How Locals Spend Free Time in Johnson City
Curious about what you'll do when you live in Johnson City? If you like the idea of hiking through mountain trails, getting artsy at local galleries, and are daring enough to try whitewater rafting on rapids, Johnson City is calling you home! This list of fun things to do will take you from downtown streets to mountain peaks and give you a real taste of Johnson City's adventurous small town charm.
Mike, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Michael is a Tennessee native who has lived, worked, or worn out tires in all three divisions of the state, from Memphis to Nashville to Johnson City, plus plenty of small towns that never make postcards. He once moved from the far northeast corner of Tennessee to the far southwest for college, stayed twenty years, then somehow boomeranged right back to Appalachia. He knows the difference between mountain quiet and river loud, will defend Memphis BBQ like its a birthright, and can point you to everything from out of the way eateries to where locals actually hunt. We are not all barefoot moonshiners, but yes, some of us know where the real stuff is. At Snappy Scout Michael uses that deep statewide mileage to refine Tennessee moving guides so they're as real as a proper BBQ smoke ring, not some oven baked liquid smoke waste of calories.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Will You Do in Johnson City?
From weekend adventures to iconic road trips, here's how locals spend their time off.
on a Saturday with perfect weather
Hit the Tweetsie Trail before brunch beers downtown, go fishing and boating on Boone Lake, play ball at Winged Deer Park, or catch a Doughboys game at TVA Credit Union Park.
when the gals come to town for the weekend
Wine tasting at Watauga Lake with zero shame.
dude hangout
Food at BURG'r & BARREL, then Yee Haw Brewing for IPAs and questionable life advice.
rainy dreary day
Curl up at The Nelson Fine Art Center or browse Mr. K's Bookstore.
artsy
Downtown murals that put your living room gallery wall to shame.
outdoorsy
JC has plenty of local parks, but nearby Roan Mountain wildflowers will ruin regular flowers forever.
fitness oriented
Buffalo Mountain's summit rewards masochists with actual views.
with your dog
Winged Deer Park where every pup becomes an influencer, and numerous dog parks to let your furry friend roam free.
family oriented
The Hands On! Museum at Gray Fossil Center or the Tennessee Railroad Museum/Johnson City Railroad Experience for tiny humans with endless energy.
you have to see this
Actual dinosaur fossils unearthed in our area at the Gray Fossil Site and Museum.
on a budget
Free bluegrass jams that cost zero dollars, but provide infinite vibes.
for sports fans
ETSU Bucs football and basketball where the whole town shows up.
My Favorite Local Spot in Johnson City
My favorite eating hangout is Southern Craft BBQ. Start out with Candied Black Pepper Bacon or Fried House Pickles as an appetizer, then tackle a full rack of Baby Back Ribs with fries, beans, and coleslaw. The Frankland Amber from Great Oak Brewing pairs great with BBQ. The Blackberry Cobbler with ice cream is to die for.
— Mike Stover
Tennessee Local Expert
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