re: Cool, off-the-beaten-path towns within the SEC footprint

Also Cleveland, Tennessee in June/July... The town is pretty meh. But in the summer, the town is infested with river hippies that know how to have a good time.

The Ocoee River has some great class III and IV whitewater that makes the Niangua River look like my old man taking a leak.

In between float trips, head over the Hiwassee River for a little fishing excursion.

At night, asks the hippies where a place called Duff's is... Great music, $2 drafts served in a ball jar... Very southern appalachian. You'll love it.