The 11 Best Small Towns in Tennessee

• Why We Love It: great for families, national park access, outdoor and indoor activities
• Things to Do: Great Smoky Mountains National Park; outdoor activities like rafting and skiing; Anakeesta Amusement Park
• Where to Stay: Heaven’s Playhouse (from $271/night, sleeps 8); Smoky Haven (from $183/night, sleeps 8); Touchdown’s Mountaintop Lookout (from $215/night, sleeps 6)

Gatlinburg grabs the attention of tourists for all the right (and rugged) reasons. Known as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this enchanting alpine resort in eastern Tennessee grants visitors access to endless adventure—hiking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting and skiing. Appalachian wilderness aside (not that you’re ever far from the outdoors with fresh air and gorgeous views at every turn), Gatlinburg also has amusement parks, mini golf and a nostalgic pinball museum.

• Why We Love It: historical monuments, great food
• Things to Do: Shiloh Indian Mounds National Historic Landmark; visit Civil War sites; Cherry Mansion
• Where to Stay: The Dotson House (from $125/night, sleeps 4); The Shiloh Retreat (from $106/night, sleeps 3); River Retreat (from $109/night, sleeps 4)

Doing a road trip through Tennessee? Set your navigation to Shiloh—and get ready to step into the past (we’re talking the Civil War and even earlier). First, stop by Shiloh Indian Mounds National Historic Landmark to see pre-historic houses. Walk on the field where the Battle of Shiloh went down and pay tribute to the fallen soldiers at the cemetery before admiring Cherry Mansion, the 1862 headquarters of General Ulysses S. Grant. Afterward, grab a bite at the spooky Catfish Hotel (hush puppies a must).

• Why We Love It: great for bourbon connoisseurs and foodies
• Things to Do: Jack Daniels Distillery; stroll downtown; grab some sweets at Lynchburg Cake and Candy Company
• Where to Stay: The Tolley House (from $233/night); Mulberry Cottage (from $96/night, sleeps 4); Lynchburg Cedar Cabin (from $125/night, sleeps 4)

The star attraction in the lovely south-central Tennessee town of Lynchburg just so happens to be the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Not big into booze? Do a walking tour of the charming downtown, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and sample some sweet treats at the Lynchburg Cake and Candy Company.

• Why We Love It: idyllic downtown, historic buildings, great for outdoor enthusiasts and literature lovers
• Things to Do: Christopher Taylor House; outdoor activities; National Storytelling Festival
• Where to Stay: The Conner House (from $125/night, sleeps 4); The Eggplant Cottage (from $89/night, sleeps 3); Rustic Elegance Cabin (from $128/night, sleeps 2)

Nested in the easternmost tip of Tennessee, Jonesborough—the oldest town in the state—is like a living museum. It boasts a postcard-worthy downtown with tons of idyllic, old buildings. The Christopher Taylor House (which would more accurately be described as a rustic log cabin) dates all the way back to 1778. People come from far and wide for the National Storytelling Festival. Due to its proximity to the Appalachian Mountains, Jonesborough also puts cycling, caving, hiking and kayaking at your doorstep.

• Why We Love It: seasonal activities, rich history
• Things to Do: visit Civil War monuments; Carnton House; seasonal festivals
• Where to Stay: The Harpeth Franklin Downtown (from $397/night); Garden Gate Cottage (from $263/night, sleeps 5); Historic Flat on Main (from $498/night, sleeps 4)

The next time you’re in Nashville, we highly recommend road trippin’ just 20 miles south to Franklin. Founded in 1799 by Abram Maury and named to honor Benjamin Franklin, this darling town has two (seemingly disparate) claims to fame: history and festivals. Fans of the past can visit Civil War battlefields and tour the purportedly haunted Carnton House. Meanwhile, events like Pumpkinfest and Dickens of a Christmas lure travelers keen to take part in seasonal celebrations.

• Why We Love It: easy day trip from Nashville, great for antiques
• Things to Do: go antiquing; Bell Buckle Cafe
• Where to Stay: Orchard Hill Century Farm (from $380/night, sleeps 10); Panoramic Paradise (from $216/night, sleeps 10); Little Buckle (from $175/night, sleeps 4)

A sing-songy name sets the stage for an adorable town that could easily be plucked off the pages of a children’s storybook, Bell Buckle sits just an hour southeast of Nashville. The downtown area flaunts impressively preserved Victorian homes and churches. It’s also an antique lover’s dream with many shops to uncover vintage treasures and bygone-era relics. (Be sure to check out Hilltop Antiques, Bluebird Antiques and Livery Stables Antique Mall.) And don’t miss swinging by Bell Buckle Cafe for a piece of oatmeal cake drizzled in caramel sauce.

