Area Travel - AmericInn® of Jonesborough, TN
Welcome to Historic Jonesborough and the Appalachian Mountains Area! Read about Jonesborough attractions and things to do nearby AmericInn.
Located in the natural beauty of the northeastern Tennessee near the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, Jonesborough has played gracious host to the National Storytelling Festival since its inception in 1973. Tennessee's oldest town offers historic charm, modern services and small-town hospitality that provides family fun.
Area Attractions and Activities
Jonesborough, Tennessee - Following a multi-million dollar restoration in 1969, Tennessee's oldest town became the first in Tennessee to be placed on the "National Register of Historic Places". It has been recognized by Pinnacle Magazine as one of "America's most charming towns and villages." It was also listed in National Geographic's guide to small town escapes. Enjoy the ambience of the quaint village by booking a walking tour with Linda Poland of Positive Solution Tours. Enjoy our distinctive architecture, specialty shops and restaurants. Jonesborough is also part of the "Tennessee Quilt Trail." Enjoy Music on the Square during the summer months and wonderful plays and musicals by the repertory theatre of of course, Storytelling.
Address: Main Street, Jonesborough, TN
Distance: Within walking distance.
Phone: Visitor Center - 866-401-4223
Hours: Visitor Center - Monday through Friday from 8am - 5pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 5pm
International Storytelling Center - Jonesborough is the town where storytelling began in 1973 and is now named the International Storytelling Capital of the World. Storytelling daily May through October.
Address: 110 West Main Street, Jonesborough, TN
Distance: 0.5 miles
Phone: 423-913-1276
Website: www.storytellingcenter.net
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8am - 5pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 5pm.
Wetlands Water Park - Surrounded by the beautiful Persimmon Ridge, the park offers 5 slides, a 200 foot lazy river, volleyball court, kiddie pool and cafe.
Address: 1521 Persimmon Ridge Road, Jonesborough, TN
Distance: 2 miles
Phone: 423-753-1553
Hours: (June through August) Monday through Saturday from 10am - 6pm, Sunday from noon - 6pm
ETSU Natural History Museum and Gray Fossil Site - This attraction covers more than five acres located along State Route 75 in East Tennessee. The Miocene site is dated at 4.5 to 7 million years old, containing fossilized remains of an entire ecosystem of plants and animals. A series of sinkholes, formed from a collapsed cave, created a watering hole that drew animals from near and far. For some unlucky animals, the sinkhole became a trap that preserved them as fossils for the ages. With less than 2 percent of the site excavated, thousands of fossil specimens have already been recovered! You’ll discover saber-toothed cat, short-faced bear, ground sloth, rhino, alligator, camel, shovel-tusked elephant, Eurasian badger, the world’s largest collection of fossil tapirs, and the world’s only near-complete fossil red panda!
Address: Exit 13 off I-26, Gray, TN
Distance: 7 miles
Phone: 866-202-6223
Hours: Daily from 8:30am - 5pm
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) - ETSU is an accredited American university, founded October 2, 1911 and located in Johnson City, TN. It is part of the Tennessee Board of Regents system of colleges and universities. Graduate programs include a fully accredited medical school, the Quillen College of Medicine. In 2005 a College of Pharmacy was approved which further augmented the medical specialties at ETSU. Classes in the ETSU College of Pharmacy began in January 2007. The university is listed by The Princeton Review in their 2007 edition of America’s Best Value Colleges. ETSU has the only master's degree in the United States in storytelling, and has been increasingly noted for its Appalachian Studies programs and features a nationally acclaimed and accredited program in Bluegrass and Country Music.
Bristol Motor Speedway - Originally known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway, it is a NASCAR short track located in Bristol, Tennessee. It was constructed in 1960, and held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961. Despite its small size, Bristol is among the most popular tracks in NASCAR due to its distinct features that include extraordinarily steep banking, an all concrete surface, two pit roads and amphitheater-like seating.
The Hands On! Museum - The Museum is located in downtown Johnson City and houses an interactive gallery of exhibits and is a local favorite for school field trips.
Fun Fest - Kingsport’s annual community festival held in the summer, including free entertainment, children's events, Miss Kingsport pageant, and other activities.
Quick Area Guide
- Wetlands Water Park 4 mi
- Blue Plum Festival (June)
- Jonesborough's Historic District 0.5 mi
- Graysburg Hills Golf Course 13 mi
- The Ridges Golf Course 2 mi
- Music on the Square 0.5 mi
- Repertory Theatre 0.5 mi
- Bristol Motor Speedway 20 mi
- Cherokee National Park 10 mi
- Appalachian Ghost Walks 0.5 mi
