O6624YTsuem
I had visited this home over 20 years ago and it was in disarray but knew it has potential with the right owners. Recently I returned to the farm and was so pleasantly surprised at how they had restored the home. The manor, grounds and barns are so interesting to see. The view from the top of the mountain is breathtaking, The tour guides are so intertaining and so knowledgeable. You need to check their website because they offer so much more than I have listed here. To me, this is Tennessee's best kept secret but it needs to be revealed.
785jamim
We love to go to. Milky Way Farms and explore their beautiful barns and trails. Be careful though and take your GPS phone with you so you don get lost. Some of the trails are pretty rocky but the views views of the surrounding countryside are amazing. Plan to spend the day or just a few hours. Only open Memorial Day to Labor Day for trail riding. $15 per rider.
Y413JUkevinb
What a great place to visit for a day trip. Our guild of the farm was Lynn. She was super fun and had plenty knowledge of when mr Mars owned the property. The mansion was amazing and the staff inside made everyone feel at home.
sharonj823
The Manor House built by Frank Mars & his wife is truly a unique bit of history here in Giles County. So many wonderful features in the Manor House- a must-see tour! Mr Mars built a beautiful farm with magnificent barns on the rolling hills of Giles County here in TN. Unfortunately some of the extremely well built barns have been lost to fire or to neglect, but enough to still get the feel of the Mr Mars vision. There were lovely white fences all over the property. It was a working farm- sheep, Ms Mars raised Show Cattle, & there were beautiful Thoroughbred horses, one of which won the Kentucky Derby w/ Milky Way's colours. There are huge magnolia trees surrounding the Manor House. Alot of history, awesome pieces of furniture, huge fireplaces, etc inside the Manor House. New owners have local events for the public to come & enjoy the area. Also can be used as a Venue for weddings, Anniversary Parties, etc. Something very much needed for this area. So glad that the new owners have tried to preserve this & let others still enjoy it.
nicoletteta
Tour the manor after parking on side of long gravel driveway. Was only during $7 during 4th of July weekend.21 rooms.neat to see.look at your own pace.Tractor ride around property.stop and visit barns. Pet the horses.Nice place for pictures.they use the property for weddings.events and so on.
LindaK903
I live 85 miles away and had never heard of this until about a month ago. Got on the web site and found they were open today, so we took a day trip and had a wonderful time. Incredible house, which would be a wonderful location for a wedding, group retreat or reunion party. The owner, Frank Jones, joined us on the tour and has interesting stories of his own as well as the story of candy magnate Frank Mars. The place is quite nice and they are working to restore it to its former glory, as well as add new amenities. Easy to get to and located about an hour from Huntsville.
bookwormwendy
My kid's home school group recently arranged for a tour of the mansion as well as a hay ride with barn tour and bonfire for roasting hot dogs and s'mores. It met and exceeded expectations. My husband and I had first come across this property when it was vacant and being left to deteriorate. We were thrilled when we learned that it had been purchased and was being opened to the public again on select dates, would be hosting various events and was available for wedding rentals. We had planned on going on a public tour, however, our home school group decided to go and we waited to go with them.Stephanie, our host and guide, made everyone feel so welcome. She shared the home's fascinating history, let the kids and parents explore the mansion walking into the many bed rooms and bathrooms, and comb over the grounds outside the house. No ropes and stiff, formal lines here, just a very welcoming invite to ask questions and admire the beauty of the place. On the day we were there a local woman who makes goat's milk soap was there with her soaps and goats and gave a quick talk about the advantages of goat's milk and even explained the process. The kids loved petting her goats, smelling the various types of soap she makes, and were fascinated with barn. There was even a very fascinating bee hive in a nearby tree that they were able to observe. After their home tour and demonstration, we roasted hot dogs and s'mores over a bonfire in a field just off from the house and then went on a very extensive hay ride that circled much of the property and traveled the top of the hill on the property that overlooked the valley and house below. At one time Mr. Mars was buried in a mausoleum inside a stone fence here but he has since been moved. The view is stunning. We then explored traveled to another barn on the property that the kids were able to explore. They had a great deal of fun closing each other into the stalls. It was such a fun filled day for our kids and teens and they were so welcoming and fun. I hope that perhaps our group can even revisit at some point in the future. This place would be fun on any given day when they are giving tours or hosting events, however, I think it is ideal for school groups, youth groups, and even hobbyist groups like photographers or artists. This place is a real gem and simply stunning!