One Tennessee hobby shop lives inside a flea market building, spread across five booths in a single aisle. It even has a little crawler course where you can test a rock-climbing RC truck.
That detail hooked me right away. Another shop on this list runs indoor carpet tracks for RC racing, plus slot car tracks with room to work in the pits.
I love that these places still exist. Screens are everywhere, yet people still want to hold a tiny locomotive or snap a new shock onto a truck that took a beating last weekend.
Some of these shops lean hard into trains. Others smell like fresh rubber tires and battery packs. A few manage both. So which one is closest to your garage, and how much track can your living room really hold?
1. Mid-South Hobbies
Memphis has plenty of famous sounds, but the hum of a tiny electric motor deserves a spot on the list. Over on Summer Avenue, this shop keeps RC fans and train lovers happily stocked.
The store focuses on RC vehicles and model kits, and the selection runs deep. You’ll also find trains, plus the parts that keep your machines running after a rough landing.
Parts matter more than people think. A broken arm on an RC truck can bench it for weeks if you have to wait on shipping.
Here, you can often grab what you need and get back to driving the same day. That’s a big deal when the weather is perfect and your truck is stuck on the workbench.
Planning a trip? The doors open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM, with shorter Sunday hours from noon to 4 PM.
Saturday afternoons get the busiest crowds. Weekday visits tend to be calmer if you want time to browse slowly.
There’s a free parking lot on-site, and curbside pickup is available too. Free Wi-Fi helps if you need to look up a part number mid-shopping.
Address: 4862 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122
2. HobbyTown
Puppets and RC boats on the same shopping trip? In Johnson City, that combo makes perfect sense.
This HobbyTown location on North Roan Street carries a huge mix of hobby gear. Board games, trains, crafts, activities, and models share space with plenty of radio-controlled fun.
The RC side is the real crowd-pleaser. You can browse cars, trucks, planes, and even boats, which is handy if your hobby dreams include a local lake.
That variety makes it a smart stop for families. One kid can hunt for a crawler while another picks out a craft kit or a new game for family night.
Train fans aren’t left out either. Model trains sit right alongside the other goodies, so a layout upgrade could happen on the same visit.
Weekday hours run from 10 AM to 7 PM, which helps after school or work. Saturdays close at 6 PM, and Sundays run from noon to 5 PM.
Expect weekend afternoons to be the busiest. If you like quiet aisles, a weekday stop is your friend.
The free on-site lot makes the trip easy. Just leave room in the trunk for that boat.
Address: 3607 N Roan St, Johnson City, TN 37601
3. Hobo’s Hobbies Trains & Planes
A shop named after a rail-riding wanderer had better know its trains. Happily, this Crossville spot lives up to the name.
Model trains and planes are the stars here, along with model-making supplies. That makes it a friendly stop for builders who like to craft scenes and not just run engines.
HO scale fans should pay close attention. The shop carries a good selection of HO rolling stock, plus track and other accessories.
Why does that help? Expanding a layout often means needing one more curve, one more switch, or one more boxcar to finish a train.
The planes side adds a fun twist. If your hobby time drifts from rails to runways, you won’t need a second shop.
Timing takes a little planning. The store opens Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM and closes on weekends and Mondays.
So this is a weekday adventure. Crossville sits on the Cumberland Plateau, which makes it an easy add-on to a drive across Tennessee.
Bring a list of what your layout needs. Measure your track space first, too, because ideas grow fast in a train shop.
Address: 128 Northside Ln, Crossville, TN 38571
4. Cookeville Raceway & Hobbies
Traxxas, Arrma, Axial, and Redcat walk into a hobby shop. No punchline needed, because they all live on the shelves in Cookeville.
RC is the main event at this North Willow Avenue store. You’ll find vehicles from those popular brands, plus lots and lots of parts.
The lineup goes beyond cars and trucks. Planes, helicopters, and boats are part of the mix, so your hobby can travel by land, air, or water.
Big brand coverage is a real perk. When your basher snaps a part, you want a shop that stocks pieces for your exact model.
The hours are generous, especially late in the week. Fridays and Saturdays currently run from 10 AM to 6 PM.
One quirk to remember is Tuesday. The store closes that day, so don’t plan a Tuesday repair run.
Weekends bring the biggest crowds, from Saturday morning into Sunday afternoon. Weekday visits are usually calmer for chatting about upgrades.
Extras include free Wi-Fi, curbside pickup, and a gender-neutral restroom. The shop is also LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space.
Free parking makes a quick stop easy. Your only challenge is leaving with just one new part.
Address: 1210 N Willow Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501
5. Family Hobbies
A store called Family Hobbies sets a high bar for friendliness. This family-owned Smyrna shop makes the name feel earned.
