Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Johnson City, Tennessee. #Top Attractions

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Johnson City in Tennessee still carries traces of the railroad steam era from the mid-1800s, when the town was known as Johnson’s Depot. You can now walk or cycle woodland paths where locomotives once pulled coal box cars.

Leave the car in Founders Park and walk into the historic downtown. And there is the musical and cultural history of the Appalachian region to work through. Here are the places worth visiting in Johnson City.

Americana Music Triangle

Music people should start here.

The Americana Music Triangle connects you to the people, places and stories behind the genre. It is one of the better-known music destinations anywhere.

It is the first complete collection of historical, musical and cultural attractions marking the birthplace of the country’s most famous cultural export.

Choose a path, pack a bag, and go to the places where history made music and music made history.

Expect a lot of genres. Blues, Jazz, Country, Rock ‘N’ Roll, R&B/Soul, Gospel, Southern Gospel, Cajun/Zydeco and Bluegrass are all in there. Those nine musical traditions could not have happened anywhere else or in any other way.

If you know where to look and listen, you can learn most of what there is to know about the foundations of American music.

And check their events each month. Hambone Festival & Related Events, Frank Brown International, and Songwriter’s Festival are among them.

The Pilgrimage Music Festival is the one to catch. Time for some music.

Address: Johnson City, Tennessee

Buffalo Mountain Park

Buffalo Mountain Park is where to go for a nature preserve with hiking, picnicking and nature activities.

It is a 725-acre natural resource area acquired in 1994 as part of a land swap with the United States Forest Service. The park sits on the north side of Buffalo Mountain and runs steep, densely forested terrain.

It is also a City Park, and it opens out over Johnson City. There is plenty to choose from and plenty of wildlife to see.

There are many trails in the same area. Take White Rock Loop for the views, particularly on a clear day. And taking the Tip Top trail back to the parking lot turns the hike into a loop.

Hartsell Hollow is the other trail worth walking. It is close to town and suits children or anyone new to forest trails. The walk follows a brook with heavy vegetation on both sides.

To see the valleys and ridges, come to Buffalo Mountain Park in early spring. Bring the family.

Address: 570 Highridge Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604, United States

Campbell’s Morrell Music

Music people should go to Campbell’s Morrell Music. They sell new equipment, buy used equipment and take trade-ins. Drums, strings, amplifiers, pro audio, electronics, instrument repair and more are all handled.

Alongside the shop, there are music lessons. Qualified instructors teach electric and acoustic guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, violin, fiddle, dobro, percussion, ukulele and piano.

And if you have a broken instrument, the repairs are done here. They fix guitars, drums, strings and much else. The service department handles almost any repair, upgrade or modification. Brass and woodwind service is not currently available.

This is a good stop in Johnson City if you want musical instruments, sound systems or music tools. And vacationers who want lessons or other services can go to Campbell’s Morrell Music as well.

If you are wondering how to get there, public transit is one option. Check the Moovit application, which will give you a route to Campbell’s Morrell Music with step-by-step directions from the nearest public transit station.

Come and see it.

Address: 118 W Market St., Johnson City

Freedom Hall Civic Center

For somewhere clean, efficient and friendly, go to Freedom Hall Civic Center. Whatever event is on, it holds up.

The civic hub works. The center is large, spotless and easy to navigate. And the parking is safe and convenient.

Basketball games, concerts and other events all run here. The lighting is good and the sightlines are clear. The acoustics hold and the seats are easy to reach.

And there are shows on top of that, the circus or a Disney on Ice show among them. The staff are friendly and easy to approach.

The place was recently renovated, so a visit to Freedom Hall Civic Center is comfortable now. The lighting, electronics and audio system are all worth noting.

The renovation reads well. New air conditioning, a new sound system, restrooms, seats and lighting. It is a good location to visit.

For a straightforward day out, take Freedom Hall Civic Center.

