12 Offbeat Tennessee Towns To Visit In 2025
While the typical tourist looks for attributes like comfortable weather, stunning landscapes, historical treasures, and shopping opportunities to select a destination, some people search for odd and unusual attractions to incentivize their travels. From strange roadside installations and taboo traditions to peculiar museum exhibitions and haunted mansions, these might not be considered everyday points of interest, but continue drawing a special class of travelers.
Luckily, in the United States, the Volunteer State houses a fair share of eccentric communities that leave first-timers questioning their customs. Although they are an acquired taste, these offbeat Tennessee towns to visit in 2025 are the perfect destinations for visitors seeking an alternative experience. Whether inspecting a mule parade in Columbia or reliving a cult horror classic in Morristown, each community promises to leave you questioning your decision to visit.
Sevierville
Many people associate Sevierville with being the hometown of Dolly Parton. However, the East Tennessee community is home to quirky attractions you won't encounter elsewhere. It is home to the Smoky Mountain Knife Works, a 108,000-square-foot showroom nicknamed "world's largest knife showplace." The venue harbors an extensive collection of knives, minerals, guns, meteorites, dinosaur bones, and more. Also, the Forbidden Caverns are popular among adventurous explorers. This mysterious cavern features dramatic formations and an underground river while maintaining a cool temperature of 58 degrees Fahrenheit.
Aeroplane enthusiasts can visit the Tennessee Aviation Museum to admire a spectacular display of vintage planes. The museum covers about 50,000 square feet and houses various military memorabilia, including warbirds from the World Wars.
Paris
This Henry County municipality intrigues the country with an eccentric annual tradition that attracts curious travelers in their thousands. Every April, Paris hosts the World's Biggest Fish Fry, which involves frying over 12,000 pounds of catfish. Besides indulging in the deep-fried delicacies, attendees also participate in catfish races, parades, rodeos, and carnival rides. For a minute, newcomers to Paris imagine they are in France until they realize what they are staring at is smaller than it's supposed to be.
This is because Paris has its own Eiffel Tower, a replica of the original landmark in France, only that it is smaller by a 1:20 scale. Paris also welcomes Big Screen enthusiasts to catch the latest films at the Parisian Theatre at discounted prices.
Morristown
Morristown is a beautiful town in Hamblen County with stunning natural surroundings, framed by the Cherokee Lake, the Holston River, and the Appalachian Mountains. Its rich nature inspired the classic horror film "Evil Dead" to be filmed here, and the shooting site has turned into an unexpected tourist attraction. Horror enthusiasts visit to relive the scene of the "Cabin in the Woods." Beyond the scare, Morristown is home to Panther Creek State Park, which offers a 1,400-acre playground for mountain bikers, hikers, hunters, and other adventurers.
Downtown Morristown has a vibrant atmosphere with constant traffic of tourists and locals. One of the best pursuits here is shopping at the College Square Mall. Boasting dozens of retailers and restaurants, it delivers a modern shopping and dining experience.
Columbia
Popularly known as the "Mule Capital of the World," this historic town has an eccentric tradition that involves mules. It dedicates four days of April to celebrate "Mule Day" during a long-held custom that attracts at least 200,000 attendees. The whole downtown transforms into a mule parade with craft festivals, square dances, horse shows, and other entertaining activities. Columbia is also one of the oldest towns in Tennessee and harbors several vintage buildings, including the Maury County Courthouse.
The structure not only attracts visitors with its architectural aesthetics, but it is also where Henry Choate was lynched and in 1927. While exploring Columbia's notable landmarks, you will come across the President James K. Polk Home Museum, an excellent stop to learn about America's 11th president.
Sweetwater
This sleepy community, split between McMinn and Monroe Counties, hosts a well-kept secret that draws curious expeditioners from within and without the state. Sweetwater is home to the nation's largest underground lake, better known as the "Lost Sea." To access the ecological treasure, guests have to hike through Craighead Caverns before touring the mysterious lake on a boat. Those seeking to learn more about the lake can visit the Sweetwater Heritage Museum. Here, you will find valuable resources explaining how Ben Sands bumped into the Lost Sea while exploring in the early 20th century.
Before leaving the town, remember to check out a possible souvenir at Sweetwater Antiques. This quaint establishment sells a pleasant collection of vintage treasures, from furnishings and art to decor items.
South Pittsburg
This small town near Chattanooga is known for being home to the National Cornbread Festival. The eccentric annual spectacle lasts over the weekend and features a raft of activities centered around cornbread. Besides participants eating freshly baked cornbread, they also vote for Miss National Cornbread during a colorful pageant. South Pittsburg also hosts the Lodge Museum of Cast Iron. This curious museum pays homage to cast iron, taking guests on a journey through time with its diverse iterations of cast iron and how they are made. The highlight for many is the world's largest cast iron pan exhibit.
