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This charming town cradled by beautiful mountains is your next Made in Tennessee getaway.
Each of the cities in Northeast Tennessee has a unique personality. For Johnson City - sometimes affectionately abbreviated to "JC" - the proximity of Appalachian outdoor adventure to the town's vibrant urban center gives you the feeling of pure Tennessee adventure in an ideal small town.
If you find yourself in Johnson City for work or for play, or are looking to plan a getaway, check out these experience for just a few of the many can't-miss spots of this mountain town.
One thing that makes Johnson City a certifiable outdoor-enthusiast's mecca is that you don't even have to leave the city limits to climb a mountain. Buffalo Mountain Park is a 725-acre wilderness where the slopes are steep, its hollows are deep and from the top, you can see Johnson City laid out on the valley floor below. Local tip: The park closes at dark, so be sure to plan your hikes accordingly.
If you're out hiking the trails till the sun sets, you'll miss the dinner hours of some of Johnson City's restaurants. That's where Tipton Street Pub comes in. Serving drinks until 3 a.m., this bar has a kitchen that'll flip the best burger in town until 11 p.m.
Some mountain towns never truly recover when the railroad or river traffic slows down. But that is not the story here. Johnson City's downtown district has plenty of excitement. As of this year, the Johnson City Farmers Market is held 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays mid-April to October at the Pavilion at Founder's Park. And for musicians, you have to stop in Campbell's Morrell Music, located at 118 W Market Street.
Also located downtown is this local favorite. White Duck Taco Shop and Yee Haw Brewing Company co-exist in an open-concept space that provides a social atmosphere fueled by more than just tacos and brews. You might stop in for a quick bite and wind up sticking around for a couple hours.
The nearby Cherokee National Forest harbors Watauga Lake. The expansive lake has 106 miles of shoreline, with rolling mountains cradling it (perfect for that Instagram shot you're vying for). When you head out, be sure to bring a few small bills - $1s or $5s. There's a small fee to be paid to the US Department of the Interior for access. To get there, follow US-321 out of town, headed east.
One of the region's longest running music venue's, The Down Home is an iconic entertainment space, delivering its listeners quality music, prime performance atmosphere for musicians and values listening rather than socializing. This is the place if you want to hear some great songs among fellow music lovers.
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