Samantha and Carter
Local Attractions
Mentone Brow Park
A short walk from the Mentone Inn, the 1,700 foot high Brow Park ridge-line offers a stunning view westwards across northern Alabama. It's a great place to take a stroll or watch a sunset.
DeSoto Falls
Less than a 10-minute drive from downtown Mentone, DeSoto Falls, part of DeSoto State Park, is a magnificent 100-foot waterfall named for Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto. Check it out for some stunning views of the waterfall and the canyon the West Fork of the Little River has created below it. Kayaks and canoes are available to rent, weather depending, above the falls
Plowshares Bistro and Artisan Market
Located in downtown Mentone, Plowshares is a one-stop shop for you to sample some of Mentone's local food and local artisan wares. Come for the food and stay to check out pottery, paintings, and other creations of those from the Mentone area, sometimes including Sam's dad!
Mentone Farmers' Market
Located in the grassy area directly outside the Mentone Inn as you head into downtown, the Mentone Farmers' Market happens every Saturday from 10 AM - 1 PM. As a "producers only" market, farmers must have grown what they sell. Local artists are also sometimes present.
DeSoto State Park
Less than a 15-minute drive from downtown Mentone, mountainous Desoto State Park is nestled atop beautiful Lookout Mountain and offers over 30 miles of hiking trails, including 11 + miles of mountain bike trails. Stop in at the main visitor center to pick up trail maps, visit buildings constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and observe an exhibit on the area's natural inhabitants. A short boardwalk trail is accessible just beyond the visitor center, as are several trails leading down to the Little River.
Sallie Howard Memorial Baptist Church
Known as the "Church with a Rock In It," the Sallie Howard Memorial Baptist Church was built by Colonel Milford Howard as a memorial to his first wife to replicate a European church he had seen built into a rock. Feel free to stop in and see the rocky altar- the church is always open- and services on Sunday are open to everyone, with guests encouraged to "come as you are."
Little River Canyon National Preserve
About half an hour from Mentone, drive the Little River Parkway and enjoy views of one of the deepest canyons this side of the Mississippi as the Little River winds its way across Lookout Mountain from the Mentone area to the Coosa River. Stop in at the visitor center for information and then check out views of the 45-foot Little River Falls (and, seasonally, the 133-foot Grace's High Falls), the up-to-600 feet tall sandstone cliffs, and scenic views all around.
Noccalula Falls
About an hour away from Mentone, check out beautiful views of this 90-foot tall waterfall in Sam's hometown. The Noccalula Falls Park features trails, including one running into the cavern beneath the Falls, a petting zoo, and authentic pioneer homes.
Rock City
As advertised on billboards and painted onto barn roofs for miles around, about 50 minutes from Mentone is Rock City, an enchanted 4,100-foot walking trail showcasing soaring rock formations, caves, and lush gardens. Across the Georgia state line and also minutes from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Rock City features a 140-foot waterfall and boasts a view into seven states on clear days.
Ruby Falls
Located about 50 minutes from Mentone on the Georgia-Tennessee side of Lookout Mountain overlooking Chattanooga and the Tennessee River, Ruby Falls is a 145-foot underground waterfall located over 1,120 feet below the surface. Your visit will include a lengthy walk through the caves, so it's not for the claustrophobic guest. Nearby, enjoy views from the edge of Lookout Mountain into Georgia and Tennessee.
Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park
About an hour from Mentone, visit the over 9,000 acres of preserved battlefield sites of the Battle of Chickamauga and Chattanooga Campaign across the Georgia line. Although the Confederacy prevailed at the Sept. 1863 Battle of Chickamauga, the Union's victory in the Nov. 1863 Chattanooga Campaign prompted one soldier to write that it was the "Death Knell of the Confederacy." Check out the visitor's center, drive the battlefield sites, and learn about the history of these Civil War battles.
Lake Guntersville State Park
Located just over an hour from Mentone, Lake Guntersville is a massive, 75-mile long, 69,000 acre reservoir on the Tennessee River formed by the Tennessee Valley Authority in the 1930s. Check out sweeping views of the lake in all directions from the main lodge, enjoy a drive to various scenic vistas, or go for a hike on the many miles of trails.