What to Do in Johnson City, TN for a Charming Weekend Getaway
The first question I got asked when I arrived in Johnson City was, “how did you hear about us?” and aside from now being a Tennessee resident, I replied with the most popular answer of, “from the Darius Rucker song, Wagon Wheel.”
Turns out I’m not alone in associating Johnson City with that song. So however you got here, Johnson City is such a charming weekend getaway destination with great food, beautiful trails, and a wonderful local community that will make you feel right at home.
In this travel guide, I’ll be sharing what to do in Johnson City, Tennessee with an itinerary for the perfect weekend getaway!
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🛎️ Where to stay: Carnegie Hotel and Spa — cozy rooms, great restaurant on site, just 2 miles from downtown
🥾 Must do: Buffalo Mountain Park
🍽️ Top places to eat: Café Lola and Spring Street Sandwich Company
Map of Your Johnson City Getaway
A Weekend in Johnson City, Tennessee Itinerary
Day 1: Diving into local science, the arts, and food
As you get into town, grab lunch at Gourmet and Company. This restaurant has been around for 30 years and is a staple to Johnson City.
They have lots of great lunch options from soups, salads, and sandwiches, and truly delicious truffle fries and daily quiches!
Make your way to Hands On! Discover Center and Gray Fossil Site. This unique science site is a combination of two institutions sharing a space to foster STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) education for the whole family.
At Hands On! Discover Center, you’ll learn about the Miocene-era discoveries they’ve made on site including mastodons, tapirs, snakes, and so much more! The Miocene-era was about 20 million years ago!
They also have the most incredible award-winning musical Tesla Coil. When I visited, they played Star Wars music on it! AMAZING!
Gray Fossil Site is an active site where they are constantly working to uncover fossils. Students and community volunteers come together to help with these discoveries! You can see the fossil site from the museum’s 2nd floor bridge and can peek into the active lab spaces as they work to sanitize, research, and assemble structures!
It’s likely about time to check in to your hotel. If you haven’t already, make your way to your lodging and get settled! I highly recommend the Carnegie Hotel and Spa for a relaxing stay just a couple miles from downtown.
This evening, I recommend exploring the shops downtown. While I’m not typically a shopper when I travel, I absolutely loved the shops in Johnson City. They were unique and truly special with local love radiating from them.
I enjoyed The Generalist (lots of local goods by local artists), Terrarium Plant Store (new plant friends!), Hometown Cottage (beautiful home goods), and Boomtown and Co (East Tennessee souvenirs).
For dinner, I highly recommend Juan Siao downtown. They have both Latin and Asian foods and truly both are great here.
I had the Drunken Noodles packed with veggies and it was so cozy after I spent all day outside!
I recommend making reservations as it can get pretty busy on the weekends especially.
If you’re looking for a drink to end the night, stop by Windsor Speakeasy. I was so pleasantly surprised to find a speakeasy in Johnson City, so of course I had to check it out.
This unassuming storefront really opens to a swanky speakeasy with unique cocktails. I had the Last Resort, a rum-based tropical drink and it was an explosion of flavor! Yum!
Day 2: Exploring the natural wonders of Johnson City
For breakfast, I recommend Wellington’s in the Carnegie Hotel if you’re staying on site. They have some classics like biscuit sandwiches, pancakes, and omelets…but also unique menu items like their bacon board, a charcuterie board with ancho dry rubbed bacon and hot and spicy maple syrup.
Alternatively, visit one of Johnson City’s many coffee shops. I like The Moon Coffee & Tea House for their drink options and Open Doors Coffeehouse for affordable food like their breakfast burrito for $5.50.
It wouldn’t be a trip to Johnson City without getting outside, so today head to Buffalo Mountain Park for some stunning hiking. I did part of White Rock Loop to Huckleberry Knob viewpoint and Sunset Point, both of which had the most beautiful mountain views and benches to admire them from.
This hike was totally doable even if you aren’t an outdoorsy type. I encourage you to give it a shot!
I recommend taking a screenshot or photo of the trail map so you don’t get lost if you don’t have service. You can also use the AllTrails app.
Related read >> Travel tools and apps to download before your next trip
For lunch, head downtown to Spring Street Sandwich Company. These are some quality sandwiches that are the perfect post-hike meal!
