Overview
Johnson City is a city in Eastern Tennessee. With a population of 71,000 in 2020, the city is the 8th largest in the state.
2 sights · 5 things to do · 12 places to eat · 5 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Johnson City
Rocky Mount Living History Museum
An 18th-century living history open air village. They have people dressed in period clothing demonstrating what life was like at the time. They make their own soap from lye, and its available for sale in the gift shop al…
Natural History Museum & Gray Fossil Site
Home to an on-going archaeological dig site, Gray Fossil Site, as its name is usually shortened to, was prehistorically a tar pit that trapped and preserved many an animal.
The Down Home
Founded in 1976, the Down Home has become a destination for music lovers in Upper East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The primary emphasis is on quality music, and the performance atmosphere promotes listening rather …
Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park
Over 40 acres of off-road mountain biking trails for all ages and experience levels, just a short distance from downtown.
The Tweetsie Trail
A 9.6-mile hiking and biking trail that runs along the former Tweetsie Railroad line between Elizabethton, TN and Johnson City. The trail is relatively flat, and provides some spectacularly scenic views through the mount…
Tiebreakers
An entertainment venue, comparable to a Dave & Busters. They offer dining, bowling, axe throwing, virtual reality games, and an arcade.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 29°F. Wettest: Aug and Jun. (climate data from nearby North Carolina Mountains)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TRI Tri-Cities Regional TN/VA Airport, Blountville — 12 mi away. Directions
- AVL Asheville Regional Airport, Asheville — 62 mi away. Directions
- TYS McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville/Maryville — 98 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Rocky Mount Living History Museum, The Down Home
- Lunch Amigo
- Afternoon The Tweetsie Trail, Paradise Acres
- Dinner Bello Vita
- Evening Capone's
Day 2
- Morning Natural History Museum & Gray Fossil Site, Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park
- Lunch Cootie Browns
- Afternoon Tiebreakers
- Dinner Crazy Tomato
- Evening New Beginnings
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Get in
- Greyhound 137 W Market St.
Get around
A car is best for this area. Public transit operates with limited hours of operation and the area has been allowed to develop so that it is impossible to get around by bike or walking. The local bus service is run by JCT (Johnson City Transit System). As of 2022, the fare is $1 per ride, 59 cents for seniors, people with disbilities, and students (kindergarten-Grade 6). Transfers are free. Monday through Friday from 6:15AM to 6:15PM (last 30-minute route begins at 5:45PM), and on Saturday from 8:15AM to 5:15PM (last 30-minute route begins at 4:45PM). Buses stop one per hour.
See
See Rocky Mount Living History Museum
An 18th-century living history open air village. They have people dressed in period clothing demonstrating what life was like at the time. They make their own soap from lye, and its available for sale in the gift shop along with many other handmade or souvenir-type things. The Museum is located just north of town, and can be reached by bus on the Silver Line.
- Tipton-Haynes Historic Site, 2620 S Roan St. Farm where one of the original settlers, Colonel John Tipton, lived and was present during an armed confrontation regarding the State of Franklin movement where Tipton was leading the faction wishing to remain part of North Carolina and John Sevier was heading the Franklin faction. Tu-Sa 9AM-4PM. +1 423-926-3631
- Buffalo Mountain Park, 570 Highridge Rd. Fine views overlooking the city accessed by trail. Daily 7AM-9PM. +1 423-283-5815
- Founders Park, some interesting outdoor sculpture and water terrace at the foot of downtown.
Do
Do The Down Home
Founded in 1976, the Down Home has become a destination for music lovers in Upper East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The primary emphasis is on quality music, and the performance atmosphere promotes listening rather than socializing. There is plenty of time for friendly conversation before the show and between sets. With an excellent sound system hung from the ceiling, the club is a favorite of performers as well as listeners. Beer & food available. Cash only.
Do The Tweetsie Trail
A 9.6-mile hiking and biking trail that runs along the former Tweetsie Railroad line between Elizabethton, TN and Johnson City. The trail is relatively flat, and provides some spectacularly scenic views through the mountains. The trailhead is right outside of downtown Johnson City, and has amble parking.
Learn
Johnson City is home to East Tennessee State University. Milligan University is also nearby.
Buy
Eat
Eat Cootie Browns
Idiosyncratic place with an eclectic menu - all very tasty. Among the best pizza in JC.
Eat Main Street Pizza
Good pizza and good beer selection. Open late.
Eat Mid City Grill
Open late, the best burger in the state of Tennessee.
Eat Pal's
Regional fast food chain best known breakfast-wise for their cheddar rounds, easily recognizable by the giant burger, hot dog, bag of fries, and soda cup on the building. Known for quick service, unless you are caught in the lunch time rush.
Eat El Charolais
Mexican eatery with a full bar serving a long menu of traditional fare and flavored margaritas. Offering dine-in, carryout, and delivery. Two locations in Johnson City.
Drink
Drink Capone's
One of the biggest music venues in Johnson City. Open 7 days a week, with different activities such as house bands and sports games on different nights of the week. There's a bar/performance area as well as a huge backroom, which offers a separate bar and more of a club feel.
Drink New Beginnings
A lively entertainment venue that caters mainly to the area's LGBT community.
Drink Numan's
Bar and pool hall. If you're bothered by smoke, avoid this bar. Otherwise, a fun place to go throw back a few.
Drink Tipton Street Pub
One of the more visited bars in town, always with a diverse crowd. Good food and drink specials all day. On weekends and certain nights of the week, the pub gets rather crowded, so get there early for a guaranteed seat. Numerous T.Vs which will always have the game on. Jukebox, no live music. Sometimes the frat boy and teenie bopper crowd will spill over from 112 next door.
Drink Dos Gatos Coffee Bar
A local coffee shop with a wide selection of delicious coffees and pastries, serving Counter Culture Coffee and ingredients sourced from local vendors. A great place to meet a friend, read, or work on your laptop for an afternoon.
Sleep
Nearby
Hilton, Virginia
- Carter Family Fold, Hilton, Virginia. Probably the most interesting destination in the whole area. Old-time and bluegrass music, about an hour away. $7 to get in, concerts every Saturday night.
Erwin
- Rock Creek Camp Ground is a U.S. Forest Service camp ground that is clean and not that far from Johnson City (Erwin, Tennessee); it has bathrooms and swimming pond and trails but is closed during winter.
Roan Mountain
- Roan Mountain State Park is a state park that is just a short drive outside of Johnson City. It is well known for hiking trails, campgrounds, and picnic areas. Most notable for its "Roan High Bluff," an observation deck at the end of a hiking trail with an incredible view that allows you to see the surrounding area, as well as the Rhododendron Festival, which celebrates the blooming of the world's largest natural rhododendron garden every year in late June.
Nearby
Elizabethton
City / town · 4 listings · 7 mi away
Kingsport
City / town · 12 listings · 19 mi away
Bristol
City / town · 10 listings · 22 mi away
Greeneville
City / town · 16 listings · 28 mi away
Mountain City
City / town · 2 listings · 32 mi away
Mars Hill
City / town · 1 listings · 35 mi away
Linville Gorge
Park · 8 listings · 37 mi away
Damascus
City / town · 12 listings · 39 mi away
My experience
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