Address: 1320 Pactolas Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604, United States

George L. Carter Railroad Museum

The George L. Carter Railroad Museum sits on the campus of ETSU in Johnson City. It is worth the trip, particularly with kids.

Along the display there are vintage images that match the models almost exactly. Stools are placed through the space so you can get a better view of the arrangement.

The other side is a larger space with a mix of locales. There are several very long trains running around the building.

And there are volunteers working on the display who will answer questions. There is a lot to see and it repays the time.

And take in the model trains. Do not skip the Tweetsie room. There are local sights in there, Roan Mountain and Doe River Gorge among them.

While the older visitors work through the displays, the younger ones can use the kiddie room provided. It is well done and worth a visit.

What else does the George L. Carter Railroad Museum give you? There is no entrance fee, though donations are always appreciated. Take your time over the tour.

Address: 176 Ross Dr, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States

Hands On! Discovery Center

The Hands-on Discovery Museum is an all-ages science center running interactive events and exhibits, from a melodic Tesla coil onward.

It also has huge building blocks for maker studios where guests can design rockets.

The fossil dig site is the main draw. For a safe children’s museum, this is the one to take them to.

You can see fossils dating back 5 million years. And there is a native garden with species from the Pliocene epoch, which is worth the entry fee on its own.

For more, the adjacent building holds hands-on activities, an airplane design exhibit among them.

The museum is kept clean and safe, so the stay is a comfortable one. And anything that was not open had plenty of signage.

The staff are pleasant and helpful. You can approach them at any point and they will sort it out. The Hands-on Discovery Museum is worth the visit.

Address: 1212 Suncrest Dr, Gray, TN 37615, United States

Hatchie River National Wildlife Refuge

Wildlife people, this one is for you. It is one of the strongest things to do in Johnson City, Tennessee.

The 11,556-acre Hatchie River National Wildlife Refuge in west Tennessee is an important resting and feeding place for migrating birds and for ducks wintering there.

It was created in 1964 as a protected haven for migratory birds and for other management objectives.

This is the one for vacationers who want the outdoors. The refuge takes in the middle sections of the Hatchie River. It runs agricultural fields, moist soil types, bottomland hardwoods and nearby uplands.

Expect forested areas, open spaces and aquatic features, all of which serve as an ecological niche for a range of fish, mammal and plant species.

Visitors get to see the value of this unique and disappearing ecosystem. It matters for wintering waterfowl, other migrating birds, and a range of fish and wildlife species.

Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge is a good place for a slow bike ride or a walk, to watch birds or just be outdoors. And fishing is allowed.

It is also a strong outdoor location for walking, kayaking, hunting, trail riding, and for bringing kids on a field trip.

You can take pictures, or sit and look out over O’Neal Lake from one of the observation decks.

Address: TN-76, Stanton, TN 38069, United States

With children in tow, two of these will carry a whole day on their own. The Discovery Center has a fossil dig site and huge maker-studio building blocks. The railroad museum on the ETSU campus keeps a kiddie room for younger visitors. That museum charges no entrance fee at all, though donations are always appreciated. And Willow Springs Park has the train-themed playground for the trip home.

Johnson City Public Library

Readers, this one is for you.

For somewhere quiet to do research, the Johnson City Public Library is the option.

They have practically every book you could want and they will go out of their way to help.

The space is clean, open and easy to reach. There are seats inside when you need them. The furniture is comfortable enough to sit and go through your choice of book, and keeping the aisles clear lets others look for theirs.

The library also lets children check out the books they want. And there are programs you can attend.

The summer reading program is strong, with games and crafts for the kids. They push involvement and they are friendly and helpful.

The staff are courteous and approachable with children and adults alike. And there is a large selection of movies to watch.

There are also many computers available, each with free internet access and a link to Ancestry for anyone researching their ancestors.

