There is a quiet magic that happens in Northeast Tennessee before 9 a.m. Itโs found in the rolling river fog, crisp mountain air, and the steam rising off a freshly brewed cup of coffee.
Welcome to The Sunrise Club
Pair a local morning fuel-up from a locally owned small business with fresh air and wellness in each of Northeast Tennesseeโs beautiful communities. Whether youโre chasing golden hour mountain vistas or enjoying a peaceful stroll through a historic downtown, here is your ultimate itinerary for the perfect Appalachian morning.
Johnson City
- The Brew & Bite: Dos Gatos Coffee Bar (Downtown) for handcrafted, meticulously poured espresso and a made with love pastry.
- The Movement: Head up to Buffalo Mountain Park for a sunrise hike along the White Rock Loop (a moderate 2-mile round-trip). After the hike, schedule some relaxation at Soleus Massage for a soak in the salt therapy pool.
- The Sunrise Tip: Buffalo Mountain parking gets tight on weekend mornings. Arrive before 7:30 a.m. to catch the sunrise light cresting over the valley, and to secure a parking spot right at the trailhead.
Jonesborough (Tennesseeโs Oldest Town)
- The Brew & Bite: The Corner Cup on historic Main Street. Grab a drink crafted with regional Doe River Roasters beans and a house-made scone or pop-tart.
- The Movement: Take a peaceful morning walk through downtownโs historic bricklined streets to Mill Spring Park, or head 5 minutes down the road to Persimmon Ridge Park for a quiet forest loop.
- The Sunrise Tip: Enjoy your pastry at Mill Spring Park right behind the Main Street Courthouse. The early morning sunlight hitting the historic 18th-century brick architecture makes for the best photography before the downtown shops open.
Kingsport (The Model City)
- The Brew & Bite: Urban Brews & Creamery on Broad Street. You can’t start the day without one of their oversized, scratch-made cinnamon rolls and a seasonal latte.
- The Movement: Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium offers a serene 2.3 mile walk around the 44 acre reservoir lake. Or, for a full-body workout, check out Un1fy Fitness with a variety of morning classes in the heart of downtown.
- The Sunrise Tip: Park gates at Bays Mountain open early for hikers. Head straight for the Reservoir Dam Spillway trail, as the water is usually glass-still at sunrise, creating perfect mountain reflections.
Bristol (Birthplace of Country Music)
- The Brew & Bite: Blackbird Bakery for iconic, sweet-tooth-approved donuts and pastries, or Whimsicals on Shelby Street for gluten-free waffles and specialty drinks.
- The Movement: Take a morning walk across the footbridge at South Holston Dam Tailwaters, for a quiet morning of solitude.
- The Sunrise Tip: Drive 15 minutes past Downtown to the South Holston Weir Dam at golden hour. Watching the heavy river fog roll over the weir bridge is one of the most cinematic morning views in the region.
Bluff City
- The Brew & Bite: South Fork Coffee on Bluff City Hwy for handcrafted lattes (try the Earl Grey brown sugar) and warm baked goods.
- The Movement: A scenic sunrise walk along the Bluff City Boardwalk & Pavilion just steps from the coffee shop.
- The Sunrise Tip: Grab your coffee to-go and head straight to the boardwalk. The calm morning waters mean you’ll often have the entire wooden pathway and the riverโs fog completely to yourself before 8 a.m.
Elizabethton
- The Brew & Bite: The Coffee Company in downtown Elizabethton. A staple since 1997, they offer locally roasted beans and incredible breakfast sandwiches.
- The Movement: A walk across the historic Elizabethton Covered Bridge followed by a jog or stroll along the paved Tweetsie Trail.
- The Sunrise Tip: Park directly by the Doe River Covered Bridge for early photos, then hop straight onto the Tweetsie Trail pavement for an easy morning walk before heading back to Downtown for breakfast around 8:30 a.m.
Greeneville
- The Brew & Bite: Catalyst Coffee Company, a vibrant local gathering space offering specialty handcrafted espresso drinks, cold brews, and fresh breakfast treats.ย
- The Movement: A 2.4-mile round-trip hike through the lush Cherokee National Forest to the stunning, 60-foot fan-shaped Margarette Falls.
- The Sunrise Tip: The Margarette Falls trail can be slick after a rain. Wear waterproof trail shoes for the small creek crossings, and visit on a weekday morning to have the beautiful waterfall pool entirely to yourself.
Erwin
- The Brew & Bite: Steel Rails Coffee House in downtown Erwin, located just two miles off the Appalachian Trail, serving locally roasted coffee and signature breakfast sandwiches.
- The Movement: Nolichucky Cliff Overlook via the Appalachian Trail. This moderate 1.8-mile round-trip hike climbs through rhododendron tunnels to a cliffside ledge high above the Nolichucky River Gorge.
- The Sunrise Tip: Park at the A.T. trailhead lot near the Chestoa Bridge on River Road and start your hike just before sunrise. You’ll reach the cliff overlook right as the golden hour light breaks over the gorge, burning off the river mist before you head into town for breakfast.
Rogersville
- The Brew & Bite: Coffee at the Kyle on Main Street, situated in one of Tennessee’s oldest towns. They offer small-batch roasted specialty coffee and scratch-made muffins.
- The Movement: A peaceful morning loop through Crockett Spring Park, featuring historic natural springs and beautiful walking paths.
- The Sunrise Tip: Crockett Spring Park is just steps from downtown. Grab your coffee on Main Street and walk over to the park’s historic spring house, where morning light filters beautifully through the large hardwood trees.
Mountain City
- The Brew & Bite: Know Better Coffee on Depot Street. This independent roastery is known for house-made cream cheese spreads, New York-style bagels, and signature roasts.
- The Movement: Known as the “Shortest Tunnel in the World,” explore Backbone Rock Recreation Area within the Cherokee National Forest. Here, you can climb the stone steps up over the rock spine or hike along Beaverdam Creek to Backbone Rock Falls.
- The Sunrise Tip: Climb the stone staircase over Backbone Rock early in the morning. Watching the morning light filter through the gorge canopy and hit the creek below is stunning, and you’ll easily avoid the afternoon crowds before heading back to Depot Street for coffee.
Sneedville
- The Brew & Bite: Lively Iris in Sneedville. Simple, from-scratch food & drink, local art, small events, and lots of smiling
- The Movement: A tranquil short hike out to three tiers of waterfall magic.ย Elrod Falls is accessible from the parking lot, but be cautious for slippery rocks.
- The Sunrise Tip: Visit Elrod Falls early in the morning before grabbing breakfast in town. The short, easy walk leads to a hidden waterfall pool that catches gorgeous early morning light filtering through the treesโusually without a single other visitor in sight.
Are you ready to join the Sunrise Club? Pick a community, set your alarm a little early this weekend, and tag us in your photos using @NortheastTenn. Support local, get moving, and explore the best of Northeast Tennessee!