In the afternoon, drive the 25 minutes to Appalachian Caverns in Blountville, Tennessee. These are worth the drive!
The Appalachian Caverns cave system was once occupied by Native Americans. They used the various rooms for different purposes, for example, the sacred ritual room was deemed so because of a unique triangular formation.
On your tour of the caverns, you’ll learn so much about the Native Americans’ innovations, the current operators efforts to explore the cave system, and of course, lots about cave geology and the animals living inside!
Tickets are $15 and the tours last 45 minutes to an hour. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also take a spelunking cave tour starting at $45 where you’ll crawl in the crevices and explore the cave in a totally unique way!
For dinner, visit Café Lola Bistro, a local-loved spot. While I enjoyed my Korean-inspired tofu dish, the chocolate soufflé was truly the standout! They make their chocolate sauce in house and it showed!
If you’re looking for a nightcap, pop over to The Fiesty Pigeon downtown. They are Johnson City’s only wine bar and they have some incredible mocktails and food items as well.
I had their cranberry and elderberry mocktail, called the Love Potion, and the “Just the Dip” appetizer with a sourdough baguette, herb butter, and herbed olive oil and balsamic vinegar. YUM.
Day 3: Getting outside and supporting the liberal arts
One of the most popular brunch spots in town (and for good reason) is Label Restaurant. The restaurant is in a lively, industrial building with an eclectic menu that will satisfy everyone in a larger party. For brunch, they had sushi, omelets, and my favorite, chicken and waffles! So good!
For another outdoorsy staple in Johnson City, you have to visit Tweetsie Trail. This almost 10-mile trail connects Johnson City and Elizabethton and is perfect for walking, jogging, and biking.
You can rent bikes for as little as $25 for 2 hours from Local Motion right at the trailhead for a no-fuss option.
Along the trail, you’ll notice lots of signs teaching you about the area, so be sure to stop to hydrate and learn!
The trail is pretty flat the entire time, so even if you’re intimidated by biking it, it’s very beginner friendly!
Nearby, drive to Tannery Knobs Mountain Biking Park for a final view of the surrounding mountains. If you’re a mountain biker, this is definitely the spot for you, so carve some time to explore this park fully! If not, still drive up there to see the view. You won’t regret it!
Visiting in winter? Here are some other options for winter activities in Johnson City (if you don’t want to be biking outside).
Finally, before you wave goodbye to Johnson City, don’t miss The Philosopher’s House, a non-profit tea house extravaganza. Not only do they serve incredible hot and iced teas with lots of noshes, but they host meditation, yoga, fencing, and educational classes all in the name of supporting the liberal arts.
The house has lots of private rooms so you can sit and work, grab a book from their shelves, or even a board game to have some quality time with your companions.
It’s such a special spot that I encourage you to visit and support.
Where is Johnson City?
Located in northeast Tennessee, Johnson City is nestled in the mountains so they’re known for their outdoors!
But don’t worry, even if you aren’t “outdoorsy” you’ll find something special about Johnson City.
It’s about 1.5 hours from Knoxville, 4.5 hours from Nashville, and an hour from Asheville, NC.
How to get to Johnson City
The nearest airport is Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) just 25 minutes from Johnson City.
You can also fly into Asheville, North Carolina (AVL) or Knoxville, Tennessee (TYS), which are both within 2 hours of the city.
If driving, Johnson City falls on US-Route 26, which runs north to south between Asheville to Johnson City and all the way to Charleston, SC.
Do you need a car in JC?
Yes. While there is a public transportation system, it is still growing and for now and for the Johnson City attractions in this guide, you’ll need a car (and you’ll want one).
Parking is plentiful and free so the city really caters to cars!
If you need to rent a car, remember you need to be 25 years old in the US or you’ll need to pay an underage fee. I like searching for rental cars on RentalCars.com, an aggregator to find the best prices!
Where to stay in Johnson City
Hotels are plentiful in Johnson City, but allow me to recommend the Carnegie Hotel and Spa. This historic boutique hotel is a replica of the original hotel that fell fate to a fire in the early 1900s. The décor and music that played in the halls was very Tower of Terror for my Disney fans (aka 1930s-era).
The rooms are large with modern amenities and the hotel is in the mid-budget range at ~ $159+ per night.
How much does a weekend in Johnson City cost?
