2019 Northeast Tennessee Magazine

WHERE HISTORY

comes to life 11 BEST

Trail Towns NORTHEAST TENNESSEE

map

DINING INSIDE | HISTORY | OUTDOOR ADVENTURES | FAMILY FUN | CULTURE | SOUTHERN northeasttennessee.org

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Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

CONTENTS

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park

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HISTORY LIVES HERE:

Our favorite festivals and venues to catch local history.

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11 MUST-VISIT TRAIL TOWNS:

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SOUTHERN DINING & DRAFTS:

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Our favorite Northeast Tennessee restaurants and libations.

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Margarette Falls

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Amis Mill Eatery

FAMILY FUN IN NORTHEAST TENNESSEE:

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OUR CULTURE:

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Bring the family for a trip packed with unique adventures and experiences.

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Northeast Tennessee is full of spectacular hiking adventures.

NORTHEAST TENNESSEE MAGAZINE

A vacation at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains is waiting for you.

AREA MAP

Discover and explore the Northeast Tennessee region.

MEMBER DIRECTORY

A look at accommodations, culture, dining, family fun, our friends, and the outdoors in Northeast Tennessee.

A GUIDE TO OUR REGION:

A look at exciting adventures and rich history in each of our cities.

Our cover photo features history coming to life in what we think Northeast Tennessee native David Crockett would look like, and how he would explore our area in the 21st Century.

Visit NortheastTennessee.org for more travel tips and area information.

Connect with us!

northeasttennessee.org

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Photo by Marla Milling

1212 Suncrest Dr., Gray, TN (423) 434-4263 I-26, exit 13 • Gray

DISCOVER SOMET HING NEW!

1212 Suncrest Dr., Gray, TN (423) 434-4263 I-26, exit 13 • Gray

gfs.visithandson.org

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Northeast Tennessee... There’s More.

visithandson.org

OUR HISTORIC ROOTS RUN DEEP Our story runs deep with history and culture in the Appalachian Mountains of Northeast Tennessee. Home to what is commonly known as America’s First Frontier, this is where you’ll find a gateway to the west, some of the oldest towns in Tennessee, home to a former United States President and iconic rugged frontiersmen, as well as the birthplace of country music, and the state that almost made it. Northeast Tennessee’s past is just as inspiring as the culture and traditions that continue today.

For more information about history in Northeast Tennessee, visit northeasttennessee.org.

WOOLY DAY

LIBERTY!

FIRSTS

ROCKY MOUNT STATE HISTORIC SITE

THE SAGA OF SYCAMORE SHOALS

IN NORTHEAST TENNESSEE

Find out more on page 17.

Find out more on page 40.

Find out more on page 26.

northeasttennessee.org

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Jonesborough

HISTORY LIVES HERE WHERE TO EXPERIENCE OUR HISTORY

ABINGDON

myswva.org visitabingdonvirginia.com Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace is the area’s gateway to regional history, craft, music, food, and local culture.

BRISTOL

discoverbristol.org The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, in affiliation with the Smithsonian Institute, tells Bristol’s story as the birthplace of County Music and the Bristol sessions.

CUMBERLAND GAP townofcumberlandgap.com Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and home to the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, Cumberland Gap shares Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky. Daniel Boone led pioneers through the gap along the “Wilderness Road” in 1775 en route from Virginia to Kentucky, and James Robertson led trail blazers from Northeast to Middle Tennessee along the “Tennessee Road,” to settle the Nashville area.

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Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

ELIZABETHTON tourcartercounty.com

JOHNSON CITY visitjohnsoncitytn.com

Sycamore Shoals played a pivotal role not only in Tennessee history but in the American Revolution. The site of the first permanent American settlement outside the 13 original colonies, Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park has been preserved as a Tennessee state park.

Rocky Mount State Historic Site invites visitors to step back into 1791 and experience the daily lives of frontier families shortly after the founding of the United States. Skilled interpreters bring history to life through reenactments of daily lifestyles, domestic and work skills, food, clothing, furnishings, and games.

GREENEVILLE visitgreenevilletn.com Home of Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States and the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, visitors can tour the Visitor Center, Museum, Tailor Shop, two Greeneville residences and the National Cemetery, the burial site of President Johnson.

HANCOCK COUNTY hancockcountytn.com Located in Vardy is the Mahalia Mullins Cabin which has a rich history of the Melungeons that settled this area in the late 1700’s. It is located north on Hwy. 63, over Newman’s Ridge, then turn right on Blackwater Rd.

JOHNSON COUNTY johnsoncountytnchamber.org Long Journey Home is Johnson County’s Heritage Arts and Music Celebration held every Labor Day Weekend and celebrated year round. You can hear clawhammer banjo played on the front porch of the Clarence “Tom” Ashley homeplace, visit G.B. Grayson’s grave, the site where the infamous Tom Dooley was captured, or the site of the Historic 1925 Fiddler’s Convention. A new mural is unveiled each year and the hills come alive with the sounds of old time and bluegrass.

Birthplace of Country Music Museum

The Exchange Place JONESBOROUGH Jonesborough.com Located in the heart of downtown Jonesborough, the Chester Inn State Historic Site & Museum chronicles the history of Jonesborough from its inception in 1779 to the present. The museum is located on the street level of the oldest commercial building in town. Jonesborough is also home to the International Storytelling Center, Chucky Depot Train Museum, and Washington County History Museum.

KINGSPORT visitkingsport.com Experience life on a working farm at the Exchange Place living history center including an 1850s-era farmstead, animals, and a museum. The restored Netherland Inn faces the Old Stage Road in the heart of Kingsport’s Boat Yard Park, an area along the Holston River that served as a migratory spot for settlers to build boats for their westward trip during the mid-1700s. The Mountain Music Museum is dedicated to the history of music that originated primarily in Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia.

MORRISTOWN visitmorristowntn.com Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, the Crockett Tavern Museum includes a replica of the boyhood home of American frontiersman and Tennessee native son, David Crockett, contains artifacts from his childhood, and tells the story of the legendary figure.

Amis Mill ROGERSVILLE rogersvillemainstreet.com Home of Tennessee’s oldest stone dam, Amis Mill features guided tours of the Thomas Amis Home (circa 1781) and estate grounds. The eatery is also a local favorite featuring barbeque and Cajun inspired cuisine. Rogersville is also home to the Hale Springs Inn, built in 1824, with presidential suites named after previous guests of the Inn: Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson and James K. Polk.

UNICOI visitunicoicounty.com unicoitn.net erwintn.org Modeled to look like an old-fashioned train depot, the Clinchfield Railroad Museum pays homage to Town of Erwin’s rich railroad history. The museum is located adjacent to the Unicoi County Heritage Museum, housed in a turn-of-the-century home originally built for the Superintendent of the National Fish Hatchery in Erwin, and showcases the county’s history in uniquely themed rooms.

Andrew Johnson National Historic Site northeasttennessee.org

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11 BEST

Trail Towns I N N O RT H E A S T T E N N E S S E E

Northeast Tennessee is home to fantastic trails that wind through lush mountains and gorgeous countryside. But, when you step off the trails you’ll discover even more treasures. Tucked away in the folds of the landscape are many “trail towns” that offer explorers a chance to grab a hearty meal, relax, and restore their supplies. To help you plan your next trek through Northeast Tennessee, we’ve highlighted 11 of our favorite trail towns.

ELIZABETHTON Walking down Elizabethton’s historic Elk Avenue is like a trip down memory lane, with its 1920s-style brick buildings, antique malls, and dress shops.

Begin your day at The Coffee Company, the region’s only full-time roaster, for fresh Germanstyle pastries and cafe fare. Swing by the 19th century Covered Bridge before heading to

ROAN MOUNTAIN Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. The park has seen many important historical events and now features a 2-mile river trail, educational exhibits, and living history reenactments. Jiggy Ray’s Downtown Pizzeria or Big Dan’s BBQ are perfect for your post-adventure food fix.

Roan Mountain is a tiny community located in the heart of the Cherokee National Forest. Before you go exploring, say hello to the good folks at Smoky Mountain Bakers for fresh pastries, pancakes, and biscuits. On the outskirts of town you’ll find Roan Mountain State Park, home to trout, wildflowers and the beautiful Doe River, all interwoven with 12 miles of hiking trails.

Stop in Highlander BBQ for hearty sandwiches and fries that are sure to hit the spot.

GREENEVILLE

Unicoi 6

Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

There’s a lot of history packed into this little town—you could spend days exploring Greeneville’s significance in the early United States. But, before you dive into the local history, begin your day with a trip to the Creamy Cup Coffee Shop, where indulgent espresso drinks and fresh iced teas are sure to perk you up.

Frappes in hand, head to the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site and spend the day learning about the life and accomplishments of the 17th U.S. President. If your history itch still isn’t scratched, take a drive to David Crockett Birthplace State Park on the Nolichucky River.

Grab dinner at Salsas Restaurant back in Greeneville because, really, who doesn’t love good Mexican food after a great day?

Roan Mountain

Greeneville

ROGERSVILLE With its 20th century brick-faced buildings, historic homes and towering trees, you’ll love perusing downtown Rogersville. Sit down to a hearty breakfast at OH Henry’s before driving to Amis Mill to gander at Tennessee’s oldest stone dam. When you’re finished enjoying the lush grounds and the visitor center, have a tasty meal and a lovely view at the Amis Mill Eatery.

MOUNTAIN CITY Just the name of this town makes it worth a visit, and you won’t be disappointed. For breakfast in Mountain City, you can’t beat the down-home feel and southern favorites at Lois’s Country Cafe. From there it’s only a 5-minute drive to Doe Mountain Recreation Area, where you’ll find 9,000 acres of woodlands and 60 miles of multi-use trails. Round out your day with fresh cuisine and a festive atmosphere at La Cucina Italian Kitchen.

BRISTOL There’s more to Bristol than race cars and country music, even though those are pretty great. Breakfast at Manna Bagel Company is the perfect way to carb load for your day of activity.

For lighter fare, grab smoothies or espresso drinks at Bloom Cafe. If you’re seeking a family-friendly destination, head to Steele Creek Park and Nature Center, which has paddle boats, disc golf, trails, natural history exhibits, and lovely gardens. If you’re feeling more daring, book a tour of Bristol Caverns’ ancient passageways and spectacular formations. Whatever adventure you choose, end it with specialty burgers and Parmesan fries at the iconic Burger Bar in downtown Bristol.

KINGSPORT

JONESBOROUGH

With tons of restaurants and nearby parks, Kingsport is a destination that the whole family will enjoy. There’s no better way to kick off your day than with a sugar rush from Seaver’s Bakery— yes, we’re talking fresh, scratch-made doughnuts.

