Tennessee is a true blue Southern state which means you’ll find all sorts of darling little towns tucked away in the mountains, along the Cumberland Plateau, and even along the western edge of the state near the Mississippi River. The real question, of course, is where you’ll find the best small town in Tennessee. Our consensus? The best small town in Tennessee is Greeneville! So where is Greeneville Tennessee?

You’ll find the small town of Greeneville fittingly in Greene County, and the town boasts a population of a mere 15,479 folks. It’s a little town with a big personality, one that has a long and storied history that involves former presidents and the Revolutionary War. You may not have heard of the town of Greeneville, but it’s a getaway that will teach you about the intimate history of Tennessee and the people that made the town what it is today.

The sweet town of Greeneville, Tennessee is tucked away on the rural northeastern side of the Volunteer State.
Bill Showalter / Flickr
The area that is now Greeneville became a permanent European settlement in 1772 on land initially inhabited by the Cherokee people. The town’s geographic area was originally known as the "Nolichucky Settlement."
The town itself was founded in 1783 and named after Nathanael Greene, a hero known for his service in the Revolutionary War.
AppalachianCentrist / Wikipedia
Multiple places throughout the country are named "Greenville," but this Tennessee town adds an extra "e" to make "Greeneville." It is the only city in the United States that utilizes this type of spelling. Greeneville is also known as the second-oldest town in Tennessee, with the first being Jonesborough.
Greeneville also served as the capital of the now-defunct state of Franklin, a failed colony that was meant to become the 14th state.
Bill Showalter / Flickr
The area was never officially recognized by the nation and remains an interesting note in state history books.
You’ll find that bucolic Greeneville presents almost like an oasis, a small town that juts out of the lush, hilly landscape.
Michael Le / Flickr
The town began as a simple 300-acre tract of land that was owned by Robert Kerr, and eventually, it played host to a glut of European settlers who turned it into the town it is today.

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If you’re looking for a little greenery while you’re visiting, we’d recommend stopping by Dogwood Park for a picnic.
kamoshika:Brent / Wikipedia
WT Daniels Park is great if you'd like to play disc golf or simply sit and enjoy an afternoon on a shady bench.
Make sure you plan a few hours to walk through the Greeneville Historic District. The walkable area was established in 1974 and it makes for a great spot for folks to mosey from shop to shop.
AppalachianCentrist / Wikipedia
Grab a coffee and spend an afternoon wandering amidst the charmingly designed historic buildings. Keep your eyes peeled if you walk by the Greene County Courthouse, too. There are two monuments that commemorate the Civil War, one that is dedicated to local troops and the other to General Morgan, the "Thunderbolt of the Confederacy."
If you’d like to extend your stay, make sure you make a reservation at the General Morgan Inn.
Steven C. Price / Wikipedia
The building was once the Hotel Brumley and has been beautifully renovated to reflect Southern opulence and beauty in an approachable, affordable way. The hotel is named after General Morgan, a Confederate general who was known as the leader of "Morgan’s Raiders." The General Morgan Inn remains one of the best hotels in the area and boasts a great downtown location and deep history.
Many folks know Greeneville as the town where Andrew Johnson, the eventual president of the United States, began his political career.
Brent Moore / Flickr
He spent most of his adult years in Greeneville and worked as a tailor during his tenure in town. Johnson is buried in Greeneville on Monument Hill. Davy Crockett was born in Greene County, although not precisely in town, and his legacy also serves as a historic marker in the area.

Take a little tour of Tennessee's second-oldest town in this lovely little video:

What a neat place to visit! If, before now, you ever asked yourself where is Greeneville Tennessee, we hope this lovely town is now on your radar, because it makes a wonderful weekend getaway in Tennessee. Do you agree that Greeneville is the best small town in Tennessee?

Did you know that it was once the capital of Franklin? For that matter did you know there was briefly a state called Franklin? If you’re looking to learn more about the city then we’d recommend visiting the town’s official website.

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More to Explore

More interesting tid bits about Greeneville, TN

Chris Muras | January 18, 2023

Is Greenville TN in the Smoky Mountains?

Greeneville TN is indeed located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. This charming northeastern Tennessee town is about 70 miles from Knoxville, TN near the Nolichucky River. The Cherokee National Forest and the Pisgah National Forest lie to the south of Greeneville.

What towns are near Greenville TN?

While Greeneville is about 70 miles east of Knoxville there are many small towns surrounding it, mostly to the north as the land to the south is national forest land. Its nearest neighbors to the east are Tusculum and Afton. Here are a few more towns that are near Greenville TN:

  • Mosheim, TN
  • Midway, TN
  • Chuckey, TN
  • Cross Anchor, TN
  • Albany, TN
  • St. James, TN
  • Telford, TN
  • White Rock, TN
  • Parrottsville, TN

 

What cities are near Greeneville TN?

Knoxville is the largest city near Greeneville, Tennessee, however, there are several other medium-sized cities that might sound familiar as well. All of these cities are quite scenic and are lovely towns to visit. Here is a list of some of the cities near Greeneville, TN:

 

What are some interesting things about Greeneville Tennessee?

It is interesting to note that Greeneville is the only town with that exact spelling in the United States. There are many towns called Greenville, but only one Greeneville. It is also a little-known fact that it was once a capital of a state - but not a state you may be aware of. In the 18th century, part of what is now east Tennessee was briefly the state of Franklin.

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Greeneville, TN, USA