15 Charming Towns In Tennessee Ideal For Relaxing Weekend Drives
Tennessee’s backroads hold secrets that GPS just can’t capture. Between the rolling hills and winding country lanes, you’ll discover towns where time moves more slowly and hospitality runs deeper.
Pack your car with snacks, roll down the windows, and prepare to fall in love with places that feel like stepping into a storybook.
1. Franklin
Franklin’s brick-lined Main Street feels like walking through a movie set where every storefront tells a story. Downtown buzzes with locally-owned shops, art galleries, and cozy cafes that invite you to linger over coffee.
Country roads south of town offer peaceful drives through horse farms and rolling pastures. The nearby Natchez Trace Parkway leads to the stunning Double Arch Bridge, perfect for photos.
Start your visit at the Franklin Visitor Center for insider maps and local recommendations that will enhance your exploration.
2. Leiper’s Fork
This tiny village west of Franklin moves at a front-porch pace, where artists and musicians have created a creative haven. Fox & Locke serves as the heart of the community, offering live music and comfort food in a relaxed atmosphere.
The nearby Natchez Trace Parkway between mile markers 428-438 provides scenic drives with easy access to overlooks. Rolling hills and pastoral views make every turn photo-worthy.
Weekend visits bring the best musical performances, when local and touring artists fill the air with melodies that perfectly match the village’s laid-back vibe.
3. Columbia
Known as “Muletown” for its annual Mule Day celebration, Columbia centers around a classic courthouse square that hosts year-round festivities.
Independent shops and local breweries create a vibrant downtown atmosphere that draws visitors back repeatedly.
Duck River backroads between Columbia and the Natchez Trace offer some of Tennessee’s most peaceful driving experiences. Rolling farmland and river views provide constant scenery changes.
First Friday events transform the square into a musical celebration where locals and visitors mingle under twinkling lights, creating memories that last long after you leave.
4. Bell Buckle
Bell Buckle’s storybook downtown packs antique shops and charming cafes into just a few blocks, creating a treasure-hunting paradise. Every storefront offers unique finds that you won’t discover anywhere else in Tennessee.
Country lanes connecting Bell Buckle to nearby Wartrace and Cascade provide perfect meandering drives. Plan extra time for spontaneous stops at roadside markets and craft shops.
The quirky RC-Cola & MoonPie Festival each June celebrates Southern culture with parades, contests, and plenty of laughs that showcase small-town Tennessee at its finest.
5. Lynchburg
Home to the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Lynchburg combines courthouse square charm with international recognition. The town square maintains its authentic small-town feel despite welcoming visitors from around the globe.
Scenic drives along TN-55 and TN-82 wind through horse farms and rolling hills that showcase Middle Tennessee’s agricultural beauty. Every curve reveals new pastoral scenes worth stopping to photograph.
Multiple daily distillery tours offer behind-the-scenes looks at whiskey-making traditions. Book ahead, especially during peak seasons, to secure your preferred tour time and style.
6. Sewanee
Perched on the Cumberland Plateau, Sewanee surrounds visitors with the University of the South’s forested Domain. Leafy lanes and scenic overlooks create a mountain retreat atmosphere just minutes from campus buildings.
University Avenue leads to Tennessee Avenue and the Memorial Cross overlook, offering breathtaking valley views. Side trips to Greens View add even more spectacular photo opportunities.
The 20-mile Perimeter Trail provides easy hiking options where you can choose shorter segments. Forest paths offer peaceful walks among towering trees and seasonal wildflowers.
7. McMinnville
McMinnville’s cozy Main Street serves as a basecamp for exploring some of Tennessee’s most impressive natural attractions. Downtown shops and restaurants provide perfect stops between outdoor adventures and cave explorations.
Loop drives to Cumberland Caverns and Rock Island State Park showcase the region’s geological diversity. Waterfalls, underground formations, and scenic rivers create unforgettable day trips.
Year-round cave tours at Cumberland Caverns offer cool relief during the summer months and fascinating geological education. Underground chambers and formations provide unique photo opportunities that capture Tennessee’s hidden beauty.
