While Tennessee’s big cities are always a thrill, its small towns are equally integral to the state’s heart and soul. These tight-knit communities welcome visitors with antique shops, distilleries, cozy cafes, cultural gathering places, and peace and quiet. For a full picture of all the hospitality and warmth the state has to offer, groups should aim to spend some time in the quieter, slower-paced corners of Tennessee, where quaint Southern charm comes to life.
Jonesborough
Jonesborough was founded in 1779, making it Tennessee’s oldest town. This Appalachian community is known as the storytelling capital of the world. Jonesborough is home to the International Storytelling Center, which features exhibits and performance arts opportunities dedicated to the importance of storytelling. Each fall, the center hosts the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, though live programming is also available at other times of the year, especially May through October.
Another kind of storytelling takes place regularly at the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre. The theater got its start in 1969 when the then-mayor of Jonesborough wrote a play that was performed in Nashville as part of a Tennessee Statehood Day celebration. The theater’s first season was the following year. Today, it stages eight mainstage productions per season, as well as offering workshops and other community events. Group ticket rates are available for groups of 15 or more.
Another popular stop in Jonesborough is Tennessee Hills Distillery, located in a historic salt house dating back to the Civil War. Here, Tennessee Hills creates small-batch whiskey, gin, vodka, rum and liqueurs with one-of-a-kind tasting notes and preparation techniques. Visit for a tour and a tasting.
Travelers to Jonesborough who are interested in history will also enjoy a visit to the Christopher Taylor House. This well-preserved log home was initially built about two miles outside of town, then moved to Jonesborough’s Main Street to protect it from demolition. The house was built in 1777 by Christopher Taylor, who served in both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. Andrew Jackson also lived in the home in the late 1780s when he practiced law in the area. The interior of the home is closed, but the exterior is worth a look.
Leiper’s Fork
Leiper’s Fork is a cozy community that’s just 40 minutes from the bustle of Nashville but feels like it’s worlds away. Most of Leiper’s Fork’s charming small businesses are clustered on one main road. Groups will enjoy exploring everything the town has to offer, starting with some caffeine to fuel up at The RedByrd, a much-loved coffee shop owned by a local pair of musicians. Then, explore Leiper’s Fork’s gallery scene, making sure not to miss David Arms Gallery, The Copper Fox Gallery and Leiper’s Creek Gallery. Then, browse local shops like Patina Home & Garden, Props Antiques, The Pick-It Fence and Tennessee Turquoise. For lunch, stop by The Country Boy to grab some Southern eats.
Leiper’s Fork is also near the Natchez Trace Parkway, where views of Tennessee’s natural beauty are second to none. The parkway offers access to Garrison Creek Loop Trail, which is just over a mile long and offers a pleasant walk in nature. Another local favorite in Leiper’s Fork is Leiper’s Fork Distillery, which creates small-batch whiskey with local ingredients. Visitors can tour the stillhouse, learn more about the whiskey-making process and enjoy a tasting at the distillery’s 200-year-old tasting room.
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Jackson
Jackson is celebrated as the birthplace of rockabilly music and remains a beloved music destination today. It is also home to lively shops, local activities and one-of-a-kind attractions. For an only-in-Jackson moment, visit Rusty’s TV & Movie Car Museum, which houses over 50 famous cars travelers will recognize from their favorite films and shows. The museum’s two buildings include favorite vehicles like Scooby Doo’s Mystery Machine, a Jurassic Park jeep and General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard. Rusty’s offers guided tours and welcomes groups.
For an afternoon outdoors, visit The Ballpark at Jackson, the 6,000-seat stadium where the minor league baseball team the Rockabillys play. On days when the Rockabillys aren’t on the schedule, the stadium often hosts a range of local events and festivals. Afterward, head to Hub City Brewing, a 14,000-square-foot local brewery that serves as a music venue, gathering space, restaurant and a place to try fantastic local brews. Hub City attracts some of the finest musical talent in the region and even has live karaoke nights for those hoping for a moment at the mic.
Granville
This cheerful slice of history on Cordell Hull Lake went through many evolutions over the centuries. It got its start as a riverboat town, then became a farming community, then briefly a ghost town, before evolving into the historic vacation destination it is today. Now, Granville offers a look at small-town life of the past, with a series of museums and historic sites to explore.
The 1880s-era T.B. Sutton General Store features historical artifacts, handmade treasures, Southern eats and live bluegrass music every Saturday night. The Granville Museum celebrates the city’s past, and the nearby Farm To Your Table Museum features exhibits on local agriculture. From the Clemons Car Museum to the Tennessee Quilt and Textile Museum to the Whistle Stop Saloon, which features showcases from iconic vintage sitcoms, each Granville attraction offers its own unique take on the past.
Groups can also explore the historic Sutton Homestead, which offers a window into 19th century country living, or Carverdale Farms, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. An especially popular Granville attraction is the Pioneer Village, which offers guided tours and features an old-school Gulf service station, a 19th-century cabin and antique farm equipment. Each year, Granville hosts three major festivals: Heritage Day in May, a Country Christmas festival in December and a scarecrow festival in the fall — Tennessee’s largest festival.
Bell Buckle
Bell Buckle is a quintessential cozy Southern town, with charming Victorian homes, churches, and historic buildings around every corner. Bell Buckle was founded in 1852, and today it’s celebrated as a destination for antiques, crafts, quilting, shopping and great food. The town’s Main Street is pedestrian-friendly and worth exploring on foot.
Visitors will enjoy exploring the town’s many antique shops, which travelers flock to from all over the region. Don’t miss local favorites like Phillips General Store and Livery Stable Antique Mall. Other shops in town sell more modern wares, with a focus on unique gifts, home goods and handmade finds.
When it’s time for lunch, head to the Bell Buckle Cafe, which has achieved nationwide fame for its down-home and delicious Southern cooking. The menu includes country-fried steak, catfish, fried okra and many more regional must-haves. For desserts, there’s Bluebird Antiques and Ice Cream Parlor. This classic ice cream shop serves sweet treats in waffle cones and boasts a historic soda bar. For caffeine in between, stop by Bell Buckle Coffee Shop and Book Swap, a colorful gathering place where espresso comes along with a shelf of pre-loved books to peruse.
