10 Liveliest Tennessee Towns For Active Seniors
Tennessee offers more than scenic mountains and soulful music. It is also home to some of the liveliest towns where seniors can truly enjoy life. From exciting outdoor adventures to friendly communities, the Volunteer State has something for every active retiree. Whether it’s exploring the mountain charm of Erwin or joining the riverside gatherings in Kingston, each town offers its own unique rhythm and warmth. This article will explore ten of Tennessee's most active and welcoming towns for seniors. In these towns, seniors can stay engaged, make new friends, and savor every moment of their golden years.
Adamsville
Situated in both Hardin and McNairy counties in southwestern Tennessee, the small rural town of Adamsville, with a population of 2,260, is located three miles from the Tennessee River. It is within 40 miles of the larger towns of Jackson and Savannah. Seniors are drawn to the quietness of Adamsville and the fact that it is not far from the amenities of larger cities. This may explain why Adamsville has been nicknamed the "Biggest Little Town in America."
The Irving M. Meek, Jr. Memorial Library is on Main Street in Adamsville and offers programs and activities for townspeople. Seniors who would rather be outdoors may enjoy Big Hill Pond State Park, comprising more than 4,100 acres of timberland and hardwood bottomland, just 30 miles southwest of town. Its 70-foot-tall observation tower provides breathtaking views of Travis McNatt Lake. Hope's Place on Maple Street serves breakfast and lunch and is a popular gathering spot for townsfolk. The nearest senior center to town is the Hardin County Senior Center in Walkertown, around 10 miles to the east of Adamsville.
Church Hill
In Hawkins County, northeastern Tennessee, near the Virginia border, you'll find the town of Church Hill overlooking the Holston River, bordered by Mount Carmel. This town, with a population of about 7,000, is located just nine miles from the larger town of Kingsport and 35 miles from Bristol. Church Hill, settled in 1750, was named for First United Methodist Church, the "church on the hill," which is still standing today. The natural beauty of this area attracts seniors to this historic town.
A.S. Derrick Park on Ordnance Drive in town is popular with walkers and fishermen. Laurel Run Park, consisting of 440 acres along the Holston River, was the backdrop for the 1984 movie, "The River," starring Mel Gibson and Sissy Spacek. First Baptist Church Hill runs a program for senior adults providing fellowship groups, in-home visitation, and transportation. Seniors may also wish to gather at the Church Hill Senior Citizens Center, located on East Main Boulevard.
Erwin
The county seat of Unicoi County, located in the Appalachian Mountains and bordering North Carolina, is Erwin, a beautiful mountain town with a population of 6,000, just two hours from Knoxville. Seniors seeking a serene mountain setting that still offers lively amenities should consider Erwin, situated along the Nolichucky River.
The Erwin Linear Trail, also called the Erwin Greenway, is 4.3 miles long and runs from Fishery Park Road to Jackson Love Highway. It is the perfect place for residents of all ages to walk or jog. The Unicoi County Public Library in Erwin dates to the 1920s and is housed in a former train station. History buffs may want to visit the Unicoi County Heritage Museum, which houses artifacts that tell the story of the Appalachian town's history. The Clinchfield Senior Adult Center on Union Street in Erwin is another common meeting spot for area seniors.
Jonesborough
Jonesborough, Tennessee's oldest town, founded in 1779, today is the county seat of Washington County and home to 5,800 people. It is located in eastern Tennessee at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. The larger town of Johnson City is just a few miles away. Seniors seeking a welcoming small-town atmosphere may be drawn to Jonesborough.
Those interested in the town's history should visit the Chester Inn Museum, which houses artifacts dating from the late 1700s to the present. Persimmon Ridge Park is perfect for seniors who love to be outdoors, with ample area for hiking, disc golf, and biking. A visit to the Tennessee Hills Distillery reveals the process of making, bottling, and packaging liquor. The Jonesborough Senior Center offers activities and services for residents aged 50 and above.
Kingston
Kingston is situated in the eastern part of Tennessee, along the Tennessee River, just 30 miles west of Knoxville, in Roane County. This town in the Tennessee River Valley is home to about 6,000 people. It is ideal for seniors who want to be surrounded by history and natural beauty, yet still have easy access to the city when necessary.