Address: 100 W Millard St, Johnson City, TN 37604, United States

Nelson Fine Art and Frames

For something arts-related, Nelson Art and Frames is the stop. It is a local custom picture framing company and gallery, founded in 1972 as Lady Bug Gallery.

You will find matting and framing options here. And if you are traveling with family, bring the camera, because there is plenty of artwork to photograph at Nelson Art and Frames.

Stop at a nearby coffee shop and take a cup with you while you go round. Walk the space and look at the local art, some of which is for sale.

And if you would rather not get coffee outside, there is an indoor coffee bar. The people there are approachable and will sort out what you need.

There was a time when Nelson Art and Frames sold cartoon paintings featuring the work of Ron Campbell. Scooby Doo, Smurfs and Rugrats were among them.

Cartoon people should watch for the announcement of the next release of for-sale cartoon paintings.

Nelson Art and Frames is a good spot to visit at any point.

Address: 205 Colonial Way, Johnson City, TN 37601, USA

Shiloh National Military Park

Johnson City sits a good deal closer to American music than its size would suggest. The Americana Music Triangle gathers nine separate musical traditions together in one single place. Campbell’s Morrell Music teaches the guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, violin, fiddle and more. Freedom Hall Civic Center runs its concerts on good acoustics and accessible seats. And even the local Discovery Center keeps a melodic Tesla coil in it.

Shiloh National Military Park has plenty in it.

Start with the well-known spots. Large exhibit rooms at the Shiloh Battlefield and the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center present the implements of war. They also cover the people who used them and what followed.

There are films and displays as well. The Shiloh Battlefield shows Shiloh: Fiery Trial, an award-winning film.

And take the tour. The Shiloh Battlefield runs a 12.7-mile driving route with 22 tour sites, the Peach Orchard, Hornet’s Nest and the death site of Albert Sidney Johnston among them.

In peak season, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the park staff at Shiloh Battlefield run daily ranger-led interpretive programs. They are worth attending.

The park also runs special events each year. Those range from monument dedications to long hiking tours to natural resource projects.

Shiloh National Military Park runs Junior Ranger programs for children if you have them along.

Address: 1055 Pittsburg Landing Rd, Shiloh, TN 38376, United States

Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park

Tannery Knobs is a 40-acre woodland area a short ride from the shops, breweries and restaurants of downtown Johnson City. The park is open to everyone, and you can walk or trail run the paths. It is one of the strongest things to do in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Riders of all ages get off-road riding in the skills park built for them. Every path and feature was planned and constructed carefully, so experienced riders and newcomers both find their ride.

There are trails for every ability level and a pump track in the middle.

The terrain runs from rocky gnar to smooth flow, which gives riders plenty of room to build skills. You get to learn something while you ride.

And even if mountain biking is not your thing, the drive up is worth it for the mountain view. Come and take the views from the top.

Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park is a good use of a vacation day if you want something out of the ordinary. Book the trip.

Address: 18 Tannery Knob, Johnson City, TN 37601, United States

Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site

For history, Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site is the one.

The site covers 45 acres, eleven historic structures, the Tipton/Gifford/Simerly cemetery and a limestone cave. There is also a natural spring, a buffalo path, a nature trail and a Visitor Center.

The permanent exhibit, museum store, teaching areas, library and archives are all in the Visitor Center.

Expect a warm greeting, an easy self-tour and real history inside and out. The Buffalo walk, the cave, the apple trees and the wildflowers are the high points. The place is quiet and well kept.

The museum area holds a lot on the history of the location. Take the tour, because the guide knows the house, the grounds and the people who lived there.

You also get the house improvements and the events schedule, including the lawyers’ building and the basement kitchen. And take a walk into the small cave at the bottom of the slope with flashlights. It is not large, but it is a good way to finish.

Book a visit to Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site.

Address: 2620 S Roan St, Johnson City, TN 37601, United States

West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex

The West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex is the leading youth baseball complex in the Southeast, run by the City of Jackson, Tennessee.

