12 Prettiest Small Towns In Tennessee
Tennessee's tourism runs on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which drew more than 12 million visitors in 2024, and on music-driven cities like Nashville and Memphis. Outside those, the state has dozens of towns and small cities with specific local draws: Jack Daniel's in Lynchburg, Tennessee's oldest town in Jonesborough, presidential history in Greeneville, and the gateway community of Gatlinburg at the national park's entrance. The 12 communities below cover the range.
Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge is in eastern Tennessee in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The Island in Pigeon Forge is a 23-acre entertainment complex with a Ferris wheel, rides, shops, and restaurants. The Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster runs through the surrounding woods.
Pigeon Forge is also known for a cluster of small museums, including the Hollywood Wax Museum, which displays wax figures of entertainment industry celebrities.
Greeneville
Greeneville was named for Nathanael Greene, a Revolutionary War general, and is the long-time home of Andrew Johnson, the 17th U.S. president. The Andrew Johnson National Historic Site preserves Johnson's two homes, his tailor shop, and his gravesite. Greeneville was established in 1783 and is Tennessee's second-oldest town, after Jonesborough.
The town includes the Greeneville-Greene County History Museum. Tusculum University is based here, and the Niswonger Performing Arts Center hosts touring theatrical, musical, and comedic productions.
Tullahoma
Tullahoma is in south-central Tennessee. The Short Springs Natural Area covers 420 acres of forest and includes several waterfalls on its trail system. The Beechcraft Heritage Museum holds a collection of vintage Beech Aircraft Corporation planes and documents the company's history. The Tullahoma Fine Arts Center occupies an Italianate building and shows regional woodwork, paintings, and textile art.
Jonesborough
Jonesborough is the oldest town in Tennessee, founded in 1779. The historic district includes the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum, which documents 18th-century Jonesborough through artifacts and period exhibits. The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre produces plays and musicals in the district.
The International Storytelling Center hosts oral-storytelling performances and runs the annual National Storytelling Festival each October.
Ripley
Ripley is a town in Lauderdale County in western Tennessee. The 50-acre Ripley City Park includes picnic pavilions, walking paths, and sports fields. The Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge, a 25,000-acre refuge along the Mississippi River, is near town and supports wildlife viewing. Downtown Ripley includes the Olympic Steakhouse among its local restaurants.
Morristown
Morristown is east of Knoxville, near the Cherokee Reservoir. Panther Creek State Park covers more than 1,400 acres and supports mountain biking, hiking, camping, and fishing. Downtown Morristown includes the Rose Center Museum, which displays Civil War-era artifacts alongside other local history exhibits. The College Square Mall is a regional shopping center.
Savannah
Savannah is in Hardin County on the Tennessee River. Wayne Jerrolds River Park, along the river, covers about 10 acres with walking paths, picnic areas, and a boat ramp. The Tennessee River Museum documents the history of the Tennessee River Valley. The Savannah Farmers Community Market operates on Wednesdays, and the Savannah Bluegrass Festival runs each year in town.
Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is the main gateway town at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, in the downtown, houses species including sharks, penguins, and sea turtles.
The Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook provides views of the surrounding peaks, and the Gatlinburg Space Needle is a 407-foot observation tower in the downtown overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains.
Dyersburg
Dyersburg is a rural community in western Tennessee near the Missouri border. The annual Spring Arts Festival is hosted by Dyersburg State Community College. Downtown Dyersburg includes Moustos Pasta & Grill, which serves Italian dishes including carbonara and seafood tortellini.
The Dyer County Veterans' Walk of Fame features a Civil War-era cannon and a memorial stone commemorating local military service.
Smithville
Smithville is on the shores of Center Hill Lake in middle Tennessee. The Hidden Harbor Marina offers boat rentals, water skiing, and paddling access. Smithville Golf Club has a 9-hole course in town. The Harvester Performance and Event Center hosts concerts, weddings, and private events.
Lynchburg
Lynchburg is the home of the Jack Daniel's Distillery, established in 1866 and the oldest registered distillery in the United States. Distillery tours cover the production process, and the on-site museum displays brand memorabilia and archives. The Moore County Old Jail Museum, in a 19th-century jailhouse, displays original cells and period artifacts.
Barrel House BBQ is a local barbecue restaurant with pulled pork, smoked sausages, and ribs.
Cleveland
Cleveland is in southeastern Tennessee, about 30 miles northeast of Chattanooga. Fletcher Park covers 70 acres and includes a Japanese garden and walking trails. Red Clay State Historic Park, a 260-acre site that was the seat of the Cherokee Nation's council from 1832 until the 1838 removal, includes hiking and picnicking areas.
The Haunted House of Cleveland is a seasonal attraction in town.
Tennessee's Community List
The 12 towns and small cities above cover a wide range across the state, from Jonesborough's colonial-era downtown to Lynchburg's distillery to Gatlinburg's national-park gateway. Each pairs with larger Tennessee cities for longer trips and stands on its own as a weekend destination.
