Tennessee is a stunning state, through and through. Most folks aren't even going to question you if you bring up the beauty of the Cumberland Plateau, the Great Smoky Mountains or the plains of the Mississippi. Tennessee is rich with natural beauty, which makes it one of the most popular places to visit in the American South. This year, Gatlinburg, Tennessee has been touted as the most beautiful small town in the state, and we have to say: we agree.
Most folks in Tennessee know about the beauty of Gatlinburg. It's one of the most popular tourist cities in the state, and it's known for its stunning location at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Recently, Gatlinburg was honored by Architectural Digest in their guide that compiled "The Prettiest Town in Every U.S. State." It's a great honor, and the state of Tennessee is very proud of their east Tennessee gem.
Architectural Digest noted that Gatlinburg is the "gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park," and that the "smoky sky and lush green hills are eye candy for nature explorers."
If you're looking for some of the best spots to find natural beauty around Gatlinburg, you might visit the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook, which is located right along the Gatlinburg Bypass.
It's one of the most photographed spots of the Great Smoky Mountains, and it's easy to access as a simple pull-off. Keep your eyes peeled, and make sure you pull off of the Bypass slowly and safely to snag that shot.
It's easy to get outdoors in Gatlinburg, as well. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a popular hiking loop, and you'll find yourself wandering an old-growth forest and experiencing all sorts of beautiful mountain views.
Rent a cabin or come for the day, just don't leave Gatlinburg on the back burner. As one of the most beautiful cities in one of the country's most beautiful states, it's a must-see. These photographs simply don't do it justice.
Tennessee is full of sweet, southern towns that simply burst with holiday cheer and local hospitality. To be honest, it's hard to find a town in this state that doesn't welcome you with open arms. As the weather gets chillier and the snow starts to fall, lights go up and speaker systems start to pump Christmas music down every main street in the state, a beautiful picture of the fun to come. One of our favorite places to visit during Christmastime is the bustling town of Franklin, Tennessee, just a half-hour from Nashville. Trust us when we say Franklin is one of the best Christmas towns in Tennessee, don't believe us just yet? Take a look and judge for yourself. We do not doubt that Christmas in Franklin, Tennessee will win over the staunchest of Scroogies.
advertisement
Franklin is a city in, and the county seat of, Williamson County, Tennessee, United States
Franklin, Tennessee has long been considered the pinnacle of small-town charm. Located in the heart of Middle Tennessee, this beautiful, bustling city is surrounded by the lush beauty of the countryside and is just thirty minutes away from the metropolis of Nashville. When the fall foliage starts to fade away then you know Christmas in Tennessee is just around the corner, and there is no better place to be than here and on Franklin, Tennessee's Main Street.
Cannon in Franklin Square, Tn at Sun Set
Sure, the downtown is darling every day of every season. No matter when you visit, there are so many things to do in Franklin, TN. Wonderful celebrations are planned throughout the year like concerts that showcase this area's insanely talented musicians. However, the holidays really bring out a celebratory air and ring in the season with an unmatched charm.
The entire downtown puts on its holiday best, stringing Christmas lights and hanging garlands and wreaths in the windows. At night, downtown glows with holiday cheer. The illumination of the Christmas lights symbolizes the lighting of hearts during this time of year. We have some of the best residents, and they are just another reason why this little town is so inspiring.
Crowds of people surrounding a Tall Christmas Tree Decorated with White Christmas Lights at Franklin Public Square in Downtown Franklin, Tennessee at night, near the Franklin City Hall in Williamson County
There are multiple community events throughout the season that also serve to elevate the Franklin Christmas experience. You can attend the Christmas tree lighting in the heart of downtown, or you can visit for the magical Dickens of a Christmas when the city transforms into a scene straight out of a Dickens novel. We encourage you to simply take a stroll around and appreciate the lights and Christmas trees too.
Your favorite holiday movies are shown every season at the historic Franklin Theatre (Elf, The Polar Express, Home Alone, and Die Hard, just to name a few), making for a perfect family outing or a romantic Christmas date. There is something special about this historic theater and represents the ethos of artistic creativity found in Franklin.
Shop along the square if you're looking for delicious holiday treats and great Christmas gifts, where you can revel in the beauty of the holiday decor on every corner.
