8 Most Welcoming Towns In Tennessee's Countryside
Tennessee is bordered by eight other states, making it a convenient and popular destination. It is the birthplace of many edible and potable innovations, from Mountain Dew to Tennessee Whiskey and Moon Pies to cotton candy. However, as home to the nation’s most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it also boasts some of the country’s most stunning countryside. When combined with the hospitable reputation of the south, the Volunteer State is undeniably inviting. Here are the eight most welcoming towns in Tennessee’s countryside.
Erwin
Erwin is situated near the North Carolina border in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Surrounded by Cherokee National Forest, the breathtaking countryside is a haven for outdoor adventurers, while the town offers an exceptional level of southern hospitality at its eateries and historic sites. Several moderate trails lead through the peaceful forest where you can discover cascading waterfalls over various levels of rock faces, including Pine Ridge, Lower Higgins Creek, Martin’s Creek, Rock Creek, and Sill Branch Falls. You can also explore the prominent local peaks, including Big Bald, via the Appalachian Trail beginning at the High Rocks parking area. Although quite steep, people up to the challenge find it worth the trek to take in the increasingly impressive scenery from High Rocks, Little Bald, and High Bald summits.
The Clinchfield Railroad and Unicoi County Heritage Museums are a one-stop attraction conveniently sitting side by side. The first is a testament to Erwin’s rich railroad history, while the second is a 101-year-old frame house featuring turn-of-the-century items, including an impressive collection of cherished, highly collectible Blue Ridge and Cash pottery. Finally, you'll find quality brews and ciders at Union Street Taproom, where strangers and locals engage in lively conversation reflecting Erwin's unwaivering hospitality.
Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg sits at the foot of the third highest peak in the Smokies, making it a popular gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With Mount Le Conte towering over the town, Gatlinburg offers a stunning backdrop for countryside adventures. The Alum Cave Trail offers the easiest approach to reach the top of Mount Le Conte. It also affords some of the most picturesque views of the countryside and the park's most notable formations, including Arch Rock, Anakeesta Ridge, Alum Cave, Little Duck Hawk Ridge, Myrtle Point, the Eye of the Needle, and spectacular views from the summit. Although the trail gets quite steep, the promise of a hearty hot meal at the century-old LeConte Lodge near the summit provides plenty of incentive.
Gatlinburg is also known for its waterfalls, with the Place of a Thousand Drips, Baskins Creek Falls, and Cataract Falls reachable via the Laurel Falls trailhead. Experienced hikers brave a trickier trail to reach the highest falls in the park, Ramsey Cascade. Along Gatlinburg’s busy Downtown Parkway, Smoky Mountain Trout House is a town landmark serving 10 renditions of fresh-caught rainbow trout and their shareable Trout Fritters. It is the ultimate way to regain your strength after a day of intense hiking.
Bell Buckle
Bell Buckle is a tiny speck of a town surrounded by pastoral rural scenery. Head in any direction from a town side road, and you will end up in picturesque farmland. Despite its size, Bell Buckle is not short on southern hospitality, with enough homegrown experiences to fill a weekend. The Friday Farmers’ Market at the Pavillion offers a pleasant shopping experience and an opportunity to taste the season’s fresh harvest. Enjoy a healthy dose of old-fashioned breeze-shooting with friendly Tennessee growers and makers of handcrafted products featuring local produce.
Although making reservations in such a friendly town is not required, you might want to “put your name on the list” at Bell Buckle Café, where authentic southern comfort foods are served up warm and generously. Do not let the weather-worn façade fool you. The café is known for its traditional Meat & 3, meaning your choice of meat and three side dishes, creating a DIY dinner sure to satisfy the pickiest diner.
If you plan your visit for the third Saturday in June, you can catch the world-famous RC Cola-MoonPie Festival. Revelers feast on this classic sweet southern pairing while enjoying live music, a parade, and activities for the whole family. With too many antique shops to list, Bell Buckle is an picker's paradise with about 13 pokey boutiques to explore. If you have to choose just one, Bluebird Antiques & Ice Cream Parlor is nostalgia central, selling vintage finds in a turn-of-the-century soda bar with hand-dipped ice cream served in handmade waffle cones; a selection of handmade sweets, including fudge, pies, cakes, and caramel corn; and fried green tomato cheeseburgers cooked to brown-edged perfection in a cast iron skillet, just like grandma used to make.
Lynchburg
Lynchburg is nestled in rolling hills surrounded by endless acres of Tennessee countryside. Perhaps best known as the hometown for Tennessee’s most iconic whiskey, Jack Daniel’s, the town welcomes long conversations with friendly strangers wherever you go. The famed Jack Daniel's Distillery offers a glimpse at what it takes to produce the world’s leading whiskey, using water drawn from Cave Spring Hollow, the not-so-secret ingredient that achieves the brand’s distinct taste. The exclusive Innovations Tasting tour includes samples from both past and current Jack Daniel's lines.
Less historic, but equally dedicated to their craft, Company Distilling in downtown Lynchburg follows the time-honored tradition of superior whiskey making with a twist. Their flagship whiskies incorporate Tennesse sourced wood species into their aging process, enhancing the complexity of their trademark flavor profiles. You can also take a less conventional route to indulge in locally crafted spirits at Velma’s Candy, where tempting morsels include Jack Daniel’s-infused fudge and Lynchburg Winery truffles.
Since 1908, Miss Mary Bobo's Restaurant has been serving up authentic Southern dishes in a restaurant that feels like home. It is hard to decide what to order with a long list of classics, including southern fried chicken, boarding house meatloaf, country-style BBQ ribs, mac & cheese, cornbread, and biscuits. No matter what you order, save room for a generous portion of scratch-made pie.
Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge is home to one of the south’s most welcoming attractions, Dollywood. The theme park, created and co-owned by Dolly Parton in an effort to bring jobs and tourism to her beloved home in the Smoky Mountains, is all about wholesome, old-fashioned hospitality. Dollywood covers 160 acres, offering a unique amusement park setting. This family-friendly attraction is also home to award-winning restaurants, two first-class resorts, and more than 10 venues for entertainment, performances, and movies.
Sitting in the foothills of the Smokies near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge’s peaceful surroundings are made for reconnecting with nature. Some of the closest hiking trails include the beginner-friendly Cades Cove Nature Trail, Clingmans Dome Trail to the highest point in the Smoky Mountains, and Laurel Falls Trail leading to a spectacular 80-foot waterfall.
The Old Mill District offers an immersive historic experience. Sitting alongside the Little Pigeon River since 1830, the Mill is one of America’s oldest continually operating gristmills. The historic site includes the water-powered mill, which grinds corn, grits, and other grains available for purchase each year. The mill also contributes to each site in the district, whether it is grinding the grains to produce spirits at The Old Forge Distillery or the spent grains used for the hamburger buns for the Pottery House Café's famous Old Forge Burger.
Jonesborough
Founded in 1779, Jonesborough is the oldest town in Tennessee. Tucked into the picturesque hollows of the Appalachian Mountains, its peaceful countryside and history as a champion of equality combine rural beauty with a welcoming community. Known as the Storytelling Capital of the World, Jonesborough performs storytelling concerts from May through October at The International Storytelling Center's Storytelling Live! series.
The Lost State Scenic Walkway offers seamless transitions between nature and downtown sites. Beginning in a residential area at Mill Spring Park, the walkway follows a creek to Persimmon Ridge Park through three miles of scenic woodland trails. The park also features everything from a water park to a disc golf course. The trail proceeds to the charming pond at Barkley Creek Park at Persimmon Ridge Road before heading into the heart of downtown. Follow the self-guided walking tour to explore the town’s popular historical sites, including the Chuckey Depot Museum housed in a 1906 Southern Railway train depot.
For a more immersive experience, purchase tickets at the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum to join a guide dressed in period costume for a walking tour providing the full history of the town. Finish your visit at Tennessee Hills Distillery, sampling hand-crafted, small-batch spirits. Guest food trucks pair their menus with the distillery’s artisanal cocktails.
Greeneville
Located in northeast Tennessee, Greeneville sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, with the gently winding Nolichucky River to the south. Greeneville combines the peaceful Appalachian landscape with a compelling history, including being one of the only counties that was pro-Union during the Civil War. Its proximity northwest of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and nearby Cherokee National Forest offers endless trails and unmatched scenic countryside. Cherokee National Park’s Margarette Falls Trail takes you through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the West Fork Dry Creek valley. The streamside trail features several scenic cascades leading to the 60-foot Margarette Falls. An off-creek trail takes you to Bailey Falls, offering awesome views of a 30-foot upper and 20-foot lower cascade, as one of the shining attractions of the gorgeous slot canyon.
The Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in downtown Greeneville includes President Johnson’s early home, homestead, and the remains of the tailor shop where he was formerly employed. A tour and short film offer insights into the President's background and factors that impacted his impeachment. Sit down to a family-style meal at The Farmer’s Daughter. The table selects sharable mains like baked buttermilk chicken or country ham and sides like dried okra and mashed potatoes served with hot rolls and cornbread. You can ask for seconds just like dinner at mom’s, but the all-inclusive dinner comes with dessert, so be sure to leave room for a sweet finish.
Sweetwater
Tucked away in the 9 Lakes Region of Tennessee, Sweetwater is home to America’s largest underground lake and what is arguably one of America’s most awe-inspiring scenic byways. With emphasis on the word sweet, the town is the first to be recognized as both a Tennessee Downtowns city and a National Main Street city. The Lost Sea is a unique natural attraction offering a round-trip boat tour exploring the underground lake, its caverns, and the captivating history shared by the Cherokee people and Confederate soldiers.
Offering some of the most spectacular views in the south, the Cherohala Skyway crosses through the most unforgettable countryside of Tennessee’s Cherokee National Forest and North Carolina’s Nantahala National Forest. Particularly spellbinding when ablaze with autumnal colors, it offers spectacular vistas; however, it also offers plenty of stop-offs for trails, campgrounds, and trout fishing. Best of all, the no-hikes-required car ride provides exceptional views of the 90-foot cascading Bald River Falls.
Towns Toffee’s handcrafted, artisanal buttery toffee is your sweet reward after a full day of adventure. Take home a bag of their original Milk Chocolate Toffee, a featured seasonal flavor, or trademark inventions like their salty-sweet Oh My Crackers. Restore your energy at town favorite Bradley's Pit BBQ & Grill, where you can fill up on authentic southern barbecued pork, chicken, beef brisket, and ribs and finish with made-from-scratch desserts and ice cream from Bradley's Sweet Side next door.
Tennessee offers the quintessential southern adventure for day trips, weekends, and weeklong stays. When you are ready to explore Tennessee, these eight towns capture the essence of the south’s welcoming countryside. Explore the highest peaks and lowest valleys where cascading waterfalls sit hidden. Chat with friendly hosts over a homestyle meal at Tennessee's eateries. Discover unique attractions and compelling history guided by passionate locals. No matter where you travel in Tennessee, you will find friendly towns and moments to treasure.