RC vehicles and parts fill the shelves here, with a wide selection to browse. Airplanes, helicopters, and cars are all part of the lineup.
Planes are a fun highlight. Classic designs like the Sopwith Pup, a World War I biplane, show up in the RC world, and this shop sells that kind of flyer.
Fun fact time. The real Sopwith Pup first flew in 1916, so you’d be piloting a little slice of aviation history.
The staff are known for being friendly and helpful. That’s great news for beginners who aren’t sure where to start.
Hours take some planning. The shop opens Wednesday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM.
It closes Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Mark your calendar so you don’t show up to a locked door with a broken propeller.
Curbside pickup is available, which helps on busy days. Free Wi-Fi is there if you need to check your model’s manual.
Address: 215 S Lowry St, Smyrna, TN 37167
6. R & C Hobby Shop
Big trucks break big parts. In Clarksville, this shop is ready for the damage.
RC cars and trucks are the specialty, backed by a massive selection of parts. That includes pieces for heavy hitters like the Traxxas X-Maxx and the Arrma Typhon 6S.
Those are serious machines. When a monster truck that size needs repairs, a well-stocked local shop feels like a pit crew.
The manager is known for deep RC knowledge and a helpful attitude. If you’re stuck on a repair or upgrade, that kind of advice saves time and money.
Now, about those hours. They’re a bit unusual, so read closely.
Tuesday through Saturday, the shop currently opens from noon to 7 PM.
The store is available by appointment on Sunday and Monday. A quick check of the clock before you leave the house is a smart move.
Free on-site parking keeps things simple. Clarksville sits near the Kentucky line, so this shop serves a big slice of northern Tennessee drivers.
Bring the broken part with you. Matching it in person beats guessing every time.
Address: 110 W Rossview Rd, Clarksville, TN 37040
7. Smoky Mountain Hobbies
Flea markets are full of surprises. In Kodak, one of the best ones is a full RC shop spread across five booths.
Look inside the flea market building in aisle D. Booths D2 through D6 hold a huge variety of RC items.
The coolest part is the small crawler course on-site. Customers can actually use it, which is a rare treat.
Crawlers are slow, tough trucks built to climb rocks and obstacles. Testing one before you buy can show you how it handles steep angles.
The staff are known for being friendly and very helpful. That’s handy if you’re new to crawling and need tips on tires or gearing.
Hours match the flea market rhythm. The shop opens Friday through Sunday from 9 AM to 4 PM and closes Monday through Thursday.
That makes it a perfect weekend stop. Kodak sits near the busy Sevierville and Pigeon Forge area, so you can fit it into a Smoky Mountains trip.
Plan some extra time to wander the rest of the flea market too. Just don’t let your crawler get distracted by the climb.
Address: 220 W Dumplin Valley Rd, Kodak, TN 37764
8. Lionel Trains – Nashville Retail Store
Few names say toy trains louder than Lionel. Nashville has its very own Lionel retail store inside Opry Mills.
Model trains are the headline here, and the selection is strong. You’ll also find NASCAR diecast, which makes sense in a state that loves racing.
Fun fact: Lionel was founded in 1900. Its trains have circled Christmas trees for generations.
The staff are known for being very helpful with train layout projects. Planning a layout can get tricky, so that guidance is a big plus.
Need to figure out curves or space? Asking questions in person can save you from buying the wrong pieces.
Prices vary, so compare current in-store and online listings before buying. That’s a nice bonus when you’re adding cars to a long train.
Hours are shopper-friendly. The store opens Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM.
Opry Mills is a big mall near the Grand Ole Opry. That makes this stop easy to pair with a fun Nashville day.
Bring the family. Kids and grown-ups tend to stare at moving trains the same way.
Address: 388 Opry Mills Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
9. APEX Raceway and Hobbies
Carpet usually means slippers and movie night. At this Murfreesboro raceway, it means speed.
The building holds professional indoor RC tracks and slot car racing tracks. You’ll find multiple RC tracks, plenty of slot car action, and lots of pit space.
Indoor carpet racing is its own world. The grippy surface lets touring cars and buggies corner fast without dust or mud.
Slot cars add old-school fun. They run in grooves on the track, so you focus on throttle control and timing.
Plus, it’s a well-stocked hobby store. You can grab parts and gear without leaving the race day behind.
The people here are known for being friendly and helpful. That matters if you’ve never raced before and feel a bit nervous.
Watch the schedule closely, as operating hours change according to APEX’s weekly racing and event calendar.
Check the official event calendar before visiting, as additional operating times may be scheduled. Murfreesboro sits just southeast of Nashville, so Tennessee racers from around Middle Tennessee can reach it easily.
Charge your batteries before you go. The checkered flag waits for no one.
Address: 1172 Park Ave, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
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