EXPLORE HISTORIC DOWNTOWN CLINTON
Historic Downtown Clinton captures small-town charm with store lined streets full of antique shops, boutiques, coffee shops, and even a 1940s drug store complete with an authentic soda fountain! These local, family owned businesses are the soul of downtown Clinton and will welcome you with a warm smile and open arms. Whether you’re visiting for the day, the weekend, or you live here, a trip to Historic Downtown Clinton is always a great time!
Antiques – Downtown Clinton has proudly been known as the largest antiquing district in the south. With an abundance of antique stores you will find everything from American, European and Primitive period furnishings, china, lamps, clocks, interior decor and much more. If you’re looking for authentic antiques and collectibles, Downtown Clinton is your town.
Boutiques – Farm house décor, vintage finds, floral designs, jewelry, monogrammed gifts and clothing shops… you name it and you’ll find it in Downtown Clinton. Browse the shops or treat yourself to a full on shopping spree! Whatever the case, we’re sure you’ll enjoy a day of shopping in downtown.
Coffee Shops and Eateries – Whether you need some coffee or cold brew to fuel you up for a day of shopping, a delicious home cooked meal or a sweet treat to end your day, Downtown Clinton has you covered with quaint coffee shops, diners and an authentic 1940s soda fountain that happens to serve up the best banana splits!
Get Pampered – If you need a little pampering, you can find that in Downtown Clinton too! Mitchell’s Salon and Spa and Honey and Co. can treat you to massage therapy, facials and body treatments. Go and treat yourself, you deserve it!
Historical Attractions – Downtown Clinton is packed with historical buildings and unique history. From 1895 to 1936 Tennessee was one of the nation’s six leading states in marketing pearls and Clinton was listed as one of the three towns in Tennessee at the center of the pearling industry. Freshwater mussels harvested from the Clinch River produced superior and much sought after pearl, bringing in wholesale buyers from around the country and giving the town something of a cosmopolitan air. While walking the streets of downtown, be sure to look for “The Market Place of Pearls” historical marker.
Visitors can tour the Green McAdoo Cultural Center and learn the compelling story of twelve high school students, who in 1956, braved threats of violence to attend Clinton High School, making it the first desegregated public high school in the south. Learn how the Clinton 12 not only changed a community, but a nation.
And be sure to catch a movie at the historic Ritz Theater. The theater was built in 1945 under the direction of the War Production Board. Today the theater is showing the latest movies for only $5 and serves the most delicious popcorn around.
Weekend Fun and Special Events – One of the most exciting things about Downtown Clinton has to be the events that take place throughout the year. Each Friday afternoon there is a Farmers Market set up that provides locally grown fruits and vegetables, local honey, baked goods and more. Stick around after the market for “The Garden,” a pop-up beer garden and enjoy cold drinks, a bite to eat and live music. Downtown also hosts multiple events throughout the year including a spring and fall antique festival where over 100 antique vendors and artisans line the streets complete with food trucks and live music. Be sure to follow their Facebook page to stay up to date with what’s happening in downtown Clinton.