Support local farmers at Main Street Marketplace
One easy-to-overlook part of downtown is the Main Street Marketplace. This is a year-round market with vendors selling fresh produce and crafts. You'll also find local food trucks! This marketplace is located on Main Street, between the Duck Park and Peoples Bank of East Tennessee. Because vendors come and go quickly, check the market's Facebook page for regular updates. A visit to this market is great during the Summer because of all the fresh produce, but if the weather gets a little too hot and humid or a thunderstorm rolls through, you can quickly find refuge in the nearby shops like Cup Runneth Over.
Act in your own murder-mystery dinner at Whistlestop Manor
Whistlestop Manor is a historic house in Sweetwater, five minutes away from Downtown. Instead of being a dusty old museum, this manor is a bed & breakfast that hosts lively events every week. One of their most popular are their murder mystery dinners (think Knives Out but with better Southern accents). These events last for three hours and feature a full course gourmet meal and different murder mystery scripts to pick from. Attendees can wear costumes that are also provided by the manor. The event costs $80 per person. These dinners are hosted throughout the year but Summer is one of the best times to go so you can get out of that awful heat. This is perfect for when you and your friends want to have some fun and enjoy a nice meal.
Rest right on Main Street at Remedies Inn
Want to enjoy a weekend in Sweetwater while being able to wake up each morning and step out onto Main Street? Then you'll need to stay at Remedies Inn. This five-suite hotel is housed inside two historic buildings from the 1860s which were previously pharmacies (thus the name Remedies). Each suite is named after the different families that owned businesses in these buildings (such as the Bogart Suite for Dr. Bogart's pharmacy which opened in 1860) and includes a king sized bed, kitchenette, and a bathroom. The rooms are decorated to reflect the history of the buildings while also having modern amenities like a flat screen TV and high speed internet. You can stay here anytime of the year but this is great for Summer because if it gets a little too hot and humid, you won't have to travel far to get back to your room.
Get a quick pick-me-up at the Sweet and Salty Eatery
Looking for a light meal during a hot Summer day? Not far from Downtown Sweetwater is Sweet & Salty Eatery which has what you are looking for. This cafe, with trendy decor and a large menu of beverages, is great for when you are in the middle of a busy day traveling through the county and need something refreshing. One of their most popular items is the frozen cappuccino which takes the creamy coffee taste of a cappuccino and chills it, perfect for colling off after a fun day exploring Sweetwater. Sweet & Salty includes both indoor and outdoor seating. If you sit outside, just be mindful of the Summer heat and possible storms.
Cool off with something sweet at Sweetwater Creamery
A Summer day is not complete without a bit of ice cream. Sure, you can get it anywhere, but if you want fresh made ice cream in an old-fashion setting, you have to check out Sweetwater Creamery. Their menu of around 50 flavors is always changing with some staples like chocolate and strawberry along with seasonal flavors. Get your favorite flavor or try something new in a cup, cone, or sundae. They also sell homemade classic sodas like root beer and orange soda. You can enjoy your sweet treats in their retro storefront or take them outside to Circle Park or even the Train Car! This place is popular with kids (for obvious reasons) while parents can enjoy the more complex flavors like espresso.
