8 Most Unconventional Towns In Tennessee

Tennessee's trademark Southern charm, stunning natural landscapes, and captivating historical heritage are best manifested across its small towns. While there is no shortage of destinations to visit in the state, some communities stand out for their eccentric attractions and peculiar traditions. Unlike your everyday tourist experience, these unexplored gems leave first-timers scratching their heads due to their out-of-the-ordinary points of interest.

From unusual roadside installations to cringy traditions and peculiar festivals, these unconventional towns in Tennessee embrace their personalities, exposing visitors to a rarely seen side of the Volunteer State. Whether exploring Oak Ridge's secret city or attending a mule-centered festival in Columbia, set the stage for an unorthodox holiday in these Tennessee towns.

Signal Mountain

This suburban community, about 15 minutes from Chattanooga, is known for its quirky mountainside extraterrestrial attraction, a stark reminder of the alien craze that swept through the country after the release of Star Trek. The Flying Saucer House looks like it could fly anytime. Constructed in 1972 by Curtis King, the massive steel and concrete structure was inspired by a spaceship and features a weird circular design that has been applied to the furniture in the house. Naturally, it attracts many tourists looking for a photo opportunity, especially Star Trek fans.

Signal Mountains has endless opportunities for outdoorsy travelers. Its numerous nature trails lead hikers to natural treasures like the Julia Falls Overlook, where dramatic views of the green Tennessee River Gorge await. Meanwhile, the Mushroom Rock trail is popular, and Rainbow Lake Trail weaves through a wooded area, culminating in the serene shores of the lake.

Sevierville

Sevierville's claims to fame is the hometown of legendary country music star Dolly Parton. However, fans of the unusual may also want to visit the town to see the Smoky Mountain Knife Works. This curious showroom, dubbed the "world's largest knife showplace," displays an extensive collection of knives, guns, minerals, meteorites, and other quirky artifacts, including dinosaur bones. The town also houses whimsical museums and historical sites, highlighted by the Tennessee Museum of Aviation. Inside the 50,000-square-foot facility, a fleet of vintage warbirds chronicles the military's aviation heritage.

The Dolly Parton Statue at the Sevier County Courthouse pays homage to the iconic hometown girl and has become a notable local landmark. It features a bronze statue of Parton holding a guitar and patched on a rock.

Morristown

This vibrant waterfront municipality on the shores of Cherokee Lake was immortalized in the original "Evil Dead" movie. The popular horror flick was filmed in the town, and fans can visit the actual site of the cabin-in-the-woods scene where the Necronomicon met its end. Beyond the horror show, Morristown is surrounded by a beautiful wilderness area that makes up Panther Creek State Park. Straddling over 1,400 acres, this outdoor haven harbors activities like hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, with ready access to Cherokee Lake for those who fancy a boating excursion.

Meanwhile, downtown Morristown has an eclectic mix of businesses, inviting shoppers for remarkable retail therapy at the College Square Mall. With almost 50 retail stores and restaurants, it is a popular stop for indoor-inclined tourists.

Sweetwater

Sweetwater is home to the country's largest underground lake, a unique natural wonder that draws droves of curious sightseers and expeditioners. Popularly known as the Lost Sea, guests have to venture down a rugged cave system at Craighead Caverns to access it. The 3/4-mile hike weaves through several large chambers with elaborate stalagmites and stalactites and ends at the mystic underground lake you can explore by boat.

According to the Sweetwater Heritage Museum, Ben Sands discovered the Lost Sea in the early 1900s. Furthermore, the museum exhibits an array of photographs and memorabilia that portray Sweetwater's cultural and transportation heritage. Antique enthusiasts can sort through a vast catalog of vintage home furnishings, classic art, and rare collectibles to find a worthy souvenir to buy.

Oak Ridge

A secluded town in Tennessee, Oak Ridge was explicitly built from scratch by the United States as a base for the infamous Manhattan Project. Selected for its remote location, the top national security program was charged with creating the first atomic bomb during World War II. Today, guests can learn more about the Manhattan Project and advances in nuclear sciences at the remarkable American Museum of Science and Energy. Meanwhile, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park sheds light on the community's life in the 1940s when the "Secret City" was established.

The International Friendship Bell is a whimsical local landmark that automatically attracts attention. It features a giant 8,000-pound bell commemorating employees of the Manhattan Project and symbolizing peace and unity.

Pigeon Forge

This picturesque town in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains has a unique selection of museums with unusual exhibits. The Hollywood Wax Museum fascinates tourists with elaborately molded sculptures bearing an uncanny resemblance to A-list entertainers and celebrities. Many first-timers always have difficulty believing it's not the actual Hollywood personality. The Titanic Museum is another curious venue that pays tribute to the historic vessel that capsized at sea. It features hundreds of pre-discovery artifacts and galleries with invaluable exhibits inside a 30,000-square-foot facility.

Additionally, the Alcatraz East Crime Museum focuses on exciting American crime heritage. Its interactive displays revolve around infamous robberies, deadly serial killers, devastating mass shootings, and the Wild West. Before you head out, don't forget to stop by Dollywood, one of the top family amusement parks in the state!

Rugby

This experimental utopian community was established in 1880 by Thomas Hughes but failed, resulting in a deserted town that is a skeleton of its former self. Today, less than 100 people call the area home, which hosts a few old and dilapidated structures as a window into the past. Historic Rugby introduces newcomers to the region's captivating history through museum artifacts and relic-building tours that remain standing in the community.

Just south of the town, the Massengale Homeplace depicts life in the area during the second half of the 19th century in the former home of Dempsey Massengale. Furthermore, you can visit the Laurel Dale Cemetery in nearby Robbins, which was opened early in the 1800s as a burial ground for six community members who died of typhoid.

Columbia

The "Mule Capital of the World," this Maury County municipality has one of the most unorthodox festivals in Tennessee. Columbia hosts the annual "Mule Day" in April, a unique celebration of local heritage pivoting around the farm animal. More than 200,000 participants grace the event, whose activities range from horse shows and square dances to craft exhibitions and the trademark "Mule Day Parade."

Downtown Columbia harbors a well-preserved historic district with several Victorian and post-Victorian era gems 46 miles from Nashville. The Maury County Courthouse is an iconic landmark and a fine representation of the area's architectural splendor. Furthermore, the President James K. Polk Home and Museum shines a light on President Polk's legacy, as he lived in the town on his way to becoming the nation's 11th president.

Whether hunting for secret underground lakes in the eerie caverns of Sweetwater or unearthing hidden World War II secrets in Oak Ridge, you will uncover the most unconventional towns in Tennessee. They are excellent proof that sometimes, a break from the normal is what you need to rediscover your love for traveling and exploration. By embracing their oddities and sharing their eccentricities, they provide an authentic look into rural Tennessee and leave travelers with unforgettable memories and a lasting impression.