Your Family Will Love These Quaint and Beautiful Small Towns in Tennessee

Hands down, Tennessee is one of the most beautiful states. From the mountain views to the incredible national parks, there’s no shortage of sights to see and areas to explore. It's also a great state to visit if you have kids of any age and are looking for family-friendly activities.

If you're the type of traveler who likes to immerse yourself in a local community on your trip, you'll love the charming small towns scattered all around the state. Next time you're planning a trip to Tennessee for your family, consider one of the quaint and beautiful small towns from this list.

This post was updated on May 17, 2025, to include more information relevant to families.

Greeneville is a small town located in Greene County, Tennessee. If you’re looking for a town filled with history, Greeneville is a great place to visit. It has consistently made several best small town lists, including “Best 100 Small Towns in America” and “The 50 Best Small Southern Towns.”

A trip to Greeneville can be both fun and educational for families. There are many historical sites to see, such as the David Crockett Birthplace State Park, where you’ll find a replica of David Crockett’s cabin.

Franklin, Tennessee, is another beautiful small town with loads of history to explore. Considering Franklin was an integral part of the Civil War, there are many historic sites and exhibits. Some of these sites include the Lotz House Museum, the Carter House, Carnton, and Downtown Franklin.

Aside from the historical sights, Franklin has one of the most charming Main Streets in Tennessee, with many restaurants and shops. You can plan a trip to the historic Franklin Theatre or take the kids to play at Pinkerton Park.

If you’re looking for a small mountain town to explore, check out Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Pigeon Forge is a great family-friendly vacation destination in the Smoky Mountains with no shortage of things to do.

Not only is this small town home to the famous Dollywood Theme Park, but there’s also a myriad of museums, gardens, and other attractions to see. In the quaint streets of Pigeon Forge, you’ll experience real Southern hospitality and beautiful mountain scenery.

Gatlinburg is another beautiful mountain town that’s worth visiting during a trip to Tennessee. There are plenty of unique ways to explore the great outdoors on a trip to Gatlinburg. You can get around town easily on the Gatlinburg Trolley, and there are three entrances to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in town.

Whether you visit the quaint Village Shops or spend the day at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, you’ll never run out of things to do in Gatlinburg. You can take the kids for a round of mini golf at Gatlin's Fun Center, or brave Gatlin's Rugged Ropes Course.

Just an hour outside of Nashville, Tennessee, you’ll find the picturesque town of Cookeville. Whether you want to learn about the town's history or find the best antique stores, there’s something for everyone in Cookeville.

Part of experiencing this charming small town is experiencing the great outdoors. In Cookeville, you can go camping, kayaking, or visit some of the local state parks like Cummins Falls State Park.

In East Tennessee, you’ll find the small town of Jonesborough. Often known as “Tennessee’s Oldest Town,” Jonesborough is also considered the Storytelling Capital of the World. Every year in Jonesborough, you can visit the National Storytelling Festival, and the town is also home to the International Storytelling Center.

Located a short distance from the Great Smoky Mountains, you and your family can explore the streets of Jonesborough while stopping by many of the delicious restaurants, shops, and charming downtown buildings.

If you’re looking for a laid-back small town to visit, try Townsend, Tennessee. This town is just outside the Great Smoky Mountains and is known as the “peaceful side” of the Smokies.

Townsend is also known as the gateway to Cades Cove, a beautiful valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. When visiting Townsend, there are plenty of outdoor activities to engage in such as hiking, fishing, and golfing.

Dayton, Tennessee, is worth visiting no matter your hobbies, but this town is a delight for those who love to fish. Many fishing tournaments are held in Dayton because of its proximity to Chickamauga Lake.

Even if you’re not a fishing fan, you can visit Swinging Bridge Park, the Rhea County Courthouse, or one of the numerous hiking and wilderness trails. Kids will love the nearby attractions such as the Creative Discovery Museum or Bear Creek Adventures Mini Golf & Gem Mine.

Nolensville is a small town in Williamson County, Tennessee. A visit to this town should include a stop at some of the antique shops, local boutiques, and the Amish Country Market. The Amish Market has many seasonal items throughout the year, including various gourds in the fall.

Your trip to Nolensville also wouldn’t be complete without having a meal at Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, which is the original home of the award-winning Martin’s restaurant. There's also a toy shop, playground, and rec center pool in the area.

Another small town just a short drive from Nashville is Columbia, Tennessee. Columbia has a quaint main street downtown that is filled with shops and restaurants. This town in Tennessee, also known as “Muletown,” is worth visiting no matter what kinds of activities you and your kids are interested in.

While in Columbia, you can visit the downtown area, the Columbia Arts District, and many of the historic sites. Columbia, Tennessee, has been named one of the top 10 best small towns in the country by Southern Living and numerous other publications.

Hohenwald, Tennessee, is located in Lewis County and is a beautiful place to visit, especially during the fall and holidays. In October, Hohenwald holds Oktoberfest festivities, and in December, you can experience the excitement of Christmas in Hohenwald.

The whole family will love visiting Hohenwald during the holidays. On the first two weekends of December, there are trolley rides and carriage rides through town. You can also experience the beauty of Memorial Park when it's decorated with lights.