海角社区

Known for its fondness for country music, blues, and whiskey, the landlocked state of Tennessee is a beloved gem in the southeastern region of the United States. Last year, it attracted 144 million visitors, with more than 16 million tourists visiting its most populated city鈥擭ashville.

However, if you are the kind of traveler who would rather go to off-the-beaten-path destinations, then cities like Nashville and Memphis are not for you. Fret not; the Volunteer State still hides a treasure trove of underrated spots that are mostly undiscovered by many visitors. From Loudon鈥檚 local-led history walks to Bell Buckle鈥檚 antique stores, join the few who know the hidden charms of these small towns in Tennessee!

Jonesborough

Founded 17 years before Tennessee even became a state, Jonesborough is Tennessee鈥檚 oldest town and has the historical sites to show for it. Join the Jonesborough Town Tour鈥攇uided by passionate tour guides in costume to add to the immersion鈥攖o learn about the town鈥檚 origins. If you are mystified by the macabre, the Old Jonesborough Cemetery Tour will take you through the town鈥檚 cemeteries and teach you about burial customs from the 1800s.

Other history-rich spots in Jonesborough include the Salt House, which helped store salt during the Civil War but now set in its building is a popular distillery- Tennessee Hills Distillery, and The Eureka Inn, a 1797 lodging established shortly after Tennessee was declared a state. Nicknamed 鈥淭he Storytelling Capital of the 海角社区,鈥� Jonesborough has a lot of stories to tell!

Rock Island

Named after a mini island in the nearby Caney Fork River, Rock Island is a must-visit for outdoorsy folks looking to try trekking in Tennessee. Rock Island State Park, the town鈥檚 most popular attraction, is an 883-acre park that houses waterscape beauties like the Twin Falls, and nearby is the majestic Great Falls Dam. Take the Old Mill Gorge Trail or the Collins River Nature Trail for easy and beginner-friendly routes. For a challenging hike, go with the Blue Hole Trail, which takes you through a partially watery trail.

On your way back to town, you might spot the ruins of Spring Castle, a once elaborate spring house that worked as a water source and fire protection to nearby homes. If all that hiking depleted you of calories, restore some with Rock Island Trolley Stop鈥檚 ice cream shop.

Rugby

Tucked in Tennessee鈥檚 Cumberland Plateau, the tiny town of Ruby prides itself on being a living Victorian village. Since the town鈥檚 establishment in 1880, it has continued to preserve its numerous historic and iconic buildings, including the first free public library in the south鈥攖he Thomas Hughes Free Public Library. Other notable buildings are the Christ Church Episcopal built in 1887, and the old inn of Newbury House that still has its authentic Victorian-era furnishings.

Considered a 鈥渇ailed utopia鈥� by historians, you can learn more about Rugby鈥檚 inception and mishaps through its tours, particularly its 鈥渁fter dark鈥� tours, which are now open five nights a week. Drop by around September to join its annual Cemetery Lantern Tour, where locals read aloud letters and diaries of the town鈥檚 original settlers while being near their graves.

Paris

Did you know Tennessee has its own Eiffel Tower? Yep, scurry over to Eiffel Tower Park to see a mini replica of France鈥檚 most famous structure! As the first town in West Tennessee, Paris was named after France鈥檚 city to honor the heroic actions of Marquis de Lafayette during the American Revolutionary War. Know more about it by visiting the Paris Henry County Heritage Center, a preserved mansion now used as the town鈥檚 museum.

Eiffel Tower Park also has hike and bike trails for active travelers, as well as a small water park with splash pads for families with little ones. Love fried food? Paris hosts the 鈥満＝巧缜�鈥檚 Biggest Fish Fry鈥� event every late April, where fried catfish are aplenty!

Wartburg

With only a population of around 1000, the sleepy town of Wartburg invites tourists to take life slowly with nature. The Obed National Wild & Scenic River Visitor Center is a good spot to start for its stunning river park and friendly ranger guides. Paddle through its whitewater streams, admire its 500-foot-deep gorges, and maybe even challenge yourself with rock climbing! The area has been kept pristine since the town鈥檚 settlers made it their home in the 1800s.

Northeast of town is another Wartburg natural wonder: Frozen Head State Park. It has one of the tallest peaks on the Cumberland Plateau at 3,324 feet, with a 360-degree observation deck at the summit. Try hiking trails like the Old Mac Trail and the fairly easy Debord Falls Trail, the latter of which will take you to the short, albeit beautiful, cascading waters of Debord Falls. Wartburg also has the historic Morgan County Courthouse and its clocktower and the Tennessee Mountain Laurel Festival, which celebrates the blooming of mountain laurels every May.

