The historical section of Sweetwater, Tennessee. Editorial credit: Dee Browning / Shutterstock.com

Most people visit Tennessee to see Nashville, one of America's most bustling cities Bursting with a lively atmosphere, with an abundance of good music, food, and culture, it's no wonder people are drawn to this area. However, there is more to Tennessee than this big city. The state is home to countless unusual hidden gems worth exploring. From underground lakes to a paranormal cave in Adams, Tennessee, is a trove of hidden gems. Here are the small towns where you can see them.

Henning

Henning is a town with a rich history and is home to unique attractions such as the Alex Haley Museum and Interpretive Centre. The museum is in the house of Haley's grandparents, where he spent a lot of his time. Haley was the author of the novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family, and the museum works to preserve Haley's legacy. The museum is particularly unique as the first state-owned historic site devoted to African-Americans in Tennessee.

Park entrance sign as you drive into Fort Pillow State Historical Park, Henning, Tennessee.

To learn about Henning's unique history, visit Fort Pillow State Historic Park. Located on the Chickasaw Bluffs, near the Mississippi River, the park is the spot of one of the most controversial battles of the Civil War. Today, visitors can walk down 20 miles of trails to explore the area and see artifacts of canons and other historic memorabilia in the museum.

Adams

Adams is a small town with under 700 residents located on the Interstate 24. The town is home to the infamous haunting of the Bell Witch. Bell Witch Cave is a must-see for anyone interested in this paranormal legend. According to local lore, human interactions with the spirit go back to 1817. Today, visitors can tour the Bell property, which has the reconstructed Bell cabin and a karst cave. To see more about the history of the town, visit the Bell School Budling. A high school until 1949, the historic building is now an antique mall, a restaurant, a tea room, and home to the Adams Museum and Archives. Continue enjoying the quaint town's history with a peaceful stroll at the Red River. Surrounding the river, there is a bottomland of large corn and tobacco fields. Frolic through the forest and picnic along the banks of the river, like the town's historic figure, Betsy Bell.

Adams, Tennessee. In Wikipedia. By Brian Stansberry (photographer) - Own work, CC BY 4.0, Wikipedia.

Harriman

Step back in time with a visit to Harriman. The small town hosts a Medieval Fair each year, transforming the town's festival grounds into a village from the Middle Ages, with live performers, vendors, and attendees. Watch the festival's jousting tournaments and grab a roasted turkey leg snack. After enjoying the festival, explore some of Harriman's unique history by visiting the Temperance Building. Established in 1905 by the town's founders, American Temperance University was intended to teach the founder's social doctrine. For over 50 years, the building has been on the National Register of Historic Places. Other historical buildings around the town include The Princess Theatre. This is a great spot to catch a local show or enjoy the exhibits of the Harriman Heritage Museum, which is housed here.

Brick Post Office building in downtown Harriman, TN. Editorial credit: Jerome L Lawson / Shutterstock.com

Pinson

Another hidden gem in West Tennessee is in the small town of Pinson, which is the Pinson Mounds State Archeological Park. A 1,200-acre park, Pinson Mounds features over15 Native American earthen mounds. The largest mound towers are over 70 feet in size and are the largest one in the entire United States. The park also has a museum and gift shop, a theater, walking trails, and a picnic area.

Pinson, Tennessee. In Wikipedia. By Brian Stansberry - Own work, CC BY 3.0, Wikipedia.

In Pinson, pay a visit to Bray's Furniture and Antique Mall and experience small-town charm. Browse the funky one of a kinds finds. Just south of Pinson, experience rural Tennessee at Stillwaters Farm. Stillwater is not only a farm but a cottage farm stay, offering visitors the chance to experience rural Tennessee firsthand. Located on a 153+ acre farm, the farm stay offers visitors the chance to enjoy the peaceful countryside and maybe pay a visit to Stillwater's own Winery.

Sparta

Located in the middle of Tennessee, Sparta is a natural oasis. This hidden gem is home to the Burgess Falls State Park. The park is well known for its waterfalls. There are four in total, cascading down over 250 feet in elevation. The fourth waterfall is the most awe-inspiring, dropping down 130 feet into the gorge. Another area in Sparta to see waterfalls is the Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness Area. The 1,157-acre natural area has several waterfalls, including Big Laurel, Sheep Cave Falls, and Big Branch Falls. Other cool geological features here include sinkholes, such as Virgin Falls Sink and Sheep Cave Sink, and caves, including Virgin Falls Cave. Beyond the outdoors, Sparta is also home to a rich history. This can be explored at the White County Heritage Museum.

Sparta, Tennessee. In Wikipedia. By Brian Stansberry - Own work, CC BY 4.0, Wikipedia.

Brownsville

Music fans will love visiting Brownsville, the hometown of Tina Turner. Here, you can explore the Tina Turner Museum and learn about the singer's small-town life. The Tina Turner Museum is in the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. This is a spot to explore the history and heritage of the Tennessee Delta region. Learn about the last "wild" river in the lower Mississippi system and learn about music greats such as Carl Perkins, Eddy Arnold, and Denise LaSalle. Continue learning about local legends by visiting Sleepy John Estes. Here, you can learn about an American bluesman whose song inspiration came from Brownsville and the community.

Sweetwater

One of Tennessee's sweetest places, Sweetwater is a hidden gem full of history and surprising natural beauty. Located in the 9 Lakes region, this is a town where you can enjoy life by the lake. Not all of Sweetwater's lakes are above ground. In fact, the town is home to America's largest underground lake, the Lost Sea. Enjoy a tour of the caverns leading to the room with the lake. From there, take a glass-bottom boat for a tour of the Lost Sea.

Underground Lake in Lost Sea Cave in Sweetwater, Tennessee.

Drive further up from the Lost Sea to see one of the town's other unique attractions, the Cherohala Skyway. This 43-mile national scenic byway offers sweeping mountain views. On the driver, pass by lush forests and cascading waterfalls. Stop for a hike or set up camp. Sweetwater's downtown is also full of fun adventures. There is a lot of history to explore downtown, visit the Sweetwater Heritage Museum or take the town's historic walking tour to learn more about history in the area.

Tennessee's Hidden Gems are such unusual attractions that they make for an exciting travel destination. The natural beauty of Sparta will please outdoor adventure lovers. Henning's unique historical attractions will keep history buffs forever entertained. Whatever your interests are, one of these hidden gems is sure to be appealing to you. Each attraction reveals something different about the community it is in and makes exploring the area more exciting. Whether you are looking to plan a weekend romantic road trip or a week family vacation, these hidden games make fantastic travel getaways. So pack a bag and get ready for an adventure to the hidden gems of Tennessee.