7 Safest Small Communities To Settle In Tennessee

Most people dream of a home where they can feel safe, supported, and settled. For many of Tennessee’s small communities, this is a reality, where low crime rates blend perfectly with sublime landscapes and enough stimulation to keep life interesting. These towns are ideal for those who want peaceful days without sacrificing quality of life and entertainment. Read on and discover seven towns in Tennessee that are waiting to welcome you home.

Mount Juliet

With its bountiful entertainment and beauty, Mount Juliet is an ideal place to settle for families. Tourists and locals of all ages love Charlie Daniels Park. The park includes a 9,000-square-foot fenced-in playground, splash pads that are great for warm summer days, and a walking track that connects to the serene Cedar Creek Greenway. It is also a cultural and community hub, thanks to an amphitheater that hosts musical acts throughout the year, offering free entertainment for citizens.

For indoor fun, head to the Providence Marketplace. This shopping district has a cinema as well as shops and restaurants serving traditional American and international cuisine. For recreation and a bit of friendly competition, head back outside to play on the fields at Cedar Creek Sports Center, where you can choose between a driving range, mini-golf, go-karts, bumper boats, and batting cages.

Thompson’s Station

Take a walk through this tiny town at Sarah Benson Park, which boasts well-maintained trails for biking and hiking as well as picnic areas. Along with the inspiring pristine nature, a colorful playground in the shape of a train invigorates the imagination. Next, discover why Tennessee is famously beloved for its whisky at Company Distilling. This distillery crafts its beverages using an aging process that incorporates many native wood species, making each glass a voyage through the state. Along with award-winning whisky, their menu also offers gin cocktails and creative non-alcoholic beverages, and they host live music throughout the year.

To understand the heart of Thompson’s Station, see the estate that has been an integral part of the community for over 100 years. The Homestead Manor, a historic mansion that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is an event space and also home to the 1819 Coffee. The venue invites visitors to gather in a historic conservatory and build community, one cup at a time.

Maryville

Start your journey in Maryville by traveling through time at the Blount County Historical Museum. Dig through local artifacts and explore exhibits that tell the story of a small town’s evolution from a settlement to a thriving community full of peaceful green spaces and shops. One such space is the Greenway, 18 miles of paved trails that wind through the town and beyond, even branching off into other parks that each have their own unique features. Traveling through this network will take hikers over wooden bridges, past lakes, duck ponds, fountains, and through forests thick with tall trees. After traversing through the town’s past and its nature, watch the locals perform at the Clayton Center for the Arts. The venue hosts art shows, plays, game shows, and concerts throughout the year, making it a fun and reliable destination for entertainment seekers.

Nolensville

Eat like a local at the Nolensville Feed Mill, a historic building housing an Amish Market selling high-quality products, such as home-baked bread, meat, and cheese. The market also has a deli, where they make delicious, creative sandwiches. After lunch, take a walk along the meandering river that runs beside the Mill Creek Greenway. The trail is isolated enough to offer hikers the ultimate peace while enjoying the sound of the gentle current. Continue exploring this town at Morning Glory Orchard, where travelers can walk among a wide variety of apples and peaches. Everyone leaves this orchard with a bag full of sweetness, from fresh plucked fruit to jams and preserves.

Collegedale

When it comes to natural beauty, Collegedale has seemingly endless options, making this town an ideal place to settle for nature enthusiasts. As its name suggests, Little Debbie Park is a uniquely themed space with installations and play structures in the shape of snack cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats. Meanwhile, The Commons is the heart of town when it comes to seasonal festivals and community events like the monthly farmers market. Here, you can browse hand-made creations, artisan foods, and more. Finally, celebrate those who have served in the military at Veterans Memorial Park. Between walking paths, sculpture monuments, and lush gardens, the park honors local service members while giving everyone a meditative place for exploration and restoration.

Germantown

Germantown Performing Arts Center brings world-class live music and stage shows to town in an 850-seat theater, while The Grove hosts open-air shows on the lawn. The pleasant Tennessee weather lends itself to this unique outdoor stage where performers sing and play instruments beneath a lush canopy of trees. There are many more outdoor spaces here, 29 parks to be exact, spanning more than 600 acres in total. Grill up some food on the greens for a picnic at Cameron Brown Park, then walk the ½ mile walking trail that surrounds a lovely lake. In the summer, equestrians flock to the town for the Germantown Charity Horse Show. This stunning spectacle invites audiences to witness gorgeous horses of various breeds, such as the popular Tennessee Walking Horse, completing obstacle courses and leaping over high jumps.

Atoka

Atoka has seemingly endless safe places in which to play. Nancy Lane Park has enough fun to fill an entire day. Take a walk on the nature trail, have a picnic, then play a round on the 18-hole disc golf course. Atoka Greenway Trail is another great outdoor option, with a quiet 3.2-mile trail that many like to ride a bike along. For just as much fun with some added adrenaline, folks of all ages can find it at Atoka Railroad Adventure. This amusement park has something for the entire family, from a Ferris wheel to a rock wall, an arcade, gem mining, and so much more.

No matter which small Tennessee community you choose, each town on this list offers something beyond low crime rates and pretty scenery. From amusement parks perfect for families to trail networks, performance spaces, and locally grown, delicious food, these places each bring their own character to the grounding beauty of the region’s mountain ranges and wild rivers. The right home can change everything, and this list is a wonderful place to start.