Bell Buckle

Bell Buckle is best known for its well-preserved Victorian buildings, an abundance of antique shops, and quirky celebrations. A paradise for vintage collectors, check out Blue Bird Antiques, which doubles as a turn-of-the-century soda bar and ice cream parlor, and Phillips General Store Antiques, a former 1890 dry goods store that now sells primitives and vintage textiles.

Eager to keep the South鈥檚 good ol鈥� fast food favorites to the new generation, the town celebrates the RC Cola-MoonPie Festival every June. Join a race, dance with cloggers, and enjoy an ice-cold RC Cola with a fresh MoonPie! The town also has the Bell Buckle Arts and Crafts Festival on the third weekend of October, which showcases quilts and other handmade crafts. Other adorable Bell Buckle spots are Bell Buckle Park and the town's favorite eatery, Bell Buckle Cafe.

Loudon

Loudon is another Tennessee town famed for its historic buildings, farms, and gorgeous views of the Tennessee River. Take the Bo Carey History Tours to get to know the city from the perspective of a 6th-generation local. Learn about the town鈥檚 historic homes, its cemetery, public hangings, and Tennessee鈥檚 Battle of Athens. Do not skip the Carmichael Inn, an establishment that started in the 1800s and has continuously served passing travelers until modern times.

Around August, party with Loudon locals during its annual River Fest celebration, where good food, fireworks, and a group kayak-paddle excursion down the river are the highlights of the event. For a stay centered on nature and the outdoors, Windy Hill Farm offers Tennessee River fishing, forest bathing, and quail hunting. Need a souvenir? Get Tennessee Valley Winery鈥檚 award-winning wines!

Leiper鈥檚 Fork

A rural village with a tiny population of around 650 people, Leiper鈥檚 Fork is as small as it gets. However, its art galleries, culinary delights, a beloved whiskey distillery, and close-knit community pack quite a charming punch! Start your visit with a tour of Leiper鈥檚 Fork Distillery to discover the secrets of what makes Tennessee whiskey so good. You will get to see their expert team distill a small whiskey batch and taste some samples in their 200-year-old tasting room!

Follow it up with a gallery tour to enrich your artistic side, with the local art hub of Leiper鈥檚 Creek Gallery and David Arms Gallery鈥檚 rustic barn location as the top art destinations. Foodies should make a stop at RedByrd Coffee Shop for their signature Byrd drinks and Fox and Locke for their cherry wood-smoked pulled pork BBQ and open-mic nights. Now, that is the comforting Southern cuisine and hospitality locals know and love!

Sewanee

Take your road trip to central Tennessee and explore the college town of Sewanee, where nature and impressive architecture merge. The University of the South is considered the town鈥檚 jewel for its 1800s Gothic-style structures and nature preserve, and it is open for scheduled tours.

Outdoor explorers can swim, boat, or fish at the nearby waterscapes of Lake Cheston and Lake Dimmick or stretch their legs at the nature preserve鈥檚 65 miles of hiking trails. The university also houses the old All Saints鈥� Chapel鈥攁 must-visit for its striking stained glass windows. For your souvenir and local eats needs, the nearby Mooney's Market and Emporium has blooms and yarn, while Shenanigans has been a Sewanee foodie institution since 1974.

Erwin

Fans of hiking and rafting will get a kick out of the Appalachian Trail town of Erwin. With the Cherokee National Forest and the Nolichucky River surrounding it, your vacation here will be filled with outdoor fun! Go hiking on the Appalachian Trail to the east or enjoy the mountain and creek sceneries of Rock Creek Falls Hike. Brave the waters with Wahoo's Adventures Nolichucky Outpost when you go tubing or white water rafting in the Nolichucky River.

Outside of these sporty activities, Erwin also has historical sites and an adorable downtown to explore. The Clinchfield Railroad Museum is an old-fashioned train depot that pays homage to the town鈥檚 railroad past. Stop by Stegall's Pottery for Erwin-made crafts and get a cup of joe from the local coffee shop of Steel Rails Coffee House.

Final Thoughts

Tennessee鈥檚 big cities are popular for good reasons, but that does not mean that is all there is to it in the state. As shown on this list, these small towns in Tennessee can also cater to a wide variety of tourists鈥攆rom outdoorsy travelers who want to glide down the Tennessee River in Loudon to whiskey connoisseurs looking to score Leiper鈥檚 Fork鈥檚 quality spirits.

Whether you are hungry for something new to satiate your wanderlust or want to highlight a new locale for your online content, you cannot go wrong by spelunking through Tennessee鈥檚 undiscovered destinations. Which town are you picking first?