8 Most Walkable Town Centers In Tennessee
If your ideal weekend in Tennessee consists of finding a good spot and exploring the area on foot, these towns are made for pedestrians. Everything you need is always a short walk away, from cozy public parks to delightful museums and restaurants. Whether it’s finding adventure in a treetop skywalk in Gatlinburg or taking your time strolling through the Mayberry-esque riverside community of Granville, these are towns where you can unwind for an afternoon. If you’re looking for an easy-going afternoon of shopping and exploring, check out these walkable retreats in Tennessee.
Jonesborough
In the gentle foothills of the Appalachian Mountains is Jonesborough, known as Tennessee’s Oldest Town. As a town that sprang to life before the invention of automobiles, it has a very pedestrian-friendly central district. Off Old Tennessee 34 is Jimmy Neil Smith Park, a lovely green space with paved walking trails and vibrant flower gardens. The park is where you’ll find the historical Christopher Taylor House. Built around 1777, it is one of the oldest structures in the state!
Moving east down Old Tennessee 34 from the park, you’ll find old-timey shops and museums to explore. Across the street from the park is the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum. It once gave weary travelers a place to stay since its opening in 1797, and now operates as a free museum that has unique antiques and artifacts from its operational days. Walking east down Old Tennessee 34, there are far too many unique restaurants and antique stores to name, but one of the most popular stops for out-of-towners is The Lollipop Shop. Its old-fashioned setting and collection of sweet treats make it one of the sweetest places to visit in Jonesborough.
Townsend
As a quiet Smoky Mountain town of just under 600 residents, Townsend is the perfect place for an easy stroll. Despite being a mountain town, Townsend’s streets are flat, shaded by the towering mountains in the distance. You can start your visit in Townsend at the Townsend River Walk and Arboretum, where you can walk along the clear waters of the Little River in the dense shade of the trees. Heading east down East Lamar Alexander Parkway, you’ll find old-timey diners to grab a bite to eat. The Little River Pub and Deli is a local favorite, with creaky wooden floorboards, amazing views from the outdoor patio, and tasty sandwiches and cocktails.
After a little lunch, you can continue your walk down East Lamar Alexander Parkway to pop in a unique attraction you’ll only find in Townsend, like the Little River Railroad/Lumber Museum, which tells the tale of the area’s logging and railroad heritage. While walking down Central Townsend, there are small, unique shops and diners worth exploring, and benches where you can stop and take in the views. At the end of your walk down East Lamar Alexander Parkway, the perfect way to end the day in Townsend is stopping inside the Blount Partnership Townsend Visitors Center to pick up a few souvenirs and browse pamphlets of other sites to discover just outside of central Townsend.
Gatlinburg
While most of these small Tennessee retreats offer timeless strolls with cozy corners, Gatlinburg packs a powerful punch in such a small package. It only has a population of 3,600 residents, but every square inch of Gatlinburg Parkway has something unique to discover. You should start on the west end of Gatlinburg Parkway to ride the Gatlinburg Tram. The tram takes you two miles up the mountain and offers some of the best views of the Smoky Mountains and the city below.
After your round trip on the tram, heading east down The Gatlinburg Parkway offers unique attractions like the Hollywood Star Cars Museum or the Treetop Skywalk at Anakeesta. The most popular stop in Gatlinburg is the one that will likely dominate most of your time, which is the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. It has things you can only see in Gatlinburg, like a 340-foot underwater tunnel, a shark lagoon, and the beloved Penguin Playhouse. Gatlinburg is a true Tennessee treasure, with the attractions of a resort town in the heart of the Smoky Mountains.
Greeneville
On the eastern edge of Tennessee in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains is Greeneville, once home of President Andrew Johnson. Walking down Main Street feels like stepping into a postcard with Victorian-era brick buildings and white church steeples piercing the skyline. Starting your Greeneville adventure on South Main Street and working your way northeast, your very first stop should be the City Garage Car Museum. The private museum is a blast from the past with vintage cars, an old-fashioned diner, and a retro gas station.
Across the street from the vintage car museum is the Seth Babb Log Cabin (built in 1787) within Fox Park. The cabin is found within a beautiful green space in Greeneville, and is decorated with period-accurate furnishings that feel like traveling back in time. Moving northwest up South Main Street, there are charming little diners and coffee shops to grab a quick lunch, like the Catalyst Coffee Company. If you take a turn down E Depot Street, you’ll find the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site. The humble brick colonial was the former home of President Johnson, and allows visitors to tour the museum and browse the visitor center.