Then, hop over to Bays Mountain Park to explore the animal habitat exhibits, Planetarium and Adventure Ropes Course. For even more family fun, Warrior’s Path State Park offers activities for people of all abilities—like the Boundless Playground, the Lions Narnia Braille Trail, and the fully accessible Anderson Treehouse. Wrap up your day at Tennessee’s original cidery, Gypsy Circus Cider Company.

With its quaint parks and endless historical sites, Jonesborough is a must-see destination on a trip to Northeast Tennessee. Begin your tour of Tennessee’s oldest town at the The Corner Cup, where you can enjoy locally roasted coffee and delightful treats in a cozy environment. After your morning pick-me-up, head to Persimmon Ridge Park, which has a full disc golf course, hiking and biking trails, and picnic areas. In summer you can also visit the nearby Wetlands Water Park for waterslides, a lazy river, and activities for all ages. If you’re in Jonesborough for lunch, don’t miss the delicious sandwiches and fresh sweet tea at the Main Street Cafe.

Or stop by the Tennessee Hills Distillery to sample old-fashioned, small-batch spirits.

UNICOI Situated among densely forested ridges, the small town of Unicoi is tucked just inside the bounds of Cherokee National Forest. You’ll want a full breakfast for this adventurous day, so start at Maple Grove Restaurant for home-style biscuits, omelets, and sweets. Lace up your boots for a 9-mile round-trip hike to the Pinnacle Tower, a fire tower that offers sweeping views of the rolling mountains. For a more leisurely outing, visit the Farmhouse Gallery and Gardens for artisanal bread, serene landscapes, and local art. Finally, unwind with scrumptious salads and subs at Primo’s Italian Cuisine.

ERWIN Just down the road from Unicoi, Erwin is the last stop before you’re immersed in the scenic Cherokee National Forest. Get your morning fix at Steel Rails Coffee House in historic downtown Erwin, which serves up locally roasted coffee and colorful espresso drinks. Drive into Chestoa Recreation Area and enjoy roadside views of the Nolichucky River and spots for picnicking, fishing, and swimming. For a more strenuous outing, make the steep, 4-mile round-trip hike to remote Rock Creek Falls on Unaka Mountain. End the day at Hawg-n-Dawg with comfort food, fresh deserts and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere.

JOHNSON CITY Downtown Johnson City has sprung to life with shops and restaurants, so make sure to reserve some time for urban exploring during your visit. The Willow Tree Coffeehouse is a local favorite for delicious drinks and light food in an eclectic, bohemian space. For brunch, Main Street Pizza Company has recently added a fabulous breakfast menu to its repertoire.

To get some exercise, head to Buffalo Mountain Park, where you can explore several hiking trails with wonderful views of the city and the surrounding landscapes. Another great spot to play is the Tweetsie Trail, the region’s esteemed rails-to-trails project that connects Johnson City and Elizabethton. Unwind with craft brews and fresh tacos at Yee-Haw Brewing Company and White Duck Taco Shop. With games and tons of outdoor seating, this is the perfect spot to relax after a day full of adventure.

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Southern Dining & SPIRITS

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The Original Tennessee, Long IslandThere’s Iced TeaMore. made in Kingsport Northeast

Amis Mill Eatery

ASK the BARISTA FRANKIE BAILEY THE COFFEE COMPANY

OUR FAVORITE NORTHEAST TENNESSEE RESTAURANTS AND LIBATIONS Amis Mill Eatery 127 West Bear Hollow Rd, Rogersville, TN amismill.com | 423.272.7040 Captain’s Table 2285 Hwy 321, Hampton, TN lakeshore-resort.com/captains-table 423.725.2201 East Tennessee Distillery 127 Fox St., Jonesborough, TN tnhillsdistillery.com | 423.788.9105 McKinney’s Restaurant & Tavern 110 W Main St, Rogersville, TN halespringsinn.com | 423.272.5171 Tennessee Hills Distillery 127 Fox St, Jonesborough, TN tnhillsdistillery.com | 423.788.9105 Coffee Company 444 E Elk Ave, Elizabethton, TN experiencingcoffee.com | 800.358.2709 Studio Brew Brewery & Taproom 221 Moore St, Bristol, VA studiobrew.beer | 423.360.3258

Thirteen years ago, Frankie Bailey was a newcomer to Elizabethton, and working in a local coffee shop. Fast forward to 2019, she now owns the downtown java staple with her husband Travis, continuing tradition as one of the area’s favorite coffee shops.

The Coffee Company has been brewing local coffee in downtown Elizabethton for more than 22 years, and is famous for its Appalachian Morning roast and Panda Hug lattes.

“The atmosphere, excellent service and high quality food and coffee makes this place a home away from home for many people,” Frankie said.

“Although it is a mainstay for many, it is also an incredible welcome to those vacationing in the area. The character and energy at The Coffee Company is just so special, and it is a joy to continue the legacy.”

Originally from Grand Rapids, Mich., Frankie met Travis while he was traveling the country as a musician. The couple moved to his hometown of Elizabethton, and Frankie immediately fell in love with the mountains and culture of Northeast Tennessee. Her first job in the area was as a barista at The Coffee Company, she also worked as an account executive with Cumberland Marketing in Kingsport, Tenn.

“I would have never imagined that we would be owning The Coffee Company today! After spending some time in Tennessee, we had opportunities arise in Grand Rapids, so we went back up north to live for five years. Although it was a wonderful experience and we gained a lot of knowledge, Michigan didn’t feel like home,” Frankie said. “Elizabethton is truly a beautiful place to live and raise a family. It really feels like home with its small town experience rooted in heritage, love and connection. We are excited to be part of a growing and forward moving downtown,” she said. “It’s the hub and heart of the community!”

Frankie admits that the favorite part of her job is building relationships with employees, the community and their customers. She also loves to take time and enjoy the true outdoors of Northeast Tennessee with her family.

“We enjoy spending time with friends on nearby Watauga Lake, and taking in the beautiful mountains—whether riding in the jeep with the top off or hiking around,” Frankie said. “The outdoor beauty and recreation at our fingertips is such a gift, and we see great potential for growth in the region.” northeasttennessee.org

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A Guide to Northeast Tennessee

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Kingsport Northeast Carousel Tennessee, There’s More.

OUR FAMILY FAVORITES HANDS ON!

1 DISCOVERY CENTER visithandson.org This brand new all-ages science center offers fun interactive programs and exhibits that include a three-story climber, a musical Tesla coil, giant building blocks, and a maker studio, inviting guests to engineer a rocket, create a masterpiece, and uncover something new.

2 GRAY FOSSIL SITE gfs.visithandson.org The Gray Fossil Site is a place where visitors can view and learn about an active Pliocene-era fossil dig site. Scientists believe the site was formed by an underground limestone cave that collapsed and created a sinkhole. This left a vast fossil deposit that dates back approximately 5 million years.

BRISTOL MOTOR

3 SPEEDWAY & DRAGWAY bristolmotorspeedway.com Bristol Motor Speedway, known among the racing community as “The Last Great Colosseum” is located in Bristol, Tenn. The popular motorsports venue hosts NASCAR events each year. The Thunder Valley Dragway hosts NHRA events annually.

Hands On! Discovery Center

4 KINGSPORT CAROUSEL engagekingsport.com The Kingsport Carousel, which features more than 30 hand-carved animals, has quickly become one of Northeast Tennessee’s most popular attractions—and not just for kids.

The carousel, which is located inside a Pal’s branded building (another area favorite), on Clinchfield St, features eccentric hand-carved animals made by the locals. The cost is only $1 to ride and operates year-round, Wednesday through Sunday.

Bristol Motor Speedway northeasttennessee.org

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Kingsport Aquatic Center

5 KINGSPORT AQUATIC CENTER swimkingsport.com Open year-round, the indoor area encompasses 46,000 square feet and includes three multi-purpose, heated pools, designed for recreation and instruction, including the region’s only Olympic-size pool. The outdoor area consists of a water park that includes two water slides, a water playground and a 900-foot lazy river, which is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year.

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Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

Meet an outdoor Andrew Johnson National Historic Site

ANDREW JOHNSON 6 NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE nps.gov/anjo Make learning about history in Northeast Tennessee fun at any age with a visit to the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site. The National Park features a visitor center, museum, Johnson’s early home, the homestead and cemetery. Johnson was also the first U.S. President to be impeached and guests to the visitor center can take part in history by participating in a mock impeachment decision based on a timeline of events that took place during Johnson’s presidency.

JONESBOROUGH HISTORY

7 & MYTH BUSTING TOURS heritageall.org

The tours, offered at various times throughout the year, will help those visiting the 239-year old town separate facts from myths, while putting their investigative skills and knowledge to the test. If you are more of a history buff, perhaps the History Tour offered by the Heritage Alliance would be more your style. Tickets to both tours may be purchased at the Chester Inn State Historic Site & Museum on Main St.

Jonesborough History Tours

ADVOCATE ROB COLE BAYS MOUNTAIN PARK Northeast Tennessee native Rob Cole has been an outdoor advocate and enthusiast since childhood. And, when his career led him to Kingsport’s Bays Mountain Park in 2006, it was the perfect match to combine his love for the outdoors with telling Northeast Tennessee’s story.

Cole’s history with Bays Mountain includes managing the volunteer program, serving as operations coordinator, as well as overseeing marketing and membership. In 2017, he was promoted to Park Manager and has been on the fast track to implanting new hiking and biking trail systems, adventure courses, and a variety of additional improvements to the largest city-owned park in the country.

“I am a Kingsport native and have been fortunate and blessed to be able to call this area home throughout my life,” Cole said. “Seeing the impact on the community through tourism in so many positive, and often profound, ways was something I most definitely wanted to be a part of.”

Cole admits his favorite part of the job is impacting lives for the better. “I love being able to help local and visiting families create memories, like seeing a moment of enthusiastic curiosity from a child lead to the pursuit of a lifelong passion in a field such as wildlife or astronomy, ” Cole said. “There is so much we get to do that makes a difference in our area, and our lives in it, better.”

Outdoor recreation has increased in popularity, and Cole makes sure that Bays Mountain Park stays on top of the game. “After going through a period of competing with the conveniences

of electronics and other endeavors that kept many people indoors, enjoyment of the great outdoors is on the rise as activities such as mountain biking, hiking, and even nature viewing are all increasing,” Cole said.

“We’ve also added an adventure ropes course with a zip line that has helped encourage outdoor activity for fun and thrill seekers.

Bottom line, whether seeking peace and relaxation, or health and wellness goals, the outdoors is a wonderful place to be,” Cole said.

“Folks have many different reasons for enjoying the Park and have their own favorites, but I think the variety of things to do is what they enjoy the most. Our planetarium is wonderful, our wolf habitat is unique, our lake is beautiful and relaxing, and our trails are the perfect escape to nature,” Cole said.

