The Top Things to Do in Johnson City, Tennessee: An Ideal Base to Explore Northeast Tennessee
With our goal to fully explore Northeast Tennessee as the compass for our adventures, Johnson City was the ideal base to do just that. Not only does it have a vibrant downtown core with shops and restaurants aplenty, but there’s also a lot of green space to unwind, and its location makes it an ideal vantage point for outdoors adventurists like ourselves, especially if cycling, mountain biking, or hiking are your forté.
Keep your eyes peeled for murals, as you’re exploring Johnson City! Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
Coming in around 75,000 residents, Johnson City is the state’s 8th most populous city, as of the time of publication. It’s a key city in the region for a lot of reasons (education, business etc.), but it’s also the principal city, as you might imagine, of the Johnson City Metropolitan Statistical Area (which has a total population north of 200,000 people).
It’s also important to note that many people talk about Johnson City through the lens of the Tri-Cities — those being Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, all of which we explored during our adventures here in Northeast Tennessee.
It was a railroad and mining hub in the early days, and earned the nickname “Little Chicago” for its bootlegging activities during the prohibition area, but nowadays, it’s known as a hub of music that’s emblematic of the region (and which the region is famous for), a lively downtown core, restaurants and nightlife, its quirky shops and cafes, and I’d also say that this city and region deserve a nod for their warm and welcoming demeanour. The great local whiskey and beer didn’t hurt either, we won’t lie.
Everyone we met seemed so excited that we were there to explore, and that’s always a fun place to be. We explore, so that you can, ultimately, and that’s what this article is all about - helping you explore Johnson City, Tennessee.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Johnson City
Base Yourself at East Tennessee’s Premier Boutique Hotel
The Carnegie Hotel is located a short distance from the heart of the action. It’s quite a unique property in that it’s a actually a “boutique replica” property that pays homage to its namesake, which was first opened in Johnson City in 1891 to much fanfare, but sadly burned down in 1910. It’s got a very “old world” feel to it, specifically when it comes to the lobby and the elevators, but although it is a nod to a bygone era, we can assure you that you’ll find all the modern amenities you’d hope for.
I like the quote from 1891 from the Johnson City Comet which proclaimed that “this great palatial hotel has no equal in East Tennessee and for convenience has no superior in the south.”
On the property, you’ll also find Wellington’s Restaurant, which aims to offer “true southern Appalachian” cuisine. The mahogany wood dining room is lovely, but I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that what really caught my eye was the collection of 400+ whiskeys on offer. Now, I couldn’t try them all, naturally, but I will tell you that there’s a reason this part of US is known for its whiskey.
Explore DOwntown Johnson city
There’s a number of ways to appreciate the centre of Johnson City. You can start with the central green spaces. Founders Park, with its creek, sculptures, and wide walking paths, serves as something of a natural gateway to downtown (especially if you’re staying at the Carnegie Hotel). Just a short walk away, King Commons has a natural playground, but you’ll also find some art here, including the “Wildabout” mural that’s become one of the city’s most photographed spots. Together, the two parks create a scenic loop that’s perfect for a morning stroll, coffee in hand.
From the parks, it’s an easy transition to hop on over into the shopping district, which is where you’ll get that more classic “downtown” feel. We spent some time wandering in and out of stores, chatting with shop owners (one of our favourite things to do when visiting a destination), and here are a few spots we’d recommend popping into.
The Generalist offers a beautifully curated mix of home goods, accessories, and thoughtful gifts, while the Terrarium Plant Store is a must-stop for plant lovers (and it’s quite photogenic as well). Antique-hunters will want to lose track of time inside Sentimental Journey Antiques & Merchant Mall, and for something a little more offbeat, Atlantis provides a bit of a spiritual, eclectic selection of goods that adds something of an alternative note to the downtown experience.
One word of advice? As you wander between shops, keep an eye out for the city’s growing collection of public art. Look in alleys, behind storefronts and even on sidewalks. Admittedly, I’m a sucker for good graffiti and public art, so it was nice to see a good abundance here.
There’s no right or wrong way to approach this really, but JC is a very walkable city, so spend some time on two feet and search for the places that interest you, whether that’s parks, shops, or public art.
Break Out the HIking Shoes (& the Camera) at Buffalo Mountain Park
It’s a short drive from Johnson City, but it feels world’s away when you get there. Buffalo Mountain Park is a 725 acre natural resource area that’s located on the north slope of Buffalo Mountain. Think steep topography and densely forested land that offers a fantastic reprieve from city life.
