What is the best small town in Tennessee? It's closer to home than you'd think
It's a small town with a big reputation.
Gatlinburg has been named the best small town in the Volunteer State by World Atlas. The East Tennessee town is a tourist mecca filled with family activities, adventure parks, and, of course, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
"Looking like a scene from a fantasy movie, Gatlinburg is a home away from home in Tennessee’s beautiful Great Smoky Mountains," the World Atlas news release said. "It has magnificent views, a bustling downtown, and lots of outdoor fun. That's why it's a top vacation spot in the Southeast."
Gatlinburg was not the only tourist town to make the 2025 "Best Small Town" list. In fact, there were quite a few vacation favorites scattered through the list.
Sedona, Arizona, Branson, Missouri, and Whitefish, Montana, graced the list, among others.
How many people live in Gatlinburg?
Is Gatlinburg really a small town? It depends on how you define "small town."
Gatlinburg has a population of about 3,500 people, according to the most recent census numbers.
Why is Gatlinburg so famous?
A visitor takes a picture of the Ben Morton Overlook of the mountains at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
There are a number of things that make Gatlinburg a tourist draw, but the primary reason is its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the most visited National Park in the United States.
Gatlinburg has a gorgeous natural landscape, defined by mountaintops and greenery. But, that's not the only reason for its reputation.
The tourist appeal for Gatlinburg has grown over the years as the area continues to be developed with family-friendly activities, entertainment spaces, museums, shopping, dining and really anything else you can imagine.
How many tourists visit Gatlinburg each year?
About 14 million people come to visit Gatlinburg each year, according to the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Where are the best small towns in the South?
Here's the best small town in every Southern U.S. state, according to the World Atlas rankings.
- Seaside, Florida
- Dahlonega, Georgia
- Orange Beach, Alabama
- New Albany, Mississippi
- St. Francisville, Lousiana
- Eureka Springs, Arkansas
- Gatlinburg, Tennessee
- Beaufort, South Carolina
- Boone, North Carolina
- Bardstown, Kentucky
- Chincoteague, Virginia
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: What is the best small town in Tennessee? It's closer to home than you'd think