And, to keep up with the demand, Bays Mountain Park is constantly adding new features and interactive elements. In 2018, LilyPad Cove pavilion was completed, additional parking was added, and plans are underway for renovations to the nature center, animal habitats, amphitheater, and other facilitates.

“Perhaps the best asset we have in Northeast Tennessee includes its natural beauty.

The history it holds, plus the escape and the recreation we offer is second to none in our state,” Cole said. “Whether chasing a breathtaking sunrise or sunset view from a mountain top, strolling through a wooded wonderland, or any other of about a million things to do in our outdoors, there is nowhere on Earth I’d rather be than Northeast Tennessee!” northeasttennessee.org

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OUR CULTURE

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Barter Theatre

Our culture runs deep into the hills of the Appalachian Mountains. From historic to modern arts, history and heritage to local craftsfolk and artisans, you’ll find the culture of Northeast Tennessee is full of southern hospitality and tradition.

BARTER THEATRE bartertheatre.com

KINGSPORT BALLET kingsportballet.org

The longest running professional theatre in the United States, Barter, has been entertaining patrons since 1933.

Kingsport Ballet is a ballet school and performing company staging full-length ballets such as Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and Giselle. The ballet stages three productions each year including major Tchaikovsky ballets in its repertoire, in addition to classics like Don Quixote, Paquita, Les Sylphides and others, blending the work of seasoned professionals with dedicated area dancers.

As you lose yourself in a world of adventure, comedy, romance, and suspense, you’ll laugh, gasp with surprise, and perhaps even shed a tear as you watch stories unfold via a professional cast that will take your breath away.

BIRTHPLACE OF COUNTRY MUSIC MUSEUM birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/museum The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, tells the story of the famous 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings, explores how evolving sound technology shaped their success, and highlights how that rich musical heritage lives on in today’s music.

The International Storytelling Center is home to the world’s foremost storytelling event, the National Storytelling Festival, which takes place the first weekend in October and draws some of the world’s top storytellers.

The museum also houses a performance theater and a radio station, WBCM.

The Center also hosts a teller-in-residence series, as well as the Jonesborough Yarn Exchange and Jonesborough Storytellers Guild.

CHESTER INN MUSEUM heritageall.org

HALE SPRINGS INN halespringsinn.com

The Chester Inn Museum is a state-owned historic site, which was built in 1797.

The museum features exhibits that focus on the Inn and its history, and such significant stories as the birth of the State of Franklin, for which Jonesborough served as the capital.

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INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING CENTER storytellingcenter.net

Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

The historic Hale Springs Inn was built in 1824 by John A. McKinney and is nestled in the heart of historic downtown Rogersville. The Inn features nine spaciously appointed guest rooms and suites, all with private baths.

Hale Springs Inn has three presidential suites, all named after presidents which have been previous guests to the Inn. Free tours available.

MARY B. MARTIN SCHOOL OF THE ARTS etsu.edu/martin The Mary B. Martin School of the Arts at ETSU brings to the region a fall-spring season of high-caliber public performances and events —including all genres of music, theater, dance and storytelling, film screenings, lectures, exhibitions, visual artists, public art, comedy and illusion.

NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER npacgreeneville.com The Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC) is a regional performing arts center located in historic downtown Greeneville. NPAC, which seats more than 1,100, has hosted hundreds of concerts and other events since it opened in 2004.

PARAMOUNT BRISTOL paramountbristol.org Paramount Bristol opened in 1931. Its dazzling interiors and iconic marquee were characteristic of the Paramount Pictures chain of Art Deco movie palaces. After an ambitious restoration in 1991, The Paramount reopened as a sparkling new performance facility, equipped for all manner of stage presentations from Ballet to Broadway musicals.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park

National Storytelling Festival

ROCKY MOUNT STATE HISTORIC SITE rockymountmuseum.com

SYCAMORE SHOALS STATE HISTORIC PARK sycamoreshoalstn.org

Rocky Mount is a two-story log house built in the late 1820s, and is located on the former property of William Cobb in Piney Flats. Today visitors can step back into the year 1791 and gain an appreciation for the daily lifestyle of a frontier family as costumed interpreters invite guests into the restored house. Visitors discover the daily chores in the kitchen, barn, weaving cabin, gardens, and sheep.

The park’s visitor center features interpretive exhibits highlighting the history of this time, an Eastern National bookstore, and gift shop.

The annual presentation of Tennessee’s Official Outdoor Drama, Liberty! is held every July with Fort Watauga as a backdrop, telling the story of the colonists who settled in the area during the late 18th century.

UNICOI COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM AND CLINCHFIELD RAILROAD MUSEUM unicoicounty.org The Unicoi County Heritage Museum is located inside a turn-of-the-century home. The museum showcases the county’s history in uniquely themed rooms.

The Clinchfield Railroad Museum pays homage to the Town of Erwin’s rich railroad history.

The museum is located adjacent to the Unicoi County Heritage Museum.

northeasttennessee.org

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P R I M E V I D E O S E R I E S:

Air, Water, or Land in NORTHEAST TN ANGEL VERDE SHOW HOST In passing, Angel Verde is not what you’d think an outdoors person should look like.

Not that someone into the outdoors should look any certain way--a point he’ll be quick to make just before he invites you on some kind of day adventure. Now, this Honduran immigrant, US Air Force Vet turned TV-host is sharing his excitement for the outdoors with the masses by way of his new travel series, AWOL—Air Water Or Land. And in season 1, one of his stops is Northeast Tennessee.

While filming, Angel and his crew took full advantage of their trip to explore the region.

“It turned out to be quite an amazing place with all the towns, cities, counties, and outdoor destinations in close proximity to one another,” Verde said. “You can easily have lunch at a brewery in downtown Bristol, then in 20 minutes, you can be in the middle of the woods for a hike or bike ride. Once you’re done playing, you can be in a completely different 16

Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

town (in less than 30 minutes) having dinner at a local restaurant, drinking cocktails made from local spirits. I honestly can’t tell you another part of Appalachia that has so many cool communities and outdoor offerings all so close together.”

If you peel the surface layers off a show otherwise seen as just a visual guide to fun things to do outside, you’ll find it’s deeper than that. And for this slice of the American South, Angel and AWOL are letting the next generation of local stewards tell a new story about the place they call home. “Northeast Tennessee has grown into a diverse and welcoming region. Bring your sense of adventure and curiosity and you’ll be met with culture, abundant natural sights, and genuine, unbiased southern hospitality.”

You can catch AWOL and the episode featuring Northeast Tennessee on Amazon Prime Video.

WOOLY DAY

ROCKY MOUNT STATE HISTORIC SITE Experience spring like the early settlers of Tennessee during Rocky Mount State Historic Site’s annual Wooly Day Festival in Piney Flats, Tenn. The event, primarily dedicated to Rocky Mount’s famed flock of Cotswold sheep, provides a great opportunity for folks of all ages to get a closer look at the shearing process, and learn more about life on the farm during the 1700s.

Normally taking place in April each year, the festival also coincides with birthing season while showcasing the site’s newest baby lambs. Visitors will be able to witness how sheep’s wool is used to make clothing from start to finish.

Wooly Day includes on-site living history tours of the William Cobb House and grounds, as well as the Massengill Museum. Garden enthusiasts also take part in the festival with exhibits, educational seminars, and a marketplace.

For additional information on Rocky Mount State Historic Site’s Wooly Day Festival, visit rockymountmuseum.com or call 1-888-538-1791. *Admission charge

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MONDAY - SATURDAY 11:00AM - 7:00PM

SUNDAY 11:00AM - 3:00PM

One Heartwood Circle | Abingdon, VA 24210 | 276.492.2400

Vibrant Culture, Traditiо, Craft, Music, F d #SWVA is a region of spectacular views and abundant outdoor recreation.

The SWVA Cultural Center is an artisan gateway just off I-81 that introduces Southwest Virginia to the world, serves as a visitor center, music venue and community space.

The Marketplace is a retail center for over 180 SWVA artisans and their stories.

SWVAculturalcenter.com 18

Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

Barter Theatre

Virginia Creeper Trail

SWVA Cultural Center

ABINGDON Tucked in the ancient Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia is a vibrant culture of tradition, food, music and craft. It’s a region of spectacular views, abundant outdoor recreation, and rich natural resources. Rooted deep in history, this culture is authentic… distinctive… alive.

Downtown Abingdon

YOUR STARTING POINT TO EXPLORE SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

As one of the oldest towns west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Abingdon VA has been welcoming guests for well over two centuries.

If your idea of play time includes shopping, nightlife or live music, fun is always on tap. Main Street and the historic downtown district are filled with unique shops and galleries. Abingdon offers culinary adventures as well, with a food scene that is rooted in Appalachian traditions.

Mountain trout, stone ground grits, heirloom apples and pastured pork products are all on the menu at Abingdon’s restaurants.

Starting in downtown Abingdon, the Virginia Creeper Trail runs along a railroad right-of-way that dates back to the 1880s. Today, it is widely considered one of the finest rail-to-trail examples in the east. The trail is used by walkers, runners, horseback riders and lots of bikers. Access is easy: numerous bike rental shops will shuttle riders to the highest point on the trail. The easy downhill ride and awesome views of the Mount Rogers area make The Virginia Creeper Trail a bucket list trail.

A do-not-miss stop on your itinerary is the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center. This iconic building is your tempting first-taste of the culture and heritage of Southwest Virginia, a coalition of 19 counties, four cities and 53 towns in the Commonwealth. From the sounds of the region’s distinctive bluegrass to the sights of world renowned folk artists from around the mountains, you’ll find moments of discovery for the entire family.

People come from all over the United States to see a performance at the famous Barter Theatre. When it first opened its doors during the Great Depression, patrons could buy a ticket by bartering produce or livestock. Eight decades later, this professional theatre performs yearround in two unique venues.

The Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace has five shopping galleries featuring juried craft from ’Round the Mountain Artisan Network and showcases the individuals who have devoted their lives to interpreting SWVA through all forms of the arts.

And of all the cultural moments shared by families in Southwest Virginia, none are more personal and important than suppers. The SWVA Café within the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center recreates traditional southern moments through modern cuisine served in a relaxed atmosphere.

The Café is open from 11:00 AM–7:00 PM daily and Thursday nights until 9:00 PM, you’ll find an assortment of specialties crafted from the weekly farmer’s market on the daily menu.

The flavors of the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center are nothing short of inspiring for another visit back to the Appalachian Mountains. Just ask our visitor center staff...they will help to guide you on a full experience of Southwest Virginia and our unique assets and opportunities for exploration.

Located off Interstate-81 at Exit 14 in Abingdon, the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center is your starting point for any trip to Virginia; be inspired with the culture of the region and take off to discover craft, food, and heritage!