There’s hiking trails here of varying difficulty, so a little something for everyone, but we focused primarily on the White Rock and Buffalo Mountain Loop, respectively, which comes in a little over 5 miles. You’ve got options, and the trails are well labelled, so there’s no problem there, but we focused on that loop because of the striking viewpoints that we’d get along the way — and we weren’t wrong.
What Bri and I appreciated about this was that it also gave us a chance to engage with the locals on a different level. It’s the sort of place where you say hello to people on the trails, stop to pet their dog, and take a photo for someone at a viewpoint, if they’d like.
You don’t have to spend all day here, but I’d strongly recommend that you come up here one morning after breakfast (or lunch, for that matter), and soak in some serene moments at the multitude of viewpoints.
Take a sip (and Grab a Bite) at Yee-Haw Brewing
Yee-Haw Brewing is a must stop for beer lovers if you’re in JC! Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
Yee-Haw Brewing has locations in Knoxville, Nashville, and Greenville now, but the OG location is right here in Johnson City. They actually took over the historic, 130-year old Tweetsie Train Station, which places them in the heart of town. There’s seemingly always something going on here, so you’d be wise to take a look at their “happenings calendar” to see if there’s something you’d be keen enjoy during your visit to Johnson City.
It’s not just beer here, either, the White Duck Taco Shop shares the space, and Bri and I thought it was an awfully good accompaniment to the cold brews.
Whenever we’re at a new brewery, Bri and I will each get a flight, especially if there’s plenty on offer. If you’re there in the warmer months, the Cerveza Lime is as fresh as they come. The Yee-Hazy and Yee-Haw IPA are both flavourful IPAs that are well worth the sip, but my knight in shining armour here was actually the sour-fruited Rita, which had some prominent flavours of lime zest, blood orange, and a touch of Himalayan sea salt. Usually, I’m more of a pilsner guy, but there was something about the Rita that stole my heart.
Dine at Some of Johnson City’s notable eateries
Here are some spots that we sincerely enjoyed (alongside of tastebuds):
Timber!: Appalachian comfort food with some creative and inventive twists. Expect elevated burgers, seasonal small plates, and a lively atmosphere that feels contemporary without losing its local roots. This was probably our favourite meal out while in JC.
Gourmet & Company: A longstanding favourite of the city, Gourmet & Co is all about New American Dining. They’ve been under the same local ownership for around 35 years, so you know they’re doing something right! A nice spot to treat yourself. Love their sweet tea here!
Southern Craft BBQ: Southern Craft BBQ is all about slow-smoked meats, house-made sides, and bold Tennessee flavours. With a lively, rustic atmosphere and very good brisket, ribs, and pulled pork, it’s a top choice for anyone craving a touch of authentic regional barbecue. I know that we had a few things on our list that we wanted to make sure we tried in terms of Tennessee BBQ, and we were able to check many of those boxes right here. They also had a nice local beer list to accompany it.
Juan Siao: We try to taste a variety of cuisine anytime we’re in a new city, so we decided to head to Juan Siao, which offers a unique fusion between Latin and Asian flavours. Everything from Korean tacos to very inventive noodle bowls, and some creative cocktails. Since we were in JC for a few days, this was a nice change of flavours to appreciate.
Pal’s Sudden Service: Okay, so I don’t know if we’re going to get flack for including a quirky drive through only fast food chain, but Pal’s is just fun. Personally, I was obsessed with their specialty iced teas like the “Peachie Tea” and “Razzie Tea,” but their breakfast lineup, including the Country Ham Biscuit (and cheddar rounds) were delicious. I’m not going to lie, the next time I head to JC, I may be stopping here first.
Open Doors Coffeehouse: More than just a café, Open Doors Coffeehouse serves as a community hub with excellent espresso and coffee beans, quality teas, house-made pastries, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Their food menu—think gourmet toasts, wraps, and scratch-made baked goods—makes it a great stop for breakfast or a relaxed afternoon break.
We couldn’t try them all, but having talked to some local folks, they also said we should have Maple Street Biscuit Company on our radar for our next visit!
Into Cycling? You’re in Luck in Johnson City and Northeast Tennessee
Cycling on the Tweetsie Trail in Johnson City! Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
If you’re a longtime reader of travelingmitch, then you’ll know that cycling is something that we love. So much so, in fact, that we’ve already created a full guide to cycling in Northeast Tennessee, including top cycling spots in Johnson City, but also Kingsport, Bristol and more.
