Best activities to Do in Johnson City, TN Every time you look up, the Great Smoky Mountains' sweeping foothills that ring Johnson City lure your eyes. You could hear an old-time banjo strumming that blends in with the background noise. The lonely and untamed Appalachian scenery has influenced the music and culture of Johnson City for many years. It ranks as the fifth-largest city in the state and is a member of the Tri-Cities metropolitan area along with Kingsport and Bristol. Johnson City feels more like a village than a city, despite its size. Thousands of young people who attend East Tennessee State University and three other universities are the source of its attractiveness. While embracing the possibilities of the future, this community is rooted in the tradition of small-town charm. You may still find relics from the town's early history as Johnson's Depot, which began in the middle of the nineteenth century. Where previously strong trains drove coal boxcars, today's routes through forests are suitable for walking or cycling. Leave your car in Founders Park and continue on foot to reach the old town. From here, explore some of Johnson City's most popular tourist destinations and get going with our list of activities things to do in johnson city tn. 1. Enter the city through Founders Park. Along the planted stream and barrier-free concrete promenade of Founders Park, there is a display of more than 20 long-term multimedia works of art. The trail's beginning has a free parking area that leads to an open amphitheatre and meeting spot. A charming reproduction railway station pavilion is located at the park's far end, honouring Johnson City's former role as a major hub for transit for early industry. All ages may enjoy the attractive Founders Park green space and pedestrian walkway. Expect to see neighbours sitting on a bench mingling with parents pushing strollers full of children. On the grass along the creek, people are relaxing and drinking their morning coffee. The park and pavilion transform into a hub for cultural activities throughout the summer.
It's a great site to start your trip to Johnson City because it's close to the downtown shops and restaurants across the railroad lines. 2. Travel along the Tweetsie Trail Tweetsie Trail, so named from the recognizable sound of the locomotive whistles that once travelled the rails through Johnson City, has grown to be the most well-liked rail-to-trail route for urban joggers, runners, and cyclists. Ten miles of the path travel through Johnson City's wooded homes before reaching Elizabethton. The flat, hard-surface Tweetsie Trail is perfect for strollers and anyone with mobility challenges. Parking sites and trail access locations are widespread. In Johnson City, the main trailhead parking area doubles as a bike rental facility. Choose between a standard pedal bike or an electric bike to get you on the route. 3. Move Your Body at Winged Deer Park