Lynchburg is the birthplace of famous Tennessee whiskey
Although Lynchburg is in a dry county, more than 200,000 people visit the city each year to taste its most famous product: Jack Daniel’s whiskey. Since the 1860s, the city has been home to the Jack Daniel's Distillery, maker of brands like the iconic Old No. 7. But while the distillery is certainly popular, Mayor Sloan Stewart says this city of about 6,500 people is a community with an otherwise “homegrown and quiet atmosphere.” “It’s not a big city. It’s out in the country, and we have one red light, if that tells you anything. There’s no traffic, just the quiet atmosphere of being in the rural country,” he says. “Everyone kind of knows who everybody is, and we have some attractions. There’s the distillery, but we also have the lake property here.”
Housing ranges from ranch-style to Greek Revival
Homes in Lynchburg are on spacious lots with a mix of paved and gravel driveways. The city also has farmland with multi-acre lots and homes with private docks along the western shores of Tims Ford Lake. Styles in Lynchburg include ranch-style, Craftsman bungalow, Colonial Revival and Greek Revival. Many homes run between $160,000 and $500,000. Those on multi-acre lots and near the lake go from about $510,000 to $940,000, while a few rural and waterfront properties go over $1 million.
Lynchburg has downhome cooking and all things Jack Daniel’s
Several local shops and restaurants are in the downtown square, which is based around the red Italianate building housing the Moore County Courthouse and Jail. Shoppers walking the square may find Jack Daniel’s merchandise at Lynchburg Hardware & General Store and Jack Daniel’s Barrel Shop. Restaurants here include BBQ Caboose Cafe, which serves meals on paper and foam plates in a casual spot with railroad-themed decor. Located in a Greek Revival home, Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant has Southern favorites like fried chicken, catfish and okra. “It’s where you get your country plate meal, you know,” Mayor Stewart says about Miss Mary Bobo’s. “But really, the distillery is the major attraction.” In addition to sampling whiskeys, visitors touring the Jack Daniel’s campus may see attractions like the limestone cave and spring that still supply the whiskeys’ water and minerals. Woodard’s Market & Deli is a local grocer, but shoppers will find more options at Food Lion in nearby Tullahoma.
Tims Ford Lake is a water sports destination
The area’s most prominent outdoor attractions are Tims Ford Lake and a roughly 3,500-acre state park of the same name. The reservoir spans nearly 11,000 acres and has over 200 miles of forest-lined shoreline. The lake is a destination for kayaking, sports boating and bass fishing. Visitors here may also hike and bike the surrounding woods or catch some sun on the beaches. Golfers may even stop by Bear Trace at Tims Ford to play 18-hole rounds along the waterfront. The city’s open spaces include Wiseman Park, which has a playground and tennis court.
Moore County Schools is local district
The Moore County Schools district serves the area and receives a B-minus from Niche. Lynchburg Elementary School gets a B-minus. Students may then go to Moore County High School, which receives a C-plus and serves seventh to 12th graders. The high school’s programs include a strong girls basketball team that finished as runner-up in 2024’s state tournament. Motlow State Community College also has a campus here.
Frontier Days is a local tradition
Lynchburg’s annual events include Frontier Days, a tradition that dates back to the early 1960s. Over two days in June, the community celebrates Americana through numerous activities on the square and at Wiseman Park. Attendees may sample various foods, shop for crafts and listen to live country music artists. Other attractions include petting zoos and hot air balloon rides.
Tennessee highways provide direct routes to neighbors
Lynchburg neighbors Tullahoma, co-anchor of the Tullahoma and Manchester micropolitan area. Tullahoma is home to Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital, one of the nearest major medical facilities. Lynchburg also provides direct access to Tennessee state routes 55 and 82, which go to other nearby cities like Fayetteville and Shelbyville. Located nearly 60 miles south, the Huntsville International Airport in Alabama is one of the nearest hubs for commercial flights.
