11 Best Downtowns In Tennessee
Tennessee is home to larger cities with bustling downtowns, but its small towns hold a special kind of magic. Whether you are exploring a preserved Civil War battlefield or strolling down a tree-lined main street, these towns offer an authentic taste of Tennessee life. From vibrant local boutiques to cozy cafes serving up classic Southern flavors, each destination has its unique appeal. Here are 11 of the best downtowns in Tennessee, offering a flavor of Southern charm in each their own way.
Jonesborough
Incorporated in 1779, Tennessee’s oldest town, Jonesborough, is a hidden gem in the eastern part of the state. In 1784, the town was named the capital of the unrecognized state of Franklin, named for founding father Benjamin Franklin. The Jonesborough Historic District is filled with 19th-century architecture, from the charming storefronts to the old homes that line the streets. One of the town’s main attractions is the International Storytelling Center, home to the National Storytelling Festival, which brings together storytellers from around the world every October. This center celebrates Jonesborough and greater Appalachia’s long-standing tradition of oral history and gives visitors a chance to experience this unique art form year-round.
For those who enjoy history and art, the town is also home to several galleries, like the Griffin Art Gallery. These galleries showcase local artists and provide a lovely backdrop for a leisurely afternoon stroll through the historic district.
Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg sits at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The town is often shrouded in a haze of fog settling like cloudy lakes in the valleys between rolling hills and mountains, evoking the pages of a fantasy novel. Though often bustling with nature-minded tourists, Gatlinburg retains its small-town charm. The Gatlinburg SkyPark provides one of the best views in the area, where visitors can take a chairlift ride up to the top of the mountain for dramatic panoramas of the town and surrounding Smoky Mountains. Want to just go straight up? Consider the Gatlinburg Space Needle on downtown Airport Road.
Ripley’s Believe-it-or-Not hosts several attractions for visitors, including their titular museum containing strange and unique artifacts from history, nature, and popular culture. A short walk down Parkway and the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is the largest aquarium in the area. It is home to hundreds of species of marine life, along with interactive exhibits that engage visitors of all ages.
Cookeville
In the heart of Tennessee, Cookeville offers a charming and historic downtown known for its vibrant arts scene and southern hospitality. The town square has several local businesses and historic buildings, including the Cookeville History Museum. The museum provides insight into the town’s agricultural past and its role in developing the Upper Cumberland region.
Another notable stop is the Cookeville Depot Museum, located in the restored 1909 railroad station, which features a variety of preserved train cars, from engine to caboose. This museum highlights Cookeville’s significance in the railroad industry and offers visitors a chance to step back in time. For those looking for a natural respite from museums and downtown itself, Cummins Falls State Park, just outside downtown, is one of Tennessee’s most beautiful hidden gems, with a stunning 75-foot waterfall. End the day with some seafood at Crawdaddy’s, a delicious New Orleans-style restaurant, for a complete trip to this lovely town.
Columbia
Known as the “Mule Capital of the World” and part of the “Antebellum Homes Capital of the World,” Columbia offers a lively and welcoming downtown reflecting the town’s rich agricultural and architectural history. The historic Maury County Courthouse, a striking Greek Revival structure built in 1859, stands as the centerpiece of the town’s downtown area. Columbia is also home to the James K. Polk Ancestral Home, the former residence of the 11th U.S. President. The house has been preserved as a museum, providing insight into the life and legacy of President Polk.
Columbia’s main street is lined with local shops like Duck River Books, cafes, and art galleries. Mule Town Tours offers a variety of guided tours around downtown Columbia; itineraries include historic, ghost, and cemetery tours. Those visiting in spring will see a livelier side of town as Columbia hosts Mule Day, a tradition dating back to the 1840s. The local festival celebrates its agricultural heritage, its centerpiece being the annual Mule Day Parade. However, the holiday has grown from a one-day event to a multiple-day affair, complete with mule driving contests, a mule show, a horse show, a crafts festival, live entertainment, and even the occasional square dance.
Tullahoma
Tullahoma has a rich aviation history, several nearby waterfalls and springs, and a friendly, small-town vibe. Downtown explorers head straight to Jackson Street, a hub of life with businesses like KK’s Loans Music & Jewelry, London’s Restaurant & Bar, and the Yamato Japanese Steakhouse. For history enthusiasts, the Beechcraft Heritage Museum near downtown features exhibits on Tullahoma’s role in developing civilian aviation in the mid-20th century. A highlight is the “staggerwing,” a kind of bi-plane with its wings staggered instead of positioned with one directly above the other.
It is Tullahoma’s unique water formations that led to a surge in health tourism in the early 20th century, attracting spa businesses to its local freshwater springs. Those looking for a dip in those famous waters will find much to enjoy in and around the Short Springs Natural Area, including several majestic waterfalls.
Maryville
Nestled at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Maryville offers a charming small college-town vibe and acts as a hub for culture, history, and recreation. Of course, Maryville is not a college town without Maryville College, a small 4-year liberal arts college with an enrollment of about 1,100 undergraduates. The college campus adds to the town’s historic appeal with its beautiful buildings and lush green spaces. The school’s academic culture has helped shape the downtown area, making it a perfect home to a variety of local businesses, including eateries like Bluetick Tavern and Southern Grace Coffee Company.
Don’t miss the Blount County Courthouse, an impressive Greek Revival building constructed in 1907, one of the most striking historical landmarks in the area. For outdoor enthusiasts, Maryville’s proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers an endless variety of ways to enjoy oneself in nature.