Back in downtown South Pittsburg, photographers always point their cameras towards the Shelby Rhinehart Bridge. This imposing structure and engineering masterpiece spans the Tennessee River and delivers magnificent vistas of the iconic waterway.
Oak Ridge
Nicknamed "Secret City," Oak Ridge was a brainchild of the Manhattan Project, built as a base to create the world's first atomic bomb. Although it was once arguably the most secretive place on earth, the cat is out of the bag, and tourists can visit to explore its dark past. The American Museum of Science and Energy provides extensive details on the Manhattan Project, focusing on nuclear energy and the atomic bomb. You can find more information at the K-25 History Center, which chronicles the uranium enrichment program using over 250 authentic artifacts.
Oak Ridge is also home to the International Friendship Bell, an 8,000-pound bell installed to pay tribute to the Manhattan Project base workers and the shared peace between Japan since the devastating World War 2 incident.
Arrington
Arrington features among the offbeat Tennessee towns to visit in 2025 for hosting one of the most eccentric celebrations in the state.
Every May, townsfolk journey back to 16th-century England in the medieval village of Covington Glen. The Tennessee Renaissance Festival unravels in the gardens of Castle Gwynn, and attendees dress in vintage regalia, ride horses, and play primitive games to recreate the old times. Arrington is surrounded by undulating landscapes and sprawling natural spaces that draw tourists to the great outdoors.
Those who embrace the outdoor lifestyle will enjoy visiting Arrington Vineyards and relish the taste of a finely crafted glass of wine. Meanwhile, if you are up for a casual shopping experience, remember to pass by Mercantile 1858.
Rugby
This historic town in Morgan and Scott counties was established in 1880 by Anglican author Thomas Hughes as an experimental utopian community.
Guests can explore a couple of relics and memorabilia that transport them back to the heyday. A cluster of dilapidated buildings and abandoned structures at Historic Rugby provides a window into the past. Guests can also plan a tour of Massengale Homeplace, situated just south of Rugby.
This rustic family home dates back to the late 19th century and portrays the life of Dempsey Massengale and his family. Beyond its history, Rugby welcomes outdoor enthusiasts to commune with nature at Brooks Corner Campground & RV Park.
Lewisburg
Lewisburg is a charming village in Marshall County with a bizarre annual tradition. During the Goats, Music, and More Festival, residents step out in numbers to honor the famous "fainting" goats endemic to the region with various family-friendly activities. These range from goat shows and music concerts to face painting and a 5K race. The town enjoys a vibrant restaurant scene and invites guests to sample local and internationally inspired flavors. If you have a thing for Mexican food, expect nothing short of authentic dishes at La Fuente Mexican Restaurant.
Meanwhile, art enthusiasts can catch an engaging concert series at the Marshall County Community Theatre, dedicated to promoting local talent by staging various theatrical performances.
Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge is a popular stop for guests in transit to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It has a family-friendly vibe, with a colorful mix of attractions, including multiple quirky museums. These include the Titanic Museum, which exhibits a vast collection of memorabilia and artifacts about the historic vessel. Pigeon also hosts the Hollywood Wax Museum, where guests can meet their favorite Hollywood A-listers in a waxed and inanimate form.
Elsewhere, the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster takes visitors on a wild ride through the dense Smoky Mountain wilderness. This approximately eight-minute ride plays out along the country's longest downhill track and delivers the ultimate thrill to get your adrenaline pumping.
Bell Buckle
Historical heritage meets small-town flair in this unassuming community in Bedford County.
Travelers come from all over the region to explore the nostalgia of the Bell Buckle Historic District. The corridor houses a cluster of old buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries, housing different businesses. Stop by Livery Stable Antique Mall to speculate on old treasures if you love antiques. However, the main spectacle in Bell Buckle happens every June during the RC-MoonPie Festival. This wacky, fun, family-friendly event honors the area's original fast food, which features a mix of RC Cola and MoonPie.
It also incorporates activities like dances, races, parades, and live music. Meanwhile, Bell Buckle Park invites tourists to enjoy the open spaces and have an easygoing picnic amidst beautiful nature.
Whether you plan to travel back in time to old-world England in Arrington or unravel the dark secrets of World War II in Oak Ridge, these offbeat Tennessee towns to visit in 2025 leave visitors asking for more surprises. Together, they embrace their eccentricities and not-so-ordinary traditions to showcase an authentic view of rural Tennessee. For anyone bored with the typical holiday experience, they provide the perfect break from the norm while promising unforgettable encounters.
