Why I Love Sewanee (& Why You Will, Too)

Located on Monteagle a little over halfway to Chattanooga, Sewanee is best known as the home of the University of the South. It's also, for me, the perfect place to enjoy a slower-paced, quiet and beautiful weekend getaway.

The Sewanee Inn

The Sewanee Inn is a big part my love for Sewanee. It is a beautiful hotel located on the University of the South's Gothic style campus with sweeping views of the golf course and hills. The Inn has a two story lobby with many comfy couches and seating areas that are perfect to relax in and enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail from the on-site restaurant. They also have a stunning courtyard with plenty of seating (and heaters for cold nights) to enjoy the view!
The rooms all have vaulted ceilings and are much larger than your standard hotel rooms with the MOST comfortable beds. All rooms with balconies face the golf course with a spectacular view! Want to explore around campus? Leave the car in the parking lot. They have complementary bikes for guests! 

Delicious Dining

There are several great restaurants in Sewanee and Monteagle to enjoy! This summer we chose one we had never tried, La Bella Pearl. It's in this adorable, peach house and has very cozy, intimate dining spaces. We absolutely loved it! The food is delicious and some of the best we've ever had! It's a family owned, Mediterranean American restaurant, and it is evident that they care greatly for their guests. The chef even came to our table!

Other worthwhile dinner options are:

• High Point Restaurant in Monteagle

• Shakerag inside the Sewanee Inn.

For lunch we love:

• McClurg Dining Hall on campus. 

• The Mountain Goat in Monteagle

• Green's View Grill overlooking the golf course

• Stirling's Coffee House on campus

McClurg Dining Hall

Ever wanted to feel like you are at Harry Potter's Hogwarts School? You will almost feel like you are there here! The McClurg Dining Hall is simply stunning! The architecture inside and out will take your breath away. This is where the university students eat, but it is open to the public for lunch and dinner on weekends. You pay per person when you come in and then it's all you can eat! We love coming here with the kids too because they literally have everything under the sun to enjoy! Picky kids? No problem! It is fully staffed with a pizza/spaghetti bar, sandwich bar, salad bar, meat and cheese area, lots of self serve sodas, coffee and tea and even a dessert bar! All with vaulted ceilings and rafters, beautiful dark wood tables and plenty of dining rooms to find your own spot to eat.

Mountain Top Views

Another great reason to go to Sewanee is for the awe-inspiring views and so many places to enjoy nature. Plus, there are plenty of options for hiking including: 10 unique hiking trails in Sewanee, the Sewanee Natural Bridge area and the South Cumberland State Park in nearby Tracey City.

Sewanee is for you if:

• You’re craving a calm, slower-paced weekend escape.

• You are looking for a place to unwind, relax and enjoy nature.

• You enjoy the simple life and don't need to be entertained.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Sewanee, Tennessee. In need of further inspiration? Check out Lauren McClemens’s guide, Waterfalls, Mountains and Small Towns: A Guide through North Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.