The Door to Appalachia—Johnson City, TN
Johnson City sits in the northeastern corner of Tennessee. Nestled within forested foothills, the city is a fantastic jumping-off point for a motorcycle adventure in the Appalachian Mountains, covering unforgettable scenery, local history, and unique culture.
Nature-loving riders will find a real wonderland in Johnson City and the surrounding areas. Not only does the city itself have many green parks, but you also have easy access to the wider surrounding area.
Just to the south of the city is Buffalo Mountain Park, one of the most popular tourist draws in town. This hilly area boasts numerous hiking trails leading to overlooks with breathtaking views of the region. Another option to stretch your legs in pretty scenery is Willow Springs Park, with its relaxing walking trails.
You can also swap your motorcycle for another two-wheeled ride at the Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park. Easily accessible from downtown Johnson City, Tannery Knobs covers 40 acres filled with mountain biking trails, alongside a paved pump track. You can rent a bike from Trek Bicycle Johnson City. The store is located a mile from the park, so pedaling to the trails makes for an excellent warm-up.
If you exhaust all the outdoor activities in the immediate vicinity of Johnson City (unlikely), there’s more adventure all around. Johnson City is within a two hours’ ride from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, southwestern Virginia, and North Carolina, allowing you to plunge yourself into Appalachian beauty.
Speaking of Appalachia, Johnson City is chock-full of regional history and culture. William Bean, Tennessee’s first European settler and a personal friend of Daniel Boone, set up a cabin in the area of modern Johnson City.
Although it no longer exists, there is a stone marker designating the approximate original site of Bean’s cabin. However, it is located a pathless hike away along the Watauga River from Sonny’s Marina and unreachable to vehicles.
For a more accessible option, visit the Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site. This preserved 1784 farmhouse has a colorful history, having played a significant role both in Tennessee’s struggles to become a state and the Civil War.
Reece Museum in Johnson City is a small local museum that focuses on Southern Appalachian art and culture, while the Johnson City Railroad Experience highlights the city’s past as a major railroad hub. To see the very earliest history of the area, long before humans arrived here, visit the Gray Fossil Site.
Other historical attractions in and around Johnson City include Rocky Mount State Historic Site, featuring a 1971 log house, the 1860 Old Piney Flats Post Office, and the Elizabethton Covered Bridge.
Of course, Appalachian culture isn’t all about the past. The Down Home is a music venue in name, but in addition to local and national bands and artists, it hosts theater plays, poetry slams, reading nights, and much more. To get local riding tips and meet other motorcyclists, drop by the Wrecking Crew Harley-Davidson dealership.
This is all without mentioning everything else you’ll find in the region, from high mountains to underground caverns. Johnson City is the place to be for motorcyclists looking to immerse themselves in all things Appalachian.
Facts & Info
Nearby Attractions
- Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site
- Reece Museum
- Johnson City Railroad Experience
- Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park
- The Down Home
- Gray Fossil Site
- Appalachian Caverns
Nearby Roads
Johnson City is a real motorcyclist’s playground. Several excellent roads lead out of the city, and if you venture a bit farther, you’ll have more options than you have time to ride.
The prime bunch of riding roads out of Johnson City is known as the Southern Dozen. Each of the 12 rides carries a certain theme, making them a great way to hit fun roads while exploring a regional element that interests you.
One of the Southern Dozen routes is specifically dedicated to a series of roads known as the Snake. It’s most famous and popular section along US 421 crams 489 curves into 37 miles, crossing over three mountains. If you like mountain roads, this one is among the best.
Southeast of Johnson City, you’ll find Roan Mountain State Park and its dual roads of Tennessee SR 143 and North Carolina SR 261. This is a relatively quick but extremely entertaining twisty ride over the titular mountain.
If you don’t have time to venture too far from the city, go on a spin along the shores of Watauga Lake on US 321. It’s a relaxed, calmly meandering ride with beautiful water views and good fishing opportunities.
Food & Dining
Southern Craft BBQ is one of Johnson City’s most celebrated restaurants. This local barbecue joint serves all the classic meats (and three), while also dishing out excellent smoked salmon. Find it at 601 Spring St #101, Johnson City, TN.
Project BBQ to the north of the city is another local favorite that typically invites debates and comparisons with the above-mentioned restaurant. All I’ll say is that the food is mouthwatering, so you’ll just have to go eat at both and make up your own mind. You can never eat too much top-notch barbecue, after all. Find it at 3301 N Roan St, Johnson City, TN.
If you’re craving classic diner eats to complete your day on the road, motor over to Penny Man’s Diner. The food is hearty, the portions are big, and the service is friendly—what more could you ask for? Find it at 1409 E Main St, Johnson City TN.
Best Time to Travel
Johnson City is a good motorcycling destination from spring to fall, with each of the three seasons offering its own charm. Summers can be warm and humid, but air is typically a bit cooler up on the mountain roads. With all the forests around, fall colors in the area make for marvelous leaf-peeping, and the temperatures are milder too.