Abingdon, VA 800.435.3440 | visitabingdonvirginia.com Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace 276.492.2400 | VisitSWVA.org SWVAculturalcenter.com

ALL ABOUT ABINGDON: See VisitAbingdonVirginia.com for more information and the events calendar. northeasttennessee.org

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Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

The Cast of Bright Star: Andrew Hampton Livingston, Jill Anderson and Nicholas Piper.

The Cast of Singin’ in the Rain

UNLEASH YOUR IMAGINATION!

BARTER THEATRE Laugh, scream, gasp and lose yourself in a world of adventure, comedy, romance and suspense.

Escape to Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, and experience world-class entertainment. Let your imagination run wild and discover thrills like you never have before, watching stories unfold at the nation’s longest-running professional theatre.

Barter Theatre has wowed audiences for 86 years.

Today, Barter is one of the last year-round, professional, resident repertory theaters remaining in the United States. With the annual season running from February through December, and with on average two shows on each of the two stages, there is almost certainly something for everyone at Barter Theatre year-round.

The performances are some of the most anticipated events in the region bringing in patrons from all over the country. Barter offers a wide variety of genres from comedies and family-centric shows, to scary thrillers meant to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

Some of the most famous and beloved musicals and shows in entertainment history have been performed at Barter Theatre such as Mamma Mia!, Footloose: The Musical, The Wizard of Oz, and A Christmas Carol just to name a few.

With the caliber of show performances at Barter, you can imagine, the number of outstanding actors that have graced the Barter Theatre stage throughout the decades. A few on the list of famous actors include Gregory Peck, Ernest Borgnine, Ned Beatty, Larry Linville, Wayne Knight, Jim Varney, Gary Collins and Patricia Neal.

But how did this unique place get started? By the vision of an enterprising young man named Robert Porterfield. The year was 1933, and the country was going through the Great Depression.

Porterfield had started his career as an actor in New York, but the declining economy made work and food scarce. As Porterfield and his fellow actors were struggling to get by, he thought of his home region of Southwest Virginia where food was abundant, but there was a lack of live theatre. From this, the idea of Barter Theatre was born. Porterfield recruited his fellow professional actors from New York and brought them to Abingdon.

He wanted to provide cultural nourishment in exchange for bodily nourishment. Through this idea, “With the vegetables you cannot sell, you can buy a good laugh,” the Barter Theatre opened its doors on June 10, 1933. By the time the lights went down for the premiere of “After Tomorrow,” the cast was playing to a full house of local residents who had paid admission of 35 cents or the equivalent in produce, which then went to feed the hungry actors. At the end of the first season, the Barter Company cleared $4.35 in cash, two barrels of jelly and enjoyed a collective weight gain of more than 300 pounds.

As the economy improved, a higher percentage of patrons began paying in cash and by 1939 cash customers began to outnumber those who bartered. Each year, Barter Theatre celebrates its heritage with Barter Days. For a few select performances, patrons are invited to barter for

admission by bringing the equivalent amount of canned food. All food gathered is then donated to a local charity. The theatre’s annual Barter Days event is held every June. In the past, Barter Theatre collected as much as 6,000 pounds of food in just three days from this event.

Barter Theatre strives to keep many of the original traditions alive. Robert Porterfield was famous for his curtain talks, where he would take the stage to talk about the beloved theatre and give a gift to patrons that had traveled the longest distance to attend the play. Today this tradition is still honored and is a memorable part of attending a show at Barter’s Gilliam stage.

Much has changed, but the core values, the very soul of Barter, remain the same.

Behind the scenes, Barter uses full-time artisans and technicians in its professional costume, properties and scene shops, as well as in lighting and sound design. Across the organization, Barter has approximately 130 full-time employees, and more than 200 and counting part-time staff, making it one of Abingdon’s 10th largest employers.

It is also essential for Barter to be accessible to everyone. Because of this, Barter has ticket prices starting as low as $20 for every show.

For more information on Barter shows and to purchase tickets call 276.628.3991, or visit bartertheatre.com today.

ALL ABOUT BARTER THEATRE: See BarterTheatre.com for more information and the events calendar. northeasttennessee.org

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THE PINNACLE

WHERE YOU’LL SHOP, DINE AND PLAY Conveniently located at Exit 74B off Interstate 81 in Bristol, Tennessee, The Pinnacle is the region’s premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination. Anchored by Bass Pro Shops, CARMAX, the region’s largest Belk, and the area’s only Marshalls, the 250-acre complex also houses exclusive retailers and some of the region’s best restaurants and eateries. With dozens of retailers, to a variety of dining options, we’ve got something for everyone. When it comes to entertainment the opportunities are plentiful, ranging from Pinnacle 12 by Marquee Cinemas a 12-screen Megaplex movie theatre, an indoor trampoline park, or Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl and Grill.

The Pinnacle promises that it will elevate your experience in a beautifully designed environment while you visit our region.

Shop, Dine and Play all day at the region’s premier lifestyle destination.

Learn more about all of the fun you will have when you visit ThePinnacle.com or on Facebook or Instagram.

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Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion

THESE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF

COUNTRY MUSIC

The 1927 Bristol Sessions, recorded on State Street in Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia, are recognized internationally as the “Big Bang” of country music and considered the most influential country music recordings in history.

The Bristol Sessions brought country music into the mainstream, and included the first recordings of The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. They are also significant due to the technology used to record them. The Birthplace of Country Music (BCM), a nonprofit organization formed to celebrate the 1927 Bristol Sessions and the rich music heritage of the region, honors that legacy through the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, and WBCM Radio Bristol.

Birthplace of Country Music Museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. The museum tells the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions through immersive sight and sound, with beautiful film experiences, interactive touch screen exhibits,

a special exhibits gallery, educational programs, and an “acoustically perfect” performance theater that features live music and programming yearround. Tour groups and visitors from more than 46 foreign countries and each of the 50 states in America have traveled to the museum since it opened in August of 2014 to learn about Bristol’s important place in music history.

The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, held annually in September in Historic Downtown along several blocks of State Street, draws more than 40,000 music lovers to Bristol each year. Since 2001 Bristol Rhythm has brought roots music fans together from all over the world to experience the traditions and vast influences of Appalachian music across a wide range of genres. The festival includes 120 live music acts across 20 stages in Historic Downtown Bristol. Past performers include The Avett Brothers, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Bela Fleck, Buddy Guy, John Oates, The Del McCoury Band,

THE 1927 BRISTOL SESSIONS RECORDINGS ARE

“

Robert Earl Keen, Old Crow Medicine Show, Lucinda Williams, The Drive-By Truckers, Emmylou Harris, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, The Indigo Girls, and many more.

Broadcasting live, on the air and online from the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Radio Bristol pays homage to early country music radio and the sounds of the Appalachian region through a vast array of unique and original programming.

From rare and obscure recordings to current Americana, bluegrass and regional artists, Radio Bristol offers an alternative to music enthusiasts while also showcasing the music that makes our region so special. Visitors in the Bristol area can tune in to 100.1 FM, or access Radio Bristol from anywhere in the world online through our media center at ListenRadioBristol.org and through the station’s mobile app. Be sure and check out the Farm and Fun Time live variety show, a throwback to vintage radio programs of a bygone era, and watch for pop-up WBCM Radio Bristol Sessions where you could be part of the live studio audience.

For more information about BCM programming visit www.BirthplaceofCountryMusic.org or e-mail info@BirthplaceofCountryMusic.org.

THE SINGLE

MOST IMPORTANT EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF

COUNTRY MUSIC

”

—JOHNNY CASH

Birthplace of Country Music Museum northeasttennessee.org

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Kentucky 21

Northeast Tennessee Sneedville ATTRACTIONS 65

Cumberland Gap

4

64 50

17

34 22

Rogersville 61 34

34 22

65

1

65

Sneedville

Sneedville

47

64 50

17

Holston River 47

64

Cherokee 50 Rogersville 17 Lake

Holston River

41

20 62

40

Johnson City 15 60

Morristown

63

23

63

57 31

inburg

44

Gatlinburg Gatlinburg

16

Douglas Lake

23

Douglas Lake

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Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

SELECT ACCOMMODATIONS 14. Carnegie Hotel 15. DoubleTree by Hilton 16. General Morgan Inn & Conference Center 17. Hale Springs Inn 18. Hampton Inn Kingsport 19. LaQuinta Inn & Suites Kingsport 20. MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort and Convention Center 21. Olde Mill Inn Bed & Breakfast CULTURE 22. Allandale Mansion 23. Andrew Johnson National Historic Site 24. Barter Theatre

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Green

2

23 45

Nolichucky River

rail nT

5

2

a 57 alachi35 Ap p

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5 2

10

Nolichucky River

4444 OUTDOOR ADVENTURES 1. Bays Mountain Park 2. David Crockett Birthplace State Park 3. Roan Mountain State Park 4. Mahoney’s Outfitters 5. Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park 6. Rocky Top Campground 7. Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area 8. USA Raft/Mountain River Guides 9. Warriors Path State Park 10. Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute 11. Watauga Lakeshore Resort & Marina 12. Woodsmoke Campground 13. Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park

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32

35

Greeneville Douglas Lake

4

5 Jonesborough 16 12

Greeneville

Morristown

58

28 29 27 30 51

16

18

62 Holsto River

63

Cherokee Lake

20 19

9

18

Rogersville Morristown

Cherokee Lake

41 Kingsport 1

39

25. Birthplace of Countryl Music Museum i 26. Bristol Rhythm & Roots Tra Reunion n 27. Heritage Alliance a of Northeast Tennessee chi & SouthwestlaVirginia a 28. International Center App Storytelling 29. Jonesborough Storytellers Guild 30. Storytelling Resource Place 31. Main Street Greeneville 32. Mary B. Martin School of the Arts 33. The Millennium Center 34. Netherland Inn/Exchange Place 35. Niswonger Performing Arts Center 36. Paramount Bristol 37. Rocky Mount State Historic Site

Jo

52 24

Abingdon, VA

43 54

Bristol, TN/VA 26

Kingsport

38

19

Blountville 6

Holston River

49 37

Elizabethton

40

Johnson City 15 60

58

28 29 27 30 51

4 32

Tra il

9

7

13

55

42 46 59 14 33

Watuaga Lake

11

48

Appalachian Trail

onesborough

12

66

Unicoi Roan 3 Mountain

56 45 10 5

Mountain City

ala c

39

8

53 36

hia n

34

Ap p

61

South Holston Lake

25

ail hian Tr c a l a p Ap

Erwin 8

North Carolina

Appalachian Trail

FAMILY FUN 38. Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway 39. Kingsport FunFest!

