The One Tennessee Town Everyone Should Visit At Least Once
Tennessee is a one-of-a-kind place in every sense. Cotton candy was invented here, along with Moon Pies and Mountain Dew. It is home to the largest underground lake in the country, as well as the tallest underground waterfall. And, of course, its barbecue and whiskey hold a reputation that speaks for itself. Within a state known for its memorable qualities lies a town that stands out in every way: Jonesborough.
This town, located in northeastern Tennessee, is shaped by traditions and cultural practices that have been passed down through many generations. Through storytelling festivals, distilleries, and theater groups, the uniqueness of small-town Tennessee continues to be celebrated. As you begin to plan your upcoming travels for this coming year, don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit Jonesborough. Read on to learn about the delights that await you in this Southern gem.
Historic Sites and Museums
Jonesborough has an impressive number of museums for a town of its size. The first you’ll want to add to your bucket list is the Chester Inn Museum, which is located right on Main Street. Housed in the town’s oldest commercial building, the museum occupies an inn dating back to the late 18th century. Inside, you’ll find exhibits on the State of Franklin, a diorama of the town in the 1850s, a brief history of the inn, and more. Afterward, visit the Chuckey Depot Museum, located in WC Rowe Park. Originally built in the neighboring town of Chuckey, the depot was later moved to Jonesborough. Railroad fanatics will love this museum, which features a 1906 depot filled with themed exhibits that rotate every six months.
There is even more history to see at the Washington County/Jonesborough History Museum. Established in 1982, this museum houses centuries of artifacts and memorabilia. A few of the fascinating pieces you can view here include an old clock from the 1847 Washington County Courthouse, the town’s first firefighting equipment, photographs that date back as far as the 1850s, old newspapers, and much more.
Culinary & Distilling Scene
Your trip to Jonesborough is not complete until you’ve tried some of the town’s outstanding food and spirits. Visitors who love fresh food should definitely grab a bite at The Kitchen at Grace Meadows Farm, an award-winning restaurant that sits on 250 acres of farmland. The meals here are Appalachian-inspired and served family-style, with a few of the dishes including fried chicken, catfish, country-style barbecue ribs, steak and gravy, and pulled pork barbecue. For an upscale meal like no other, make a reservation at Jackson’s Prime Steakhouse, which serves mouthwatering USDA prime steaks and fresh seafood.
Conclude your day with a drink from the Tennessee Hills Distillery. Founded in 2014, this distillery is set in the historic Salt House, a building that once played a pivotal role in the Civil War. Appalachian-inspired, you can enjoy all kinds of spirits here, like whiskey, rum, gin, vodka, and cream liqueur. Although the distillery now has three locations, the location in Jonesborough was the original, allowing you to see where it all started.
International Storytelling Center
As the Storytelling Capital of the World, Jonesborough is home to a performing arts venue unlike any other in Tennessee: the International Storytelling Center. This center hosts over 300 hours of live performances each year, with some of the most renowned events including the National Storytelling Festival and Storytelling Live. Since 1973, the National Storytelling Festival has been a Jonesborough tradition, starting humbly in a high school gymnasium and an old farm wagon in Courthouse Square. Today, the festival has developed into a huge, multi-day event, attracting storytellers from around the world. The event takes place over several days in October, with five giant circus-like tents serving as the venue. In addition to general admission storytelling performances, storytelling workshops, ghost stories, and other events result in an exciting annual itinerary.
While October is one of the best times to visit to catch the festival, you can still enjoy storytelling events during other parts of the year. Storytelling Live takes place from May through October, with 20 nationally recognized storytellers putting on phenomenal shows. In December, Storytelling Live hosts a series of holiday-themed concerts, as well.
Arts & Theater
If you can’t get enough of Jonesborough’s history and culture, there’s even more to see in its theater and galleries. The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre is a wonderful place to catch a play, a local theater that puts on eight stage productions a season, along with theater outreach for senior citizens and educational programs for kids. If you’re hoping to learn a new skill, consider signing up for a class at the McKinney Center, which hosts drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, music, and dance classes for children, teens, and adults.
Travelers hoping to leave town with a distinctive souvenir should stop by the Griffin Art Gallery, a local gallery that sits inside a 1870s building on Main Street. Inside, you’ll find a collection of colorful works from artist James Griffin, along with works from other local artists. Handmade jewelry, pottery, cards, and books are a few of the media displayed.
A Tennessee Town That Sets Itself Apart
Tennessee is undoubtedly filled with unique places. Jonesborough, however, manages to make an impression on travelers time and time again. Between its renowned storytelling center, its many museums, and its delectable culinary scene, there are so many ways to fill an itinerary with things to do in town. And if you are the type of traveler to always leave town with a keepsake, the area’s art galleries will most certainly deliver as well. Don’t be surprised if your trip leaves you with a memorable story of your own!