Bell Buckle
Bell Buckle is one of those tiny little towns that you’d never stumble upon by accident. Located in central Tennessee, walking the entirety of its town center can be done in an afternoon. If you love unique stores, antiques, and cozy diners, touring Bell Buckle will not disappoint. The best place to start is at Railroad Square, where you’ll find the delightful little shops like the Bell Buckle Coffee Shop and Book Swap. It's a great place to grab a cup of coffee or swap a book at its little library outside. From the coffee shop, you can walk around Railroad Square to pop into rustic stores like the Southern Charm Bell Buckle gift shop, or browse for treasures at Blue Bird Antiques.
If you step off Railroad Square and head north up Main Street, Bell Buckle feels like walking back in time. The storefronts are quaint and rustic, many of which have overhangs so you don’t have to walk in the rain. You can grab a bite to eat at the Bell Buckle Cafe (you can’t miss it, it has an amazing mural painted on the side). It’s the type of small town diner with faded woodwork and gingham tablecloths that serves up some of the best homestyle Southern cuisine in the area.
Pulaski
Located in south-central Tennessee, Pulaski is one of those little villages that immediately feels like home. To start your Pulaski adventure, the best place to start is at the south edge of town at the Trail of Tears Overlook. It’s a small trail that leads to a small observation platform overlooking Richland Creek, with plenty of markers giving the trail historical context. Traveling north from the overlook up First Street, you can refuel for lunch at the Hickory House Restaurant, a casual homestyle diner known for its delicious hickory-smoked barbecue.
If you take a detour down East College Street, you’ll find the Trail of Tears Memorial Interpretive Center, where you can learn more about the Trail of Tears that went through Pulaski. The center is a beautiful, meditative space housed inside the former Mars Chapel of Pulaski, offering artwork, displays, and interpretive exhibits. If you want a relaxed and slow-paced day in a small, lovely town, Pulaski is a place where time seems to move slowly.
Wartrace
Wartrace is a tiny little community in south-central Tennessee that has an undeniable charm and a few surprises. In the heart of Wartrace off Church Street is the beloved local landmark of the Well House. In 1909, the Well House was a simple sulfur spring well pump available to the residents. They used to put wooden boards over the well to serve as a bandstand for local musicians. While the well isn’t operational today, it still functions as a bandstand where many community events are held.
Within the same quaint plaza as the Well House are other notable attractions in the area, most notably the Tennessee Walking Horse National Museum, which celebrates the history of the Tennessee Walking Horse breed with artifacts and unique exhibits. The plaza near Church Street is also where you grab a sweet treat at Sweet Memories. If you wander to the other side of Blackman Boulevard, you’ll find the eerie Walking Horse Haunted Hotel. It’s no longer operational due to fires and floods, but it often sees plenty of visitors walking by and peeking through the windows.
Granville
On the scenic banks of the Cumberland River and Cordell Hull Lake is the picturesque community of Granville. It is a humble little community that has serious Mayberry vibes with its cozy general stores and hometown feel. It even has a store called Aunt Bee’s Quilt Shop and Bakery! Everywhere you look in Granville, you’re met with calm views of the water and inviting little storefronts to explore. The best place to start your journey is on the east end of Clover Street, where you can head over to take a walk through the riverside park of Granville Veterans’ Park.
Walking east down Clover Street leads to charming local storefronts, like the Granville Gift Shop. One of the most beloved stops in Granville is the old-timey Sutton General Store. It’s like the town center under one roof, where locals grab a bite to eat at the diner, listen to live music, or shop for unique treasures. If you’ve ever wanted to experience what life is like wandering down the streets of Mayberry, Granville is pretty close!
Unwind in Tennessee’s Most Walkable Towns
The great thing about these towns is that you can likely see everything within a 2-mile stretch. Park your car on one side of downtown, and weave your way through idyllic public parks and inviting storefronts. These towns are getaways where you can grab a bite to eat on an outdoor patio with a view of the river in Townsend, or ride the Gatlinburg Tram when you don’t feel like walking anymore in Gatlinburg. So, lace up your comfy walking shoes and let the best of Tennessee unfold before you, one sidewalk at a time.
