Four days for all four of those cities is already cramming in a LOT. Where are you coming from?

Bell Buckle, a little off I-24 between Chattanooga and Nashville (closer to Nashville), is teeny and has some antique shops "downtown." Downtown Franklin, TN is sort of a classic downtown with some fun stores and restaurants - not sure about antiques, though.

I would be glad to offer suggestions, but I am not sure what route you are taking? If you could let us know I am sure you will get lots of suggestions.

Maryville, TN is about 45 minutes outside of knoxville and has fairly easy access back to the highway to head to Nashville. There is a local performing Arts Center - Clayton Performing Art's Center that is new and nice. There are several non-chain retauants 1) Vintage Garden tea room open 11 am - 2 pm 2) Aubrey's (open lunch and dinner) 3) Something Savory (only open at lunch quiches, sandwiches, soup) 4) Foothills Milling - white table cloth, good food, reservations needed.

Not much as far as a large variery of antiques Hwy 321 has a few (across from AAA).

Crossville, TN has a small winery / retail called Chestnut Hill that is fun and an old downtown area. They are known for their watermelon wine called Hilbilly Shine has they can rarely keep in stock.

Thank you so much. We will be traveling for a little over 2 weeks and would like to spend 4-5 days in the smll towns. Our home port is Northern Virginia and will be traveling down 81 to Knoxville then either 75 South or 40 across to Nashville.
Twosassyk, isn't their a country song called Watermelon Crawl about watermelon Wine?

I seem to remember that Crossville may have some antiquing for you too.

You might want to detour to Lynchburg to the Jack Daniels Distillery and do a tour of the factory. While you are in that area, you could also stop in at Sewanee and see The University of the South.

there's not much between Memphis and Nashville so I would just drive straight through between those two cities.

I was also going to suggest Lynchburg, TN. If you want to be there for lunch try Miss Bobo's(If you decide to go there you will need to make reservations). Miss Bobo's is an old boarding house that serves lunch, family style. The food is good and it is fun to meet people from all over.

Lynchburg also has lots of cute shops and other restaurants.

I agree that there's really not much scenic between Nashville and Memphis. Stop and take a picture with the Bucksnort sign and keep driving.