9 Underrated Destinations In Tennessee To Avoid Summer Crowds

Known as the Volunteer State, Tennessee is hands-down among the most heart-ravishing states in the country. The birthplace of country music is home to several fantastic summer vacation spots an adventurer will love to have an intimate feel of. Yet some of these places can get so crowded you can hear how the person next to you huffs and puffs. Famous spots like the Tennessee Aquarium in Chatanooga and Memphis, the home of music legend Elvis Presley, can witness incredible crowds. But still, there is a way to taste what this Southern gem has to offer without the inconvenience of another summer adventurer stepping on your feet. If you crave some kind of elbow room, discover nine underrated destinations in Tennessee.

Loretta Lynn's Ranch

Tennessee is known for music. It would therefore be fitting to include a music-themed vacation destination in your summer adventure itinerary. While Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame, one of the largest museums devoted to preserving and interpreting American vernacular music, would fit the bill, it often comes with a downside. It can get crowded, especially in summer. Therefore, if you want some breathing space and in a place that will still be rewarding, you may opt for Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, located about 100 miles northwest of Nashville. Whether you want to get wet tubing, enjoy a tan in the pool, or catch some big fish, this property, which honors the memory of one of the most iconic country music legends in the United States, will check every box. For rest, Loretta Lynn's Ranch provides both cozy cabins and quiet, peaceful campsites at fees that start at $25. The ranch also has a museum and provides guided tours.

Cane Creek Cascades, Spencer

To any summer adventurer, seeing a massive volume of water swirling and twirling from neck-straining heights before plunging down in a deafening thud is among the most spectacular sights. Fortunately, Tennessee is home to several majestic waterfalls.; more than 800, to be precise, that will tickle the fancy of a water lover. If you want to see a waterfall, the town of Spencer is always an excellent option. This is because Spencer is the gateway to Fall Creek Falls State Park, which hosts one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States — Fall Creek Falls. While Fall Creek Falls is the highest, and hence more famous, you will want to check out Cane Creek Cascades, which is often less crowded, yet happens to be much more voluminous.

Lexington

Lexington, Tennessee, is a haven for visitors seeking authentic Southern experiences. At its heart is B.E. Scott's BBQ, a beloved local establishment celebrated for its Whole Hog Hickory Smoked Pit Barbeque, a culinary delight that has been a staple of the region for years. Nearby, Days Inn provides comfortable accommodations, ensuring travelers are never far from outdoor adventures such as golf, fishing, hunting, and boating, with the serene Beech Lake and Natchez Trace State Park just a stone's throw away. History enthusiasts will find intrigue at the Beech River Heritage Museum, a testament to Lexington's rich past, dedicated to the preservation of the region's heritage. This blend of mouthwatering cuisine, natural beauty, and cultural significance makes Lexington a must-visit destination.

Maryville

Maryville is another exciting option to consider if you are a summer adventurer who does not want to be pushed and shoved by a swirl of crowds. Home to a population of about 33,000, Maryville is secreted in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee's north-central Blount County, about 18 miles south of Knoxville, Tennessee. Away from the shoulder-shoulder crowds that throng big cities like Memphis, a summer vacationer in Maryville will have the town to herself and enjoy taking a walk along the town's quaint downtown area, which happens to be one of the most vibrant downtown areas in East Tennessee. Besides, you will enjoy taking a walk at the beautiful Bicentennial Greenbelt Park and inhaling the heart-ravishing scenery around the pond. Then again, why not sum it up with a delectable plate of fish tacos at the Waterfront Grill, and in an ambiance that speaks to the true meaning of a vacation?

Clinton

If you want an uncrowded (or less crowded), off-the-beaten-path summer adventurer option in Tennessee, you may want to consider the quaint, small town of Clinton, a Tennessee stunner curled up about 18 miles northwest of Knoxville. But why should you consider Clinton, a town of just about 10,000 you may not have heard of? Brace yourself for this. Historic Downtown Clinton boasts the largest antique district in the Volunteer State. A day may not be enough to savor the wonders on the Clinton Antique Trail that extends to the beautiful Clinch River. The offerings here travel the whole gamut, from American and European to Primitive period furnishings. You will particularly want to sample Burrville Antiques, the oldest antique store in the region.

Pickett State Park Cabins

Let us agree on this. Award-winning 10-story five-star hotels have their place. But sometimes, all you want is a more secluded experience. You want to be more in tune with nature, perhaps, and quiet yourself in its warm embrace. If this is your idea of a summer vacation, the cabins at Picket State Park should be among your must-dos. Picket State Park is about 13 miles from Jamestown, a Tennessee secret nestled along the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau. The campgrounds at Picket State Park are excellent, the cabins are almost luxurious, and the environment is often quiet and peacefully heart-ravishing. A vacationer here will enjoy wandering through the woods, bluffs, and Native American shelter caves prominent in this heart-melting slice of Sylvan splendor. As if that is not enough, Pickett is a designated International Dark Sky Park. You will love to know what that means.

Oneida

Oneida is an under-the-radar vacation spot ideal for someone seeking a bit of seclusion in an environment that does not swarm with crowds. Encircled by gorgeous, cascading hills, Oneida is situated about 60 miles northwest of Knoxville, Tennessee, via Interstate 75. This is a small, rural town, so expect a lovely, rustic environment. The town is home to several affordable cabins and vacation rentals, such as Cozy Gray House, a pleasant two-bedroom property you can lodge in for as little as $105 per night. To sate your barbecue cravings in a state famous for its barbecues, County's BBQ, located on Alberta Street, will make you feel like you are vacationing in a barbecue capital. Then, of course, Oneida is the gateway to the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, a sweeping eye candy chockful of summer vacation adventure options.

Cumberland Caverns

If you adore the luminescence of stalagmites and stalactites and gypsum flowers, you cannot vacation in Tennessee and travel back without checking out the Cumberland Caverns, the second longest cave in Tennessee. People are often fascinated with caves, and because of this, Cumberland Caverns can see a lot of visitors. The good thing, however, is that this site features several tours you can choose from. For a more exclusive, intimate experience, a vacationer should consider skipping the daytime tours and opting for the overnight tours. Our recommendation, if you are up to it, is the "Into the Dark" tour. This tour has been called "a badge of honor" and "a daredevil's holy grail." But do not freak out. While it is demanding, it is the most rewarding. It will take you to several heart-melting attractions, including the Monument Pillar — a geological wonder known by many — but seen by few.

Altamont

Altamont, Tennessee, a gorgeous Tennessee town perched atop the southern Cumberland Plateau about an hour's drive north of Chattanooga, Tennessee — is one more Tennessee jewel a summer adventurer will enjoy vacationing in. For its location, Altamont can make for a quick getaway, especially for those in Chattanooga. If you visit in summer, Altamont is a perfect kick-off point for sampling the many outdoor adventures in the area. You can give your legs some workouts, for instance, at the Savage Gulf State Natural Area, a vast landmark that features one of the most scenic wilderness areas in Tennessee. Savage Gulf is only about 7 miles from downtown Altamont. If you want to camp or stay in a cozy cabin, Grand View Cabins and RV Park is a sweet spot that happens to be also quiet and clean.

The Takeaway

We all want to go somewhere and enjoy the sunshine when summer eventually tolls its bells. This could be a sandy beach, a luxurious hotel, a rustic cabin, a charming small town, or a national park. Fortunately, Tennessee plays host to many such vacation options. The problem, however, is that summer also often comes with swarms of crowds. In some venues, you will endure the inconvenience of fellow adventurers breathing down your neck. If this makes you cringe, less crowded options such as Lexington, Maryville, and Oneida are options still worth their cost in gold.