10 Most Breathtaking Towns In Tennessee
Tennessee holds some of the widest scenic range in the South. The western end of the state runs flat along the Tennessee River, the middle rises into the Cumberland Plateau, and the east climbs into the Great Smoky Mountains and the state's only national forest. A replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris gives an unexpected landmark a short distance from the river. Tellico Plains opens onto the Cherohala Skyway, a scenic byway that carries drivers up through the Cherokee National Forest. Great Smoky Mountains National Park opens onto miles of trails just beyond the gateway. These towns across stand out for the breathtaking landscapes at their doorstep.
Paris
The Eiffel Tower in Paris is among the most recognizable sights in the world, and Tennessee has a version of its own. Paris, Tennessee, keeps a replica at Eiffel Tower Park, a miniature of France's most famous landmark standing inside the Volunteer State. The park also has a ¾ mile trail and several sports courts, with the tower as a backdrop.
Paris also hosts seasonal festivals that showcase western Tennessee's culture. The World's Biggest Fish Fry fills a week each spring with carnival rides for the whole family, and the town's fishing heritage stays front and center, with all-you-can-eat catfish served throughout. In the summer, the town comes together for the Tennessee River Jam, which brings artists downtown to play sets.
Cookeville
Cookeville combines a strong regional history with some of the state's best parks. The town sits right by Cummins Falls State Park, which offers 457 acres to explore. The park's highlight is the 75-foot waterfall, a draw for photographers and anyone after a quiet hour outdoors. Beyond the falls, trails run deeper into the park, and local flora and fauna turn up along the way.
Inside town, several museums sketch out the history of Cookeville and the surrounding area. The Cookeville History Museum has exhibits that trace the town from its founding to the present day. The Depot Museum covers how the railroad shaped Cookeville, with vintage trains on display and artifacts held inside a former railroad depot.
Sewanee
Sewanee is a quiet college town near the Alabama border, and it pairs natural scenery with campus architecture. Just south of town is the Natural Bridge State Natural Area, where trails run through forest to a natural sandstone arch once owned by the University of the South. Closer in, the University of the South Overlook carries hikers to a vantage point above town.
Back in town, All Saints' Chapel at the university rivals some of Europe's cathedrals, with ornate stained glass and towering spires. The Course at Sewanee is nearby, a 9-hole layout that tests strong golfers and looks out over the surrounding countryside.
Cleveland
Despite being one of Tennessee's largest cities, Cleveland often gets overlooked when people talk about the state's scenery. Those in the know see a town with ample outdoor activities and cultural festivals that run through the year. Fletcher Park spreads across 70 acres, with trails winding through woods and marshy ground. A traditional Japanese garden sits along the route, marking the town's cultural footprint and offering a place for quiet reflection.
Cultural festivals are the highlight of September in Cleveland. The Latin Connection is a newer addition and celebrates Latin culture with music, a fashion show, and dance performances. Oktoberfest brings German culture to town, with the music, food, and drink that go with it.
Sweetwater
Sweetwater is home to the famous Lost Sea Adventure, an underground lake set in a cave network that Confederate soldiers and Cherokee people used in the past. Today, the cavern runs guided boat tours across the water that cover its history and geology.
Above ground, Sweetwater still has plenty that make it emblematic of Tennessee. Mitchell's Petting Zoo suits kids and adults, with a chance to meet capybaras, sloths, and prairie dogs. Sweetwater Antiques carries vintage collectibles, furniture, and kitschy odds and ends that work as gifts or household finds. The Blooms, Bluegrass, & BBQ Festival right by Duck Park brings live concerts and BBQ food trucks every September.
Tellico Plains
Tellico Plains stands as a gateway to the Cherokee National Forest, the only national forest in Tennessee, and to the Nantahala National Forest over the line in North Carolina. The Cherohala Skyway is a 40-mile scenic byway that delivers elevated views of the forest from a well-maintained, paved road, no hiking required. The drive takes in both forests along its length.
The town itself has plenty to offer, with a tight-knit community at its center. The Charles Hall Museum tells the story of rural and Appalachian life and how the area's geography shaped it, housing artifacts that include old vehicles, weapons, and tools. Tellico Plains also has solid eateries, such as Iron Works Grille, which serves burgers and fresh trout dishes and keeps outdoor seating within view of the forest.
Maryville
Maryville is in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, with the range serving as a backdrop for the historic buildings in town. The town's best-known historic attraction is the Thompson-Brown House, preserved by the Cades Cove Preservation Association. The museum inside the restored home explains the region's history and how Maryville's location in the Great Smoky Mountains influenced its development.
Maryville is also home to town parks that open up the surrounding landscape. Bicentennial Greenbelt Park has an artificial waterfall and nine miles of trails that follow the water. South of that is Sandy Springs Park, which runs along Pistol Creek and holds walking trails, basketball courts, and other sports courts set against a wooded backdrop.
Sevierville
Sevierville is another community in the Smoky Mountains, known as the birthplace of Dolly Parton. The town's Appalachian character comes through at the Burchfiel Grove and Arboretum, which is on the bank of the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River and labels over 70 tree species along a self-guided tour. The river runs behind the trees, and photographers work the light there through the seasons.
Skyland Ranch offers a bird's-eye view of the surrounding scenery. The park has a roller coaster that carries visitors high enough for perspective on the nearby forests and mountains, and a chairlift covers the same ground at a slower pace. The Tennessee Museum of Aviation takes a different angle, displaying old airplanes and running demonstrations of how they work, with several of history's more important planes on the floor.
Gatlinburg
Many towns in Tennessee draw attention for their setting, and Gatlinburg may stand above them all. The town is a gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which can keep a visitor busy for a weekend or a lifetime. Hikers have trails leading to scenic waterfalls and historic buildings, anglers have 2,900 miles of streams to fish, and campers have plenty of space to pitch a tent. It is America's most visited national park, and that proximity accounts for much of what Gatlinburg has become.
In town, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies holds a large selection of aquatic creatures along with hands-on experiences with some of the animals. The Gatlinburg Space Needle pairs a striking piece of architecture with wide views of the countryside. The tower stands 407 feet tall and has an observation deck near the top, where the national park and the town open out in a full panorama.
Jonesborough
Jonesborough sets mountain and forest backdrops against a historic downtown full of old buildings. Not far from the North Carolina border, Jonesborough is older than Tennessee itself, and the Chester Inn State Historic Site commemorates that history. The Chester Inn started life in 1779 and was restored to look as it did in 1880 when the state purchased the site in 1989. Inside the inn is a museum with exhibits on early Tennessee history and the role Jonesborough played in it.
Jonesborough also runs on its people and its culture of art and storytelling. The International Storytelling Center keeps the oral tradition alive with festivals and live performances of America's early folk stories, and the experience tends to leave visitors with a new appreciation for how a story gets told. For visual art, the Griffin Art Gallery holds works by local artists who paint the landscapes of eastern Tennessee.
The Many Versions of Tennessee
Tennessee packs a lot of range into a narrow state, and these communities lie close to some of its most memorable scenery. River views, waterfalls, historic streets, cave lakes, and mountain backdrops give each place a distinct sense of beauty. In the east, the Cherokee National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains bring some of the most dramatic landscapes. Other areas draw their appeal from water, architecture, and local landmarks. Across Tennessee, breathtaking scenery is rarely far from the front door.
