The Volunteer State boasts a treasure trove of charming small cities, every providing a novel mix of historical past, tradition, and pure magnificence. From the foothills of the Nice Smoky Mountains to the banks of the Cumberland River, these cities present a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of metropolis life whereas remaining accessible to most of the high issues to do in Tennessee. Whether or not you search out of doors journey, a style of Southern hospitality, or a glimpse into the previous, Tennessee’s small cities will captivate you.
14 Tennessee Small Cities to Discover
- Cookeville: A vibrant vacation spot for foodies and health lovers, situated close to a number of state parks and residential to Tennessee Tech.
- Franklin: Blends Civil Battle historical past with upscale residing and trendy facilities; identified for a captivating downtown.
- Granville: A preserved Nineteenth-century village on the Cumberland River providing historic allure, artisan retailers, and peaceable, scenic environment.
- Townsend: Generally known as the “Peaceable Aspect of the Smokies,” it’s ideally suited for nature lovers with entry to Nice Smoky Mountains trails and the distinctive Tuckaleechee Caverns.
- Bell Buckle: A quaint Victorian village well-known for its vintage retailers and annual RC Cola and Moon Pie Pageant.
- Jonesborough: Tennessee’s oldest city, well-known for its storytelling festivals and well-preserved historic structure, with a pleasant, arts-focused neighborhood.
- Tellico Plains: A mountain escape for out of doors lovers providing climbing, rafting, and scenic drives by way of the Cherohala Skyway; wealthy in Cherokee heritage and humanities.
- Lynchburg: Residence to Jack Daniel’s Distillery, this charming city blends whiskey tourism with historic character.
- Collierville: Incorporates a nationally acknowledged historic city sq. close to Memphis, with parks, cultural websites, and a balanced suburban way of life.
- Gatlinburg: A mountain resort city on the gateway to Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, full of sights, nature entry, and vacationer vitality.
- Dickson: Gives historic allure, pure magnificence, and affordability, with proximity to Nashville and entry to Montgomery Bell State Park.
- Pigeon Forge: A vigorous hub for household leisure and out of doors journey, with sights like Dollywood and proximity to the Smokies.
- Paris: Recognized for its Eiffel Tower reproduction and proximity to loads of out of doors recreation.
- Leiper’s Fork: A tiny, creative small city close to Nashville with galleries, boutique retailers, and a country vibe.
Cookeville: A Foodie and Health Paradise
Cookeville is a vibrant city catering to meals lovers and health followers simply 80 miles east of Downtown Nashville. The city boasts a various culinary scene, with eating places providing numerous cuisines, from traditional Southern fare to worldwide flavors.
For out of doors lovers, Cookeville’s proximity to Cummins Falls State Park, Fall Creek Falls State Park, and Burgess Falls State Park gives ample alternatives for climbing, swimming, and exploring nature’s wonders. The city can be identified for its “fiction” vacation spot standing, internet hosting health retreats and occasions yearly.
Cookeville is house to Tennessee Tech College, a big employer. The city additionally has a thriving healthcare trade and quite a few native companies. Cookeville gives affordability relative to the value of residing in Tennessee, with median house costs round $280,000.
Franklin: A Civil Battle City with Trendy Allure
Simply south of Nashville, Franklin gives a novel mix of historical past and trendy facilities. The city performed a big function within the Civil Battle, and its well-preserved historic websites present a glimpse into that tumultuous period.
At present, Downtown Franklin serves because the charming hub of a thriving neighborhood stuffed with boutiques, vintage retailers, artwork galleries, and farm-to-table eating places. The city’s proximity to Nashville makes it a preferred alternative for these in search of a suburban way of life with easy accessibility to big-city facilities.
Nonetheless, residing prices are greater than in different small cities; properties in Franklin usually listing from the $400s to $1 million. Franklin’s luxurious properties, the highest finish of which embrace a number of the most costly properties in Tennessee, include worth tags starting from $1.2 million to greater than $50 million.
Important employers in Franklin embrace Nissan North America, healthcare suppliers, and company headquarters.
Granville: A Step Again in Time
Granville is a residing historical past village that takes guests on a journey again to the Nineteenth century. The city options over 100 preserved buildings, together with a working gristmill, a basic retailer, and a blacksmith store. Guests can discover the village on guided excursions, witness demonstrations of conventional crafts, and even keep in a single day in a historic home.
Granville is situated on the banks of the fun-filled Cumberland River, providing scenic views and alternatives for boating, fishing, and different water actions. The city’s peaceable environment and slower tempo of life make it a perfect escape from the stresses of recent residing. Nonetheless, it retains proximity to the massive metropolis, at simply 65 miles from Nashville and simply 30 miles from the city of Hartsville.
Granville has a really inexpensive value of residing and restricted housing choices. The city has a number of small companies, artisans, and native retailers.
Townsend: The Peaceable Aspect of the Smokies
Townsend, nestled within the foothills of the Nice Smoky Mountains close to the town of Knoxville, is a haven for out of doors lovers and nature lovers. Townsend’s proximity to the park gives limitless alternatives for climbing, biking, and horseback using on a number of the greatest trails in Tennessee.