• Why We Love It: easy access from Chattanooga or Knoxville, great outdoor activities, stunning mountain views
• Things to Do: Cherokee National Forest; Bald River Falls; water activities
• Where to Stay: Historic Tellico Plains Home (from $100/night, sleeps 8); Skyline Cabin (from $221/night, sleeps 4); Tellico River Retreat (from $206/night, sleeps 6)

Ready to answer the call of the wild? Pack your bags for the rugged resplendence of Tellico Plains In southeastern Tennessee. People venture to this old-timey mountain town, situated a stone’s throw away from Cherokee National Forest, to commune with nature. Plain and simple. Whether you want to go hiking, biking, kayaking, boating, fishing, swimming, chasing waterfalls (hello, Bald River Falls) or camping, it’s all waiting.

• Why We Love It:
• Things to Do:
• Where to Stay: Dancing Bear Lodge (from $255/night); Cades Cove Cabin (from $156/night, sleeps 6); Boujee Bear Glamping Dome (from $313/night, sleeps 2)

Two words best describe Townsend: peaceful and picturesque. Quiet and quaint would also be appropriate adjectives. A less frequented entry point to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this tiny town is truly the perfect home base for exploring the beauty of nature (ahem, spring wildflowers) sans hordes of tourists. Outdoor activities—from hiking tree-lined trails to rafting down the gushing river—are obviously a given. You can also count on cute shops, festivals and cozy cabin rentals.

• Why We Love It: lots of museums and attractions; great live music; peaceful hiking trails
• Things to Do: Dollywood; Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show; Titanic Museum
• Where to Stay: Margaritaville Island Inn (from $266/night); The Peaceful Getaway (from $122/night, sleeps 6); Birchwood Lodge (from $201/night, sleeps 12)

If you ask us, country queen and living legend Dolly Parton is basically the closest thing we have to royalty in America. That pretty much makes her Appalachian-themed amusement park in Pigeon Forge something akin to the palace grounds, right? Of course, Dollywood isn’t all that this eastern Tennessee town has going for it. Hit up the live music venues and scenic hiking trails, plus the myriad museums. (There’s even one dedicated to the Titanic.) And don’t forget to book tickets to the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show, where you can enjoy country cooking while watching two “families” try to settle a long-running feud through music.

• Why We Love It: steeped in history; quaint Main Street; good antiques
• Things to Do: Greeneville Greene County Museum; Greeneville Antique Market; stroll Main Street
• Where to Stay: The General Morgan Inn (from $156/night); The Olde White House (from $230/night, sleeps 8); Sunnyside Barndominium (from $120/night, sleeps 4)

For a major dose of heritage, head to Greeneville. The second oldest town in Tennessee takes visitors on a journey back in time to the Revolutionary War with attractions like the Greeneville Greene County Museum. Since the nation’s 17th president (that’s Andrew Johnson in case you missed that week in history class) hailed from Greeneville, there’s a site devoted to him. Well-preserved buildings along Main Street and the Greeneville Antique Market round out the old-school charm.

• Why We Love It: quaint hamlet; great arts scene; easy access from Nashville and Frankline
• Things to Do: Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge; Props Antiques; Fox & Locke General Store
• Where to Stay: East of Meacham Cabin (from $172/night, sleeps 4); French Farmhouse (from $388/night, sleeps 8); Leipers Fork Cottage (from $192/night, sleeps 6)

Leipers Fork is a quiet hamlet just southwest of Franklin, but don’t be fooled by its size. The single road running through the main street is filled with antique shops, art galleries and eateries. First, stop at Fox & Locke General Store (formerly known as Puckett’s Grocery) for some barbecue and a slice of chess pie. (You’re going to want two.) You can spend the next few hours antiquing at Props Antiques, whiskey tasting at Leiper’s Fork Distillery and admiring the art at Leiper’s Creek Gallery. The gallery sits in a former gas station, and the front porch is always stocked with s’mores supplies. After you’ve made yourself a s’more, take the short drive to Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge for stunning valley views.