Tennessee wouldn’t be much without our favorites, Nashville and Memphis. But there are a few other cities that are also just as awesome to visit or move to as the traditional Tennessee destinations. Let’s go over 3 cities that are not Nashville and Memphis and see what they have to offer.
Gatlinburg
This town is a small resort town that is located on the border of the Smoky Mountain National Park. This area was treasured by the Cherokee Indians and became sacred ground for hunting. After the area was finally settled and had gone through many other colonizing ordeals, the area began to see an uptick in the logging industry. The lumber industry was pulling apart the Gatlinburg area and in 1911 they passed the Weeks Act to allow for the purchase of land for national parks.
After the Great Smoky Mountain National Park was established and opened in 1932, Gatlinburg had seen a huge influx in the population. Within the first year of the park being open, there were over 40,000 visitors to the state park. In addition to the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range, the climate of Gatlinburg is the humid subtropical climate that offers cool, wet winters and hot, humid summers. Some folks think this to be the ideal climate.
While visiting Gatlinburg, you’ll notice that there are many attractions to bring in tourists. There is the Gatlinburg Space Needle that offers a 360-degree view of the Smoky Mountains at 407 feet in the air. There’s also the Skylift that takes you to the top of Crockett Mountain. Most unique of all, Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community is an 8-mile loop in town that is a living tribute to the history of Tennessee. There are dozens of artisans from weavers to chefs that showcase their skills and traditions on this road.
Knoxville
The third-largest city after Nashville and Memphis, Knoxville is a prominent city in Eastern Tennessee. The Tennessee River runs right along with the city which makes this area a favorite for kayakers, fishermen, and other water sport enthusiasts. This city was a prominent staple during the Civil War and is home to many historical events, battlegrounds, and buildings. There is a storied past between local figures who were anti-slavery and local industries that relied heavily on slavery for the local cotton-growing centers.
After decades of industries coming and going, wars destroying buildings, and the shock of the Great Depression, Knoxville needed some much-needed attention. The 1982 World’s Fair was held in Knoxville and after this time, the city expanded well into the 1990s. Today, the city is just as bustling as its neighbors Nashville and Memphis. Many potential residents decide on purchasing Knoxville real estate because it offers a little bit of everything. You can get your city life but can still visit plenty of green spaces and it’s fairly close to the Smoky Mountains. There are many major corporations and industries for employment.
The best part of Knoxville has to be its affordability. Although the housing market has been climbing, Knoxville still offers homes around the $300,000 mark with household incomes coming in at about 40-60k a year. This still makes living in Knoxville quite affordable for average Americans.
Chattanooga
Finally, we came to Chattanooga. Arguably the most fun name out of all the cities in Tennessee, Chattanooga is nicknamed “Scenic City”. It is located on the Tennessee River and situated among the Appalachian foothills and the Cumberland Plateau. The city has gone through just about as much as the other cities when it comes to the history of the land. This area was very prominent during the Civil War due to the convergence of multiple railroads.
Over the past 20 years or so, Chattanooga has transformed itself from one of the most polluted cities to one of the most sustainable. Several initiatives have been established to create a healthy and safe city for all of its residents. Once you visit, be sure to check out the Tennessee Aquarium and the hidden caverns of Ruby Falls.
We think that between these three, you can find just as much entertainment as you would in Nashville or Memphis. Although, we do have to admit that these 3 do not come close to the musical influences of Nashville and Memphis. If you stop at all 5 locations, you’re sure to experience all that Tennessee has to offer.