8. Granville
Granville proudly claims the title “Tennessee’s Mayberry Town,” and one visit proves this isn’t just marketing speak. The T.B. Sutton General Store and local museums create an authentic step-back-in-time experience.
Lakeside drives along Cordell Hull Lake and the Cumberland River offer constantly changing water views. Curves and hills provide scenic variety that makes every mile enjoyable.
Wednesday through Saturday, town tours provide historical insights and local stories, though limited hours require advance planning. The intimate scale ensures personal attention and memorable experiences.
9. Townsend
Billing itself as the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies,” Townsend offers quiet access to Cades Cove without the crowds. Art galleries and riverfront walking paths create a relaxed mountain town atmosphere.
The Foothills Parkway delivers sweeping Smokies views that change with elevation and season. Multiple overlooks provide perfect spots for picnics and photography sessions.
Picnic pullouts and scenic overlooks along the Parkway invite you to slow down and absorb the mountain beauty. Pack lunch and plan for spontaneous stops whenever views demand your attention.
10. Tellico Plains
Tellico Plains sits at the foot of the famous Cherohala Skyway, making it the perfect launching point for one of America’s most scenic mountain drives. This laid-back town embraces its role as a gateway to high-altitude adventures.
The 40-plus-mile Cherohala Skyway climbs from 900 to 5,400 feet in elevation, offering huge vistas that stretch into North Carolina. Every mile brings new perspectives and photo opportunities.
The Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center provides essential maps and local insights that enhance your mountain driving experience. Staff recommendations often lead to hidden viewpoints and lesser-known attractions.
11. Dandridge
Dandridge owes its existence to the “Million Dollar Dike” built during WWII to save the historic town from rising Douglas Lake waters. This engineering feat preserved a charming lakeside community with marinas and mountain backdrops.
Lakeside roads around Douglas Lake combine water views with mountain scenery that changes with the light. Curved shorelines and hidden coves invite exploration and discovery.
Walking tours reveal fascinating flood-prevention history, while the Tinsley-Bible Drug Store’s vintage lunch counter serves up nostalgia with every meal. Both experiences capture Dandridge’s unique character perfectly.
12. Jonesborough
As Tennessee’s oldest town and the “Storytelling Capital of the World,” Jonesborough preserves history in every brick sidewalk and restored storefront. Walking these streets feels like traveling through centuries of American history.
Backroad drives along the Nolichucky River and around Boone Lake offer peaceful water views and rural scenery. Pairing visits with nearby Johnson City creates full-day adventure opportunities.
The Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center provides essential orientation and storytelling event schedules. Year-round programming ensures every visit includes opportunities to hear traditional tales and local legends.
13. Rogersville
Rogersville ranks among Tennessee’s oldest towns, with a downtown historic district earning National Register of Historic Places recognition. Federal-style architecture lines streets that have witnessed centuries of American development.
US-11W and country roads along the Holston River provide scenic drives through East Tennessee’s agricultural heartland. River views and mountain backdrops create a constantly changing scenery.
Self-guided walking tours reveal architectural details and historical significance that bring the past to life. Federal-style buildings showcase craftsmanship and design principles that influenced American architecture for generations.
14. Collierville
Collierville’s Town Square earned recognition as “Best Main Street in America” from Parade Magazine in 2014, and one visit explains why. Boutique shopping, museums, and Thursday night concerts create a perfect small-town atmosphere.
Greenbelt loops and country roads toward Fayette County offer peaceful drives through suburban and rural landscapes. Plan dinner on the square to cap perfect driving days.
Historic District shops and train displays celebrate the town’s railroad heritage while providing modern shopping and dining experiences. The combination of history and contemporary amenities satisfies all interests.
15. Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap sits at the tri-state corner where Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia meet, serving as a gateway to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. This sleepy town holds centuries of American frontier history.
Park roads climb to Pinnacle Overlook and wind through landscapes that straddle three states. Scenic drives reveal the same mountain passes that welcomed westward pioneers.
Ranger-led cave tours and settlement experiences bring frontier history to life through hands-on demonstrations. Short hiking trails provide easy access to overlooks and historical sites that shaped American expansion.