$468
Accommodation – $325*
Food – $75 (~5 meals at $15 each)
Activities – $65 (Hands On!, Appalachian Caverns, and bike rental)
Transportation – free except gas once in town
*If sharing accommodation costs with additional people, this cost will be lower.
Summary of What to Do in Johnson City, TN
Things to Do
- Hands On! Discover Center
- Gray Fossil Site
- Buffalo Mountain Park (Huckleberry Knob and Sunset Point)
- Appalachian Caverns
- Tweetsie Trail
- Tannery Knobs Mountain Biking Park
- Johnson City Railroad Experience (*bonus)
Places to eat and drink
- Gourmet and Company
- Juan Siao
- Windsor Speakeasy
- The Moon Coffee & Tea House
- Open Doors Coffeehouse
- Spring Street Sandwich Company
- Cafe Lola Bistro
- The Fiesty Pigeon
- Label Restaurant
- The Philosopher’s House
Where to shop
- Terrarium Plant Store
- The Generalist
- Boomtown and Co.
- Azlinn Hope
- Reclaimed Home
- Hometown Cottage
Thank you to Visit Johnson City for hosting me on this trip! As always, all opinions are my own.
More time in Tennessee?
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- Guide to Tennessee
- Inexpensive things to do in Chattanooga
- Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary
- Things to do in Knoxville, Tennessee
- Top activities in Clarksville, Tennessee
- A fantastic 5 star stay in Nashville
- Bonus: hop over to North Carolina (just an hour away) to check out this Wizard of Oz theme park
- Review of the best luxury hotel in Gatlinburg
- Getaway guide to Columbia, Tennessee
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- Get Your Guide – Check out Get Your Guide for a one-stop-shop for booking travel activities.
- Booking.com – This is my favorite hotel search aggregator, specifically for reading reviews. On Booking.com, the reviews can be searched for keywords like WiFi, breakfast, pool, amenities, etc.! So helpful!
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The gray fossil site looks incredibly fascinating!
It really was! Highly recommend.
What a great itinerary for such a charming place. This covers everything, from things to see and do like the Appalachian Caverns and delicious restaurants I would love to visit one day!.
Thanks Yvonne! Definitely add it to your list!
I must admit we have not spent any time exploring Tennessee. But I recognized that question you got when you visited Johnson City. Locals always wonder what drew you to their town. There certainly seems to be lots to keep you busy for a weekend. We definitely would not leave hungry! And we surely would not leave without seeing the Appalachian Caverns.
I hope you get the chance to visit Tennessee. There are so many hidden gems to discover!
Years ago I met a woman from Johnson City and she was so enthusiastic about her community I always thought I should go. This post again makes me wonder why I haven’t?? Gonna need to get it on a USA itinerary soon. Thanks for the great ideas.
You absolutely should visit! Locals really love it and it shows — makes it a really special place to visit!
Johnson sounds like a cool city. I’m going to try to add this to my road trip to Ashville. I can’t believe how cheap the food is there. I want a drink from the Speakeasy! Thanks for sharing.
Yes! Definitely a great addition to a trip to Asheville and so affordable!
Tennessee has so many charming towns! Great post!
We really do here!
Love how thorough and detailed this is!
Thanks so much.
Wow, the views in Buffalo Mountain Park are amazing! And the food looks so yummy! This city is definitely worth putting on my list.
I hope you get a chance to visit Jasmina! 🙂
The fossils got me all excited but then there is a cave too? I’d love to visit!
Right?! So unexpected but so welcome!
Love that you heard about Johnson City from a song! The bike ride and the caverns would definitely be my top pick for things to do in Johnson City, Tennessee!
As a foodie, I could not be more obsessed with this guide. Everything looks delicious. I may or may not have stopped & stared at the pile of truffle fries for a few moments. Everything looks so good and the Appalachian Caverns looks so cool! I’ve been wanting to revisit Tennessee and when I return I’ll definitely want to visit here.
The truffle fries were heaven! As a foodie, you’ll love JC!
What an awesome hidden gem! It looks really cool to explore – and plenty of delicious food to eat. How cool! Definitely saving the guide for later
It really is a wonderful gem in TN!
I’m going to stop in JC next time I’m in TN – Looks great!
Yes, definitely add it to your list!