Sewanee has the University of the South and scenic surroundings
Sewanee, Tennessee, is a community of about 2,300 people on the Cumberland Plateau. Many come here to attend or work at The University of the South, a private institution affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Its campus spans 13,000 acres and includes many Gothic Revival-style buildings. The community also offers seclusion for some residents, scenic views and several outdoor destinations. “It’s a pretty unique place. It’s rural and off the beaten path, but it’s beautiful,” says Melissa Hubbard, an agent with Re/Max Realty South. “It’s cool that it’s at the top of the plateau, and that alone brings people to our area. It’s also convenient to get to Nashville or Chattanooga . I guess it’s high-end for the area, if that makes sense.”
Homes are on spacious, wooded lots, and many are rental properties
Homes here are on spacious wooded lots with many mature pine, maple and oak trees. Several homes also have stone siding. Architectural styles include ranch-style homes, Colonial Revival, contemporary and New Traditional. Houses that are 2,000 square feet or less go from about $320,000 to $510,000. Larger homes run between $600,000 and $980,000, while some upscale homes on multi-acre lots sell for over $1 million. Although most university students reside on campus, some live in rented homes. “What happens a lot is people who are buying here, they’re buying for their kids for four years,” Hubbard says. “So they’ll buy it [the house], fix it up, put them in it and then sell it in four years when their kids don’t need it.” About a third of homes here are rentals.
Recreation includes hiking, biking, fishing and golf
The community has many footpaths and narrow roads connecting the area’s larger trails. The 20-mile Perimeter Trail goes around Sewanee, passing by sites like the Morgan Steep waterfall and War Memorial Cross monument. Along with hikes through the woods, trail users may reach overlooks offering views of the valley. Cyclists may also bike the 12-mile Mountain Goat Trail. Lake Cheston is a fishing and canoeing spot, while golfers may stop by The Course at Sewanee, which is open to the public. Less than 10 miles south, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lee Carter Natural Area draws hikers and cave explorers. Sewanee is also close to Monteagle Mountain, which drivers cross while traveling on Interstate 24. “Coming up, it’s a huge winding mountain. Going down, it’s a huge winding mountain,” Hubbard says. “But once you’re up there, it really is beautiful.”
Sewanee has 'quaint and cute' dining spots
Sewanee’s few restaurants serve anything from coffee and breakfast to upscale meals. Located in a small repurposed house, The Blue Chair Cafe & Tavern has a mix of baked treats and pub fare. At night, patrons go to its bar for beers or cocktails. Shenanigans is another casual spot serving bar fare, while Judith Tavern has more high-end options like raw oysters and steak. “They don’t have much, but what they do have is quaint and cute,” Hubbard says about local dining options. Other businesses include Woody’s Bicycles, which is popular among residents and students for bike rentals. Residents can shop for groceries at Piggly Wiggly in nearby Monteagle .
Students may attend Franklin County schools
The community is home to Sewanee Elementary School, which receives a B-plus from Niche. Other schools zoned for this area are South Middle and Franklin County High. South Middle gets a C, while Franklin County High receives a C-plus. The high school’s athletic program includes a strong girls soccer team that won a state title in 2024. The community is also close to St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School, which receives an A. The private institution is a boarding and day school serving sixth to 12th graders.
The university has an enrollment of just under 2,000 students, and its programs include a School of Theology. U.S News and World Report lists the school at No. 45 in its 2025 Best Colleges ranking of National Liberal Arts Colleges.
Entertainment includes university events and shows at The Caverns
The university hosts several annual events that are open to the public. Many literary minds come to campus in July for the nearly two-week-long Sewanee Writers’ Conference. The event includes readings by published writers, several of whom have contended for awards like the Pulitzer Prize. Sewanee is also 15 miles south of The Caverns, a venue renowned for its cave concerts.
I-24 in nearby Monteagle goes to Nashville and Chattanooga
U.S. Route 41A goes to Monteagle, about 5 miles northeast of Sewannee. Monteagle provides direct access to Interstate 24, which travelers may take to Nashville and Chattanooga. Sewanee is 90 miles south of Nashville and 50 miles west of Chattanooga. The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport is one of the nearest hubs for commercial flights. The community is home to Highpoint Health – Sewanee with Ascension Saint Thomas.
