Clinton, Tennessee in Top 10

Clinton, Tennessee Voted One of the Top 10 Antiquing Towns in USA

As the county seat of Anderson County, the downtown was once a busy area of business and commerce. Like many small towns in America, a bypass was constructed in the 1990s and most stores closed or moved to nearby strip centers. In the last 15 years, Historic Downtown Clinton has undergone a transformation with the revitalization of the downtown to become one of the top 10 antiquing towns in the U. S. (Foders Travel) and the largest antique districts in the South.

It’s not everyday a town gets voted one of the top 10 Antiquing towns in the USA. With the largest antique district in the South with 20 antique shops right in the middle of Historic Downtown Clinton, be ready to browse to your heart’s content. The antiquing shops in Clinton are all filled with unique and fine antiques from furniture to smalls. There’s primitives, Art Deco, vintage, Mid-Century, Mid-Century-Modern, Victorian, Early American, Gothic Revival, Eastlake, and Arts and Craft styles. You’ll find furniture and even some accessories from 1800s Queen Ann and Federal period to French Country, Art Nouveau, and Early Colonial. Items such as garden and architectural, farm antiques, Black Americana, antique and vintage toys, vintage clothing, kitchen ware, glassware of all colors, shapes and sizes from vases to serving pieces to art glass; clocks, silver serving selections, wonderful selections of antique and vintage jewelry and vintage purses, and other accessories only touches the surface. There’s always someone with something you’re looking to find, and you’ll find items that you’ve never seen before.

Collectibles, smalls and even ‘mantiques’ are numerous throughout different shops. I promise Clinton is that ‘treasure hunt’ we’ve all been looking to experience. The shop owners and vendors in Clinton keep up with the latest things going. You’ll find beautiful selections of painted furniture, metal pieces, iron selections, as well as lovely repurposed pieces to take home as well.


Historic Downtown Clinton has some great specialty shops including boutiques, salons and spas, gift shops, home decor, florals, a 1940s drug store with soda fountain, and a WWII era movie theater. There’s also an auction house and a school for clinical hypnosis.

While enjoying all these great shops, you’re going to work up an appetite; and you’re at the best place for dining. Clinton has a half dozen or more cafes and eateries all in walking distance. You can enjoy everything including home style and country; deli sandwiches, a taste of Greek, Italian, and BBQ; homemade desserts, hamburgers, hotdogs and homemade shakes, just to name a few.


Clinton and Anderson County is rich in history and has become quite a draw for history buffs throughout the country. Clinton was founded in 1801 as the town of Burrville and renamed in 1809. Clinton High School was the first integrated public school in 1956. The Green-McAdoo School is now a cultural center honoring this event and the 12 courageous students. Nearby is the Norris Dam, the first dam constructed by TVA. Also close by in Oakridge is the Manhattan Project that was developed during WWII. Learn about this history and more while visiting.


The Historic Downtown Clinton Merchants welcome you to visit this wonderful nostalgic town often. The change of seasons adds to its breathtaking beauty and make it one of the most relaxing towns you’ll want to return to time and again. Who knows, it may just be the new home away from home or the place you’ve been looking to sow roots. Make sure you let the folks in Historic Downtown Clinton know you heard about them in The Busy Bee Trader. You may even bump into one of our reps while there.