I’m a Trek enthusiast, so we started our adventure by heading to Trek Bicycle Johnson City to make sure we had all the gear we needed. From there, it was on to the Tweetsie Trail, a roughly 10 mile trail of packed rock, which is perfect for lovers of gravel riding, like yours truly. This is what is known as a “rails to trails” project, where old rail lines are reconfigured to become a valuable part of the outdoor adventure ecosystem for cyclists, walkers, runners and so forth.
The Tweetsie Trail begins at 116 Van Brocklin Way in Johnson City, and, as, as is alluded to above, it traverses the former route of the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad. There are benches, water fountains, a portable restroom, and even a bike repair station found along the way, plus no shortage of pleasant natural viewpoints.
Then, we need to turn our attention to Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park, which is one of the premier mountain biking destinations in the whole region. You’re looking at over 40 acres of diverse terrain that you’ll likely want to ride on a mountain bike, but some of the less challenging trails can also be ridden on a sturdy gravel bike. It’s close to the heart of the city, has a pump-track, and it’s an ideal playground for mountain biking enthusiasts.
Here’s a peek at a recent trail map update for you.
Embrace the Nightlife
Enjoying a cocktail or two at The Windsor Speakeasy. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
Admittedly, we’re getting a touch older, so we’re not going to be out all night, but that doesn’t mean we cower when the sun lowers its head for the day and head straight for our lodging. Nightlife, in the end, is culture as well, so it’s something we always prioritize.
If you like that “hidden door” kind of experience when it comes to a speakeasy, then we’d recommend The Windsor Speakeasy. It’s a good spot for a little bit of a date night if you’re travelling with your partner, and they’ve got a stocked bar, which meant I could get a mighty fine old-fashioned featuring local whiskey.
If you’re just looking for a pint at a pub, then Tipton Street Pub is a good bet alongside Capone’s or Mulligan’s, but for something a little bit different, the Windsor Speakeasy does the trick.
prioritize a visit to jonesborough
When Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town, is only about a 15 minute drive away, you make the drive.
Jonesborough slows the pace and leans fully into charm. We’re talking brick sidewalks, restored historic buildings, artisan shops, and leafy streets that look almost unchanged since the 1800s. We actually went to appreciate the Jonesborough Farmers Market (which happens on Saturdays from May to October), and it was nice and busy, something of a community event and gathering point. That was made all the better when noting that this is a “producer only market,” meaning vendors could only sell what they’d grown or made.
I’d urge you to simply set aside some time to walk up and down the Main Street. Before we did our full exploration, we popped into Jonesborough Visitor Center to get some context for the town’s story (and to talk to a local rep), but then we headed back to the Main Street, camera in hand, and noted some of the most prominent buildings (like the Chester Inn State Historic Site & Museum). It’s a really lovely change of pace, quite honestly, and the locals were so friendly and welcoming to us.
One thing to have on your radar, every year the National Storytelling Festival happens here. As they note, “since 1973, the National Storytelling Festival has been the premier storytelling event in the United States, hosting international voices from the storytelling capital of the world.” It typically occurs in October, just in case that piques your interest!
We’d also recommend planning to have lunch here, and popping into Main Street Cafe to get something simple, homemade, and delicious.
Take your time here, and soak it all in — that feels like the essence of what Jonesborough is all about.
What Else Should be on Your Radar in JC, TN?
Tipton-Haynes State Historic Park is one of Johnson City’s most significant heritage sites, offering a window into more than two centuries of Tennessee history. Centred around the 1784 home of Colonel John Tipton—an influential figure in early statehood debates—the park features 45 acres of preserved land, historic outbuildings, a limestone cave, and a spring that once supported the homestead. You can explore original structures, walk some wooded trails, and also get your fill of history along the way.
For more outdoors, Winged Deer Park is probably best known for its bevy of softball fields, but there’s also a playground for kids, a walking track, batting cages, and an 18-hole disc golf course. I love me some disc golf, so that was part of the reason I wanted to highlight this place. If you’re just focused on walking/hiking and the outdoors, then consider Willow Springs Park.
Visit Johnson City does a nice of rounding up events that are happening in the city, including live music, festivals, and activities to explore the outdoors. It’s worth checking what’s on the calendar during your visit.
One of the lookouts at Buffalo Mountain Park. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
We didn’t necessarily know what to expect before heading to Johnson City, but we arrived with an open mind, and we left with some unforgettable memories. Our hope is that this will guide you on your own adventures, and encourage you to explore both JC and Northeast Tennessee, at large — a region that we’d more than happily return to, and we’d encourage others to meaningfully explore.
We want to humbly thank Northeast Tennessee & Tennessee Tourism for hosting us as media. All opinions are completely are own.