The Northeast Tennessee region is full of rich history, outdoor adventure and is the birthplace of country music. Here’s what to see and do when you visit these Northeast Tennessee cities.
See the fossils and findings on display at the Hands On! Discovery Center. Catch a glimpse of East Tennessee’s 5 million year-old past featuring tapirs, red pandas, saber-toothed cats, shovel-tusked elephants, touch-screen computer games. An authentic dig pit is also on display. Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park is a skills park for riders of all levels and all ages. Trails range from smooth and winding to rocky adrenaline-pumping. The park is riding distance from downtown Johnson City and covers more than 40 acres of wooded land. When it’s time for happy hour, local Yee-Haw Brewing has a variety of brews to choose like the pale ale, IPA, Scottish ale and more.
Gaze at the stars at Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium. Take a trip around the universe from the comfort of a theater chair by catching a show at the Planetarium followed by a live tour of the night sky or participate in StarWatch at the Observatory March-April and October-November Saturday evenings. After a trip through the stars, set out on a hike or cruise on the 44-acre lake. You can find animal habitats of bobcats, reptiles, birds and the ever-popular wolves. Hiking, fishing and paddle rentals for canoes, kayaks and more are ready for your enjoyment at Warriors’ Path State Park. The Disc golf course has 22 holes with various challenges and is considered one of the best in the state. Kids love the Boundless Playground Complex featuring accessible playground equipment and surfaces, a pedestrian bridge, amphitheater and an environmental maze with interactive play stations. Get a bite to eat at Pal’s Sudden Service for a Big Pal burger with all the toppings with Frenchie fries and a chocolate, vanilla or strawberry shake.
Bristol is home to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, a 24,000 square-foot music museum that tells the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions through interactive exhibits including touch-screen components. Guests can give classic songs a modern twist at the mixing station, become a music star in the sing-along station, and listen to contemporary versions of Bristol Session songs. Head to South Holston Lake, nationally recognized trout fishery, for fly fishing, tubing and boating. Hundreds of miles of shoreline and water wait for you as the lake covers 7,580 acres and is considered one of the best in the Southeast for smallmouth bass fishing. Music takes on a different form as NASCAR racing zips around the World’s Fastest Half-Mile track at Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway. Take a track tour to get an up-close look at the track, dragway and even the winner’s circle. You can drive on the track and even sign your name on the checkered finish line.
To learn more about these and other memorable experiences in Northeast Tennessee, visit tnvacation.com/east-tennessee/northeast and follow @tnvacation.
