Tiny Tennessee towns aren’t too hard to find, but we love a bit of old-fashioned southern charm mixed in there, too. Our long and narrow state is a good mix of mountains and plains, farmland and snaking rivers, and its also a breeding ground for contemporary and small town culture. These 11 old-fashioned towns in Tennessee may be cutting edge in some way, shape or form, but we love them for their history and heart.
Do you call one home?
- Ripley
Brent Moore - Flickr Ripley is so far west its almost Arkansas, but it serves as a sweet home to Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge and isn’t far from Memphis. Perfect for raising a family!
- Rogersville
Brent Moore - Flickr Rogersville is the second oldest town in the state and it wears its mantle with pride. Wander down Main Street or stop for lunch - even better? Visit during its wildly popular annual Heritage Days to celebrate the city and state.
- Pikeville
J. Stephen Conn - Flickr Pikeville barely cracks a thousand folks in the area, and you can find it on your way to Chattanooga down highway 127. Make sure to visit the John Bridgman House if you’re looking for a deep look at one of the oldest homes in town.
- McMinnville
Brent Moore - Flickr Warm and inviting are two of the words McMinnville-ites would use to describe themselves, each person in town seeks to live out the trope of southern hospitality with a kind heart and honest word. Rife with natural beauty and a tight-knit community, this is a true southern gem.
- Franklin
Brent Moore - Flickr Franklin is consistently ranked as one of the best small towns to live in in America. Though it’s not quite small anymore, it still offers deep insight into the mesh between contemporary and old fashioned culture.
- Tellico Plains
Jim Liestman - Flickr Known as one of the most beautiful towns in the state, Tellico Plains is tucked up high on the eastern edge of Tennessee. It seems that spending time in nature really does keep us young, because there’s something sweet and relaxing about this sweet town that never seems to age.
- Columbia
Brent Moore - Flickr We’re always a fan of Columbia, a small town roughly an hour outside of Nashville, Tennessee. Their arts district is beautiful and the historic homes that flank city limits.
- Pulaski
Brent Moore - Flickr This beautiful and opulent home in Pulaski may not be the “norm” for every inhabitant, but the sweet small town is full of kind people that burst with community and humble pride for their home.
- Jonesborough
DM - Flickr As the oldest town in the state, we’d sure hope there’s a bit of old fashioned charm left! Thankfully, Jonesborough is true to its roots and takes a lot of pride in the southern history that runs deeper than our statehood.
- Bell Buckle
Stephen Drake - Flickr As the tiniest town in the state, Bell Buckle has half a square mile of pure, unadulterated southern charm. Known for the RC Cola and Moon Pie Festival every summer, we’d recommend coming to enjoy their artsy downtown any time of the year.
- Leipers Fork
Brent Moore - Flickr Leipers Fork is a tiny town located in Williamson County, Tennessee, and its home to a handful of people and a whole lot of heart. We’d recommend visiting to catch the live music at the original Puckett’s.
Continue to experience our beautiful state by visiting one of the 20 best lakes in Tennessee – each one is prettier than the last!
Brent Moore - Flickr
Ripley is so far west its almost Arkansas, but it serves as a sweet home to Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge and isn’t far from Memphis. Perfect for raising a family!
Rogersville is the second oldest town in the state and it wears its mantle with pride. Wander down Main Street or stop for lunch - even better? Visit during its wildly popular annual Heritage Days to celebrate the city and state.
J. Stephen Conn - Flickr
Pikeville barely cracks a thousand folks in the area, and you can find it on your way to Chattanooga down highway 127. Make sure to visit the John Bridgman House if you’re looking for a deep look at one of the oldest homes in town.
Warm and inviting are two of the words McMinnville-ites would use to describe themselves, each person in town seeks to live out the trope of southern hospitality with a kind heart and honest word. Rife with natural beauty and a tight-knit community, this is a true southern gem.
Franklin is consistently ranked as one of the best small towns to live in in America. Though it’s not quite small anymore, it still offers deep insight into the mesh between contemporary and old fashioned culture.
Jim Liestman - Flickr
Known as one of the most beautiful towns in the state, Tellico Plains is tucked up high on the eastern edge of Tennessee. It seems that spending time in nature really does keep us young, because there’s something sweet and relaxing about this sweet town that never seems to age.
We’re always a fan of Columbia, a small town roughly an hour outside of Nashville, Tennessee. Their arts district is beautiful and the historic homes that flank city limits.
This beautiful and opulent home in Pulaski may not be the “norm” for every inhabitant, but the sweet small town is full of kind people that burst with community and humble pride for their home.
DM - Flickr
As the oldest town in the state, we’d sure hope there’s a bit of old fashioned charm left! Thankfully, Jonesborough is true to its roots and takes a lot of pride in the southern history that runs deeper than our statehood.
Stephen Drake - Flickr
As the tiniest town in the state, Bell Buckle has half a square mile of pure, unadulterated southern charm. Known for the RC Cola and Moon Pie Festival every summer, we’d recommend coming to enjoy their artsy downtown any time of the year.
Leipers Fork is a tiny town located in Williamson County, Tennessee, and its home to a handful of people and a whole lot of heart. We’d recommend visiting to catch the live music at the original Puckett’s.
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