Roger’s guidebook
Food scene
Great hole-in-the-wall bakery whose owners baked in Europe for decades before retiring here and providing the area with wonderful wood-fired pizzas, and homemade breads, pastries, scones, cookies, etc. Highly recommend breakfast too
33 locals recommend
Smoky Mountain Bakers
126 Orr StGreat hole-in-the-wall bakery whose owners baked in Europe for decades before retiring here and providing the area with wonderful wood-fired pizzas, and homemade breads, pastries, scones, cookies, etc. Highly recommend breakfast too
My favorite restaurant within 30 minutes. Exceptional chef. I'm a foodie, and I think Chef Bill is better than any chef in Boone or Asheville.
25 locals recommend
Mountain Chef Bistro
109 W Main StMy favorite restaurant within 30 minutes. Exceptional chef. I'm a foodie, and I think Chef Bill is better than any chef in Boone or Asheville.
BEST BBQ IN TENNESSEE (INCLUDING MEMPHIS) ... THEY THIN SLICE HAMS (NO SHOULDERS) AND SMOKE... NOT ONLY IS THE MEAT WONDERFUL, BUT BEST SIDES I'VE EVER HAD IN BBQ PLACE. THE HOMEMADE FRIES, COLESLAW AND BAKED BEANS ARE TO DIE FOR. I've eaten there over the last 50 years thousands of times and I've only ordered one thing .......bbq sandwich, Cole slaw, fries, and baked beans. My wife leaves off the meat order and orders two beans!
47 locals recommend
Ridgewood Barbecue
900 Elizabethton HwyBEST BBQ IN TENNESSEE (INCLUDING MEMPHIS) ... THEY THIN SLICE HAMS (NO SHOULDERS) AND SMOKE... NOT ONLY IS THE MEAT WONDERFUL, BUT BEST SIDES I'VE EVER HAD IN BBQ PLACE. THE HOMEMADE FRIES, COLESLAW AND BAKED BEANS ARE TO DIE FOR. I've eaten there over the last 50 years thousands of times and I've only ordered one thing .......bbq sandwich, Cole slaw, fries, and baked beans. My wife leaves off the meat order and orders two beans!
Sightseeing
HIGHLY RECOMMEND A TRIP THERE. EASY ACCESS (ONLY 5 MINUTES WALKING) AND BREATHTAKING FALLS IN HUGE BODY OF WATER BELOW.
106 locals recommend
Elk River Falls
Elk River RoadHIGHLY RECOMMEND A TRIP THERE. EASY ACCESS (ONLY 5 MINUTES WALKING) AND BREATHTAKING FALLS IN HUGE BODY OF WATER BELOW.
GREAT swimming pool, tennis courts, rec areas, trails, etc. Fabulous park.
111 locals recommend
Roan Mountain State Park
527 TN-143GREAT swimming pool, tennis courts, rec areas, trails, etc. Fabulous park.
Appalachian Trail hikers consistently rank this portion of the AT the most beautiful o the entire trail. And it's less than 20 minutes away from the house. Gorgeous hiking across "mountain bales" with views that take away your breath.
16 locals recommend
Appalachian Trail (US 19-E)
Appalachian National Scenic TrailAppalachian Trail hikers consistently rank this portion of the AT the most beautiful o the entire trail. And it's less than 20 minutes away from the house. Gorgeous hiking across "mountain bales" with views that take away your breath.
Appalachian Trail
Unaka Springs RoadYou can be on this part of the AT in 5 minutes from the house.
An absolute MUST see while in area. This school has an extraordinary history
https://penland.org
and artists from all over the world come here to teach and to take classes. Because of the School, hundreds of artists have retired to this area and although they sell their wares in galleries in Asheville, Charlotte, and as far away as S.F. and Vail, they also have "home galleries" where folks can come visit and see what they produce. Mica Gallery in Bakersville has great examples of artists ware. Two of my favorite glassblowers are Scott Summerfield
https://www.scottsummerfieldglass.com/contact
and
http://www.guerardglass.com
57 locals recommend
Penland School of Craft
67 Doras TrlAn absolute MUST see while in area. This school has an extraordinary history
https://penland.org
and artists from all over the world come here to teach and to take classes. Because of the School, hundreds of artists have retired to this area and although they sell their wares in galleries in Asheville, Charlotte, and as far away as S.F. and Vail, they also have "home galleries" where folks can come visit and see what they produce. Mica Gallery in Bakersville has great examples of artists ware. Two of my favorite glassblowers are Scott Summerfield
https://www.scottsummerfieldglass.com/contact
and
http://www.guerardglass.com
City advice
Don't miss
Asheville is about an hour away and
highly recommend a visit to Grove Park Inn and to The Biltmore House.
Don't miss
Banner Elk, Boone, and Blowing Rock (Granfather Mountain)
is about an hour away and don't miss these.
Getting around
Johnson City is closest city for movies, bowling, etc.
Although you can get to a Wal-Mart 30 min away in Spruce Pine or in Erwin, Tn.; and you can get to an Ingle's Supermarket 30 min away in Spruce Pine or in Burnsville, you can also get all of these in Johnson City plus every normal chain restaurant and it is 35 min away. We always go to Johnson City for most of what we need.