There's A Tiny Town Near Nashville Completely Surrounded By Breathtaking Natural Beauty

Cookeville, Tennessee is located in Putnam County, and is home to roughly 30,435 people. You wouldn't know it, though, for its small town integrity and darling streets. Their courthouse, shown above, looks like something out of a novel. It was originally built in 1900, for roughly $30,000.

Interesting fact: Cookeville is known as a, "Micropolitan," a small town in the United States that despite its size, has a solid impact as an economic hub. There are 20 micropolitan areas in the state of Tennessee, but Cookeville just so happens to be the largest, with a little over 100,000 people in its surrounding areas.

So what great beauty surrounds Cookeville, you say? It's a town you've heard of for years, but what makes it so special? It's located on the Highland Rim, which puts it on higher ground than both Knoxville and Nashville, and also gives its surrounding topography a bit of a boost.

First up: Cummins Falls. Located just outside the city, Cummins Falls State Park is one of the most trafficked swimming holes in the summertime. It's a relatively safe place to cool off in the heat, and boasts 211-acres of natural beauty.

The actual falls tumble 75-feet into the pool below, making it a magnificent scene.

All of these people agree. They probably grabbed lunch afterwards in Cookeville!

Burgess Falls State Park is also located near Cookeville, and here you can see the view from the observation deck called, "Big Falls Overlook".

The cataract waterfall drops 136-feet, a gorgeous display of natures might. The gorge is a must-visit for any outdoorsy folks in Tennessee, and serves as a magnet for tourists.

So don't write Cookeville off just yet, folks, this isn't just a little town with a couple of businesses and a main street. It's surrounded by waterfalls and hiking trails, the lush heart of middle Tennessee.

You can visit Cummins Falls State Park or Burgess Falls State Park, Cane Creek Park isn't that far away, either. This is the place to be if you're looking to infuse your weekend with a bit of Tennessee beauty.