10 Undiscovered Small Towns In Tennessee
Known for its fondness for country music, blues, and whiskey, the landlocked state of Tennessee is a beloved gem in the southeastern region of the United States. Last year, it attracted 144 million visitors, with more than 16 million tourists visiting its most populated city—Nashville.
However, if you are the kind of traveler who would rather go to off-the-beaten-path destinations, then cities like Nashville and Memphis are not for you. Fret not; the Volunteer State still hides a treasure trove of underrated spots that are mostly undiscovered by many visitors. From Loudon’s local-led history walks to Bell Buckle’s antique stores, join the few who know the hidden charms of these small towns in Tennessee!
Jonesborough
Founded 17 years before Tennessee even became a state, Jonesborough is Tennessee’s oldest town and has the historical sites to show for it. Join the Jonesborough Town Tour—guided by passionate tour guides in costume to add to the immersion—to learn about the town’s origins. If you are mystified by the macabre, the Old Jonesborough Cemetery Tour will take you through the town’s cemeteries and teach you about burial customs from the 1800s.
Other history-rich spots in Jonesborough include the Salt House, which helped store salt during the Civil War but now set in its building is a popular distillery- Tennessee Hills Distillery, and The Eureka Inn, a 1797 lodging established shortly after Tennessee was declared a state. Nicknamed “The Storytelling Capital of the World,” Jonesborough has a lot of stories to tell!
Rock Island
Named after a mini island in the nearby Caney Fork River, Rock Island is a must-visit for outdoorsy folks looking to try trekking in Tennessee. Rock Island State Park, the town’s most popular attraction, is an 883-acre park that houses waterscape beauties like the Twin Falls, and nearby is the majestic Great Falls Dam. Take the Old Mill Gorge Trail or the Collins River Nature Trail for easy and beginner-friendly routes. For a challenging hike, go with the Blue Hole Trail, which takes you through a partially watery trail.
On your way back to town, you might spot the ruins of Spring Castle, a once elaborate spring house that worked as a water source and fire protection to nearby homes. If all that hiking depleted you of calories, restore some with Rock Island Trolley Stop’s ice cream shop.
Rugby
Tucked in Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, the tiny town of Ruby prides itself on being a living Victorian village. Since the town’s establishment in 1880, it has continued to preserve its numerous historic and iconic buildings, including the first free public library in the south—the Thomas Hughes Free Public Library. Other notable buildings are the Christ Church Episcopal built in 1887, and the old inn of Newbury House that still has its authentic Victorian-era furnishings.
Considered a “failed utopia” by historians, you can learn more about Rugby’s inception and mishaps through its tours, particularly its “after dark” tours, which are now open five nights a week. Drop by around September to join its annual Cemetery Lantern Tour, where locals read aloud letters and diaries of the town’s original settlers while being near their graves.
Paris
Did you know Tennessee has its own Eiffel Tower? Yep, scurry over to Eiffel Tower Park to see a mini replica of France’s most famous structure! As the first town in West Tennessee, Paris was named after France’s city to honor the heroic actions of Marquis de Lafayette during the American Revolutionary War. Know more about it by visiting the Paris Henry County Heritage Center, a preserved mansion now used as the town’s museum.
Eiffel Tower Park also has hike and bike trails for active travelers, as well as a small water park with splash pads for families with little ones. Love fried food? Paris hosts the “World’s Biggest Fish Fry” event every late April, where fried catfish are aplenty!
Wartburg
With only a population of around 1000, the sleepy town of Wartburg invites tourists to take life slowly with nature. The Obed National Wild & Scenic River Visitor Center is a good spot to start for its stunning river park and friendly ranger guides. Paddle through its whitewater streams, admire its 500-foot-deep gorges, and maybe even challenge yourself with rock climbing! The area has been kept pristine since the town’s settlers made it their home in the 1800s.
Northeast of town is another Wartburg natural wonder: Frozen Head State Park. It has one of the tallest peaks on the Cumberland Plateau at 3,324 feet, with a 360-degree observation deck at the summit. Try hiking trails like the Old Mac Trail and the fairly easy Debord Falls Trail, the latter of which will take you to the short, albeit beautiful, cascading waters of Debord Falls. Wartburg also has the historic Morgan County Courthouse and its clocktower and the Tennessee Mountain Laurel Festival, which celebrates the blooming of mountain laurels every May.
