9 Underrated Tennessee Towns Worth the Drive in 2026
Tennessee rewards the scenic route with underrated towns that make the drive part of the adventure. Tellico Plains serves as the gateway to the Cherohala Skyway and some of the state’s most memorable mountain scenery. Townsend offers a quieter, more relaxed way to experience the Great Smoky Mountains. These underrated Tennessee towns are well worth the drive in 2026.
Townsend
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Tennessee. Unfortunately, its main entry point, Gatlinburg, can get pretty crowded. If you want to visit a more peaceful side of the Smokies, then Townsend is right up your alley. It's only 50 minutes away from Knoxville, and by visiting it, you will get to explore the majestic valley of Cade's Cove, with an 11-mile one-way loop road taking you by several wildlife observation points, trails through scenic waterfalls, and historic buildings such as a Primitive Baptist Church or John Oliver Cabin. In Townsend proper, you can spend some time learning about the history of the area at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center or grab some food from The Riverstone Restaurant.
Jonesborough
If you are the type of person who loves a good American tall tale, you will want to go to the Storytelling Capital of the world in Jonesborough. It is an hour and a half drive or so from Knoxville, and it's been around longer than any Tennessee settlement. It was founded in 1779, a full 17 years before Tennessee was a state. As a result of this long history, it has developed a tradition of storytelling, which comes alive at the International Storytelling Center, which hosts world-class storytellers who know how to spin a good yarn. If you visit in October, you can hear storytellers from around the world at the National Storytelling Festival. One interesting story about Jonesborough is that it used to be a part of the unofficial state of Franklin in Eastern Tennessee from 1784 to 1788. The Lost State Scenic Walkway is named after this former state, and it passes through other parks in the town, such as Persimmon Ridge Park.
Bell Buckle
Many of Tennessee's best small towns are within driving distance of Nashville, such as the unusually named Bell Buckle. Surprisingly, no one knows the origin of the name, although some local legends suggest that the first settlers in the region saw a carving on a tree of a cowbell and a buckle left there by Native Americans. Today, Bell Buckle has one of the most celebrated downtowns in the state, with many different types of antique shops offering a variety of goods. Hilltop Antiques focuses on home decor and gifts, while Livery Stable Antique Mall has jewelry, collectibles, furniture, and other products. Bluebird Antiques & Ice Cream Parlor serves up scoops of ice cream while you browse their wares. The most popular spot in Bell Buckle is the Bell Buckle Cafe, which serves burgers, catfish, pizza, and many other American lunches and dinners.
Leiper's Fork
To the southwest of Nashville is the scenic village of Leipers Fork, just outside of the town of Franklin. The village is within the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile scenic trail that begins in Mississippi and was originally an old Native American path. There is a white double-arched bridge on the path called the Natchez Trace Bridge, which is worth snapping a photo of. In the village itself, you can try out small-batch whiskey from Leiper's Fork Distillery or buy a turquoise squash blossom necklace from the Tennessee Turquoise Company. Art lovers should drop by Leiper's Creek Gallery, filled with sculptures, carvings, and still life paintings, as well as a fire pit to relax. Before you leave the area, make sure to drop by Franklin to see several historic American Civil War sites, such as the Carnton plantation, which saw heavy fighting during the Battle of Franklin in 1864.
Tellico Plains
Tellico Plains is a former lumber town that sits by several national forests that cut through the Appalachian Mountains. By driving just over an hour from Knoxville, you will reach this mountain town that acts as an entry point to the Cherohala Skyway, a 43-mile National Scenic Byway that runs through the Cherokee National Forest and Nantahala National Forest. This byway comes alive during the fall with beautiful autumn colors. There are plenty of activities in the town of Tellico Plains as well, with a free museum cataloging Appalachian history at the Charles Hall Museum, the Tellico Grains Bakery for delicious pastries, or the Tellico Goods and Gear store for hiking and climbing gear for your wider journey into the national forests.
Lynchburg
By driving an hour and a half south of Nashville, you can find some of the best whiskey in Tennessee in Lynchburg: the Jack Daniel's Distillery. Founded in the 1830s by Jack Daniel, it's the first registered distillery in America. Touring its grounds is one of the most popular activities here, as you can see the barrelhouse, an underground cave spring which still produces water for the whiskey today, and a recreated saloon known as The White Rabbit Bottle Shop. If you want to purchase a Jack Daniel's souvenir, make your way to the old-timey Jack Daniel's Lynchburg Hardware and General Store, which also sells vintage items.
Woodbury
Around 55 miles outside of Nashville is the town of Woodbury, a cute art community hidden away in the hills of central Tennessee. More than 40,000 visitors come to this town for the Arts Center of Cannon County, which puts on theatrical performances, art exhibits, and more. It is currently showing The Murfreesboro Plein Air Painters at the gallery, and the Children of Eden play on its stage. After visiting the center, shop for antiques from the Old Feed Store Antique Mall or grab Greek food from Golden Greek or Thai from the Kountry Thai Restaurant. With its central location, Woodbury is close to many other attractions as well, such as Burgess Falls State Park, which has four waterfalls that fall down more than 250 feet.
Collegedale
If you are in the eastern Tennessee city of Chattanooga, it is worth stopping in at the charming college town suburb of Collegedale, which includes the enclave of Ooltewah. The town was founded in 1916 for Southern Adventist University, and today has a population of just around 11,000 people. It is also the center for McKee Foods, which produces Little Debbie snack cakes. This plant maintains the adorable Little Debbie Park, with playgrounds modeled after several of its iconic treats, like the Cosmic Brownie, along with trails and ziplines. You can pick up fresh Little Debbies and souvenirs from the McKee Foods Bakery Store. While you are here, you can explore other adorable places in the area, ranging from the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum to a former depot turned cafe called the Ooltewah Whistle Stop.
Greeneville
By driving just over an hour east from Knoxville, you will reach the historic community of Greeneville. It is named after the Revolutionary War General Nathaniel Greene, and is the second-oldest community in Tennessee, with its founding in 1783. Greeneville was also the birthplace of the US President, Andrew Johnson. He was Abraham Lincoln's second Vice President who took over as President following Lincoln's assassination. His presidency was wracked with controversy and struggles over Reconstruction following the American Civil War. You can learn all about his life from the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, or if you are into a different sort of history, browse antique vehicles from the City Garage Car Museum. You can purchase antiques to take home from the Greeneville Antique Market, or take in the fresh air by a waterfall via the Margarette Falls Trailhead.
The Peaceful Side of Tennessee
If there is one feature all of these towns hold in common, it is that they are in peaceful places. Tellico Plains and Townsend are nestled in the forests of the Appalachian Mountains, while Leiper's Fork lies hidden away across a bridge in the Natchez Trace Parkway. Don't let their serene views fool you, as these communities have long histories that inform their culture to this day, whether that is a Presidential home in Greeneville or the storytelling tradition of Jonesborough. You might find yourself wanting to spend a whole weekend learning all of the stories in these underrated Tennessee towns.
