Headed down south to the land of the pines
December 4, 2008 8:28 AM Subscribe
What should I do in Johnson City, TN?
In early January, I'll be spending a week in Johnson City, TN for work. I've never been to the area and am looking forward to exploring the city with any free time (evenings, mostly). If you have any recommendations for local entertainment (bars, restaurants, music, etc) or sightseeing, please let me know!
In early January, I'll be spending a week in Johnson City, TN for work. I've never been to the area and am looking forward to exploring the city with any free time (evenings, mostly). If you have any recommendations for local entertainment (bars, restaurants, music, etc) or sightseeing, please let me know!
I second going to Asheville, it's a great city and the drive from JC is beautiful mountains the whole way. If you go, don't forget to stop at my all-time favourite Southern restaurant, the Moose Cafe. It's wonderful. Try the biscuits and gravy and buy yourself a jar of apple butter to take home.
Down Home is also a great recommendation -- to my knowledge it's the only decent bar in JC and often has great live music (lots of Bluegrass as well).
If you want to try out some proper southern BBQ go to Pardner's which isn't far outside JC, or Pratt's in nearby Kingsport which (in my opinion) is even better - along with the wonderful BBQ sauce that you can buy in bottles, you get served sweet tea out of mason jars and can sit on porch swing chairs.
There's also a great BBQ/southern restaurant in the centre of Johnson City, The Firehouse.
It might be worth wandering through Downtown JC, which used to be a no-go area but i think they're trying to do it up now. I seem to remember a few cool shops there last time i came home.
(I grew up in Johnson City and currently live in the UK, you can tell I miss the food more than anything!)
posted by ukdanae at 9:42 AM on December 4, 2008
Down Home is also a great recommendation -- to my knowledge it's the only decent bar in JC and often has great live music (lots of Bluegrass as well).
If you want to try out some proper southern BBQ go to Pardner's which isn't far outside JC, or Pratt's in nearby Kingsport which (in my opinion) is even better - along with the wonderful BBQ sauce that you can buy in bottles, you get served sweet tea out of mason jars and can sit on porch swing chairs.
There's also a great BBQ/southern restaurant in the centre of Johnson City, The Firehouse.
It might be worth wandering through Downtown JC, which used to be a no-go area but i think they're trying to do it up now. I seem to remember a few cool shops there last time i came home.
(I grew up in Johnson City and currently live in the UK, you can tell I miss the food more than anything!)
posted by ukdanae at 9:42 AM on December 4, 2008
Ah... place of my youth. My family still lives in the area, but I am always doing family things when I am there, so I don't know much about night life. Here are some of my fave's in the area.
Jonesboro, TN
Roan Mountain (But only on a clear day)
Ridgewood Barbeque
If you get there by January 3, Bristol Speedway in Lights is a red state wonder to behold.
East TN isn't exactly a mecca for fine dining, but some of the regional chains are an experience- like Pal's (the best ice tea in the world) and Bojangle's ( I dare you to try a BoBerry Biscuit)
posted by kimdog at 9:54 AM on December 4, 2008
Jonesboro, TN
Roan Mountain (But only on a clear day)
Ridgewood Barbeque
If you get there by January 3, Bristol Speedway in Lights is a red state wonder to behold.
East TN isn't exactly a mecca for fine dining, but some of the regional chains are an experience- like Pal's (the best ice tea in the world) and Bojangle's ( I dare you to try a BoBerry Biscuit)
posted by kimdog at 9:54 AM on December 4, 2008
Pal's also has great french fries and milkshakes. Kingsport TN native here.
posted by josher71 at 11:11 AM on December 4, 2008
posted by josher71 at 11:11 AM on December 4, 2008
I'll second Pal's for ice tea. Yum : ) Also, Cafe Lola has good bistro-style food and wine tastings which are fun.
And if you do make it over to Asheville, which is indeed awesome, check out Tupelo Honey Cafe. Their biscuits and shrimp and grits are to die for! The national Gingerbread Competition is going to at the Grove Park Inn from January 1-4th too.
For a neat museum a few miles north of Johnson City, check out the Gray Fossil Site and Museum. It's brand new and has guided tours every hour.
Also if you like to ski, there may be some snow at Wolf Laurel by the time you get there.
Hmm, on preview, most of these are outside of Johnson City, but it's a pretty quiet place. I think Asheville is definitely worth the drive though!
posted by Mouse Army at 1:11 PM on December 4, 2008
And if you do make it over to Asheville, which is indeed awesome, check out Tupelo Honey Cafe. Their biscuits and shrimp and grits are to die for! The national Gingerbread Competition is going to at the Grove Park Inn from January 1-4th too.
For a neat museum a few miles north of Johnson City, check out the Gray Fossil Site and Museum. It's brand new and has guided tours every hour.
Also if you like to ski, there may be some snow at Wolf Laurel by the time you get there.
Hmm, on preview, most of these are outside of Johnson City, but it's a pretty quiet place. I think Asheville is definitely worth the drive though!
posted by Mouse Army at 1:11 PM on December 4, 2008
Have a nice long toke?
Just saw OCMS for the first time a couple of weeks ago.
posted by brennen at 2:05 PM on December 4, 2008
Just saw OCMS for the first time a couple of weeks ago.
posted by brennen at 2:05 PM on December 4, 2008
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If you must stay in JC, visit Down Home for tunes, beer, etc.
posted by FauxScot at 8:36 AM on December 4, 2008 [1 favorite]