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Small Towns in Tennessee Worth a Visit
Cities like Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, and Knoxville tend to get a lot of attention, but there are also lots of amazing small towns in Tennessee. From mountain communities to historic towns, there’s plenty to explore!
As a Tennessee local, I’ve put together this article to highlight small towns with a population of roughly 15,000 or less. Enjoy!
Want to jump around?
16 Best Tennessee Towns
Bell Buckle
A small town with a charming downtown filled with local shops and antique stores.
🏠 Population: 423 | 📍 Google Maps | Bell Buckle Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Bell Buckle on Booking
Only an hour from Nashville, Bell Buckle is a town that seems almost frozen in time. The downtown is filled with antique shops and cute local stores. I always make a stop at BlueBird Antiques to get their delicious fudge.
Bell Buckle is small, but the town can still draw a crowd. Popular festivals include the town’s RC Cola-Moonpie Festival in the summer and Bell Buckle Daffodil Day in the spring.
Bell Buckle is a local favorite, so you’ll see lots of visitors from nearby cities and towns, especially on the weekends. If you’re able to visit on a weekday, the crowds will be a little thinner.
South Pittsburg
Home to the Lodge Cast Iron Factory and host of the National Cornbread Festival.
🏠 Population: 2,969 | 📍 Google Maps | South Pittsburg Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in South Pittsburg on Booking
Just 30 minutes from Chattanooga, South Pittsburg is a tiny little town with a lot of personality. The Lodge Manufacturing Company, which makes the popular cast iron cooking pans, is located here. If you enjoy cooking or learning about Southern cuisine, you’ll enjoy visiting the Museum of Cast Iron.
I fell in love with South Pittsburg while visiting the town during the National Cornbread Festival. The entire community gets involved during this fun event, and there’s everything from cornbread tastings to a cornbread cook-off.
Rogersville
One of the oldest towns in Tennessee where you can find the state’s first post office.
🏠 Population: 4,720 | 📍 Google Maps | Rogersville Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Rogersville on Booking
Rogersville is a historic town in Middle Tennessee that was settled in 1775. History buffs will especially enjoy visiting Rogersville to see historic sites including the home of David Crockett’s family and the first Tennessee post office.
Architecture enthusiasts will want to make sure to look at Main Street Rogersville. The buildings here date back to 1789, and the details have been well-preserved.
Greeneville
A mountain town in the foothills of the Appalachians where U.S. President Andrew Johnson began his political career.
🏠 Population: 15,979 | 📍 Google Maps | Greeneville Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Greeneville on Booking
Greeneville is a small town in East Tennessee that is best known as the home of Andrew Johnson, the 17th U.S. president. Johnson worked as a tailor in the town before beginning his political career. Today, visitors can see Johnson’s home, his tailor shop, and his burial site.
Greeneville’s historic connections aren’t the only reason to visit the town. Browse the three floors of treasures at the Greeneville Antique Market. Or visit the Wandering Llamas to see the llamas on the farm and take a hike through the mountains.
Leiper’s Fork
A tiny spot right outside Franklin with cool art galleries, a whisky distillery, and great food.
🏠 Population: 650 | 📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Hotels in Leiper’s Fork on Booking
Leiper’s Fork is an unincorporated community located just a short drive from Franklin. The cute little village is home to Leiper’s Fork Distillery and art galleries including David Arms and Leiper’s Creek Gallery.
You’ll also want to make sure to stop at Fox & Locke (formerly Puckett’s) to eat the delicious Southern comfort food and listen to live music. The Open Night Mic on Thursdays is very popular, and being so close to Nashville, you never know who might show up.
Townsend
A peaceful community located right outside the Great Smoky Mountains that’s perfect for outdoor lovers.
🏠 Population: 628 | 📍 Google Maps | Townsend Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Townsend on Booking
Townsend is often called the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies.” The East Tennessee town is home to one of the entrances to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are plenty of activities in Townsend for outdoor lovers including mountain biking at Vee Hollow, river tubing, and hiking trails.
One of the most interesting spots in Townsend is Tuckaleechee Caverns. It has the tallest underground waterfall on this side of the United States. When I took a tour of the caverns, I was fascinated by all the historical information as well!
Gatlinburg
A popular mountain town with family-friendly attractions right in the heart of the Smoky Mountains.
🏠 Population: 3,703 | 📍 Google Maps | Gatlinburg Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Gatlinburg on Booking
Gatlinburg might be a small town population-wise, but you wouldn’t know it right away based on the crowds on the main Parkway. Visitors love staying in Gatlinburg. It’s especially popular with families thanks to attractions like Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Gatlin’s Mini Golf, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
During the winter months, it’s also possible to go skiing at Ober Mountain. The amusement park is the only place you can ski in Tennessee.
Pigeon Forge
A mountain town home to lots of family-friendly attractions including Dolly Parton’s theme park.
🏠 Population: 6,446 | 📍 Google Maps | Pigeon Forge Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Pigeon Forge on Booking
Located just a 15-minute drive from Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge is another mountain town that’s very popular with visitors. Family-friendly attractions include everything from Dolly Parton’s theme park Dollywood to the Titanic Museum.
Pigeon Forge is one of the best places to visit in Tennessee if you want an action-packed vacation near the Great Smoky Mountains. Just expect to see lots of other visitors doing the same!
If you’re interested in Dolly Parton-related attractions, I’ve written an entire guide to Dolly Parton landmarks across Tennessee including several in Pigeon Forge.
Sewanee
A tiny college town on the top of Monteagle Mountain with a campus that will make you think you’ve just arrived at Hogwarts.