The Roane County Courthouse is a historic landmark in the heart of Kingston, a must-see destination. Fort Southwest Point, the only pioneer-era fort reconstructed on its original site in the state, dates to 1797 and is a great way to learn history while in the outdoors. Rose Bailey Lake, located off Route 70, is a serene park with beautiful views. The Kingston Public Roane County Senior Center is located within the Kingston Community Center.
Mountain City
Although Mountain City has "city" in its name, it is home to just 2,400 people and is the highest incorporated town in the state, sitting at more than 2,400 feet in elevation. It is the county seat of Johnson County in northeastern Tennessee, near the borders of Virginia and North Carolina. Mountain City is just an hour from Bristol, Tennessee, and a half hour from Boone, North Carolina, drawing many seniors looking for proximity to larger cities.
Doe Mountain Recreation Area offers 8,600 acres of protected mountain terrain and trails and is a popular spot for townsfolk and visitors. Seniors who love the arts should check out the Johnson County Center for the Arts, which features a gallery store representing the artwork of over 100 local artists. Seniors and other townspeople enjoy gathering at Jen's West Main Cafe on Main Street. The Johnson County Senior Center, located on College Street, offers programs and activities that many seniors participate in.
Norris
The small town of Norris, located in Anderson County, eastern Tennessee, is home to approximately 1,600 people. Situated 20 minutes north of Knoxville, the town was originally built by the Tennessee Valley Authority to house workers for the Norris Dam project in the 1930s. Today, seniors who move to Norris love its welcoming, community spirit, and small-town Appalachian atmosphere.
Norris Lake is renowned for its exceptionally clear and clean water, making it a popular destination for swimming, fishing, and boating. Norris Dam State Park contains more than 20 miles of hiking trails through the area's hills and forests. One example of Norris' community spirit is the Norris Lake Boat Parade, in which boats are decorated in patriotic colors. Anderson County Senior Center in Clinton, just ten miles southeast of Norris, hosts programs and activities for interested seniors.
Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge is famous for being the "secret city" for the Manhattan Project during World War II. This town in Anderson and Roane Counties in the eastern part of the state, just 25 miles west of Knoxville, is still home to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Manhattan Project National Historic Park (which can be visited today). About 31,000 call Oak Ridge home today.
Melton Hill Lake offers over 150 miles of shoreline, and Melton Lake Greenway runs along its western shore. The Oak Ridge Civic Center Recreation Building houses a year-round indoor pool that many seniors will enjoy. They may also meet fellow seniors at the Oak Ridge Senior Center, located on Oak Ridge Turnpike.
Portland
Home to about 13,000 people, the town of Portland is in Sumner and Robertson counties, near the Kentucky border. It is just 40 miles from Nashville. Portland is the "Strawberry Capital" of Tennessee, with more than 2,000 acres of strawberry crops being raised in and around the town over the years. The town still celebrates its heritage each May with the Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival, the longest-running festival in Sumner County, now celebrating its 85th year.
Golfers can hit the links at the Dogwood Hills Municipal Golf Course in Portland. Richland Park, spanning over 190 acres, features 1.4 miles of walking trails. The Portland Senior Center, situated on Main Street, provides a range of activities and programs for senior citizens.
Waynesboro
The county seat of Wayne County, located 105 miles southeast of Nashville and approximately 150 miles west of Memphis in western Tennessee, Waynesboro is home to around 2,300 people. Its natural beauty along the Buffalo River draws many seniors to consider Waynesboro their new home.
Waynesboro City Park is a 20-acre park featuring walking trails, picnic pavilions, and a public pool. Music lovers should check out the Wayne County Music Museum, which outlines the town's connection to the history of music. Many townsfolk look forward to gathering at the Waynesboro Farmers Market, also known as the Saturday Market on the Square. The Waynesboro Senior Center, located on Fairlane Drive, offers meals and programs for interested seniors.
Live Your Best Life in Tennessee
These ten Tennessee towns are filled with much to keep thriving seniors busy. Whether you want to live among the Appalachians and enjoy hiking in the crisp, fresh mountain air, or you crave the solitude of living by the river and partaking of everything the water has to offer, you have your pick of lively, welcoming towns from which to choose in the Volunteer State. Take a trek to these Tennessee towns and see for yourself.
