It’s May. The Preds have been eliminated from Stanley Cup contention. Titans OTAs are just starting up, and we’re still months away from SEC Media Days, when SEC football unofficially begins. Brandon’s carrying the brand with his coverage of the Nashville Film Festival, but this lull in sports action has given us a chance to get more in tune with our local community coverage. We recently went up to Watertown for the bi-annual mile long yard sale, and that’s when the idea for this piece started formulating a bit. I thought it would come later in the Summer, but the Preds went and escalated its arrival. So, here we are – the official unofficial SoBros Network list of the best small towns in Tennessee.
The Best Small Towns in Tennessee
“Big Natural” Stoney Keeley’s Take
Watertown – There’s just something about the odd vibe in Watertown that resonates with me. It’s out in the middle of nowhere, and the surrounding hills are absolutely beautiful. But, there’s this weird artsy culture about the town that I love. Though it’s only about an hour out of town, it feels much more Chattanooga than Nashville. The yard sale is a blast every Spring, but you don’t need an occasion to enjoy Lulu’s Coffeehouse and Cafe. It’s a fun day trip, for sure.
Bell Buckle – Traveling to Bell Buckle is like taking a step back in time. The big arts and crafts fair every October is honestly one of my favorite days of the year, and I don’t care how much you judge me for it. Love a good craft fair. And, of course, the scenic drive is incredibly relaxing. That stretch of 24 into Chattanooga may be the most beautiful part of the state.
The SoBros’ Take
Gatlingburg – “Gatlinburg is peaceful and relaxing, while being surrounded by beautiful scenery. It’s not a bad drive from Nashville, and it just makes you feel like you’re in a different era—a forgotten pastime that makes it easy to fall in love with. And MY GOD those bears!” -“Nature Boy” Brandon Vick
Smithville – “because methheads, Center Hill Lake, Caney Fork River and the world-famous Midnight Express Gentlemen’s Club.” -Smokey
(Editor’s Note: The Midnight Express should be a veritable Tennessee landmark)
Monteagle – “Great hiking and backpacking all around. I eat at the Waffle House after backpacking every time and it’s fantastic. I noticed that there’s Confederate flags on every other house there, that really gives it that small town feel. The waitresses at that Waffle House have about 20 teeth combined, so that’s fun. It’s about halfway between Nashville and Chattanooga, so that’s a plus.” -Smokey
Nolensville – On a more serious note, Nolensville is a great small town, really a hidden gem if you ask me. Their restaurant quality per capita is off the charts. They have a Martin’s BBQ which is always amazing. I highly recommend the Redneck Taco or Brisket Burger. A great bar that has fancier food called Nolens place. A burger place called Burger Shack that has West Coast Style burgers, and they have an amazing “shack sauce.” You have gotta get the chili cheese fries if you go there.
They are currently building a Pork Belly Farmhouse restaurant there. The guys starting this restaurant started Pork Belly Cafe down the road in Lenox Village, and if the new restaurant is half as good as the Cafe, Nolensville is in for a real treat. There’s a chicken place called Outlanders that is awesome if you like chicken tenders. There’s an Amish market there too that does a really good breakfast on Saturday mornings. The Amish place also has those delicious mini Pecan Pies which are made from scratch. I’ve even eaten at a meat and 3 place called Nana’s Diner and it was a fantastic country breakfast.
There’s the Nolensville Farmer’s market during certain times of the year and I’ve bought a pie there that was one of the best I’ve ever had. They have a boutique shop there called Small Town Charm that sells those Joanna Gaines Magnolia Candles. I got my wife one there for Christmas. It was a big hit and I highly recommend going there and getting your lady one. Nolensville recently got their own high school and their football program did really well this season, so well that their coach got recruited to coach HS football in Alabama.
Red Boiling Springs – “Red Boiling Springs is alright, got a cool motorcycle museum there.” -Cadbury
SoBros Nation’s Take
Franklin. The square has so many cool little boutiques, there is a history emanating from there, and they have great events there on a consistent basis!
— The Ultimate Predator (@IAmUltimatePred) May 15, 2018
Columbia. Because we are famous for mules
— DallasJeter (@8e919e050f44470) May 15, 2018
I live in Red Boiling Springs, TN. Population around 1,200. It’s just a great little community.
— Susan Fisher-Davis (@susandavis37150) May 15, 2018
Hohenwald. It’s my “birthplace” and my namesake for my very limited backyard wrestling career: Hohenwald Hogan.
— Ryan Hogan (@lonesome_hobo) May 15, 2018
So limited, it’s almost non-existent.
— Ryan Hogan (@lonesome_hobo) May 15, 2018
Also, they got the elephant sanctuary. But you can’t visit. They do have a visitors center, though in “downtown” Hohenwald.
— Ryan Hogan (@lonesome_hobo) May 15, 2018
What say you, SoBros Nation? What are some of your favorite small towns in Tennessee?
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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