9 Best Small Towns in Tennessee For A Weekend Escape
Tennessee is a state with more than its fair share of mountains. There are six major ranges, including the Appalachians and the Great Smokies. As such, it is home to stunning parks, forests, rivers, and of course the towns and cities settled by the people who call it home. People have settled in Tennessee dating back hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years. Some of the remnants of these pre-colonial settlements are still preserved and can be visited by the general public.
The small towns of Tennessee are havens for lovers of the outdoors and outdoor adventures. Many also attract millions of tourists with other offerings such as theme parks, museums, performances, music, or cooking to name a few. Though many visitors head to the capital, Nashville, those who are in the know leave time for at least a few of the best towns in Tennessee to spend a weekend, or longer.
Bell Buckle
An hour southeast of Nashville is the charming town of Bell Buckle. The origin of its unique name is uncertain, but one story is that locals carved the shape of a cowbell and buckle onto a tree to warn about settlers on their land. The creek running beside the tree became known as the Bell Buckle, and the town that eventually developed on its banks shares the same name. Established in 1852 amid hills, farmland, and horses, the town has carefully preserved or restored much of its history. Many of its Victorian buildings have been repaired, and the Tennessee Walking Horse National Museum just south of town maintains the area's equestrian heritage.
Bell Buckle, with a population under 500, proudly supports the arts and has been home to a variety of creatives, from sculptors and potters to photographers and Grammy winners. The town's shops showcase handmade crafts, artisan foods, and locally made products. Antique shops thrive here, reflecting a strong antique culture. Local eateries are known for serving homestyle meals and embodying Southern hospitality. The town is also famous for its RC Cola and MoonPie festival held every June, attracting visitors worldwide to enjoy quirky amusements, games, music, and dancing as they celebrate this iconic treat.
Gatlinburg
Many of Tennessee's popular destinations involve America's most visited national park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The mountain town of Gatlinburg is one of the most popular for access to the park, as visitors can enter it directly from downtown. The Gatlinburg Space Needle offers a 360-degree view of the park from above.
Gatlinburg is a charming town with fewer than 4,000 residents, but it welcomes visitors with open arms, offering a wonderful mix of experiences for both short visits and extended stays. There’s so much to explore beyond its popular attractions and the many adventures waiting in the park, not to mention the amusement and theme parks just nearby. Visitors often find joy in wandering through art galleries and shops along Gatlinburg's Historic Arts and Crafts Trail, such as Fowler’s Clay Works, Paul Murray Gallery, and The Wood Whittlers. The town also boasts an array of fascinating museums, including the famous Hollywood Stars Car Museum and the quirky Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum. Families usually prioritize time for the fun and curious Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium and Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.
Jonesborough
With a colorful downtown straight out of the history books, the underrated town of Jonesborough has two claims to fame. Firstly, it is the oldest town in the state, founded in 1779, just three years after the Declaration of Independence. Visitors can get a taste of life at that time by visiting the old log cabin built by Christopher Taylor in 1778.
The second claim to fame is that it has become the Storytelling Capital of the World. The main event is the National Storytelling Festival held every fall, but some other events and programs run year-round in the International Storytelling Center. The Center is home to the Teller-in-Residence program and the Storytellers Guild. The Center and the campus it sits on are believed to be the first modern facility to focus entirely on storytelling.
Paris
The small town of Paris, Tennessee, shares its name with its French counterpart and features an Eiffel Tower replica, scaled down to 1:20 of the original. Standing at 60 feet, it remains a striking sight and marks the entrance to a popular tourist spot that offers a swimming pool and splash park. European history and architecture greatly influenced Paris's early development. The oldest structure is Grace Episcopal Church, built in 1895, with windows made from glass salvaged from European cathedrals destroyed during the world wars.
The town is also home to an impressive example of Romanesque architecture and the oldest judicial building in the state, the Henry County Courthouse. In use from 1897 to today, its design features many characteristics of 11th and 12th-century Europe. But there is also a decidedly American side to Paris, from the giant catfish on the welcome sign to their annual event, the Biggest Fish Fry in the last week of April. It's a mixture unique to this small town.