The Sportsplex sits around the halfway point between Nashville and Memphis at Exit 85 on Interstate 40, in the center of West Tennessee and easy to reach by major highway.

Sports people will do well here. The complex runs 17 fields in total. They are used for collegiate competitions, regional and national travel baseball and softball tournaments, and clinics.

Alongside the sports and tournaments, there are other attractions nearby the West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex. Grab a snack and a drink at Century Farm Winery.

The venue also has fully stocked snack stalls and gift stores, and it provides play for children aged 7 through 15.

There are many events at the same location. Fall Harvest Festival, The Jacob Barker Music Festival and Oscar & Felix Jackson Theatre Guild are among them.

You can also take in Green Acres Farm, Jackson’s Hub City Flea Market, Sunset Valley Farms, and the Fall Plant Sale.

Address: 250 Bancorpsouth Pkwy, Jackson, TN 38305, United States

Willow Springs Park

Willow Springs Park, in southwest Johnson City between Huffine and Antioch roads, was established in 1998. The playground design runs a train and village theme.

The park is clean and well kept, restrooms included. It is a good location, and the access from both sides makes it easier to use.

A walking loop through a series of water-capturing bio-swales leads to restored seasonal wetlands and acres of habitat beyond them. There are native plants and trees in there.

It also built a spring mimicking the original artesian spring that supplied water to early Long Beach. There is a water retention basin that cleans and diverts the water for reuse on-site, and an outdoor environmental education classroom.

Picnic tables, volleyball, basketball, a strong dog park, walking routes and more are all available. And if you have kids, there are several small playgrounds.

For a walk with the mountains behind you, this is the place. Take a deep breath. Come and see Willow Springs Park.

Address: 1201 Huffine Road, Johnson City, Tennessee

Yee Haw Brewing Co.

Come to Yee-Haw Brewing Co. if you want unusual beers. Put this place on the list of things to explore, because it is worth it.

It started in early 2015 in the heart of downtown Johnson City, Tennessee. The East TN & Western NC Depot, or Tweetsie Depot, was rebuilt with some work and more than a few beers. The Yee-Haw Brewing Company was established.

The room is family-friendly and the staff are accommodating. They will guide you if you do not know their strongest sellers or the mix-and-match beers.

There is a large TV while you drink. You can watch football games or try the arcade games.

And there is plenty to choose from when you order. The best-known Yee-Haw beer is an Eighty Shilling Scottish-style brew. It is smooth and slightly sweet, with just enough hops to carry the malt-driven caramel and toffee.

Plan the trip and make sure Yee-Haw Brewing Co. is on it.

Address: 423 6th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203, United States

Frequently asked questions about Johnson City, Tennessee. #Top Attractions

Which museum in Johnson City will hold children the longest?

The Discovery Center, comfortably. It runs a fossil dig site with finds dating back 5 million years, a melodic Tesla coil, huge building blocks for the maker studios, and an airplane design exhibit alongside. The railroad museum on the ETSU campus has a kiddie room as well. And that one charges no entrance fee, though donations are always appreciated. Do the fossils first, because the model trains will hold them afterwards.

Which park in Johnson City is built for mountain biking?

Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park. It covers 40 acres of woodland a short ride from the downtown shops, breweries and restaurants, with trails for every ability level and a pump track in the middle. Buffalo Mountain Park covers 725 acres of steep, densely forested terrain instead. The White Rock Loop and the Tip Top trail make a full circuit. Hartsell Hollow is the gentle one there, for children and new hikers.

Which Johnson City brewery is worth the walk downtown?

Yee-Haw Brewing, downtown. It opened in early 2015 in the East TN & Western NC Depot, also known as the Tweetsie Depot, and its Eighty Shilling Scottish-style brew is the one people order. The room is family-friendly, with a large TV and some arcade games. The staff will walk you through their strongest sellers if you ask. Start there and then let the downtown shops take the rest of it.

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