950s church structure. Both buildings have been moved to this location from their original sites in the county. Stop in for shopping, afternoon tea, or more  Just Divine Tea Room also serves lunch and dinner.

Murray Hudson Antiquarian Shop

For over 30 years, proprietor Murray Hudson has collected and curated an incredible inventory of over 25,000 antique maps, globes, and historical books and prints, like the first U.S. atlas, dating back to 1795.

Champion Lake

Champion Lake and Little Champion Lake are scenic views with various plants and trees, including cypress and tupelo trees. Crowds are rare, making the lakes ideal for a quiet afternoon.

Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge

17-mile area along the Hatchie River which offers regulated hunting and fishing. It is managed by US Fish and Wildlife and is an important ecological niche for fish, wildlife, and plant species.

Alex Haley Muesum

Visit the childhood home of Pulitzer Prize winning author Alex Haley.  This bungalow, filled with original 1919 furniture and family memorabilia and artifacts was where Haley, heard the stories that inspired the world-famous Roots: The Saga of An American Family.  While here head to the Interpretive Center to trace back your genealogy and roots. 

Fort Pillow State Park

This 1,600-acre state park is situated on the first Chickasaw Bluff overlooking the mighty Mississippi. This was a strategic spot for the Confederate Army during the Civil War; they hastily built earthen fortifications here, which are well preserved today. The infamous Fort Pillow Massacre took place here. Learn more about the historical and archaeological significance of this park at its museum and interpretive center, where you can view Civil War artifacts and a film about the 1864 battle. The park also offers boat access, camping, fishing and picnic facilities.

Bethlehem Cemetery

Visit the Haley family burial plot, final resting place of the real Chicken George, one of Alex Haley’s slave ancestors portrayed by actor Ben Vereen in the television adaptation of Roots.

John Tully State Forest

Spread across 2,131 acres, the forest is covered in Mississippi River alluvial bottomland hardwoods and holds some of the state’s best hunting and fishing lands.

Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge

Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge has the largest tract of bottomland hardwood forest in Tennessee, and lies in the Lower Mississippi River floodplain with eight miles of the refuge’s western boundary adjoining the Mississippi River. The refuge provides a variety of habitat types for a diversity of wildlife species and is a great destination for wildlife watching.

Canfield Cemetery

Once called the Ripley Colored Cemetery, this historic African American cemetery was organized in 1893. Louis Napoleon Nelson, a locally significant historical figure, is buried here. Nelson and his descendants have maintained that Nelson was a soldier in the Confederate Army, although his pension papers state he was a servant and a cook.

Lauderdale County Museum

The Lauderdale County Museum is housed in the historic Sugar Hill Mansion which was built in 1842. The museum showcases items highlighting the history of Lauderdale County. The building also houses the Lauderdale County Chamber of Commerce.

Ripley Water Park

The Ripley Water Park is located within the city’s 50-acre City Park and features a pool and waterslides with a full staff of lifeguards. Pool hours are 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday throughout the summer months. The Water Park is available for special events and group rentals for private parties between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday and between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Swim lessons, lifeguard certification and CPR training are also offered. For more information, call 731-635-9972.

The park also features a fitness center, disc golf, tournaments and youth sports including soccer, flag football, basketball, baseball, softball, swimming and cheerleading throughout the year. To learn more, visit,www.ripleytnparks.com

Lauderdale County Museum

Learn about the area’s history and see special exhibits in the 1842 Sugar Hill Mansion.

Downtown Ripley

Come check out this newly-renovated town square and Main Street district. The pedestrian friendly square is the perfect spot to take a stroll around the 1930s Art Deco Lauderdale County Courthouse and do a little shopping and eating.  This area really comes alive in the summer with their Summer Concerts and movies that can be seen in the amphitheater.