9 Tennessee Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness
Tennessee small towns have a way of making strangers feel like regulars. These nine take it further than most. One calls itself the storytelling capital of the world, where the whole point is sitting down and swapping life stories. Another throws a catfish fry so big the entire town shows up to cook 12,500 pounds of it. Each town shows it a little differently. Sometimes it's the festivals. Sometimes it's a downtown square where shop owners remember your name by the second visit. You might hear a country star sing in a converted 1950s grocery store, or get talked into one more cup of coffee before you leave. Here are nine Tennessee small towns where the friendliness is the main reason to go.
Jonesborough
Jonesborough is Tennessee’s oldest town and is known as the storytelling capital of the world, and it certainly feels like living in a storybook! With a population of approximately 6,000 people, the residents here are very welcoming and the sense of community is unlike any other. At the International Storytelling Center located on West Main Street, you can listen to live performances from world-renowned artists, attend the National Storytelling Festival held annually in October, or enjoy other year-round activities like the StoryTown Radio Show and the Storytellers Guild performances. While on Main Street, you can also stroll through the historic district and admire the beautifully preserved 18th-century architecture that now houses local boutiques, antique shops, and restaurants. During the summer, you can enjoy the Wetlands Water Park with a lazy river and water slides, or enjoy the Jonesborough Days, a lively Fourth of July tradition that features a parade, live craft demonstrations, food, and community pool parties.
Paris
In West Tennessee, Paris is a town packed full of personality! By combining outdoor activities with unique local landmarks, this town has something for everyone to enjoy. Stop by Eiffel Tower Park, formerly known as Memorial Park, which is home to Paris’ 60-foor steel Eiffel Tower replica. The park also has playgrounds, a splash pad, walking trails, and more for the community to enjoy and make memories. During the first week of April, you can also enjo the World’s Biggest Fish Fry, a week-long festival with a history dating back to 1938. The event is centered around the “Fish Tent,” where over 12,500 pounds of catfish are served, along with other events such as a parade, carnival, rodeos, and more. In the later months, you can enjoy the Eye Full of Paris Weekend, an autumn celebration that highlights local artists, crafts, and food trucks in the downtown square. Or, for those more nature-inclined, you can explore Paris Landing State Park, 1,126 acres located on the western shore of Kentucky Lake, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. The park has a range of activities to enjoy, from golfing to exploring natural habitats.
Greeneville
Nestled in the foothills of East Tennessee, Greeneville is an East Tennessee gem defined by friendly locals proud of their heritage. Founded in 1783 as Tennessee’s second-oldest town, Greeneville is tucked close to the beautiful Appalachian Mountains in Greene County. One of the most popular attractions in the town is the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, featuring the original home, tailor shop, and final resting place of the 17th US president. It’s also the home of the annual Greeneville Iris Festival held every May, a local tradition that fills the historic downtown with art, live music, a companion dog show, and beautiful blooming irises. Another annual festival held in Greeneville is the Greene County Fair, which was awarded as one of the best county fairs in the state. This huge summer event began in 1869 and includes carnival rides, livestock shows, and classic fair foods. For more opportunities to enjoy the stunning natural beauty of Greeneville, you can take a short drive out of town to hike the Cherokee National Forest, the largest tract of public land in Tennessee, and explore more than 700 miles of mountain trails, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks.
Townsend
Townsend, dubbed as the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies,” is a tight-knit community of approximately 600 people offering a quiet gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains. Although the town is small, it’s rich in Appalachian heritage with a beautiful natural landscape to explore. Every August, you can enjoy the Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival as it lights up the night with glowing hot air balloons, featuring live music and local vendors at the Townsend Visitors Center. A month later, you can enjoy the Townsend Fall Heritage Festival, a fun-filled September celebration centered on old bluegrass music, authentic Appalachian food, and traditional craft demonstrations at the Townsend Events Center. If you’re more interested in the town’s history, you can enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center where you can tour historic longhouses, mountain cabins, and interactive Native American galleries. For more blends of nature and history, you can also explore the Cades Cove Scenic Loop, a historic area of fully-preserved 19th-century cabins and churches, and a well-known spot to see black bears.
Dandridge
As another one of Tennessee’s oldest towns, Dandridge is a lakeside community centered around a classic courthouse square with a calm, slow-paced southern vibe. Popular annual festivals include the Dandridge June Jubilee, the county’s oldest street festival that includes local artisans, live performances, and food trucks, and also the Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival, a unique autumn event that pays homage to the town’s early settlers with pipe bands, Highland-themed games, and traditional Celtic music in Historic Dandridge. You can enjoy outdoor activities such as boating on Douglas Lake or hiking at the Dandridge Dike, or you can dive more into this small town’s history by shopping at the Historic Town Square where you can find antique shops, local boutiques, and popular restaurants like the Dandridge Brewing Company.