Pigeon Forge
Like the close-by Gatlinburg, the small mountain resort town of Pigeon Forge is also a popular home base for explorers of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Named after the Little Pigeon River, the town sits within a naturally spectacular environment.
But all the outdoor activities are just part of why millions of visitors spend their weekends and holidays in Pigeon Forge. The town is also well-known as the home of the 150-acre amusement park Dollywood. Celebrating the iconic performer Dolly Parton it features rides, a related waterpark, and of course a museum with everything Dolly-related.Another major attraction is the comprehensive collection and interactive exhibits at the Titanic Museum, and the Island in Pigeon Forge, an area of restaurants, shops, and entertainment, with live performances inside and out.
Pulaski
The charming town of Pulaski is an arts haven centered around the Antoinette Hall Opera House, built in 1868, which today is home to the Southern Tennessee Area Arts Repertory (STAAR). The 200-street theater beneath the Opera House hosts regular productions of all types, performed by the local troupe, as well as visitors.
The Opera House is part of the Pulaski Courthouse Square Historic District, which is centered around the beautiful neoclassical Giles County Courthouse. The 1858 bell still rings on the hour, every hour. Just outside of town is the new Big Creek Winery, established in 2016, offering dozens of original wines. The winery provides free tastings to help visitors choose the perfect vintage.
Shiloh
Shiloh attracts many visitors, partly because of the Civil War Battle of Shiloh memorial at Shiloh National Military Park. This park and the nearby Shiloh National Cemetery are located on a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River. Establishing the park also helped preserve another unique site that predates the battle by several hundred years, showcasing visible remains of pre-contact buildings. This site offers rare insights into Tennessee's history from over 800 years ago. Historically, it was the location of a town that served as the center of a chiefdom comprising at least six smaller towns and farms spanning approximately 20 miles along the Tennessee River Valley.
Guarded by a palisade all around, there were dozens of wattle-and-daub buildings including residences, a council house, and religious structures. There was also a burial mound. The people there lived by farming maize (corn), squash, and sunflowers, and by harvesting the area’s natural plant and animal resources. They were likely led by a chief and council and appeared to have complex political relations with similar societies in other parts of Tennessee, as well as in today's Alabama and Mississippi. About 700-800 years ago, the town was abandoned, and nothing is known about whether these ancient Americans are connected to the later nations that lived in the area.
Tellico Plains
Another Tennessee town with a strong story that predates European presence is Tellico Plains. The town is on the site of Great Tellico, once the largest Cherokee settlement. Now, though the tiny town of fewer than 900 people there is still plenty to do, with bakeries, art galleries, and centers, restaurants, and the chance to dive into local history at the Charles Hall Museum.
Located near a historically important trade route and at one end of the Cherohala Skyway, its position in the Blue Ridge Mountains places it within a breathtaking natural setting. Visitors and tourists enjoy the outdoor scenery by kayaking or boating, hiking or biking in the Cherokee National Forest, and exploring the 100-foot-high Bald River Falls.
Townsend
Those looking for a quieter entry to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park bypass Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge to head to the town of Townsend. Here they can also visit a unique and popular geological feature, the Tuckaleechee Caverns. Known as the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies,” the cavern is between 20-30 years old and contains an area that is almost as large as a football stadium, and the 210-foot tall SilverFalls, the tallest underground waterfall in the eastern US.
For those who prefer staying above ground, many options allow you to enjoy the fresh sun and air. The Little River is perfect for rafting, swimming, and fishing, while the River Walk Trail beside it offers a scenic 6-mile hike. Drivers can also appreciate the relaxing 11-mile Cades Cove Scenic Loop.
All of these small towns offer a mixture of outdoor and indoor attractions, which is what makes them some of the best choices for a getaway from everyday life. The natural beauty of the Tennessee wilderness, mixed with lovingly-preserved historical architecture means any of them would be a picture-perfect choice for an escape with family or friends. Each offers plenty of choices for a leisurely walk, a meal, or an adventure. With some just a short drive from major destinations like Nashville, it would be easy to add them to any Tennessee travel itinerary.
