Whitwell, TN

Whitwell is a small city in Marion County, Tennessee, home to roughly 1,500 residents. Tucked into the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau, the community blends Appalachian small-town character with a deep coal-mining heritage. The town is best known internationally for an extraordinary story that began in a middle-school classroom, and it serves as a convenient gateway to some of Tennessee's most dramatic natural scenery. Whitwell lies about 30 miles northwest of Chattanooga, with the drive typically taking 45 minutes to an hour depending on route and traffic.

In 1998, Whitwell Middle School launched the Paper Clips Project, in which students attempted to collect one paper clip for every victim of the Holocaust. The project ultimately gathered more than 30 million clips and inspired the documentary "Paper Clips." The school maintains a memorial that includes an authentic German boxcar of the type used during the Holocaust, and the project continues to draw visitors interested in its message of tolerance and remembrance.

About a half-hour drive west of town, the Savage Gulf area of South Cumberland State Park spans thousands of acres of waterfalls, sheer sandstone cliffs, and deep gorges. The park's Stone Door trailhead leads to a dramatic natural passageway in the plateau edge and connects to a network of backcountry trails popular with hikers and backpackers.

Within day-trip range, Fall Creek Falls State Park, roughly 90 minutes to the north, centers on a 256-foot waterfall — among the tallest in the eastern United States — and offers cabins, a golf course, swimming pools, and miles of hiking trails. Closer to home, the town of Monteagle, about 20 minutes northwest, anchors the region with the University of the South at Sewanee, the historic Monteagle Sunday School Assembly, and a string of antique stores and restaurants popular with weekend travelers.

Whitwell makes a compelling base for short-term rental visitors who want quiet, small-town lodging with quick access to both outdoor adventure and the cultural offerings of greater Chattanooga. Travelers can spend a day hiking the Savage Gulf gorges, a morning touring the Paper Clips memorial, and an evening enjoying Chattanooga's riverfront and downtown — all without having to change accommodations.