8 Of The Most Adorable Small Towns In Tennessee

Tennessee’s small towns could quite literally be the definition of “adorable” in the dictionary. Appalachian mountain communities, Andy Griffith nostalgia, and beloved storytelling festivals are just a few of the touches that make its towns so lovable. Many are also surrounded by gorgeous natural attractions, such as waterfalls, lakes, and caves, making them even more enchanting. If you are hoping to soak up the Volunteer State's adorable personality this year, make sure to include eight of the most adorable small towns in Tennessee on your itinerary.

Tellico Plains

Sitting in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Tellico Plains is a cozy mountain town with plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Bald River Falls is one of its most well-known outdoor attractions; it's about 100 feet tall and can be seen from a bridge on Tellico River Road. Travelers can also explore the area’s scenic mountains along the Cherohala Skyway, a 43-mile byway that connects Tellico Plains to the North Carolina town of Robbinsville. Before heading out to the falls or skyway, consider stopping at Tellico Grains Bakery in the morning, a cute bakery that serves pastries, bread, sandwiches, coffee, and wood-fired pizza.

Granville

Nicknamed “Tennessee’s Mayberry Town,” Granville continues to embody that nostalgic, small-town spirit that you will find in 1960s classics like The Andy Griffith Show. The TB Sutton General Store is the perfect example of this nostalgia, an old-fashioned shop recognized by Country Living Magazine as one of the most charming country stores. Fans of "The Andy Griffith Show" and "I Love Lucy" should make sure to visit the Mayberry - I Love Lucy Museum, which contains rare artifacts from both shows, such as the police cookie jar, Aunt Bee’s glasses, and autographed prints. If you visit Granville at the beginning of October, you will be just in time for the Cornbread and Tennessee Spirits Festival, which consists of spirits tastings, a cornbread cookoff, and other fun activities.

Morristown

If a picturesque lakeside vacation is on your bucket list this summer, Morristown will not disappoint. This town is neighbored by the Cherokee Reservoir to the north and Douglas Lake to the south. Travelers wanting to explore the reservoir can head up to Panther Creek State Park, a 1,444-acre park along the reservoir’s shores with 17 different hiking trails and numerous reservoir overlooks. Heading about a half hour south, you will reach Sunset Pointe at Douglas Lake Cabin Rentals, where you can spend the night in a cozy cabin near the lake. Travelers interested in Southern history will appreciate a visit to the Crockett Tavern Museum, located on the site of Davy Crockett’s boyhood home.

Bell Buckle

Home to just over 400 residents, Bell Buckle has developed a reputation for its quirky, small-town festivals it hosts each year. One of the most famous is the RC Cola - MoonPie Festival, which celebrates the classic southern drink and dessert each June with a parade, food, contests, clogging, and more. The annual Webb Craft Show is another beloved tradition, taking place in October and featuring a juried arts & craft show with woodworking, pottery, jewelry, and many other mediums. Year-round, visitors can enjoy some Southern comfort food at the Bell Buckle Cafe, which serves meatloaf, mac and cheese, chicken pot pie, pulled pork, and other Southern favorites.

Cumberland Gap

Located in the Appalachian Mountains, Cumberland Gap is surrounded by an extensive network of hiking trails. The Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is a popular spot for exploring the area’s natural beauty, with 14,000 acres of wilderness, 85 miles of hiking trails, and historic caves and settlements. Make sure to save an afternoon to wander through the downtown district. A variety of charming businesses line the streets, such as the Cumberland Gap Artists' Co-op, which exhibits work from local Appalachian artists, and Gap Creek Coffee House, a local coffee shop that sits not far from the Pinnacle Overlook and its awesome views of three states (Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky).

Tracy City

Tracy City is the perfect basecamp to explore South Cumberland State Park’s lakes and waterfalls. The summer is an excellent time to take a dip in the park’s Grundy Lakes, which features a man-made beach and a swim-up dock near the shores. Several waterfalls are just a short drive from town, as well, such as Foster Falls, a 60-foot falls that plunges into a pool, surrounded by hemlocks, mountain laurel, and azaleas. While in town, grab a pastry and coffee from Dutch Maid Bakery, the oldest family-owned bakery in the state, operating in the community since 1902.

Jonesborough

Nicknamed the “Storytelling Capital of the World,” Jonesborough is the perfect place to get lost in a good story. The International Storytelling Center is just the place to do so, hosting storytelling performances all summer long, until October, during the Storytelling Live series. From October 3 through October 5, 2025, the center will host the annual National Storytelling Festival, where you can enjoy all kinds of additional workshops, performances, and parties. As the oldest town in the state, there is an abundance of history to explore in Jonesborough as well. The Jonesborough Washington County History Museum exhibits this history well, showcasing an impressive collection of artifacts and newspapers, along with a photograph collection that ranges from the 1850s to the 1980s.

Lynchburg

Even if Lynchburg doesn’t ring a bell, Jack Daniel’s Whiskey probably does. This small town is home to the iconic distillery, open for in-person tours. The Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tour takes guests through the facility to learn about its history and finishes with a six-sample whiskey tasting. After a day at the distillery, head back to the Lynchburg Valley Inn for the evening, a historic bed and breakfast that is housed in a gorgeous, 19th-century home. Although it is a half-hour drive from town, Rutledge Falls is well worth the trip, offering a scenic cascade along with opportunities to hike, picnic, and swim.

While there are plenty of adorable travel destinations to visit throughout Tennessee’s countryside, the eight listed above are arguably some of the most adorable. Historic, family-owned bakeries, cornbread and MoonPie festivals, arts and craft shows, 19th-century inns, and nationally loved whiskey distilleries make these towns impossible to resist. So pack your camera, work up an appetite, and get ready to explore all the charm that these eight towns have to offer.