40. Hands On! Discovery Center & Gray Fossil Site 41. Kingsport Aquatic Center 42. The Mall at Johnson City 43. The Pinnacle Shopping Center 44. Ripley’s Aquarium of The Smokies 45. Unicoi County Apple Festival 46. Meet the Mountains Festival OUR FAVORITE FOOD & DRINKS 47. Amis Mill Eatery 48. Captain’s Table 49. East Tennessee Distillery

50. McKinney’s Restaurant & Tavern 51. Tennessee Hills Distillery VISITOR INFORMATION 52. Abingdon Visitor Center 53. Bristol Chamber of Commerce 54. Bristol TN Welcome Center 55. Carter County Visitor Center 56. Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce 57. Greene County Partnership 58. Historic Jonesborough 59. Johnson City/Washington County Chamber of Commerce 60. Jonesborough Visitors Center & Old Town Emporium 61. Kingsport Convention & Visitors Bureau

62. Kingsport Welcome Center 63. Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce 64. Rogersville Park & Rec Department 65. Sneedville Department of Tourism 66. Town of Unicoi Tourist Information Center

Linville, NC

northeasttennessee.org

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FIRSTS

FROM NORTHEAST TENNESSEE

BRISTOL Birthplace of Country Music

JONESBOROUGH Oldest Town in Tennessee and Storytelling Capitol of the World.

GREENEVILLE Home to former President Andrew Johnson and Birthplace of David Crockett.

ROGERSVILLE Birthplace of Tennessee printing and newspaper production and home of the Capt. Thomas Amis Historical Settlement.

JOHNSON CITY Veteran and Johnson City native, Leroy Reeve, designed the Tennessee state flag.

KINGSPORT Home of the Original Long Island Iced Tea.

ELIZABETHTON Formed in 1772, the Watauga Association, was the first autonomous government in the British colonies, and the first American settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.

UNICOI Centuries ago, American Buffalo journeyed through the Unicoi area.

Today, you can still find buffalo at Farmhouse Gallery & Gardens.

ERWIN Home to the south’s deepest river gorge, the Nolichucky Gorge.

HANCOCK COUNTY The town of Vardy, located in Hancock County, was home to legendary moonshiner Mahalia Mullins.

JOHNSON COUNTY 26

Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

Green Bean Capitol of the World in the 1950s.

NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LEADING ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

Dine, Play and Stay in Historic Downtown Greeneville, Tennessee. Purchase your tickets for a performance by popular artists at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC), book your stay at the historic General Morgan Inn, and enjoy dinner at Brumley’s, the hotel’s 4-star restaurant, before taking the complimentary shuttle to the show.

Now entering its fifteenth season, the Niswonger Performing Arts Center invites new and returning guests to “Experience the Arts” with another great lineup of entertainment for the 2019-2020 Season.

Since opening in December 2004, NPAC has hosted thousands of concerts and events in the state-of-the-art 1150 seat venue. From bluegrass to ballet and Jungle Jack Hanna to ZZ Top, NPAC continues to bring outstanding performances to the stage year after year. Performing artists this season represent many genres and cultures, including classic rock, country, bluegrass, contemporary Christian, jazz, comedy, theatrical productions, children’s and family programming, and much more. What you will find is that no matter who you see on the NPAC stage, the artists are some of the best in their respected genre.

Regardless of the kind of performances you enjoy, we invite you to dive right in and choose a few, maybe even some out of your comfort zone.

You may find that you have been missing out on something very spectacular! This season is filled with some of the top names in entertainment and features something for everyone. For more information, a current schedule of upcoming events and to purchase tickets, visit NPACgreeneville.com or call (423) 638-1679.

Make it a destination and book your stay at the historic General Morgan Inn. Located in the heart of Historic Downtown Greeneville rests the General Morgan Inn, one of the most beautiful aesthetic gems of East Tennessee. Stories of the past are etched into the soul of the old hotel that has serviced weary travelers to spry vacationers since 1882. The downtown district in which the General Morgan Inn lies sports a plethora of history and wondrous relics. Main Street supports a number of privately owned businesses with that Southern “Mom and Pop” charm. Any leisurely shopping trip can also become a siteseeing adventure as one wanders the streets of Downtown Greeneville.

With the hotel’s three-suite grand ballroom and its tented garden terrace that features an enthralling view of downtown, the General Morgan Inn has long been revered as Greeneville’s favorite event and conference venue. On-site catering and conference equipment rentals make the General Morgan Inn best suited for meetings, company retreats, workshops, parties, receptions, and weddings!

and meetings, excluding the lobby’s private boardroom as well. The restaurant’s awardwinning cuisine and wine list allow for any guest to experience an elegant atmosphere full of art deco themes with a modern flare while enjoying a delicious and exceptional meal to fill your soul and your appetite! Dine with us on an NPAC show night and sample our special show night menu.

Our servers and staff will be sure to see you on your way in time for the show!

The General Morgan Inn is honored to have visitors from the area as well as out of town guests and pledges to continue to be one of Greeneville’s favorite rest stops and vacation spots for generations to come. For more information, please visit GeneralMorganInn. com or call (423) 787-1000.

Hand in hand, the Niswonger Performing Arts Center and the General Morgan Inn is the perfect combination for a night out on the town or a long weekend in Historic Downtown Greeneville, Tennessee. Come Dine, Play and Stay with us!

Not only is the hotel equipped with party and wedding space, it is an impeccable place to have lunch or dinner for anyone from a family outing to a corporate meeting.

Brumley’s restaurant and bar inside the hotel features three dining rooms, one of which can be used for private dining

ALL ABOUT NPAC: See NPACGreeneville.com for more information and the events calendar. northeasttennessee.org

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Trade your noise for our nature.

Bristol: Sounds Good.

Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

BristolSoundsGood.com

28

BRISTOL Bristol is built on sound: engines revving, fiddles singing and the silent peace of the outdoors.

The downtown buzzes with live music and the outdoors quietly await just beyond. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains and surrounded by scenic South Holston Lake and the Holston River sits Bristol—The Birthplace of Country Music and home of the “World’s Fastest Half Mile”—Bristol Motor Speedway.

Any first-time visitor’s journey to Bristol should start downtown at the state line on State Street.

Tennessee and Virginia are divided by brass markers and double yellow lines, and are the ultimate photo opp. Historic downtown Bristol has been “A Good Place to Live” since 1856 and proof of that is the historic Bristol Sign, which has spanned State Street since 1915 and has new LED lights that brighten up downtown. Other downtown gems that can’t be missed include the Bristol Train Station, the Paramount Bristol, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and an array of locally-owned restaurants, shops, and art galleries.

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, a Smithsonian-affiliated museum, celebrates

SOUNDS GOOD

its fifth year and honors Bristol’s musical roots, which began with the historic 1927 Bristol Sessions. The museum tells the story of the Sessions recordings, explores how evolving technology shaped their success and highlights how this rich musical heritage lives on in today’s music. In connection with the Museum, Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, takes place downtown each September. The annual threeday festival features more than 150 artists and draws in excess of 40,000 music lovers.

It’s Bristol Baby! You can’t miss The Last Great Colosseum—Bristol Motor Speedway, which opened in 1961, and has long been one of NASCAR’s most popular tracks. It draws fans from all 50 states and more than two dozen countries to its highly anticipated April and August events every year. Bristol Dragway hosts one of the most anticipated NHRA races of the year for drag racing fans every Father’s Day weekend, the Thunder Valley Nationals.

As the gateway to the region’s outdoors, Bristol is home to world class fly fishing waters, golf, mountain bike trails and hiking year-round.

South Holston Lake, one of the most visited

lakes in Tennessee, is perfect for swimming, boating or water skiing. The bass fishing on the lake is top-notch, and the Holston River just below is considered one of the top fly fishing waters in the country. Steele Creek Park features a Nature Center, seasonally-run kids train, splash pad and paddle boating. Sugar Hollow Park and Whitetop Creek Park are multi-purpose sports complexes with plenty of trails and picnic shelters. Bristol also has two caverns: Bristol Caverns and Appalachian Caverns, which can be accessed year-round.

Home to many locally owned and chain restaurants, Bristol has some of the best BBQ and burgers you can find. The famed Burger Bar is among Bristol’s top locally-owned eateries, with other favorites including 620 State, Bloom Café and Listening Room, Stateline Bar & Grill, Machiavelli’s, The Angry Italian, Southern Churn and Blackbird Bakery. Bristol has five breweries and two distilleries, adding State Street Brewing and Lost State Distilling in 2019. Stay in or near our downtown to enjoy live music any night of the week and during the day, get lost on the lake or on a trail when you come discover Bristol!

ALL ABOUT BRISTOL: See DiscoverBristol.org for more information and the events calendar. northeasttennessee.org

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Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

NASCAR Racing

The Colosseum

THE LAST GREAT COLOSSEUM

BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY Race fans are marking their calendars for two very important dates in East Tennessee this year—April 7 and August 17. These are the respective dates of the Food City 500 and the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

In a tradition that has spanned more than six decades, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series rolls into East Tennessee twice a year, adding more color to a countryside already alive with an amazing display of vibrant nature and mountain landscapes.

Bristol Motor Speedway sits in a beautiful part of the world…East Tennessee, on the southwest side of Bristol surrounded by rolling hills and valleys. In the years since a humble opening in 1961, the track has blossomed into one of the fastest and most successful speed plants in the world.

NASCAR Cup Series cars turn speeds in excess of 130 mph to produce racing often described as action-packed. The frantic speeds produce amazing racing, growling tempers, wrecked races

cars and often times, payback. Bristol’s racing though, makes it an award-winning favorite stop among the fans.

And while the on-track action is the primary attraction, there’s so much going on around the track, which is why many fans come a week early and often stay for a couple of days after.

The track is just a few miles from downtown Bristol, evenly split among the state line of Tennessee and Virginia. It’s a place where country music was discovered by the world in 1927 and still lives today in the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. There is an abundance of restaurants in downtown, offering eclectic and scrumptious menus. Most of them have live music on the menu, too, keeping with the city’s musical theme.

There’s much more to explore within a few miles of BMS, including caverns, lakes and top-rated golf courses.

But it is the track itself that is the centerpiece of a fan’s experience. Of course, there is the

racing, but there’s also Colossus TV, the world’s largest center-hung TV screen offering a can’t-miss view of all the racing action in The Last Great Colosseum. It sports four massive high-resolution screens and a half-million watt, 485-speaker sound system that puts the sights and sounds of the night right into your lap. All the high-tech advancements in modern television can’t compare to the awe that is Colossus. Add to that, the in-your-face thrill of seeing a race in person and you have an experience unlike anything else.

Hospitality is more than a word to folks who work at Bristol Motor Speedway; it’s a way of life. The staff’s goal is to make Bristol’s racing experience the most amazing in the sport.

From colorful shuttle buses to carry you from your parking spot to expansive seat size to a generous gate policy (you can bring in your own food and beverages, as long as your cooler is no larger than 14 x 14) to plentiful (and clean) restrooms, fans are not only treated like family, they are family.