Maybe you can even experience a white Christmas while you are there. Snow makes this time of year even better and fills this lovely town with magic. Pure, complete, magic. It may be rare but this makes it one of the most spectacular Christmas towns in Tennessee when it does.
Franklin, Tennessee. There's no other place like it in the world, and we love it that way. Will you be visiting for the holiday season? What's your favorite thing to do in Franklin? Let us know we would love to hear from you!
A snow blizzard is rare in Franklin, Tennessee. Photo of a Tall Christmas Tree Decorated with White Christmas Lights at Franklin Public Square in Downtown Franklin, Tennessee at night, near the Franklin City Hall in Williamson County
How would you like to spend Christmas in Franklin, Tennessee? Is this not the best Tennessee Christmas town? If you want to stay longer in a town that looks like it was pulled from a Hallmark Christmas movie, then book a night at the Bluebird Cottage. It is located downtown and within walking distance of just about everything you could want in Franklin.
advertisement
The Dickens of a Christmas festival is known throughout the state and draws a solid crowd every year. Your kids will get a kick out of all the costumes, and you'll fall in love with the local vendors. The historical charm is a fitting place to have an old-timey Christmas celebration and this immersive event brings out the best of both worlds.
When we first discovered Rugby, Tennessee, it was kind of by accident. This is funny if you know anything about Rugby, because it is a small, blink-and-you-miss-it kind of town that's way out in the country. Most people don’t just stumble upon this charming little town in Tennessee; however, we were on our way to a hike when I saw a sign and quickly pulled an audible for our plans for the day. You see, I remembered reading about this town and knew if we were driving by, I had to stop.
advertisement
Since we weren’t planning on spending the day in Rugby, I knew the best place to go was the visitor’s center. Upon entering the town I immediately saw the historical charm glowing from every property.
The visitor’s center fits nicely in its surroundings by looking like the Victorian and historical houses in town. We parked and even my girls were interested so we got out of the car and headed towards the big wrap-around porch.
What I knew about the town already was that it was a "step back in time" type of community that cared deeply about its heritage. We set foot on the porch and were disappointed to see the visitor’s center was closed and wouldn’t be open till later in the day.
My girls were delighted to find a cat snoozing near the rocking chairs so they were very content to pet their new friend. To my surprise, a man opened the door and asked if we needed any help. I explained that we were looking for information but then saw that they were closed and didn’t want to bother him outside of business hours. The gentleman insisted that we come in and was very excited to tell us about the town.
Kindness and Southern hospitality are very alive and active in Tennessee and I was thankful for the man's time. He explained all of the historic Victorian buildings and gave me maps and brochures. You could tell he was passionate about the history and the town itself.
Homes were meticulously preserved and you could tell how much care went into the structures. Some of them were small businesses and others were personal homes. The kind man at the visitor’s center recommended that you take a tour in town where they showcase each place allowing you to walk in like you are stepping back in time.
advertisement
Not only is the pride of the town in their preserved Victorian homes, but also in the surrounding wilderness. I had countless maps, brochures, and intriguing pictures that made me want to drop everything and head into the woods. There were historical walking paths through homesteads as well as trails that made good use of interesting rock formations and beautiful waterfalls.
One trail I would highly recommend is just outside of Rugby in an area known as the Colditz Cove State Natural Area. The Northrup Falls Trail is a simple and easy course leading to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area.
The stunning height of the plunge fall to a sparkling pool below is a sight to behold. You can even walk behind the waterfall to continue the trail as a loop. We all enjoyed it very much and is a good addition to a trip to Rugby.
Rugby Tennessee isn’t a town you just stumble into per se, but when we did I was glad we made the effort to stop. After listening to the fine gentleman who gave me a glimpse into the town I wouldn’t mind going back to dig much deeper into the history. For more information please visit the Historic Rugby website.
If you want to dive head first into this charming little town I would suggest making a whole trip out of it and spending the night in a beautiful Victorian-style home. The next day you can tour the town and even go for a hike. To see Northrup Falls it would be helpful to download the map on AllTrails like we did and then enjoy the trail!
More fun trails can be found all in the nearby Big South Fork region so make sure you check out all of the amazing natural wonders hidden within this huge wilderness area.
