This Tiny Tennessee Town Offers Boutique Shops, A State Park, And Charming Downtown Streets

Visitors flock to Tennessee for many reasons. Some go to explore nature, while others go on a mission to seek out some of the Volunteer State's charming small towns. Many people like to have the best of both worlds, though. If you're one that likes small towns with cute downtown shops, but also want to have ways to explore the outdoors, Linden, Tennessee needs to be bumped to the top of your travel wish list. Mayor Wess Ward described the charm of this town best when he said it's "a good town with friendly people and beautiful surroundings," (via Linden Tennessee).

Linden is located between Nashville and Memphis, but don't expect the hustle and bustle you'll find in those cities. The latter may be one of the best destinations to visit in 2026, but those who love finding adorable small towns will appreciate Linden more. Scenic rolling hills combined with friendly locals makes this a tiny Tennessee town worth visiting. The town may have fewer than 1,500 residents, but visitors love coming to stroll along the streets and shop in the local boutiques.

There's also another thing that makes Linden special — it is home to Mousetail Landing State Park. It's located on the Tennessee River, and is a great spot to fish, swim, and hike. This Tripadvisor reviewer described what it's like, saying, "The park is beautiful. You arrive to a field of breathtaking wildflowers. Next, you cross two picturesque streams of water. There are gorgeous old oaks, hickories, and poplars." 

Linden's Main Street is a great place to stroll around and check out the wares created by the locals. Main Street Marketplace and Buffalo River Artists Cooperative both feature the creations of multiple artists. You can find a variety of items such as handmade soap, jewelry, baked goods, home decor, and more. To find more local art, you may want to visit during the annual Blooming Arts Festival. It's a big springtime event in this tiny Tennessee town.

Also make sure to plan time to hit more of the local boutiques. If you're hoping to find some of the best vintage items while traveling, you'll want to check out Shades of Vintage on South Mill Street. There you'll find an array of items such as furniture and home decor. On the same street you'll find Miss Mary Pauline's Clothing and Gifts. It's located inside one of Linden's oldest buildings and is a great place for those seeking cute women's and children's clothing. Maizlee's Boutique on East Main Street is another great option for those looking for trendy women's clothing. 

As you're making your way through the cute shops, you may also want to pop in at Dimples' and grab a coffee to help fuel you through your shopping spree. They sell gift items as well, and if you're hungry, you can also get a bite to eat there. This Google reviewer called it a small-town gem and said, "We would definitely recommend. The chicken salad on homemade bread was fantastic! The salad and hamburger was awesome. Shopping while waiting for your food was a bonus!"

According to Tripadvisor, the top thing to do when visiting Linden is to visit Mousetail Landing State Park. And since Tennessee is one of the states that have free entry to all of its state parks, it makes an affordable addition to your trip to Linden. It's a great place to fish for bass, bream, crappie, stripe, and catfish. If you don't want to fish from shore, there's also a boat ramp there. Many people also enjoy swimming, kayaking, and canoeing at Mousetail Landing State Park. More fun awaits on land on the park's multiple hiking trails that range in difficulty from easy to hard.

If you want to spend a few days here, you can. The park has two areas where you can camp — the main campground and the primitive campsites. The main campground area has a bathhouse and laundromat, as well as electric and water hookups. While the other camping area has less amenities. As this Google reviewer explained, the primitive sites are great for those looking for peace and quiet, "The primitive camp sites are amazing. First night we had the whole campground to ourselves ... The rest of the park was very well maintained. Most facilities are newly renovated and all are very clean."

If camping isn't your thing, you do have an option to stay in town. There aren't a lot of hotels in Linden, but there is one that travelers love: The Commodore. This historic, boutique hotel is located right in the middle of downtown and also has a speakeasy lounge. Luckily, Linden isn't too hard to get to, either. The closest major airport is Nashville International Airport (BNA). You can rent a car there and drive to Linden in about an hour and a half.