Bell Buckle
Bell Buckle is best known for its well-preserved Victorian buildings, an abundance of antique shops, and quirky celebrations. A paradise for vintage collectors, check out Blue Bird Antiques, which doubles as a turn-of-the-century soda bar and ice cream parlor, and Phillips General Store Antiques, a former 1890 dry goods store that now sells primitives and vintage textiles.
Eager to keep the South’s good ol’ fast food favorites to the new generation, the town celebrates the RC Cola-MoonPie Festival every June. Join a race, dance with cloggers, and enjoy an ice-cold RC Cola with a fresh MoonPie! The town also has the Bell Buckle Arts and Crafts Festival on the third weekend of October, which showcases quilts and other handmade crafts. Other adorable Bell Buckle spots are Bell Buckle Park and the town's favorite eatery, Bell Buckle Cafe.
Loudon
Loudon is another Tennessee town famed for its historic buildings, farms, and gorgeous views of the Tennessee River. Take the Bo Carey History Tours to get to know the city from the perspective of a 6th-generation local. Learn about the town’s historic homes, its cemetery, public hangings, and Tennessee’s Battle of Athens. Do not skip the Carmichael Inn, an establishment that started in the 1800s and has continuously served passing travelers until modern times.
Around August, party with Loudon locals during its annual River Fest celebration, where good food, fireworks, and a group kayak-paddle excursion down the river are the highlights of the event. For a stay centered on nature and the outdoors, Windy Hill Farm offers Tennessee River fishing, forest bathing, and quail hunting. Need a souvenir? Get Tennessee Valley Winery’s award-winning wines!
Leiper’s Fork
A rural village with a tiny population of around 650 people, Leiper’s Fork is as small as it gets. However, its art galleries, culinary delights, a beloved whiskey distillery, and close-knit community pack quite a charming punch! Start your visit with a tour of Leiper’s Fork Distillery to discover the secrets of what makes Tennessee whiskey so good. You will get to see their expert team distill a small whiskey batch and taste some samples in their 200-year-old tasting room!
Follow it up with a gallery tour to enrich your artistic side, with the local art hub of Leiper’s Creek Gallery and David Arms Gallery’s rustic barn location as the top art destinations. Foodies should make a stop at RedByrd Coffee Shop for their signature Byrd drinks and Fox and Locke for their cherry wood-smoked pulled pork BBQ and open-mic nights. Now, that is the comforting Southern cuisine and hospitality locals know and love!
Sewanee
Take your road trip to central Tennessee and explore the college town of Sewanee, where nature and impressive architecture merge. The University of the South is considered the town’s jewel for its 1800s Gothic-style structures and nature preserve, and it is open for scheduled tours.
Outdoor explorers can swim, boat, or fish at the nearby waterscapes of Lake Cheston and Lake Dimmick or stretch their legs at the nature preserve’s 65 miles of hiking trails. The university also houses the old All Saints’ Chapel—a must-visit for its striking stained glass windows. For your souvenir and local eats needs, the nearby Mooney's Market and Emporium has blooms and yarn, while Shenanigans has been a Sewanee foodie institution since 1974.
Erwin
Fans of hiking and rafting will get a kick out of the Appalachian Trail town of Erwin. With the Cherokee National Forest and the Nolichucky River surrounding it, your vacation here will be filled with outdoor fun! Go hiking on the Appalachian Trail to the east or enjoy the mountain and creek sceneries of Rock Creek Falls Hike. Brave the waters with Wahoo's Adventures Nolichucky Outpost when you go tubing or white water rafting in the Nolichucky River.
Outside of these sporty activities, Erwin also has historical sites and an adorable downtown to explore. The Clinchfield Railroad Museum is an old-fashioned train depot that pays homage to the town’s railroad past. Stop by Stegall's Pottery for Erwin-made crafts and get a cup of joe from the local coffee shop of Steel Rails Coffee House.
Final Thoughts
Tennessee’s big cities are popular for good reasons, but that does not mean that is all there is to it in the state. As shown on this list, these small towns in Tennessee can also cater to a wide variety of tourists—from outdoorsy travelers who want to glide down the Tennessee River in Loudon to whiskey connoisseurs looking to score Leiper’s Fork’s quality spirits.
Whether you are hungry for something new to satiate your wanderlust or want to highlight a new locale for your online content, you cannot go wrong by spelunking through Tennessee’s undiscovered destinations. Which town are you picking first?