ALL ABOUT BMS: See BristolMotorSpeedway.com for more information and the events calendar. northeasttennessee.org

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DISCOVER Greeneville, Tennessee

. . . e g a t i r e Rich H People y l d n e i r F

GREENE

visitgreenevilletn.com 32

Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

COUNTY

TOURISM

23

FROM PIONEERS TO PRESIDENTS

GREENEVILLE Greeneville is a vacation destination like no other!

Established in 1783, Tennessee’s second oldest town showcases its history in brick sidewalks and immaculate historic sites, churches, and homes against a backdrop of majestic mountains and breathtaking waterways and streams spectacularly enhanced in panoramic color by four very distinct seasons. Located in one of the largest counties in the state, Greeneville offers the lifestyle and amenities of much larger towns while maintaining a distinctive smalltown ambiance. Greeneville is also home to Music Stars The Band Perry, NHRA 2012 Pro Stock World Champion Allen Johnson and Grammy award winner Barry Bales, long time bass players and harmony vocalist for Alison Krauss and Union Station.

Home of 17th President of the United States Andrew Johnson and the birthplace of celebrated hero David Crockett, Greeneville combines a progressive approach to the future with a distinctive drive to promote and preserve its unique heritage.

Visitors may tour Johnson’s early home and homestead, wander through exhibits in the

museums and be witness to the spirit that was our 17th President as they explore his tailor shop where he worked and vigorously debated issues of that very troubled period in our country. His revered burial grounds on Monument Hill provide insight into the life of Johnson and his family.

Some of the sites include: The Andrew Johnson Tailor Shop and Museum The Early Home and Homestead The National Cemetery Statue of Andrew Johnson While in Greeneville, free your imagination to examine the wilderness of East Tennessee at The David Crockett Birthplace State Park.

Let history unfold around you as you stroll the brick sidewalks of downtown Greeneville.

Discover the story of the killing of General John Hunt Morgan by Yankee soldiers in 1864 behind the renovated railroad hotel, the General Morgan Inn & Conference Center.

Plan ahead and get tickets for a show at our nationally recognized leading entertainment venue—Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

NPAC has welcomed a range of performers

including Gladys Knight to Smokey Robinson to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Bret Michaels.

If the outdoors is on the itinerary, you’re certain to fall in love with our natural beauty. Enjoy the awesome waterfalls and wildlife of the National Forest Service. Free your senses and hike the numerous trails!

Recreationally, the community’s wealth knows no bounds with: Five golf courses City and county parks Appalachian Trail Numerous lakes within an hour’s drive Tennessee’s second oldest town is also home to the Greeneville Red’s, an Appalachian League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds play their home games at Pioneer Park on the beautiful campus of Tusculum College.

A 34-game home schedule is played from mid-June through early September.

Pioneer Park is a family oriented environment that offers entertainment to both adults and children through a variety of in-game promotions, giveaways, and performances by entertainment acts and bands.

Whatever your preference, Greeneville has something for everyone, so start planning your family’s vacation today by going to visitgreeneville.com or calling 423.638.4111.

ALL ABOUT GREENEVILLE: See VisitGreenevilleTN.com for more information and the events calendar. northeasttennessee.org

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34

Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

Tweetsie Trail

Little Chicago Festival

FIND YOUR PACE IN

JOHNSON CITY

Buffalo Mountain

Johnson City offers numerous paces and activities to help create the vacation of a lifetime. Are you looking for a high-octane week of outdoor nonstop adventure? A relaxing weekend retreat to escape into nature and enjoy stunning views of the Appalachian mountains? Or maybe it’s happy medium that combines the best of both worlds? Well, we have just what you’re looking for. Experience adventures in the outdoors, or relish in some local art and culture, Johnson City is a great place to stay, find some unique dining, and have a memorable experience.

After all, enjoying the great outdoors doesn’t mean you have to rough it! One of the great benefits of our location is just how convenient the city is to some of the most popular, and breath-taking natural resources in the country.

You can be on the Appalachian Trail in less than 30 minutes from downtown Johnson City!

Another option is to stay closer to town, where you can still find great outdoor options as well.

Be sure to take a stroll along the Tweetsie Trail, which runs from Johnson City to Elizabethton.

The trail is a great way to experience the sites in Johnson City at your own pace. The Tweetsie is primarily a walking and biking trail, so you can decide your own pace and have a great time.

Another biking option is the all-new Tannery

Knobs Park! Tannery Knobs is a great new mountain biking and running trail that has been designed in partnership with the IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) to provide a challenging and enjoyable experience for riders of all ages and experience level. Other great outdoor options would also include; Winged Deer Park, Willow Springs Park, Buffalo Mountain Park, and Founders Park. Whatever you’re looking for, Johnson City will have a beautiful backdrop to take your breath away.

For visitors looking for more something a little more civilized during their visit, there are a lot of options available in Johnson City as well.

There are several local breweries in the area that give tours and tastings of their local libations.

This area has a long a proud history of making some great beers, and we’d love to share that heritage with you! Whether it’s Yee Haw Brewing, Johnson City Brewing Company, or JRH Brewing, you’ll have lots of options to find the perfect beers to take home as souvenirs.

There are also a lot of shopping options available in Johnson City. The downtown area hosts many different independent boutique shops with lots of unique products to peruse. Great shops like Artisan’s Village, Backdoor Records, Campbell’s Morrell Music, Fleet Feet, and Boomtown have tons of great items and friendly service. Come Find Your Pace in Johnson City, we would love to meet you!

ALL ABOUT JOHNSON CITY: See VisitJohnsonCityTN.com for more information and the events calendar. northeasttennessee.org

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Historic Downtown Jonesborough

TENNESSEE’S OLDEST TOWN

JONESBOROUGH THE STORYTELLING CAPITAL

HISTORY AND HERITAGE

Known as the Storytelling Capital of the World, Jonesborough offers a storied experience year-round. From town-wide Christmas events during December, to festivals and concert series offering live music each week, to live storytelling performances all year long, visitors are sure to delight in the charm of Tennessee’s Oldest Town.

History comes to life in this 18th century town.

Its well-preserved Main Street will take you on a beautiful journey through the past. One of the best ways to experience Jonesborough is by taking a town tour with our preservation society, the Heritage Alliance. Your tour guide, dressed in period clothing, will escort you

through the streets of Jonesborough sharing little-known facts and the story of the town from past to present. Also, be sure to pay a visit to the Chester Inn Museum, located in the heart of downtown Jonesborough. The museum chronicles the history of Jonesborough from its inception in 1779 to the present.

CATCH LIVE MUSIC While in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, your visit to Historic Jonesborough wouldn’t be complete without attending our Music on the Square weekly concert series. Grab a lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy live music with the townscape of downtown Jonesborough as the setting.

DISCOVER THE ARTS Immerse yourself in fine art exhibits, artful events, workshops and classes, at the McKinney Center at the Booker T. Washington School. This arts mecca is sure to ignite your creative side with their various programs and events.

Heritage Alliance Town Tour

Jonesborough Repertory Theatre is the place to find rich dramas, playful comedies to impactful musicals. Since 1970, the Theatre has remained a regional favorite by offering productions year-round.

ALL ABOUT JONESBOROUGH: Visit Jonesborough.com for more information and an events calendar.

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Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

SHOP LOCAL Continue your Jonesborough experience and feelings of nostalgia as you discover antiques, handmade pottery, unique home decor and Appalachian Mountain crafts at the many shops on Main Street. For over 200 years, Jonesborough merchants have taken pride in offering exclusive goods from around the world. That tradition continues today with each quaint shop housed in picturesque historic buildings continuing to share that story.

LOCALLY GROWN & BREWED If you have a hankering for some local food then you can’t miss the Jonesborough Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. Here you’ll find the freshest produce, meats and more along with some homegrown socializing. Be sure to also visit the Boone Street Market which has grown from the success of the Jonesborough Farmers Market and only sells items grown or produced within 100 miles from Jonesborough.

They also offer monthly 100 Mile Dinners and host the elegant, Farm to Table Dinner annually.

In Jonesborough you’ll find locally brewed coffee, beer, and liquor. The Corner Cup offers a variety of beverages including some of the best brewed coffees in the region served in a delightful setting. Depot Street Brewing delivers

Mill Spring Makers Market a variety of fresh, hand-crafted, small brews using the finest ingredients for the discerning beer lover. Stop in for a tasting of spirits created using age-old recipes, distillation methods and the finest, locally grown corn and barley at Tennessee Hills Distillery.

EXPERIENCE STORYTELLING The National Storytelling Festival rolls into town each autumn with tellers and visitors from all over creating the experience of a lifetime.

There’s a certain magic about the National Storytelling Festival, a magic that shuts off

smart phones and holds folks spellbound in the art of well-told stories by dozens of the world’s best storytellers.

The festival may only come once a year, but storytelling has a forever home in Jonesborough with other storytelling offerings including the Storytelling Live!

Series, Jonesborough Storytellers Guild and the Jonesborough Yarn Exchange.

You’re invited to experience Jonesborough and hear the story of Tennessee’s Oldest Town still being told today.

National Storytelling Festival | Photo by Tom Raymond

ALL ABOUT JONESBOROUGH: Visit Jonesborough.com for more information and an events calendar. northeasttennessee.org

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YOUR

outdoor JOURNEY

BEGINS IN KINGSPORT.

Shop Downtown

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Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

Visit Bays Mounta in

Start planning your trip today at VisitKingsport.com

AL Try the ORIGIN Tea ed Ic nd la Is Long

GET INTO THE OUTDOORS

KINGSPORT

The Sunset Concert Series closes out the final three nights of the festival and features well-known artist performances and a huge fireworks finale. Info at funfest.net

• The DOWNTOWN KINGSPORT WINE FESTIVAL features wineries from across Tennessee and GET INTO THE OUTDOORS “DON’T MESS WITH THE ORIGINAL” takes place each October.

Known for its variety of outdoor opportunities, Did you know that the Long Island Iced Tea • On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the SANTA TRAIN distributes toys, food items and Kingsport is the perfect location for those originated on Long Island in Kingsport, Tenn.? joy to children at multiple stops throughout seeking the thrill of adventure or a leisurely stroll. In the 1920s, during prohibition, Charley Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and Tennessee.

• Kingsport’s GREENBELT, a paved eight-mile “Old Man” Bishop created the original recipe The final stop is in Kingsport where SANTA’S scenic fitness trail, is a favorite destination using vodka, rum, gin, tequila, whiskey and DEPOT hosts interactive children’s activities. maple syrup. Twenty years later, his son, for runners, walkers, and cyclists.

