The Surprising Tennessee Town That Makes An Excellent Weekend Getaway

Tennessee is a true blue Southern state which means you’ll find all sorts of darling little towns tucked away in the mountains, along the Cumberland Plateau, and even along the western edge of the state near the Mississippi River. The real question, of course, is where you’ll find the best small town in Tennessee. Our consensus? The best small town in Tennessee is Greeneville TN. So where is Greeneville Tennessee?

You’ll find the small town of Greeneville is fittingly in Greene County. The population of Greeneville TN is a mere 15,479. It’s a little town with a big personality, one that has a long and storied history that involves former presidents and the Revolutionary War. You may not have heard of the town of Greeneville, but it’s a getaway that will teach you about the intimate history of Tennessee and the people that made the town what it is today.

The sweet town of Greeneville, Tennessee is tucked away on the rural northeastern side of the Volunteer State.

The area that is now Greeneville became a permanent European settlement in 1772 on land initially inhabited by the Cherokee people. The town’s geographic area was originally known as the "Nolichucky Settlement."

The town itself was founded in 1783 and named after Nathanael Greene, a hero known for his service in the Revolutionary War.

Multiple places throughout the country are named "Greenville," but this Tennessee town adds an extra "e" to make "Greeneville." It is the only city in the United States that utilizes this type of spelling. Greeneville is also known as the second-oldest town in Tennessee, with the first being Jonesborough.

Greeneville also served as the capital of the now-defunct state of Franklin, a failed colony that was meant to become the 14th state.

The area was never officially recognized by the nation and remains an interesting note in state history books.

You’ll find that bucolic Greeneville presents almost like an oasis, a small town that juts out of the lush, hilly landscape.

The town began as a simple 300-acre tract of land that was owned by Robert Kerr, and eventually, it played host to a glut of European settlers who turned it into the town it is today.

If you’re looking for a little greenery while you’re visiting, we’d recommend stopping by Dogwood Park for a picnic.

WT Daniels Park is great if you'd like to play disc golf or simply sit and enjoy an afternoon on a shady bench.

Make sure you plan a few hours to walk through the Greeneville Historic District. The walkable area was established in 1974 and it makes for a great spot for folks to mosey from shop to shop.

Grab a coffee and spend an afternoon wandering amidst the charmingly designed historic buildings. Keep your eyes peeled if you walk by the Greene County Courthouse, too. There are two monuments that commemorate the Civil War, one that is dedicated to local troops and the other to General Morgan, the "Thunderbolt of the Confederacy."

If you’d like to extend your stay, make sure you make a reservation at the General Morgan Inn.

The building was once the Hotel Brumley and has been beautifully renovated to reflect Southern opulence and beauty in an approachable, affordable way. The hotel is named after General Morgan, a Confederate general who was known as the leader of "Morgan’s Raiders." The General Morgan Inn remains one of the best hotels in the area and boasts a great downtown location and deep history.

Many folks know Greeneville as the town where Andrew Johnson, the eventual president of the United States, began his political career.

He spent most of his adult years in Greeneville and worked as a tailor during his tenure in town. Johnson is buried in Greeneville on Monument Hill. Davy Crockett was born in Greene County, although not precisely in town, and his legacy also serves as a historic marker in the area.

Take a little tour of Tennessee's second-oldest town in this lovely little video:

What a neat place to visit! If, before now, you ever asked yourself where is Greeneville TN, we hope this lovely town is now on your radar, because it makes a wonderful weekend getaway in Tennessee. Do you agree that Greeneville is the best small town in Tennessee?

Did you know that it was once the capital of Franklin? For that matter, did you know there was briefly a state called Franklin? If you’re looking to learn more about the city then we’d recommend visiting the town of Greeneville's official website.