Leiper's Fork
Leiper’s Fork is a historic, artsy village just off the Natchez Trace Parkway that blends rustic style with the famous songwriter culture Tennessee is known for. With a population of just 650 people, Leiper’s Fork encapsulates the essence of a Tennessee small town. Catch live music at Fox and Locke, a 1950s grocery store turned music venue, and keep your eyes peeled for famous country stars such as Carrie Underwood who might pop in to sing a song or two. Get a drink and take a tour at the Leiper’s Fork Distillery, an artisan distiller working to bring back the history and heritage of small-batch whiskey production to Williamson County. You can enjoy several different music festivals, such as the renowned Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival and ForkFest, a free, popular music festival held right in the heart of the town at the Leiper’s Fork Lawn Chair Theater, during the autumn months. Then, come Christmastime, you can watch the Almost Famous Christmas Parade, a unique tradition where locals display large, elaborate handmade floats.
Kingston Springs
Tucked along the Harpeth River, Kingston Springs is a Middle Tennessee town of just under 3,000 people known for its authentic, neighborly spirit. Originally named for the mineral springs that brought in 19-th century visitors, the town now relies heavily on a different water source: the Harpeth River. Harpeth River State Park spans 650 acres and is a scenic treasure that offers a blend of natural beauty and historical significance. You can rent a kayak or a canoe to ride through the peaceful waters of the river, or you can hike through the narrow paths to see a bluff overlook and a hand-carved 1800s stone tunnel. You also can enjoy the annual Harpeth Harvest Fest, an autumn celebration that brings together local artisans, live music, and food vendors to the Harpeth River State Park grounds. Earlier in the year, you can also enjoy Art in the Park, a spring tradition that transforms the local park into an outdoor gallery featuring local painters, sculptors, and live music.
Waverly
Waverly is a tight-knit, quiet West Tennessee town where locals are warm and inviting. Founded in 1838 about 65 miles west of Nashville, Waverly now has approximately 4,300 people and is rich in history and musical influences. Just down the road in Hurricane Mills, you can tour Loretta Lynn’s Ranch and see the legendary country star’s estate, museums, and frontier village. You can also visit the Humphreys County Museum to learn more about local history through Civil War artifacts and pioneer memorabilia in a historic mansion. There are also several annual festivals to look forward to, including Waverly Heritage Days, a community-wide fall festival that celebrates the town’s history with classic car shows, antique tractor displays, and live country music, and the Humphreys County Fishing Rodeo, a community event that utilizes the Tennessee River’s catfish population to stock Waverly City Pond for a youth fishing tournament typically held in conjunction with TWRA Free Fishing Week.
Tellico Plains
Tellico Plains is a small community along the Tellico River at the western edge of the Cherokee National Forest and the Unicoi Mountains. Incorporated in 1911, the town has approximately 900 residents and serves as the western trailhead of the Cherohala Skyway. Nearby is the Historic Downtown of Tellico Plains where the hillsides are adorned with charming old houses that date back to when the lumber industry kept the town alive. Take advantage of the access to the town’s natural beauty by visiting landmarks such as Bald River Falls, a major tributary of the Tellico River located at the southern district of the Cherokee National Forest. The waterfall is approximately 90 feet high and is easily visible from the scenic Tellico River Road. Or, for a more hands-on nature experience, you can go fly fishing in the Tellico River for a world-class trout fishing experience in the mountain streams. Local festivals include the Cherohala Skyway Festival held every October at the peak of fall foliage featuring Appalachian art, mountain music, and heritage demonstrations, as well as the Tellico Plains Trout Festival in the spring to celebrate the rich fishing culture and nature conservation efforts.
Community at the Heart of It All
The state of Tennessee is home to a wide variety of culture. From world-famous country music stars to some of the most beautiful national parks in the country, the Volunteer State has it all, but nothing is quite so prominent as the friendly nature of some of Tennessee’s small towns. Whether exploring the storytelling traditions of Jonesborough, attending a beloved community festival in Greeneville, relaxing along the lakeshore in Dandridge, or discovering Appalachian heritage in Townsend and Tellico Plains, visitors will find welcoming communities eager to share their local traditions. Together, these towns showcase the warmth, hospitality, and sense of belonging that continue to make Tennessee one of the South’s most inviting destinations.
