8 Most Beautiful College Towns In Tennessee

Seeking higher education within the United States is a lot easier than you might think. It's been proven through data and surveys that the United States secondary educational system is of the highest quality, ensuring that getting an education from anywhere in the United States is ideal. Although if we're to pick one of the 'best' places to consider, Tennessee is an obvious pick, with several prestigious colleges making their home right there.

But aside from the colleges, the towns themselves have their own charm, beauty, and appeal that can easily rival the iconic college town of Knoxville. Whether you are looking to enroll at one of the affordable and great colleges there or soak up the chill and happy vibes, consider swinging by the following beautiful college towns in Tennessee.

Sewanee

The town of Sewanee is recognized for the construction of two things: the Mountain Goat Railroad and Sewanee the University of the South. But even with those accomplishments, the town is remarkable in its overall natural beauty. With over 13,000 acres, Sewanee is ideal for higher education but also outdoor activities.

Sewanee's Domain is a great place to begin exploring, as there are 65 miles of hiking and cycling trails. You'll want to check out Bridal Veil Falls Trail and Shakerag Trail during the spring seasons as wildflowers spring up during those periods. For a beautiful view of the surrounding valleys, consider going to Green's View. Also located there is the Memorial Cross.

Maryville

With Maryville College being a good choice for small college and classroom feels, Maryville as a whole is equally a great place to visit for new experiences. The group at Just Get Outdoors provides guided tours through the surrounding natural area that will leave behind memorable and fun experiences. For more thrills and adventures, Knox Rocks in nearby Louisville can guide you through the thrill of rock climbing as well as provide reasonable challenges to those with experience under their belt.

But by far one of the most unique experiences is watching the Appalachian Ballet Company perform. Their three-program season features some of the highest quality performances in the area, with a wide team of performers and accompanied by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

Cookeville

Home to Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville as a whole has this natural fit to it where you can create memories that can be appreciated for a lifetime. All of these can come from simple moments like visiting a state or local park or by attending excellent cultural events.

A lot of these cultural events can be found at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center, where you'll be treated to regional and national musicians' performances. Beyond that, the organization Art Round Tennessee organizes various local art events. Many are their First Friday events, but their Annual Art Prowl draws in a crowd every November.

This is all before getting to the beauty outside and in the surrounding area. Cookeville is home to several waterfalls that are easily accessible to anyone. Be sure to check out the Cummins Falls State Park during the autumn time.

Athens

Not to be confused with the capital of Greece, Athens, Tennessee, is a gorgeous place and home to Tennessee Wesleyan University. All things considered, Athens is a hidden gem, as it rests between two iconic college towns—Knoxville and Chattanooga.

To get a sense of the downtown area, it's recommended to check out Patterns of the Past Quilt Trail, a walkable trail that goes through Historic Downtown Athens. The Athens Movie Palace is a great place to enjoy a film, complete with unique concession items and upscale amenities from a small-town, locally owned business. Round off the whole experience with something casual at Michael's Casual Dining, where they use nothing but fresh ingredients.

Collegedale

Home to the Southern Adventist University, Collegedale is home to plenty of outdoor activities and natural beauty. The campus of Southern Adventist University has a lot to offer to the general public, including its biology trails on Bauxite Ridge and White Oak Mountain. In addition, there is the Hulsey Wellness Centre, which offers exercise classes, fitness equipment, and other services like personal trainers, pools, and saunas.

At the heart of the community is The Commons, where they host the Collegedale Farmer's Market as well as community events. Capturing the overall natural beauty, the 56,000 square foot open-air space provides plenty of natural space for anything and everything a small-town community could want.

Martin

Home to the University of Tennessee at Martin, the college town has a variety of family activities, local restaurants, and unique stores to visit. For the outdoor enthusiast, the Pacer Pond Fitness Trail is one of those hidden gems for them. It's a scenic loop that stretches for about 1.45 miles, but the simple loop, flat surface, and beautiful scenery make it perfect for anyone to experience it. For a longer but equally memorable trek, the Brian Brown Memorial Greenway is another transition to being surrounded by greenery, green spaces, and scenic woodlands.

The whole experience can be topped off with some of the town's unique eateries. A standout destination to consider is The Grind Mac and Cheese Burger Bar, a restaurant that provides comfort food with a twist. Take your pick from gourmet burgers, loaded mac & cheese, hot wings, or signature milkshakes; you're bound to enjoy every bite and sip.

Henderson

The town of Henderson has been through a lot, including a name change. Formerly called Dayton prior to the Civil War, the anchor and draw to this town rests in the Freed-Hardeman University, deep history, and natural beauty.

You can get a sense of this from the Chickasaw State Park. Named after the Chickasaw Tribe that inhabited West Tennessee and North Mississippi, a small portion of the roughly 14,000 acres is dedicated to the park for recreation. Whether it's hiking or biking the trails or using the rowboats to explore Lake Placid, there is a lot to soak up and enjoy. In addition to the Chickasaw State Park, the Mesa Trail Alpacas is another big draw for farm tours and Alpaca merchandise. You can round out the whole experience at Snookum's Steakhouse, a family-owned and operated steakhouse open Thursday through Saturday for dinner.

Dayton

Formerly known as Smith's Crossroads, it was renamed to Dayton after Henderson changed names. Today, Bryan College is overlooking the city as a memorial to the iconic lawyer William Jennings Bryan, who prosecuted in the famous Scopes Trial. You can get more details by visiting the Scopes Trial Museum & Rhea County Courthouse. If you want to experience more nature, the Lorenzen Flower Farm is perfect. The farm grows their own tulips in the spring and sunflowers and wildflowers in the summer. Best of all, you can create your own bouquet there. You can top the whole experience by swinging by the Swinging Bridge Park, which offers a nice paved adventure suitable for walks with dogs, family, friends, or morning jogs.

Whether you are a prospective student looking for a great college to go to or seeking new experiences, Tennessee is one of those states that's highly sought out for various reasons. Much like many other towns that Tennessee offers, these college towns offer those unique opportunities and thrilling experiences in their own unique ways that you simply can't pass up. So go ahead, take your pick and experience unique cultures, wondrous outdoor experiences, and some of the best educational opportunities you can from these beautiful college towns.