2025's Most Underrated Towns In Tennessee
While Tennessee is best known for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the state stands out for its stunning natural landscapes, rich musical heritage, and trademark Southern hospitality. Most travelers seeking to experience the Volunteer State naturally have famous cities like Memphis and Nashville on their itinerary. Yet, so many beautiful towns remain under the radar, perhaps because of their remote location or more prominent destinations overshadowing them.
Whichever the case, they remain a prime vacation destination, delivering a pleasant time away from the urban hustle. With their curious histories, intriguing cultures, and absorbing outdoor opportunities, tourists are in for a riveting rendezvous on the fringes of the state. 2025's most underrated towns in Tennessee promise to leave you asking for more, whether delving into Jonesborough's immersive history or indulging in Dandridge's awesome adventures.
Townsend
Most tourists planning to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park choose Gatlinburg as their starting base, which sometimes leads to choking crowds in the small town. Fortunately, Townsend welcomes you to the "peaceful side" of the Smokies, where the atmosphere is more relaxed and the experience just as gratifying. Outdoor adventures abound, with trips to Tuckaleechee Caverns exposing guests to a remarkable underground experience. Alternatively, guided excursions to Cades Cove, courtesy of Cades Cove Heritage Tours, allow you to discover one of the most picturesque sections of the Smokies.
Townsend has a modest art scene worth checking out for those who choose to stay within the downtown limits. You can learn more at the Townsend Art Center, where a diverse collection of art forms, from jewelry and paintings to pottery and fiber arts, provide an idea about local culture.
Tullahoma
Tullahoma's isolated location in southern Tennessee reduces its exposure to travelers, but this doesn't detract from the wholesome experience it promises. The town's rich aviation history is well-preserved at Beechcraft Heritage Museum. A unique collection of vintage crafts and related memorabilia inside the facility chronicles the legacy of the Beech Aircraft Corporation. Outdoor enthusiasts are spoiled for choice when they want to hit the trail, with numerous scenic routes to explore at Short Springs Natural Area. This lush oasis features a series of spellbinding cascades, highlighted by the Machine and Adams Falls.
Tullahoma's vibrant arts community resides at the Tullahoma Fine Arts Center. This is where regional artists invite art lovers to peruse a fine selection of paintings, textiles, woodwork, and other art forms inside a gorgeous Italianate building.
Morristown
Morristown is another quaint community that doesn't get the attention it deserves, being often overshadowed by the bright lights of nearby Knoxville. This lakeside escape has delightful nature areas, including Panther Creek State Park. Sprawled over 1,400 acres, the sanctuary is awash with hiking and mountain biking trails, while access to the Cherokee Reservoir opens the doors to exciting fishing and boating activities.
On the other hand, the downtown area harmoniously mixes the past with the present. It has a couple of quaint museums preserving the area's past, and historians will fancy a tour of the Rose Center Museum. This rustic nineteenth-century building harbors a quirky exhibit collection featuring rare Civil War memorabilia. Meanwhile, tourists who prefer a more modern pursuit can shop at the College Square Mall. The premier shopping destination boasts more than fifty retailers with brand-name outlets and trendy restaurants.
Dyersburg
Dyersburg is a quiet western Tennessee community near the Missouri border, known for its down-to-earth residents who demonstrate trademark southern hospitality. It hosts several events across the year that help bring the townsfolk together, including the Spring Arts Festival at Dyersburg State Community College. Exploring the downtown area reveals the town's true character and attitude, with a chance to pop into various locally-owned businesses. If you relish a hearty meal in a welcoming atmosphere, head to the Blacksmith Restaurant and sample its culinary masterpieces.
Elsewhere, the Dyer County Veterans’ Walk of Fame allows guests to pay tribute to brave men and women from the region who died in service to the country. It is a surreal experience and features a Civil War-era cannon facing the memorial stone.
Cleveland
This suburban community of Bradley County is constantly under the shadow of Chattanooga, which keeps it from achieving its actual tourism potential. Nevertheless, Cleveland intrigues those who visit with its rich park system and captivating history. Outdoor lovers can access numerous walking trails, biking routes, picnic spaces, and a Japanese garden at the wooded setting of Fletcher Park. Meanwhile, the Museum Center at 5ive Points takes guests through the region's chronology with a fine display of cultural, historical, and artistic exhibits sampled from the Ocoee region.
Finally, Red Clay State Historic Park blends local history with nature across a 263-acre reserve. This former cotton and pasture land is home to Native American exhibits and hosts diverse cultural events and activities. It also doubles as a recreational getaway, with opportunities for picnickers, trekkers, and nature photographers.
Dandridge
Dandridge is another forgotten town in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, with a fascinating backstory vacationers will enjoy discovering. The town was named after Martha Dandridge Washington and welcomes newcomers to acclimatize to its heritage at the Dandridge Visitors Center. This is an excellent first stop if you want to plan the perfect itinerary. You can also visit the Bush's Visitor Center for a taste of local history. This adorable museum provides a look into over a hundred years of heritage linked to the Bush family business, dating back to its establishment in 1897 by AJ Bush.
Dandridge's setting on the shores of Douglas Lake makes it a hub for pleasant aquatic recreation. The reservoir receives over a million visitors annually seeking to indulge in fishing, boating, paddling, and other activities. You can book a trip with Smoky Mountain Lake Adventures to admire the beauty of the Smokies from the water.
Jonesborough
The state's oldest community earns its spot among 2025's most underrated towns in Tennessee due to the trove of historical treasures that remain underexplored in the city. Jonesborough takes visitors on an intriguing journey in its frozen-in-time historic district. A stroll through the rustic streets lets you explore the storied beginnings at the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum. This vintage inn showcases cultural and historical records about the area stretching back to its 1779 founding. The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre maintains a longstanding arts culture by hosting a year-round lineup of shows, including musicals, plays, and dramas inside a historic venue.
Besides the retro experience, Jonesborough treats outdoorsy tourists to exciting recreations at Persimmon Ridge Park. Spanning 130 acres, the natural area offers amenities like hiking pathways, mountain biking trails, a disc golf course, and a playground to make for a popular public hub.
Paris
Although it does not live up to the hype of its French namesake, Paris, Tennessee, gets an "A" for the effort. This adorable Henry County community is known for hosting the Eiffel Tower within the beautiful grounds of Eiffel Tower Park. The iconic landmark is just a replica of the original, built on a 1:20 scale, and presents first-timers with amazing photo ops. Paris strives to gain national acclamation with the World's Largest Fish Fry. This quirky annual festival sees twelve thousand pounds of catfish fried before being served with all the trimmings. The well-attended extravaganza also features parades, carnival rides, rodeo nights, fishing, and a host of other fun activities.
Those curious to learn about the municipality's history and culture, consider touring the Paris Henry County Heritage Center. Here, you will find resourceful and interactive exhibits detailing eye-opening facts about Paris.
Final Thoughts
While there is no shortage of interesting destinations in the Volunteer State that will spark your vacation, some areas have been grossly overlooked by travelers in the United States. This year offers an excellent opportunity to right this wrong by visiting 2025's most underrated towns in Tennessee. Ultimately, tourists can look forward to novel experiences that can't be replicated elsewhere, from discovering the state's true origins in Jonesborough to exploring the Great Smoky Mountains quietly on Townsend.
