Middlesboro is a surprisingly lively “Crater City” built inside a 3.6‑mile meteorite impact crater, with a walkable downtown of cafes, breweries, antique shops and evolving eateries, plus instant access to hiking, rock‑climbing and scenic overlooks at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
It’s compact, affordable, and draws outdoor‑minded short‑term residents so a multi‑week stay feels like an active basecamp rather than being stuck — and if you want bigger‑city nights or flights, Knoxville is about a 64‑mile drive (with Morristown and nearby towns offering groceries, medical care and shopping within a shorter drive).