Places to visit in Kingsport, TN.
Kingsport, Tennessee, is a city that offers a variety of things to do, from museums to shopping. This town is known for its beautiful surroundings. It’s also home to a variety of sports, including minor-league baseball.
If you’re traveling to Kingsport, Tennessee, there are a few things you should consider doing. This city is a must-see, from the awe-inspiring Bays Mountain Park to the Appalachian Caverns!
Kingsport is a place where history is preserved. A visit to the Kingsport Public Library is a great way to look at the city’s rich past.
Warriors’ Path State Park
Warriors’ Path State Park is a 950-acre park in Colonial Heights, Kingsport, Sullivan County, Tennessee. The park is situated on Patrick Henry Reservoir’s shores, near the ancient Cherokee war path and trading route.
Warriors’ Path State Park has an impressive array of facilities and activities. The more popular ones include water skiing, boating, and fishing. There are also over 8 miles of mountain biking trails. In addition, the park features an outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool, a 12-foot diving pool, and a wading pool for children.
Other amenities include a marina with 54 uncovered slips and a service dock. The marina is available for rental of fishing and pleasure boats. In addition, it rents canoes, paddle boats, and fishing equipment. You can even catch catfish and bass at the lake.
Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium
Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium is one of the many fun things to do in Kingsport. The park, owned by the city, spans over 3,500 acres. It is home to several attractions, including a planetarium, a raptor center, and an adventure ropes course. These are just some features that make the park a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
This is a beautiful spot in northeast Tennessee. If you like nature, you’ll enjoy seeing the park’s sizeable outdoor animal habitats, a waterfowl aviary, and cross-cut viewing sections of natural features. There are also picnic tables and benches along the lake’s shore. You’ll even be able to fish in some areas.
Other attractions at Bays Mountain include the Nature Center, its planetarium theater, 38 miles of trails, and a 44-acre lake. Aside from the obvious, you can also check out a 300-foot zip line and a pontoon boat ride.
Appalachian Caverns near Blountville, Tennessee
Appalachian Caverns is a great place to visit. It offers plenty of space, a picnic area, a gift shop, and plenty of amenities. You’ll be able to tour the cave and enjoy the sights.
In addition to the incredible scenery, there are many historic things to see here. Appalachian Caverns has a history that dates back over 1300 years. The first inhabitants of the area used the cave as a shelter. The caverns were also used as a storage facility by early settlers.
Well-Known Caverns
Located near Blountville, Tennessee, Appalachian Caverns are a well-known cavern with guided tours, campsites & a gem mine. Their easygoing atmosphere makes them a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
Cave Tours
If you want to get your feet wet in a cave, the best option is to take a cave trekking tour. You’ll be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who will explain the history of cave exploration and give you a low down on what to expect from your trip.
Speleothems
The awe-inspiring formations at Appalachian Caverns are not just pretty to look at. They also hold fascinating scientific data and are a great way to learn more about the natural world around you.
Bat Sanctuary
The cave is home to several species of bats, including the endangered gray bat (Myotis griescens). These flying mammals are vital in bringing oxygen to the deepest parts of the cave, and you’ll see plenty of them during your visit.
Exchange Place in Kingsport, Tennessee
Exchange Place is Kingsport’s tonic for today’s fast-paced life.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 2,000-acre historic farm recaptures the life of 19th-century agriculture. Throughout the year, Exchange Place offers a variety of unique events and educational programs.
Spring Garden Fair
The Spring Garden Fair at Exchange Place is an opportunity for heritage and heirloom growers to show off their best plants and offer their latest offerings to the public. Held in April, the event includes thousands of perennials, annuals, trees, and shrubs. During the event, growers will provide information about their products and services, including soil care, pest control, and plant propagation.
Re-enactors will participate in various activities and demonstrations of traditional gardening skills, including shearing sheep, weeding, planting flowers, and making soap and candles. Guests will also be able to visit the Cook’s Cabin, where Eden’s Ridge Hearth Cookery Society will be making foods from the mid-19th century.
A ten-mile walking and biking trail is available for guests at the Exchange Place Greenbelt. This newly extended trail is an attractive option for walkers and runners to enjoy the outdoors and the scenic views of the Kingsport area.
Netherland Inn Museum
The Netherland Inn Museum is located in Kingsport, Tennessee, at 2144 Netherland Inn Road. It was built in the early nineteenth century and is now a museum.
This historic landmark is open to the public for tours and events. Visitors can learn about life in one of the South’s most crucial frontier settlements.
The building was initially constructed in 1802 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site has been open to the public since 1982 after the Sullivan County Historical Society acquired the property.
The inn features a log cabin and exhibits that depict life in one of the South’s most notable frontier settlements. Some of the original furniture and other items still exist. However, many were destroyed during the Civil War.
In addition to the inn, visitors can also tour the historic grounds and see the pioneer transportation museum. The museum has a collection of children’s toys from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Best Things to Do in Kingsport, Tennessee
Places to visit in Kingsport, TN:
- Warriors’ Path State Park
- Bays Mountain Park Planetarium
- Appalachian Caverns near Blountville, Tennessee
- Well-Known Caverns
- Cave Tours
- Speleothems
- Bat Sanctuary
- Exchange Place in Kingsport, Tennessee
- Exchange Place is Kingsport’s tonic for today’s fast-paced life.
- Spring Garden Fair
- Netherland Inn Museum