Ransom tweaked the recipe a bit by adding UNIQUE EATS: • Kingsport is home to Tennessee’s largest lemon, lime, and cola to the original. Check city-owned park—BAYS MOUNTAIN PARK out visitkingsport.com for unique drinks, There are several great local dining experiences, AND PLANETARIUM, a 3,550-acre nature chocolates, cupcakes and other items featuring including the original PAL’S in downtown preserve that features a lake, nature center, the Bishop family signature ingredients—lemon, Kingsport. If you’re craving delicious Italian food look no further than GUISEPPE’S, while MAIN animal habitats, and an Adventure Ropes lime, and maple syrup.

STREET PIZZA features a farm-to-table experience.

Course. The park boasts 38 miles of trails for FESTIVALS/EVENTS: If seafood is your favorite, a visit to RIVERFRONT hiking, running, and mountain biking.

SEAFOOD is a must.

• WARRIORS PATH STATE PARK offers camping, • SPRING WING FLING offers wing enthusiasts the opportunity to sample the region’s best TAKE A LIBATION VACATION: an 18 hole-golf course, swimming pool, marina, offerings each MAY. Vendors compete in fishing, horseback riding and more. DARRYL’S Sample some local brews and libations while multiple categories while the competitive spirit DREAM PLAYGROUND is a magical experience, trying some southern treats. Check out Kingsport’s and love of flavor continue the next day with offering fun for all ages and all abilities.

Libation and Cuisine Field Guide to assist with RACKS BY THE TRACKS, a BBQ, micro-brew, planning your route. You’ll love visiting BAYS • Featuring indoor and outdoor waterparks, wine and music festival.

MOUNTAIN BREWERY, GYPSY CIRCUS CIDERY, the KINGSPORT AQUATIC CENTER features two water slides, a water playground, and a • FUN FEST, Kingsport’s nine-day festival, MODEL CITY TAP HOUSE, HOOK AND LADDER, packs in over 100 events for all ages each JULY. and HIGH VOLTAGE and trying their tasty brews!

900-foot lazy river.

ALL ABOUT KINGSPORT: See VisitKingsport.com for more information and the events calendar. northeasttennessee.org

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LIBERTY!

THE SAGA OF SYCAMORE SHOALS Noted among the most important events in Tennessee history, Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals tells the story behind the Watauga settlement during the late 18th century.

Tennessee’s official outdoor drama is presented by a cast of local performers against the backdrop of Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in Elizabethton, Tenn.

For more than 40 years, Liberty! has taken place for three weekends each summer. Events that shaped the future of the United States unfold as history comes to life. Witness the creation of the first independent government, leading to the largest private real estate transaction (the Transylvania Purchase) in the history of the United States. Emotions run rampant as the Cherokee siege Fort Watauga, as well as during the Battle of Kings Mountain, noted as a decisive turning point in the winning the Revolutionary War. During this exciting retelling of United States history, Liberty! relates the good times and sad times; the struggles and sacrifices of families who were willing to take incredible risks to create a democratic society against a multitude of obstacles.

For additional information on Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals, visit tnstateparks.com/parks/sycamore-shoals or call 423-543-5808.

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Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

ELIZABETHTON, TN | SCYAMORESHOALS.ORG | 423.543.5808 TNSTATEPARKS.COM/PARKS/SYCAMORE-SHOALS

Main Street Morristown

Tennessee’s Disc Golf Capital

European Car Show on Main

Mountain Bike Event

TENNESSEE’S DISC GOLF CAPITAL

MORRISTOWN

Located between Bristol and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Morristown boasts beautiful Cherokee Lake, great outdoor activities centered around Panther Creek State Park, championship disc golf courses, fun family festivals, American pioneer and Civil War history, and a quaint downtown with a wealth of eclectic shops and restaurants. All of these and more are great reasons to make Morristown your next destination.

Cherokee Lake

ALL ABOUT MORRISTOWN: See VisitMorristownTN.com for more information and the events calendar. northeasttennessee.org

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BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS AND UNIQUE HISTORY

ROGERSVILLE

Rogersville Heritage Days

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Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

Where else can you walk with Presidents, preachers, and poets? Since 1775, folks from all over have been discovering what it means to unlock the secrets to Historic Rogersville.

Whether it’s the beautiful mountains, scenic rivers, lakes and streams, or the unique history experience, you’ll want to stay a lifetime in Rogersville. There’s plenty to do, and the only thing you’ll worry about is what to do first.

in 1824 in the heart of downtown Rogersville, with nine spaciously appointed guest rooms and suites. The three presidential suites were all named after presidents which have been previous guests to the Inn: Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson and James Polk. Connected to the Inn, you’ll find McKinney’s Restaurant & Tavern, named in honor of John McKinney who built Hale Springs Inn.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Rogersville’s unique original red-brick Main Street is known as the largest collection of Federal style architecture in the State.

The district includes the Tennessee’s oldest courthouse, Hale Springs Inn, the Crockett family’s first Tennessee home, and the site where Tennessee’s first newspaper was printed in 1791, along with five Tennessee state historical markers. Hale Springs Inn was built

Rogersville is also home to the oldest stone dam in Tennessee as well as Capt. Thomas Amis. Amis Mill Eatery & Visitors Center, or “The Mill” as it is known regionally, is the most unique and historical restaurant in Northeast Tennessee. Sit on a deck overlooking a waterfall while savoring fresh smoked prime rib, seafood, burgers, Cajun cuisine, and homemade desserts.

SHOWCASING OUR TENNESSEE HERITAGE

HISTORIC SULLIVAN From country music to the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee, from the Bristol Motor Speedway to historic Rocky Mount, we think Sullivan County has something for everyone! Come for a visit, and we’ll share the very finest of historic Sullivan County!

HISTORIC SITES

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

• Allandale Mansion—allandalemansion.com

• Historic Blountville Flea Market Heritage Days (Blountville in September)

• Rocky Mount Museum and Living History Site —rockymountmuseum.com • The Old Deery Inn—facebook.com/olddeeryinn

• The Battle of Blountville Civil War Reenactment (Blountville in September)

• Exchange Place—exchangeplace.info

• Kingsport Fun Fest—(Kingsport in July)

• Civil War Trails—tncivilwar.org

• Muddy Creek Motocross —muddycreekraceway.com

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES • Steele Creek Park

• Bristol Motor Speedway & Thunder Valley Dragway —bristolmotorspeedway.com

• Warriors Path State Park

MUSIC, THEATRE AND THE ARTS

• Observation Knob

• Rooster Front Park • Appalachian Caverns • Bristol Caverns

Anderson Townhouse DINING IN HISTORIC SULLIVAN • Dixie Outpost—423.574.7447 • Red Rooster Market & Deli—redroostermarketllc.com • Ridgewood Barbeque—423.538.7543 • Pratt’s Barbeque—prattsbbq.com

• The Paramount Centre (Bristol) • Rhythm & Roots Reunion (Bristol) • Traditional Appalachian Music Heritage Assoc.

• The Mustard Seed—themustardseedcafe.net • Hokie-Smokie—hokiesmokie.com • Giuseppe’s—giuseppesitalianrestaurant.com

Come home to Historic Sullivan!

SHOW UP northeasttennessee.org

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WWW.PARAMOUNTBRISTOL.ORG

TOP 5 THINGS TO DO AT

HANDS ON! DISCOVERY CENTER AND GRAY FOSSIL SITE Located off I-26 just minutes from Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Hands On! Discovery Center is a unique attraction that combines science, art, and natural history. Here you can engineer a rocket, create a masterpiece, or learn about giant mastodon. Be sure to add this all-ages science center to your itinerary. Below are just a few examples of what you’ll find when you visit. If you are traveling to, or even just passing through, the Northeast Tennessee region, it is worth a stop!

Guinness World Record Tesla Coil—This record holding exhibit pays tribute to noted inventor Nikola Tesla by turning 220 volts into 200,000 volts of electricity! Using electromagnetic frequencies the Tesla Coil uses its electrical discharge to play a wide variety of songs from classics to recent hits.

Paleo Tower—Children and adults alike can climb inside to the top of this three-story climbing tower.

As you move from platform to platform, be sure to

check out fossils along the way. Each of these is a 3D printed replica of a fossil found on-site. Stop by the lab and look for the jaw and femur bones from the 10-ton mastodon that are represented on the tower! The exterior of this one-of-a-kind exhibit even mirrors the layers of soil found here.

This exhibit was custom built for the Hands On! Discovery Center and is one-of-a-kind!

Gray Fossil Site Tours—Visitors can get up close to an active fossil dig sited believed to have been formed by an underground limestone cave that collapsed and created a sinkhole. This left a vast fossil deposit that dates back 5 million years. Hundreds of plant and animal fossils have been unearthed so far including saber tooth cat, alligator, tapir, rhinoceros, short-faced bear, red panda, and a 10-ton mastodon! During dig season, May-October, visitors can often find scientists and volunteers in the dig pits and year-round in the prep-lab.

General Shale Learning Center / Scheu Family Exhibit Hall—Guests can build just about anything in this space that includes three different exhibits - Keva Planks, Imagination Playground, and Rig-AMa-Jig. From thousands of small wooden planks, to giant blue foam blocks to simple machines, building components in all shapes and sizes inspire three-dimensional thinking and creativity.

Whether you are building a tower, vehicle, or fort, the only thing required is your imagination!

Draw Alive—This dynamic and interactive exhibit experience brings art and technology together making 2D drawings come to life. Visitors select a creature template and color it any way they want. Once it is scanned, it appears in the wallsize environment moving around and interacting with other creatures. Two themes, marine life and dinosaurs, are changed out daily so each visit can be a new experience!

For more info about HANDS ON! DISCOVERY CENTER, go to VISITHANDSON.ORG or call 423-434-4263.

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Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

Tri-Cities Airport

THE GATEWAY TO NORTHEAST TENNESSEE

TRI-CITIES AIRPORT Planning a trip to Northeast Tennessee?

Save time and forget the hassle by flying into Tri-Cities Airport (TRI). Perfectly situated between Bristol, Johnson City and Kingsport, Tennessee, the airport serves as the gateway to a picturesque Appalachian paradise.

When your flight touches down at TRI, you’re only minutes away from local folklore, the birthplace of country music and the rumble of NASCAR. If the quiet thrill of outdoor activities is more your speed, explore endless opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and fishing. Experience Northeast Tennessee’s rich history, culture and beauty right outside the airport doors.

From the moment you arrive, you are surrounded by breathtaking vistas. Once inside the terminal, you’ll be greeted by the unmistakable hospitality of the airport’s friendly staff and a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere. The only thing missing from your travel experience? The chaotic hustle and bustle of larger airports in major cities. With a modern design, clean and efficient facilities and convenient location, flying TRI is an easy choice.

