Tricia’s Guidebook to Butler and surrounding area
Things to do
Lakeshore Marina
2285 US-321Rent Boats and get on Lake Watauga
Fish Springs Marina
191 Fish Springs RdBoat Rentals
Great in the summer and winter.
Hiking, Yoga and Mountain Biking in the Summer.
Skiiing in the winter. Highest point east of the Mississippi
190 locals recommend
Beech Mountain
Great in the summer and winter.
Hiking, Yoga and Mountain Biking in the Summer.
Skiiing in the winter. Highest point east of the Mississippi
Sugar Mountain
Skiing and Hiking
Watauga Lake Winery
6952 Big Dry Run RdOff the Grid Mountain Adventures - Ziplines, Tower Jump, & Giant Swing
1825 US-19EBristol Motor Speedway
151 Speedway BlvdAppalachian Ski Mtn
940 Ski Mountain RdWatauga Point Recreational Area
Shook Road
Shook RoadFood scene
Only Open May-Oct, Fri-Sun
Home style, southern cooking!
Family style service.
Delicious.
27 locals recommend
Shirley's Home Cooking
3266 US-321Only Open May-Oct, Fri-Sun
Home style, southern cooking!
Family style service.
Delicious.
Butler Trading Post
16308 Hwy 67 WRestaurant. Comfort Food.
Laurel Fork Restaurant
201 US-321Good Reviews. Breakfast place.
Southern Restaurant
408 E Elk Avesimple place in downtown Elizabethton,
City/town information
Boone
Great shopping!
Home to Appalachia State
Downtown Elizabethton had great shopping.
The city has larger restaurants, grocery stores and a Walmart.
27 locals recommend
Elizabethton
Downtown Elizabethton had great shopping.
The city has larger restaurants, grocery stores and a Walmart.
wander the winding Broadstone Road to North Carolina's first Rural Historic District, Valle Crucis, where you'll find the original Mast General Store, ca. 1882, as well as small shops and art galleries.
33 locals recommend
Valle Crucis
wander the winding Broadstone Road to North Carolina's first Rural Historic District, Valle Crucis, where you'll find the original Mast General Store, ca. 1882, as well as small shops and art galleries.
On the drive from Blowing Rock to Boone, check out the variety of stores along U.S. 321 that offer toys, antiques, crafts, floral designs, and, in winter, Christmas trees, and ski and snowboard equipment. In downtown Blowing Rock, find Christmas shops, candlemakers, and shops with home decor, souvenir wear, or hats of all kinds. Shop for yarn, fabric, plus handcrafted stationery, jewelry, floral designs, and pottery.
398 locals recommend
Blowing Rock
On the drive from Blowing Rock to Boone, check out the variety of stores along U.S. 321 that offer toys, antiques, crafts, floral designs, and, in winter, Christmas trees, and ski and snowboard equipment. In downtown Blowing Rock, find Christmas shops, candlemakers, and shops with home decor, souvenir wear, or hats of all kinds. Shop for yarn, fabric, plus handcrafted stationery, jewelry, floral designs, and pottery.
1. Tweetsie Trail - which runs from Johnson City to Elizabethton. The trail is a great way to experience the sites in Johnson City at your own pace. The Tweetsie is primarily a walking and biking trail, so you can decide your own pace and have a great time.
2. Tannery Knobs - great new mountain biking and running trail that has been designed in partnership with the IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) to provide a challenging and enjoyable experience for riders of all ages and experience level.
3. Winged Deer Park
4. Willow Springs Park
5. Buffalo Mountain Park
6. Founders Park
59 locals recommend
Johnson City
1. Tweetsie Trail - which runs from Johnson City to Elizabethton. The trail is a great way to experience the sites in Johnson City at your own pace. The Tweetsie is primarily a walking and biking trail, so you can decide your own pace and have a great time.
2. Tannery Knobs - great new mountain biking and running trail that has been designed in partnership with the IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) to provide a challenging and enjoyable experience for riders of all ages and experience level.
3. Winged Deer Park
4. Willow Springs Park
5. Buffalo Mountain Park
6. Founders Park
Sightseeing
Grandfather Mountain
2050 Blowing Rock HwyMile High Bridge.
Great Hiking from easy to difficult.
Bristol Caverns
1157 Bristol Caverns HighwayHiking
Steele Creek Park Lake
Bass Lake Trail
1 Bass Lake DrCrabtree Falls
39000 Blue Ridge PkwyThere are a couple of ways to arrive at Coon Den Falls, but we prefer the 4-mile loop along the Appalachian Trail for its scenery and moderate elevation change. The glistening 50-foot waterfall is tucked away in the Roan Mountain region of Northeast Tennessee, which is known in spring for its blooms of rhododendron and a wide variety of wildflowers, including trillium. During dry seasons, Coon Den Falls slows almost to a trickle, so it’s best to experience it during rainy weather or right after. While the trailhead on Dennis Cove Road is easy to find and access, this waterfall’s densely forested surroundings make it feel surprisingly remote.