A singular attraction in Townsend is the Tuckaleechee Caverns, a panoramic underground world of stalactites and stalagmites shaped over 1000’s of years. On guided excursions, discover the caverns and marvel on the pure wonders beneath the earth.
Townsend is a pretty possibility for these in search of a slower tempo of life and a robust sense of neighborhood. The price of residing is usually decrease than in bigger cities, and there’s a vary of housing choices obtainable. Important employers embrace tourism-related companies, native retailers, and eating places. The median house worth in Townsend is round $400,000, however costs can range relying on the dimensions and site of the property.
Bell Buckle: A Quaint Victorian Village
Bell Buckle, a picturesque Victorian village, transports guests in time with its well-preserved Nineteenth-century properties, church buildings, and charming downtown sq.. The city’s slower tempo of life and pleasant environment make it a perfect escape from the stresses of recent life.
Whereas it’s situated an hour’s drive south of Nashville, it’s a mere 20 miles from the quickly rising Murfreesboro neighborhood—one among Nashville’s greatest suburbs. Bell Buckle hosts a number of festivals yearly, together with the RC Cola and Moon Pie Pageant, a unusual celebration of two Southern staples. The pageant options reside music, meals distributors, and a parade, attracting guests from close to and much.
Bell Buckle is a haven for vintage lovers, with quite a few retailers lining the streets. The city additionally boasts a vibrant arts scene, with native artisans showcasing their work in galleries and studios. Dwelling in Bell Buckle is inexpensive, with median house costs round $200,000.
Jonesborough: Tennessee’s Oldest City
Jonesborough, based in 1779, proudly holds the title of Tennessee’s oldest city. Steeped in historical past, Jonesborough gives a glimpse into the previous with its well-preserved historic buildings, museums, and cultural establishments.
Jonesborough’s allure lies in its vibrant arts and tradition scene. The city is called the Storytelling Capital of the World, and its Worldwide Storytelling Middle hosts the annual Nationwide Storytelling Pageant, which attracts storytellers and listeners from across the globe. Immerse your self within the wealthy oral traditions of Appalachia and uncover the facility of storytelling.
Jonesborough boasts a pleasant and welcoming neighborhood with a decrease value of residing than bigger cities. The city gives a mixture of housing choices, together with historic properties and newer constructions, with median house costs round $250,000. Important employers embrace museums, cultural establishments, native companies, and tourism-related enterprises.
Tellico Plains: An Outside Fanatic’s Haven
Tellico Plains, within the foothills of the Nice Smoky Mountains in jap Tennessee, is a paradise for out of doors lovers. The city gives many leisure actions, together with climbing, fishing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, and tenting. The Cherohala Skyway, a scenic byway that winds by way of the mountains, gives breathtaking views and entry to quite a few trails and waterfalls.
Tellico Plains has a wealthy historical past and tradition, with Cherokee heritage evident within the native landmarks and traditions. The city additionally boasts a thriving arts neighborhood, with galleries and studios showcasing the works of native artists. With a decrease residing value than bigger cities, Tellico Plains is a pretty possibility for these in search of a rural way of life.
Lynchburg: Residence of Jack Daniel’s Distillery
Lynchburg, a small city with a giant repute, is the birthplace of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey. The Jack Daniel’s Distillery, a Nationwide Historic Landmark, gives excursions and tastings, giving guests a glimpse into the whiskey-making course of.
Apart from its whiskey heritage, Lynchburg boasts a quaint downtown space with retailers, eating places, and historic buildings. The city’s pleasant environment and Southern hospitality make it a welcoming vacation spot for guests of all ages, and its relative proximity to Davidson County makes it an amazing day journey for these residing within the Nashville space.
The price of residing in Lynchburg is cheap, with numerous housing choices obtainable, from historic properties to newer constructions. The median house worth in Lynchburg is round $250,000. The Jack Daniel’s Distillery is the biggest employer within the space, however the city additionally has a number of small companies and tourism-related enterprises.
Collierville: A Charming City Sq.
Collierville, situated simply east of Memphis, is a captivating city with a historic city sq. listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations. The city sq. options a wide range of retailers, eating places, and historic landmarks, together with the Morton Museum of Collierville Historical past.
Collierville is a family-friendly neighborhood with quite a few parks, leisure services, and neighborhood occasions all year long. The city additionally boasts wonderful colleges, making it in style for households with kids.
The price of residing in Collierville is average, with a mixture of housing choices obtainable to suit completely different budgets. Important employers embrace FedEx, healthcare suppliers, and native companies. The median house worth in Collierville is round $400,000.
Gatlinburg: A Mountain Resort City
Gatlinburg, nestled within the coronary heart of the Nice Smoky Mountains, is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot identified for its gorgeous pure magnificence and plenty of sights. The city is a gateway to the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, providing easy accessibility to climbing trails, scenic drives, and different out of doors actions.
Gatlinburg boasts a vibrant leisure scene, with Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park, and quite a few different sights catering to guests of all ages. The city additionally has many eating places, retailers, and lodging choices, from cozy cabins to luxurious resorts, and it’s simply 35 miles from Knoxville, one of many greatest cities in Tennessee.
