12 Underrated Tennessee Towns That Deserve A Second Look
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Tennessee has made a solid name for itself in Nashville and Memphis, even Knoxville if you want to count our underrated east side town. We’re a beautiful state filled with kind people with a knack for hospitality. Of COURSE we have some lovely cities, but what about the folks beyond the bustling metropolis? Here are twelve underrated towns that deserve a road trip or an overnight stay, each one of them exhuming the heart of our state. Enjoy!
Located about half an hour west of Chattanooga, South Pittsburg has a little something for everybody. The town is home to the National Cornbread Festival every April, but it is also home to one of the most haunted places in Tennessee: the Old South Pittsburg Hospital, which features overnight ghost hunts on weekends.
For the non-Tennesseean, Johnson City is just that town that they mention in "Wagon Wheel," but the town is so much more. Located in the mountains of East Tennessee, the town has excellent hiking trails, multiple craft breweries, and all kinds of history from the early settlers of the Appalachian frontier.
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The town of Greeneville has multiple unique claims to fame in history. Not only was it the capital of the short-lived State of Franklin, it was also the home to future-president Andrew Johnson. Located about an hour northeast of Knoxville, this town makes for a great day trip for East Tennesseans.
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Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains along the North Carolina border, Erwin is the quintessential frontier town. Erwin is probably most known for its 1916 public hanging of Mary the elephant, but the town's beautiful Main Street and its shops are what you should visit for.
Jonesborough is Tennessee's oldest town, founded 17 years before Tennessee became a state. The Chester Inn, which was built in 1797 still stands in the downtown area and is absolutely worth a visit. The town is also home to the National Storytelling Festival, which takes place the first weekend of October every year.
About half an hour north of Jackson in West Tennessee, Humboldt is home to the 80-year-old West Tennessee Strawberry Festival, which takes place every May. Be sure not to miss this truly Tennessean, small town tradition!
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Kingsport is a part of the, "Mountain Empire," a beautiful stretch of land that covers East Tennessee's mountainous counties as well as a part of southwestern Virginia. The beautiful area is right on the Holston River, providing quite a few summer activities for locals and tourists alike. Interesting fact? The name Kingsport actually came from the original, "King's Port," which once referred to the King's Boat Yard on the river.
While Skullbone isn't officially a town, it's still worth visiting. Known by locals as the "Capital of the Kingdom of Skullbonia," this intersection is home to the Hampton's General Store, which features elaborate murals depicting the Kingdom's domain, and the store features an unofficial (and unused) mayor's office. If you're driving through Northwest Tennessee, it's definitely worth a visit.
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Smithville is located about 45 minutes east of Nashville and is home to the annual Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree. First held in 1972, the Jamboree has been going strong on every 4th of July weekend since. Over 100,000 people visit every year, so be sure to get in on the action and check out this piece of bluegrass history!
Another unincorporated town, this one on the North Carolina border in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cosby is the definition of the sublime mountain town. Cosby was known for most of the 20th century by East Tennesseans as the "Moonshine Capital of the World," and the area's moonshine is still available to tourists passing through the park.
Historic Granville provides Tennesseans with a solid step back in southern time. The darling town has managed to preserve the historic integrity of the area, boasting multiple festivals and events throughout the year. Roughly three hundred people get to call this place home, and they're luckier for it. Have you visited?
There are less than 500 people in Townsend, but that's fine by us! That means there's more room for its stunning countryside. Located on the "Peaceful Side of the Smoky Mountains," Townsend is both a sweet, quiet town and a buzzy tourist attraction. The dichotomy makes for a low-key atmosphere with a whole lot of natural appreciation.
You should check out The Epic Canopy Course In Nashville That Will Bring Out The Adventurer In You. It’s so much fun to visit!
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