Tri-Cities Airport is a full-service commercial airpor t ser ving Nor theast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Western North Carolina, and Southeastern Kentucky. Allegiant, American and Delta offer non-stop service to

Atlanta, GA; Charlotte, NC; Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX; Orland/Sanford, FL; and St. Petersburg/ Clearwater/Tampa, FL. With countless connecting flights available, TRI welcomes visitors from all over the country and world each year.

The airport’s 23,000-square-foot concourse provides comfort and convenience for travelers with seven spacious gates, a restaurant, bar, gift shop, business center, free WiFi. Rental car, taxi and limo services are easily accessible to get your vacation started on the right foot. TRI’s incredibly knowledgeable staff are prepared to serve your every need as you travel to or from Northeast Tennessee.

ALL ABOUT TRI-CITIES AIRPORT: See TRIflight.com for more information. northeasttennessee.org

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Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

OUR MEMBERS SELECT ACCOMMODATIONS Carnegie Hotel 1216 State of Franklin Rd, Johnson City, TN carnegiehotel.com | 423.979.6400 DoubleTree by Hilton 211 Mockingbird Ln, Johnson City, TN Johnsoncity.doubletree.com | 423.929.2000 General Morgan Inn & Conference Center 111 N Main St, Greeneville, TN generalmorganinn.com | 423.787.1000 Hale Springs Inn 110 W Main St, Rogersville, TN halespringsinn.com | 423.272.5171 Hampton Inn Kingsport 2000 Enterprise Place, Kingsport, TN kingsporthamptoninn.com | 423.247.3888 LaQuinta Inn & Suites —Kingsport 10150 Airport Pkwy, Kingsport, TN laquinta.com | 423.323.0500 MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center 1901 MeadowView Pkwy, Kingsport, TN meadowviewresort.com | 423.578.6600 Olde Mill Inn Bed & Breakfast 603 Pennlyn Avenue, Cumberland Gap, TN oldemillinnbnb.com | 423.869.0868

CULTURE Abingdon Convention & Visitors Bureau 355 Cumming St., Abingdon, VA visitabingdonvirginia.com | 276.676.2282 Allandale Mansion 225 W Center St, Kingsport, TN allandalemansion.com | 423.229.9422 Andrew Johnson National Historic Site 121 Monument Ave, Greeneville, TN nps.gov/anjo | 423.638.3551 Barter Theatre 127 W Main St, Abingdon, VA bartertheatre.com | 276.628.3991 Birthplace Of Country Music Museum 101 Birthplace of Country Music Way, Bristol birthplaceofcountrymusic.org | 423.573.1927 Blue Ridge Parkway Assoc.

PO Box 2136, Asheville, NC blueridgeparkway.org | 828.620.1024

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Downtown Bristol, TN/VA bristolrhythm.com | 423.573.1927 Cumberland Gap Merchants Association 603 Pennlyn Ave., Cumberland Gap townofcumberlandgap.com | 423.869.0868 Friends of Southwest Virginia One Heartwood Circle Abingdon, VA myswva.org | 276.492.2420 Heritage Alliance 212 E. Sabin Dr, Jonesborough, TN 37659 heritageall.org | 423.753.9580 International Storytelling Center 100 W Main St, Jonesborough, TN storytellingcenter.net | 423.753.2171 Johnson County Chamber of Commerce PO Box 66, Mountain City, TN johnsoncountytnchamber.org | 423.727.1700 Jonesborough Storytellers Guild PO Box 996, Jonesborough, TN jonesboroughstorytellersguild.org Main Street Greeneville 310 S Main St, Greeneville, TN mainstreetgreeneville.org | 423.639.7102 Mary B. Martin School of the Arts 211 Gilbreath Hall, Johnson City, TN etsu.edu/martin | 423.439.8587 The Millennium Centre 2001 Millennium Place, Johnson City, TN millctr.com | 423.232.2001 Netherland Inn/Exchange Place Association 2144 Netherland Inn Rd, Kingsport, TN thenetherlandinn.com | 423.246.1104 4812 Orebank Rd, Kingsport, TN exchangeplace.info | 423.288.6071 Niswonger Performing Arts Center 212 Tusculum Blvd, Greeneville, TN npacgreeneville.com | 423.638.1328 Paramount Bristol 518 State St, Bristol, TN paramountbristol.org | 423.274.8920 Rocky Mount State Historic Site 200 Hyder Hill Rd, Piney Flats, TN rockymountmuseum.com | 423.538.7396 Scott County Virginia Tourism 190 Beech Street, Suite 201, Gate City, VA explorescottcountyva.com | 276.386.6521

Storytelling Resource Place 9 Fox St., Jonesborough, TN storytellingresourceplace.org | 423.557.3349 Sullivan County Department of Tourism 3425 TN-126, Blountville, TN historicsullivan.com | 423.323.4660 Town of Erwin 211 N. Main Ave., Erwin, TN erwintn.org | 423.743.6231 Town of Unicoi 106 Unicoi Village Pl., Unicoi, TN unicoitn.net | 423.735.0317 Visit Morristown 825 W First North St, Morristown, TN visitmorristowntn.com | 423.586.6382

SELECT FOOD & DRINKS Amis Mill Eatery 127 West Bear Hollow Rd, Rogersville, TN amismill.com | 423.272.7040 Captain’s Table at Lakeshore Resort 2285 Hwy 321, Hampton, TN lakeshore-resort.com/captains-table 423.725.2201 Coffee Company 444 E Elk Ave, Elizabethton, TN experiencingcoffee.com | 800.358.2709 Studio Brew Brewery & Taproom 221 Moore St, Bristol, VA studiobrew.beer | 423.360.3258 East Tennessee Distillery 220 Piney Flats Rd., Piney Flats, TN mellomoon.com | 423.391.0383 McKinney’s Restaurant & Tavern 110 W Main St, Rogersville, TN halespringsinn.com | 423.272.5171 Tennessee Hills Distillery 127 Fox St, Jonesborough, TN tnhillsdistillery.com | 423.788.9105

FAMILY FUN Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council 3211 N. Roan St., Johnson City, TN arcd.org | 423.979.2581 Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway 151 Speedway Blvd, Bristol, TN bristolmotorspeedway.com | 423.989.6900 northeasttennessee.org

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Kingsport Fun Fest 400 Clinchfield St, Suite 100, Kingsport, TN funfest.net | 423.392.8800 Hands On! Discovery Center & Gray Fossil Site 1212 Suncrest Dr, Johnson City, TN visithandson.org | 423.434.4263 Kingsport Aquatic Center 1820 MeadowView Pkwy, Kingsport, TN swimkingsport.com | 423.343.9758 The Mall at Johnson City 2011 N Roan St, Johnson City, TN mallatjohnsoncity.com | 423.282.5312 The Pinnacle Shopping Center 475 Pinnacle Pkwy, Bristol, TN thepinnacle.com | 276.466.2626 Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies 88 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN ripleysaquariumofthesmokies.com | 888.240.1358 Unicoi Apple Festival P.O. Box 713, Erwin, TN unicoicounty.org/apple-festival

FRIENDS OF NORTHEAST TENNESSEE Blue Ridge Country 3424 Bambleton Ave, Roanoke, VA blueridgecountry.com | 540.989.6138 Clinch Valley Printing 205 Walnut St, North Tazewell, VA clinchvalleyprinting.com | 276.988.5410 Creative Energy 3206 Hanover Rd., Johnson City, TN cenergy.com | 423.946.9494 Cumulus Tri-Cities WQUT, WJCW, WKOS, WXSM, WGOC 162 Freehill Rd, Gray, TN radiowebvillage.com | 423.477.1000 Eastman 200 S. Wilcox Dr. B1, Kingsport, TN eastman.com | 423.229.6974 First Tennessee Development District 3211 N Roan St, Johnson City, TN ftdd.org | 423.928.0224 Greeneville Sun 121 W Summer St, Greeneville, TN greenevillesun.com | 423.638.4181

The High Road Agency 200 E Main St, Suite 6, Johnson City, TN thehighroadagency.com | 423.900.8424 Print Distribution Service, LLC 1903 US-11E, Jonesborough, TN printdistribution.com | 423.753.8191 Stellar Studios 3211 Hanover Rd, Johnson City, TN stellarstudios.com | 423.926.4780 Summit Companies 1880 N Eastman Rd, Suite 130, Kingsport, TN thesummitmarketing.com | 423.246.0336

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Bays Mountain Park 853 Bays Mountain Park Rd, Kingsport, TN 37660 baysmountain.com | 423.229.9447 David Crockett Birthplace State Park 1245 Davy Crockett Park Rd, Limestone, TN 37681 tnstateparks.com | 423.257.2167 Mahoney’s Outfitters 830 Sunset Dr, Johnson City, TN 37604 mahoneysports.com | 423.282.5413 Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute 2 Jones Branch Rd., Erwin nolilearn.org | 423.641.0100

Roan Mountain State Park 1015 Hwy 143, Roan Mountain, TN 37687 roanmountain.com | 423.772.3303 Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park 501 Rocky Fork Rd, Flag Pond, TN 37657 tnstateparks.com/parks/about/rocky-fork 423.271.1233 Rocky Top Campground 496 Pearl Ln, Blountville, TN 37617 rockytopcampground.com | 423.323.2535 Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park 1651 W Elk Ave, Elizabethton, TN 37643 sycamoreshoalstn.org | 423.543.5808 USA Raft Adventure Resort 2 Jones Branch Rd. Erwin, TN 37650 usaraft.com | 1.800.USA.RAFT Warriors’ Path State Park 490 Hemlock Rd, Kingsport, TN 37663 tnstateparks.com | 423.239.8531 Watauga Lake Sailing Club PO Box 342 Hampton wlscjibsheet.wordpress.com Woodsmoke Campground 215 Woodsmoke Dr, Unicoi, TN 37692 woodsmokecampground.com | 423.743.2116

Offering Instruction in: Flatwater and Whitewater Kayaking Whitewater Canoeing Standup Paddleboarding Water Safety Awareness Swiftwater Rescue Wilderness First Aid, CPR, BLS, ACLS Team Building

Survival Map Reading & Compass Conservation & Stewardship Outdoor & Action Photography Painting & Ceramics Youth Adventure Camps Youth Leadership Camps

NORTHEASTTENNESSEE.ORG

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Northeast Tennessee, There’s More.

NoliLearn.org

423-641-0100

info@NoliLearn.org

DINE. PLAY. STAY.

Join us in Greeneville’s Downtown Historic

Niswonger Performing Arts Center, book your stay at the General Morgan Inn and have dinner at the hotel’s in-house restaurant before taking

online at NPACgreeneville.com and by phone at 423.638.1679

212 Tusculum Boulevard I Greeneville, TN For reservations at the General Morgan Inn, call 423.787.1000 or visit generalmorganinn.com For reservations at Brumley’s, call 423.787.7500

northeasttennessee.org

111 N Main Street I Greeneville, TN

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