10 locals recommend
Coon Den Falls
There are a couple of ways to arrive at Coon Den Falls, but we prefer the 4-mile loop along the Appalachian Trail for its scenery and moderate elevation change. The glistening 50-foot waterfall is tucked away in the Roan Mountain region of Northeast Tennessee, which is known in spring for its blooms of rhododendron and a wide variety of wildflowers, including trillium. During dry seasons, Coon Den Falls slows almost to a trickle, so it’s best to experience it during rainy weather or right after. While the trailhead on Dennis Cove Road is easy to find and access, this waterfall’s densely forested surroundings make it feel surprisingly remote.
Located on TN Hwy 143 at the base of the majestic 6,285 Roan Mountain, Roan Mountain State Park encompasses more than 2,000 acres dominated by rich hardwood forest along rugged ridges. The cool, clear Doe River winds its way through the center of the park and supports a healthy population of trout. Wildflowers and wildlife inhabit the hollows and ridges of the Roan foothills in abundance.
111 locals recommend
Roan Mountain State Park
527 TN-143Located on TN Hwy 143 at the base of the majestic 6,285 Roan Mountain, Roan Mountain State Park encompasses more than 2,000 acres dominated by rich hardwood forest along rugged ridges. The cool, clear Doe River winds its way through the center of the park and supports a healthy population of trout. Wildflowers and wildlife inhabit the hollows and ridges of the Roan foothills in abundance.
Perhaps one of the most popular waterfall hikes in Northeast Tennessee is the walk to Laurel Falls, which you can access via a 1.2-mile trail off of Dennis Cove Road near Hampton. The majority of the trail is relatively flat and easy, as it follows an old railroad bed that runs alongside Laurel Fork, while the last section of trail is a very long series of stone steps leading to the base of the falls. The area around the waterfall is perfect for a picnic and a good cool down before the tough climb back out.
6 locals recommend
Laurel Falls
Perhaps one of the most popular waterfall hikes in Northeast Tennessee is the walk to Laurel Falls, which you can access via a 1.2-mile trail off of Dennis Cove Road near Hampton. The majority of the trail is relatively flat and easy, as it follows an old railroad bed that runs alongside Laurel Fork, while the last section of trail is a very long series of stone steps leading to the base of the falls. The area around the waterfall is perfect for a picnic and a good cool down before the tough climb back out.
Jones Falls
This 100-foot waterfall is situated between Roan Mountain, Tennessee, and Elk Park, North Carolina, and has a couple of different access points. A popular approach is to begin at the Elk River Falls parking area and hike up to the Appalachian Trail, from which you’ll take a short spur trail to reach the falls. When you reach Jones Falls you’ll see that the top section free-falls, while the lower portion tumbles into rushing cascades. The estimated length for this hike is about 7 miles round-trip, with the approach hike taking a bit longer due to substantial elevation gain.
106 locals recommend
Elk River Falls
Elk River RoadJones Falls
This 100-foot waterfall is situated between Roan Mountain, Tennessee, and Elk Park, North Carolina, and has a couple of different access points. A popular approach is to begin at the Elk River Falls parking area and hike up to the Appalachian Trail, from which you’ll take a short spur trail to reach the falls. When you reach Jones Falls you’ll see that the top section free-falls, while the lower portion tumbles into rushing cascades. The estimated length for this hike is about 7 miles round-trip, with the approach hike taking a bit longer due to substantial elevation gain.
The first part of the trail leads you through the woods to a clearing where there are overhead power lines. Hang a left, and you begin your descent. It's straight down. No switchbacks. Hiking poles or walking sticks may help. I can't imagine attempting to make it down the trail after a rain -- it was treacherous enough when dry. Do yourself a favor and wear descent hiking shoes -- I saw more than one wearing just flip flops. There was a rope halfway down that really helped -- although I'm not sure if it's always there or not. But take your time, watch your footing, and you'll reach the Elk River. At this point, you'll hear the falls from around the corner to your left. A trail will lead you over and around the slippery rocks until you reach the nearby falls.
16 locals recommend
Twisting Falls
Dark Ridge RoadThe first part of the trail leads you through the woods to a clearing where there are overhead power lines. Hang a left, and you begin your descent. It's straight down. No switchbacks. Hiking poles or walking sticks may help. I can't imagine attempting to make it down the trail after a rain -- it was treacherous enough when dry. Do yourself a favor and wear descent hiking shoes -- I saw more than one wearing just flip flops. There was a rope halfway down that really helped -- although I'm not sure if it's always there or not. But take your time, watch your footing, and you'll reach the Elk River. At this point, you'll hear the falls from around the corner to your left. A trail will lead you over and around the slippery rocks until you reach the nearby falls.