The 'Lake Capital Of The South' Is A Tennessee Gem Near Knoxville With Charming Small Town Vibes

Many people know about the craggy mountain peaks of East Tennessee, but you can count on that area for some great water views, too. The Great Smoky Mountains tend to hog all the attention in this part of the state, drawing millions of folks each year. However, you can find a much quieter outdoor escape in the surrounding reservoir-filled foothills, especially down in Lenoir City. Set in the heart of Loudon County, a region known as the "Lakeway to the Smokies," this locale definitely has the best of both worlds.

Lenoir City itself is hailed as the "Lake Capital of the South." The place is almost completely surrounded by water, bordered by several massive lakes and winding rivers. The community is a suburb of Knoxville, situated roughly 30 miles from the Scruffy City's downtown area. It's perfectly positioned near a handful of major highways, including Interstate 75, Interstate 40, U.S. Route 321, U.S. Route 70, and U.S. Route 11, and is only 20 miles away from the McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS).

Lenoir City has a population of about 13,000 people, making it the largest city in the entire county, according to World Population Review. It still has a charming small-town feel about it, though, with a historic downtown full of cute shops and boutiques and, of course, loads of Southern hospitality.

The land Lenoir City now occupies was once home to Native American tribes before settlers planted roots in the early 1800s. Named after Revolutionary War general William Lenoir, who received a land deed for his service, the city has a frontier past that can still be seen around town today. You can learn all about the community's rich heritage at the Lenoir City Museum, located along Depot Street in the historic downtown area. Housed in a vintage Victorian cottage listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the museum has a slew of Civil War artifacts on display, along with exhibits on the city's founding families and railroad history. The museum does have limited hours and is open seasonally from April through October on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

See more of Lenoir City's small-town vibes as you explore more timeless treasures downtown, centered along Broadway Street, the local stretch of U.S. Route 11. The charming district is lined with historic storefronts, many dating back to the town's early years. Many of the old buildings now boast an eclectic bunch of quaint stores. Shop for clothing, home decor, and other fun finds at Markets on Broadway, or pick up some retro video games for the kids at Games and More.

Spend some time with the locals by attending one of the community's gatherings. The city hosts many holiday festivities throughout the year, from Easter egg hunts and Christmas celebrations to patriotic Independence Day events. Held on July 4 each year, the Rockin' the Docks festival at Lenoir City Park is wildly popular. It features live music performances, food vendors, and lots of fireworks.

A refreshing waterway is within easy reach no matter which part of Lenoir City you're in, and we're not talking about all the little creeks that weave through town either. The Knoxville suburb is perched along several huge reservoirs created by damming up the Tennessee River. Fort Loudoun Lake and the winding, woodland trail-lined Watts Bar Lake both stretch out in front of Lenoir City, separated by the Fort Loudoun Dam. Watts Bar is the bigger of the two, running more than 70 miles to the west, while Fort Loudoun winds for about 55 miles in the opposite direction to Knoxville.

The Tellico Reservoir lies on the Little Tennessee River arm of Watts Bar, snaking for about 33 miles toward the Great Smoky Mountains. Then there's the Southern lakeside getaway of Melton Hill Lake, which twists its way along the Clinch River, just north of Lenoir City, for roughly 57 miles. All of the lakes are massive, so there's plenty of shoreline for launching a kayak, canoe, or boat. Lenoir City Park is a great place to access the waters, hugging Fort Loudoun Lake right next to the Fort Loudoun Marina. The 33-acre recreation area has a boat ramp and dock, as well as several picnic areas, two playgrounds, a dog park, and a disc golf course.