Part of the reason we love Tennessee is for its massive coffer of teensy-tiny towns, cities with kind folk, and ties to American history. We’re proud of our state, but we love our people. They’re who make Tennessee what it is. Here we’ve found eleven towns that truly make the Volunteer State unique and exemplify some of the best country living in Tennessee. So here is our list of our 11 favorite rural towns in Tennessee.

11. Lynchburg
Brent Moore/Flickr
Famous for the Jack Daniels distillery, but other notable residents include Davy Crocket (1811-1813) and rock and roll artist Little Richard. Moreover you will find many things to do in Lynchburg, Tennessee. In fact, this charming town is a perfect destination for a summer road trip.
10. Townsend
wsilver/Flickr
As one of the gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains, it is noted for being the "low-key" entrance to the park, identifying as the "Peaceful Side of the Smokies." Townsend is beautiful and if you have ever been it is easy to see why.
9. Adams
Brian Stansberry/Wikipedia
Adams is the home of the Red River Baptist Church one of the first churches founded west of the Cumberland Plateau in 1791. The town saw an influx of traffic in the '20s due to its location on US Route 41, which connected Chicago with Florida. Adams is also home to the Bell Witch.
8. Etowah
Brent Moore/Flickr
Etowah was founded as a depot along the Louisville & Nashville Railroad line as a direct route between Atlanta and Cincinnati and continues to be a fun thoroughfare for tourists today.
7. Covington
Brent Moore/Flickr
We've mentioned this sweet spot before, for its kind people and ties to Tennessee and American history.

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6. Paris
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
One of the best places to find a fried catfish and a replica of the Eiffel Tower, Paris happens to be a rural town with a bit of a southern reputation.
5. Bluff City
Brent Moore/Flickr
Tucked away in East Tennessee, Bluff City has some of the most beautiful vistas and stunning overlooks in the east. As a part of the Tri-Cities conglomerate, you're not too far from a couple of larger towns as well.
4. Tellico Plains
幻影留梦/Flickr
Check out Bald River Falls, a bit of the Cherohala Skyway or Conasauga Falls Trail while in Tellico Plains - it's situated in a stunning bit of the state, y'all. It is true that Tellico Plains is surrounded by natural beauty.
3. Erwin
DM/Flickr
The county seat of Unicoi County is most certainly a pretty little thing. Although it may have a controversial history, Erwin is a town that deserves an infusion of contemporary understanding - it's beautiful, the people are kind and it is most definitely a day trip for Tennesseans.
2. Nolensville
Shawn Ide/Flickr
Great for antiquing and family walks, Nolensville is a darling place that the family will fall in love with. Grab a pie from the Amish bakery or find a special bit of furniture for your home - Nolensville is Tennessee unplugged, and it's darling.
1. Sewanee
Michael Hicks/Flickr
Known for its university and stunning fall foliage, Sewanee is a tiny town with a big natural voice. Nature didn't skimp on the beauty out here.

Did your home town make the list? What are some other great rural towns in Tennessee? Let us know in the comments!

Now that you’ve seen our take on the best small towns in Tennessee to live in, check out our list of favorite downtown areas in small towns.

 

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More to Explore

Small towns in Tennessee

Chris Dodge | September 15, 2022

What are some other great rural towns or small towns in Tennessee?

If you know anything about Tennessee then you know that we have some of the nicest people in the country. Getting outside of the big cities and into these little towns, you will find kind people who love to help others and are always willing to show you some southern hospitality. So, let's get out to some of these small towns and see what it's all about. Here are a few suggestions for you ...

The little town of Bell Buckle may be small but it has a huge personality. This small town in Tennessee was named after the nearby creek and is filled with art. The town hosts interesting festivals throughout the year and has one of the best little restaurants downtown. The town's downtown area is also worth sticking around for a day of shopping.

For our next suggestion, the little town of Jonesborough is an excellent place to visit. This is the oldest town in Tennessee and was actually once the capital, even if it didn't last very long. There is a lot of very important history surrounding this town and the downtown area is an absolute must to visit. This small little town also has the claim of being the storytelling capital of the world. That was all made possible by an annual storytelling event the town hosts every year. These are just a few of the small towns that we have in our wonderful state to visit.

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