In our expertise, Gatlinburg’s reputation comes at a worth. Dwelling prices are greater than in different small cities, and site visitors will be heavy throughout peak vacationer season. Nonetheless, the city’s gorgeous surroundings, thrilling sights, and numerous facilities make it a worthwhile vacation spot for these in search of a mountain getaway.
Dickson: Southern Allure in Center Tennessee
Dickson, Tennessee, is a quintessential small city that embodies the allure and heat usually related to the American South. The city boasts a wealthy historical past, with landmarks such because the Clement Railroad Lodge Museum, which gives a glimpse into Dickson’s previous as a bustling railroad hub. Properties in Dickson usually listing from the $200s to $1 million, making it an inexpensive possibility within the Nashville space.
The city’s historic downtown space is lined with quaint retailers, native eateries, and fantastically preserved buildings, making a picturesque setting that draws vacationers and fosters a tight-knit neighborhood environment. Dickson County is situated simply east of Nashville, so residents are capable of simply commute to the massive financial and cultural hub.
Furthermore, Dickson’s pure magnificence and out of doors leisure alternatives make it a standout vacation spot in Tennessee. The city is house to Montgomery Bell State Park, a sprawling oasis of forests, lakes, and climbing trails that present limitless alternatives for out of doors lovers. Whether or not it is fishing, boating, or just having fun with a picnic by the lake, the park gives one thing for everybody. This good mix of pure magnificence, wealthy historical past, and neighborhood spirit makes Dickson among the finest small cities in Tennessee.
Pigeon Forge: Gateway to Journey
Pigeon Forge stands as one among Tennessee’s hottest vacationer locations, welcoming tens of millions of tourists yearly to its mix of pure magnificence and family-friendly sights. Situated on the doorstep of Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, the city gives easy accessibility to climbing trails, scenic drives, waterfalls, and wildlife viewing alternatives.
The city’s primary strip pulses with vitality, that includes Dollywood with its rides, exhibits, procuring, music, and Southern meals. The Island in Pigeon Forge gives a Ferris wheel with panoramic views, further rides, and a present fountain. Numerous different sights cater to guests of all ages, creating an leisure vacation spot that embodies small-town Southern allure.
Dwelling in Pigeon Forge means embracing the tourism trade, as most employment alternatives revolve round hospitality, leisure, and retail. Whereas site visitors will be heavy throughout peak vacationer seasons, residents take pleasure in year-round entry to out of doors recreation within the Nice Smoky Mountains and a robust tourism-based financial system that gives stability and job alternatives all through the neighborhood.
Paris: The Eiffel Tower of Tennessee
Paris, Tennessee, brings a contact of European aptitude to the American South with its reproduction of the Eiffel Tower. Situated about two hours west of Nashville, this charming city gives small-town residing with a novel character that units it other than different Tennessee locations.
The city’s downtown space options vintage retailers, eating institutions, and the Paris Henry County Heritage Middle, which showcases lovely structure and the world’s wealthy historical past. Dwelling on this city does not have to interrupt the financial institution both, with house costs typically ranging between $100,000 and $600,000.
Paris gives easy accessibility to out of doors recreation by way of the West Sandy Wildlife Administration Space and Tennessee Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, each inside half-hour. It additionally sits close to Kentucky Lake, one of many largest man-made lakes within the jap United States, with Paris Touchdown State Park providing gorgeous sundown views and leisure alternatives.
Leiper’s Fork: An Artist’s Haven
Leiper’s Fork is a tiny unincorporated neighborhood and one of many greatest locations to reside in Williamson County. With a inhabitants of round 650, the city packs huge allure into its small footprint of roughly 1,100 acres. This creative enclave has grow to be a magnet for these in search of a peaceable retreat from metropolis life whereas sustaining easy accessibility to Music Metropolis.
The city’s primary space, concerning the measurement of a big metropolis block, options galleries like The Copper Fox Gallery, Leiper’s Creek Gallery, and David Arms Gallery that draw guests. Boutique retailers similar to Dwell and Den and Patina Residence & Backyard provide distinctive gadgets, whereas Leiper’s Fork Distillery gives whiskey tastings. Eating choices embrace Fox & Locke and The Nation Boy Restaurant.
Dwelling in Leiper’s Fork comes with a premium price ticket and attracts these in search of privateness, pure magnificence, and a robust sense of neighborhood. The bigger city of Franklin is only a 20-minute drive away, offering further facilities and providers.
Your Tennessee Journey Awaits!
With its numerous array of small cities, every providing a novel mix of historical past, tradition, and pure magnificence, Tennessee is a state that actually has one thing for everybody. Whether or not you are in search of out of doors journey, a style of Southern hospitality, or proximity to Tennessee’s greatest state parks, you will discover a city that captures your coronary heart and creativeness.
Do not wait any longer—begin planning your Tennessee journey at present! Analysis these cities additional, attain out to native specialists, and embark on a journey that can lead you to the hidden gems of the Volunteer State.