🏠 Population: 3,000 | 📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Hotels in Sewanee on Booking
Sewanee is a charming college town in Middle Tennessee that’s home to The University of the South. The college campus is full of beautiful gothic architecture and the town itself is worth visiting for the friendly atmosphere.
Sewanee is beautiful to visit during the fall. The forests surrounding the town are gorgeous when the leaves change. Outdoor lovers will enjoy exploring the area’s hiking trails, and there are also great biking trails like the Mountain Goat Trail.
Granville
Known as Tennessee’s Mayberry Town, visiting this hidden gem feels like something straight out of a storybook.
🏠 Population: 435 | 📍 Google Maps | Granville Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Granville on Booking
Granville is a small unincorporated community in Middle Tennessee. Granville has earned the nickname of Tennessee’s Mayberry Town thanks to its hospitality and slow-paced lifestyle.
For the best experience, head to the Sutton General Store when you first arrive in Granville. The 18th-century country store is on the National Register of Historic Places.
You’ll be able to visit the Granville Artisans’ Gallery on the general store’s second floor and get a ticket for a tour of the town. Stops on the tour include the Granville Museum, the Antique Car Museum, the Mayberry – I Love Lucy Museum, and much more.
Lynchburg
An unassuming Middle Tennessee town that’s the headquarters of the famous Jack Daniel’s brand.
🏠 Population: 6,773 | 📍 Google Maps | Lynchburg Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Lynchburg on Booking
The small town of Lynchburg is home to one of the world’s most recognized brands – Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey. Naturally, touring the Jack Daniel distillery is one of the most popular things to do in Lynchburg. You get to see how the product is made and try a whiskey flight at the end.
Besides the Jack Daniel distillery, Lynchburg has a cute downtown area with shops like Velma’s Candy. Lynchburg even made my list of top day trips from Nashville!
Jonesborough
This Appalachian town is both the oldest town in Tennessee and “the storytelling capital of the world.”
🏠 Population: 6,746 | 📍 Google Maps | Jonesborough Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Jonesborough on Booking
Jonesborough was founded in 1779 about 17 years before Tennessee became a state making it the oldest town in Tennessee. Visitors come to Jonesborough partly for its history, but also because it’s “the storytelling capital of the world.”
Jonesborough is home to the International Storytelling Center. Each year in October the center hosts the National Storytelling Festival which celebrates the Appalachian tradition of storytelling. It’s a unique event, and you won’t find a festival quite like this anywhere else.
Martin
A cute little town with a cool revitalized downtown and a fun atmosphere thanks to the University of Tennessee at Martin campus.
🏠 Population: 10,989 | 📍 Google Maps | Martin Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Martin on Booking
Martin, in West Tennessee, has with a surprisingly large number of things to do for such a small town. The downtown has been revitalized and there are fun restaurant options like The Grind Mac and Cheese Burger Bar. The town has a quirky college-town vibe, but people of all ages will love visiting.
I highly suggest stopping by Martin’s Coffee and Bakery. Fox Booksellers is located inside the coffee shop, and I love any place where you can get a warm beverage, baked goods, and books all in one spot!
Hohenwald
Home to one of the largest natural habitat refuges for African and Asian elephants in the U.S.
🏠 Population: 4,136 | 📍 Google Maps | Hohenwald Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Hohenwald on Booking
Hohenwald is a small town in Middle Tennessee that’s home to a unique attraction – the Elephant Discovery Center. The center is a refuge for African and Asian elephants. While you can’t visit the actual sanctuary, you can watch the elephants on live-stream at the center.
Hohenwald is the county seat of Lewis County, which is named after Lewis Merriwether. At the Lewis County Museum of Natural History, you’ll learn more about the county’s history as well as about the famous explorer.
The town is also a good home base for wine enthusiasts. There are several Tennessee wineries on the Natchez Trace Wine Trail nearby including Keg Springs just 20 minutes away.
Paris
A favorite for outdoor enthusiasts thanks to Paris Landing State Park, and of course, home to a replica of the Eiffel Tower.
🏠 Population: 10,517 | 📍 Google Maps | Paris Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Paris, TN on Booking
Paris, Tennessee’s most recognizable landmark is its replica of the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower Park is fun for the whole family with a playground, splash park, and disc golf course, but this small town’s real draw is its access to nature.
Right across from Eiffel Tower Park, you’ll find Eiffel Tower Extended with a stocked trout pond. Paris Landing State Park is located right on the Tennessee River, so it’s perfect for fishing, boating, and other water activities. Paris also hosts the annual World’s Largest Fish Fry, one of the largest festivals in the area.
Fun Tennessee fact, the state is home to at least two replicas of famous landmarks – the Eiffel Tower in Paris, TN, and the Parthenon in Nashville.
Tellico Plains
A charming and slow-paced town in East Tennessee with great access to outdoor activities including fishing, hiking, and kayaking.
🏠 Population: 781 | 📍 Google Maps | Tellico Plains Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Tellico Plains on Booking
Tellico Plains, in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, is the perfect destination for outdoor lovers. The town offers easy access to the Cherokee National Forest which has 158 miles of hiking trails.
You can also go kayaking on the Tellico River if you’re comfortable with rapids! Or, you can always just watch the kayakers running Baby Falls if you’d rather not be in the water yourself.
Tellico Plains is also one end of the Cherohala Skyway, a 43-mile National Scenic Byway that runs from Tellico Plains to Robbinsville in North Carolina.
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Thanks for reading my guide to some of the most interesting towns in Tennessee. Before you go, make sure to check out my guide to when to visit Tennessee.
