Museum in a Mound

Pinson, Tennessee

The prehistoric Pinson Mounds, which include the second-tallest burial mound in the U.S., inspired the builders of the site museum to bury it beneath its own mound. You can ponder prehistoric pottery and tools in their subterranean tomb, then step outside and walk miles of paths stretching over 400 acres, passing at least 17 mounds.

Pinson is "the largest Middle Woodland period mound center of the Southeast" -- and you may be its only visitors when you arrive, as we were. A quiet place to commune with mounds.