6 Coziest Small Towns In Tennessee

If you are looking to have a fun-filled time in Tennessee, you may want to head to one of its bustling cities like Nashville, Memphis, or Knoxville. But what if you want a more calm and laid-back experience? In that case, try visiting some of Tennessee’s many cozy small towns that are full of southern charm. Whether your idea of cozy comfort includes shopping along a classic main street, taking in the sights on a nature hike, or simply watching the world go by from a picnic blanket, the “Volunteer State” is sure to have a small town that fits the bill.

Leiper’s Fork

The small village of Leiper’s Fork is overshadowed by the nearby city of Franklin, but it is one of the true hidden gems of central Tennessee. Because of its location along the Natchez Trace, a historic travel and trading path used by Native Americans and settlers for centuries, Leiper’s Fork has several historic commercial buildings in its charming downtown area. The town’s proximity to Franklin, one of Tennessee’s best spots for country music, gives Leiper’s Fork a surprisingly lively music scene for a hamlet of only 650 residents. Before enjoying some music at a Leiper’s Fork restaurant or bar, tour a few of the distilleries and wineries in the surrounding countryside.

Lynchburg

Lynchburg is a small town of about 6,000 with a big reputation as the home of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, which draws some 250,000 whiskey-loving tourists to town each year. While the tour is definitely worth doing, this south-central Tennessee town is worth visiting for many other reasons as well. Lynchburg’s quaint downtown, including a town square lined with restaurants and antique shops and highlighted by the historic county courthouse, is perfect for a relaxing walking tour. Just keep in mind that you will have to travel out of town to find a bar, since the home of Jack Daniel’s is located in a “dry” county that bans alcohol sales!

Cosby

Located in a long valley that once served as a Cherokee hunting ground, the village of Cosby now acts as a lovely gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains. Cosby sits on the northeastern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making it a great setting-off point for a scenic drive, hike, bike trip, or camping excursion. During the Prohibition era of the 1920s, when alcohol manufacture was banned, Cosby gained the nickname “Moonshine Capital of the World,” referring to the illicit alcohol produced in this mountainous enclave. Several of Cosby’s businesses have fun names or product lines that refer to this moonshine connection, adding a nice dose of whimsy to this cozy village of 800 residents.

Gatlinburg

Similar to the nearby village of Cosby, the town of Gatlinburg serves as a popular gateway into the neighboring Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Gatlinburg is a bit bigger than Cosby, however, with about 3,600 residents, and has a larger and more active downtown area. Gatlinburg’s most famous attraction is the 407 foot tall Gatlinburg Space Needle, which offers a unique bird’s eye view of the surrounding Great Smokies. If this makes Gatlinburg sound like a tourist trap, rest assured that it still maintains a cozy small-town charm despite its popularity. Also, if you feel a need to get out into nature, several hiking trails are accessible right from town.

Jonesborough

Established in 1779, Jonesborough is known as “Tennessee’s Oldest Town,” but it actually predates the state and was even the capital of the never-recognized State of Franklin in the early 1780s. As befitting its brief status as a “state” capital and longtime role as the seat of northeastern Tennessee’s Washington County, Jonesborough has a lovely and historic downtown area. The Christopher Taylor House, dating from 1777, and the 1797 Chester Inn are just a couple of the highlights of the beautiful Main Street Historic District. Jonesborough’s emphasis on historic preservation, along with its convenient location near the “Tri-Cities” of  Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport, have made it one of the state’s best heritage tourism spots. 

Erwin

The town of Erwin, like Jonesborough, is located near eastern Tennessee’s Tri-Cities of Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport, and is a county seat (for Unicoi County). Unlike Jonesborough, though, Erwin’s history only stretches back to the 1870s. The town spent several decades as an important railroad depot, but is now a cozy, laid-back town of about 6,000 residents. Whatever Erwin might lack in historical significance, it more than makes up for with a plethora of sightseeing and outdoor recreation opportunities. The Erwin region is nicknamed “The Valley Beautiful” for good reason, with easy access to the mountains of the Cherokee National Forest, the Nolichucky River’s whitewater rapids, and the Appalachian Trail.

Tennessee’s rolling mountains, winding valleys, and verdant forests are all great environments for cozy small towns, and the Volunteer State has more than its fair share of these little gems scattered across its landscape. We have listed six great examples to get you started, but plan on exploring the state and discovering even more cozy small towns of your own. You will definitely have an easy time finding “volunteers” to join you on your trip!