McMinnville
Located in the heart of Tennessee’s scenic Cumberland Plateau, McMinnville offers a charming downtown that perfectly blends history with natural beauty. The Historic District showcases a number of beautiful 19th-century buildings, including the Warren County Courthouse, which stands as a central landmark in the town square. Surrounding Court Square are plenty of thriving downtown businesses, such as Cumberland Biscuit Company for an early morning bite or Collins River BBQ & Cafe to fill your belly. Moreover, history enthusiasts have a range of options along Main Street, including the Black History Museum and Historic Dr. Thomas Black House, each with its own unique artifacts and information.
Granville
Along the scenic shores of Cordell Hull Lake in Middle Tennessee, Granville is a charming and quiet town that feels like stepping back in time. The town bills itself as “Tennessee’s Mayberry,” referring to the idealized mid-20th-century television town from “The Andy Griffith Show,” and with good reason. Any traveler would be wise to make the Sutton General Store their first stop in Granville. In addition to exploring the charming store’s unique and handmade items, local cookbooks, nostalgic toys, and old-fashioned wares of all kinds, you can purchase your Town Tour Ticket for just $7.00.
The Town Tour Ticket permits the holder entry to almost all of the town’s points of interest. Among them is the Granville Museum, housed in a historic 1900s building that was formerly a different general store. The Mayberry and I Love Lucy Museum is one of the quirky stops on the Town Tour. Playing on the town’s folksy reputation and nickname, this museum preserves memorabilia from exactly two classic CBS sitcoms filmed at Desilu Studios, a can’t-miss for fans of pop-culture kitsch.
Elsewhere on the tour are the Granville Whiskey Decanter Museum and the Whistle Stop Saloon, collectively working to tell the story of Tennessee Whiskey, exploring its place in Tennessee life and culture from history right through to the sip can enjoy in the Saloon. The nearly 5,000 decanters on display in the museum are claimed to be the world’s largest collection of limited-edition decanters. After the tour, outdoor enthusiasts can head to Cordell Hull Lake, which provides myriad opportunities for boating, fishing, and hiking, with several nearby parks offering breathtaking views of the water and surrounding hills.
Erwin
Tucked in the picturesque foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of northeastern Tennessee, Erwin is a small town surrounded by big, dramatic landscapes, rich history, and abundant outdoor activities. Known as the "Gateway to the Cherokee National Forest," Erwin serves as a base for hikers, campers, and nature lovers looking to explore the lush wilderness that stretches across the region. The town lies at the confluence of the North Indian Creek and is framed by the rugged beauty of the Nolichucky River, which runs parallel to the southern end of town.
Erwin’s historic downtown is a quiet but inviting place, with several well-preserved buildings that reflect the town’s heritage as a railway and lumber center in the 19th and early 20th centuries. One of the standout features of downtown is the Erwin Depot, a beautifully restored train station that dates back to the early 1900s. For a different experience, visitors can take a leisurely walk through the downtown area, stopping by local shops like the Whiskey River Dry Goods Company for some souvenirs or the Union Street Taproom for a drink. Or, if you want to burn calories instead, the Erwin Linear Trail connects to 2nd Street downtown with four miles of waterside trails for hiking.
Lynchburg
Among the rolling hills of middle Tennessee, Lynchburg is a town that captures the essence of Southern tradition and charm. Known worldwide as the home of Jack Daniel’s Whiskey, Lynchburg is steeped in both history and hospitality. At the center of Lynchburg’s downtown stands the iconic Lynchburg Town Square, a charming area with beautifully preserved buildings, quaint boutiques, and cozy cafes. One of the first stops for visitors is the Lynchburg Hardware and General Store, which, you may notice, is a bit light on actual hardware and is known as the unofficial Jack Daniel’s gift shop with a broader array of memorabilia than you could imagine. And, of course, no visit to Lynchburg is complete without a tour of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, the oldest registered distillery in the United States. The distillery, founded in 1866, provides several guided tours that walk visitors through the whiskey-making process, from the stills to the barrel houses, while explaining the town's deep connection to the brand. The distillery’s Visitor Center and Barrel House are within walking distance of the town square, making it easy to spend the day exploring Lynchburg's rich history and enjoying its slow-paced charm.
Leiper’s Fork
Just outside of Nashville, Leiper’s Fork is a small, picturesque village that captures the essence of rural Tennessee. With no shortage of charming, little wooden A-frame buildings, this village of just over 600 has become a favorite escape for those seeking a slower pace of life and a taste of the state's rich Southern culture. The heart of Leiper’s Fork is its quaint downtown, where visitors can stroll along historic streets lined with locally owned galleries, antique shops, and restaurants.
The Leiper's Fork Distillery, a small-batch whiskey producer, offers tours highlighting the area’s distilling heritage, making it a popular stop for visitors. Behind Leiper’s Fork’s simple, unassuming buildings, Fox And Locke hides a party as a bumpin’ live music venue and eatery that screams southern style and might set you a-boot-scooting. The next-door Leipers Fork Lawn Chair Theater is another unique destination for those who want to watch a movie in peace. For outdoor enthusiasts, Leiper's Fork offers miles of scenic trails, including those in the nearby Timberland Park, which is perfect for hiking, birdwatching, and photography.
Conclusion
These eleven towns offer a mix of historic charm, outdoor beauty, and warm Southern hospitality. Each has a downtown area that tells a story of Tennessee’s rich cultural heritage. Whether you are sipping Tennessee Whiskey, resting between hikes in the Smokies, or even visiting a museum exploring aviation, each of these towns invites you to slow down and take in the beauty and history that make Tennessee such a special place.
