I've visited the Hands On Discovery Center before and always thought it was a decent but fairly…read moresmall children's attraction. Unfortunately our most recent experiences were frustrating. We first drove out on a Monday because the door sign and online listings indicated they were open, but the building was closed when we arrived. When we came back later in the week around 4:30 PM (they close at 5), we were told admission would still be full price for both the child and the supervising parent ($22 for 30 minutes). For a museum that recommends spending 1-2 hours there, paying full admission for roughly 30 minutes didn't make much sense, especially when parents are mostly supervising rather than using the exhibits themselves. Other kid-focused play spaces in the area either don't charge adults or adjust pricing near closing time. In past visits we've also noticed that some interactive exhibits were not functioning, which makes the experience feel smaller than it probably intends to be. The concept is great and the fossil site connection is interesting, but the hours, pricing structure, and maintenance of exhibits could use some attention. With a few improvements this could be a much stronger destination for families in the Tri-Cities area.

I went here with a friend and it was fun alright…read more I've never been here before, and firstly, I went upstairs and the staff were so friendly! We had a nice chat about the Gray Fossil Center, over outside. They just dug up a new red panda skull. The entire walkthrough the building was really informative and fun. Exhibits were super cool as well. We also saw one of the Tesla Coil shows, and it was short but radical. Show lasts about 15-17 minutes and you watch the tesla coil play music with noise cancelling headphones and i'll leave that up to you to judge if it's entertaining or not, but I thought it was. This place is satisfactory alright. Very cool.

Toured the Carter Mansion today ($7 per person) Tours are not everyday. Call Sycamore Shoals, or…read morecheck their Facebook site for tour days, and time. We got to see every room in the house, except the basement, which has wood floors. A painting over the fireplace was pretty cool. It was painted over with white paint years ago, and while the restoration group was taking paint "samples", they realized something was under the white paint, which turned out to be a painting. Only one piece of furniture was original to the house, which was a chair. We checked out the family cemetery, and walked down to the Watauga river which is actually in front of the house. This is the oldest framed house in Tennessee. Interesting piece of history.

Before driving through the area I had looked prior to starting the drive if there were any…read moreinteresting places to see that I may never have the opportunity to see again - this covered bridge is one I had booked marked so why not. I consider these types of structures interesting and definitely qualifies as a roadside attraction and oddity in my opinion. We arrived mid-day to find a few visitors mulling around snapping a few photos and taking advantage of the free access. The Doe River below was filled with ducks and geese swimming and looking for a free handout, apparently they have become accustomed to the generosity of the visitors here. This is a well built bridge that reminds you of how things used to be built there aren't many projects now days that are built to last 143 years, although this covered bridge hasn't been in service since the Federal Highway Administration and the Tennessee Department of Transportation funded a $400,000 bridge rehabilitation in 2003-2004 at that time, it was closed to vehicular traffic and converted into a pedestrian-only bridge. It's definitely a survivor having withstood major flood events in 1901, 1940, 1998 and the horrific flooding in September 2024 and she still stands as beautiful as ever...

Me and my wife recently stopped by here today to see what this bridge had to offer. Ground screw…read morethat work with the city were installing Christmas lights around the area. This Bridge very historical and it features plenty of information nearby across the river. This bridge is an easy walk though there are no Scenic views at all inside . Though there are paths to walk through there is a area for pedestrians on the narrow side where everyone else gets to have the larger section.

Kingsport's 1850s Living History farm is a great place to retreat when life becomes to hectic. I…read morehave enjoyed visiting the different seasonal events here and learning from the reenactment volunteers. It reinforces the reputation of eastern Tennessee as an arts and crafts community. The structures are well maintained and the period garden is carefully managed by the Master Gardeners. It is a joy to visit.

This was a fascinating little place. The beautiful, creative wares range from wonderful stained…read moreglass pieces (large and small, mostly hanging pieces but also a few lampshades) to critters and vehicles made from soda cans, beer cans, or assorted metal tools, fixtures, and pieces. There are stone and wooden housewares and fun, fanciful cards. There's unique jewelry and purses. I'm forgetting any number of types of things, but it was a well-stocked store despite its relatively small size. The prices ranged widely, but I thought they seemed pretty decent compared to similar things I've seen elsewhere. Also, the staff is outstanding -- very warm, welcoming, and patient in general, as well as knowledgeable about the goings-on around Jonesborough and happy to talk about them.

It's a wonderful trip into the past when you visit this cabin. It is across the street from Town…read moreHall and has a cool history. There are informational plaques. It is free and open to the public all the time.

Located in Greeneville, TN about 2 blocks from the President Andrew Johnson Home and museum. It is…read morea quick walk over and something you shouldn't miss.. It is absolutely FREE and a piece of history you don't want to miss. The state of Franklin never came about but it could have been a 51st state if it hadn't fell through the cracks during all the civil war fights going on. You can go into the cabin and look around. I recommend you checking it out. HISTORY: In 1784, North Carolina attempted to resolve its debts by giving the U.S. Congress its lands west of the Appalachian Mountains, including Greene County, abandoning responsibility for the area to the federal government. In response, delegates from Greene and neighboring counties convened at Jonesborough and resolved to break away from North Carolina and establish an independent state. The delegates agreed to meet again later that year to form a constitution, which was rejected when presented to the general delegation in December.[12] Reverend Samuel Houston (not to be confused with the later governor of Tennessee and Texas) had presented a draft constitution which restricted the election of lawyers and other professionals. Houston's draft met staunch opposition, especially from Reverend Hezekiah Balch (1741-1810) (who was later instrumental in the creation of Tusculum College). John Sevier was elected governor, and other executive offices were filled. A petition for statehood for what would have become known as the State of Franklin (named in honor of Benjamin Franklin) was drawn at the delegates session in May 1785. The delegates submitted a petition for statehood to Congress, which failed to gain the requisite votes needed for admission to the Union. The first state legislature of Franklin met in December of 1785 in a crude log courthouse in Greeneville, which had been named the capital city the previous August.[13] During this session, the delegates finally approved a constitution which was based on, and quite similar to, the North Carolina state constitution. However, the Franklin movement began to collapse soon thereafter, with North Carolina reasserting its control of the area the following spring. In 1897, at the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in Nashville, a log house that had been moved from Greeneville was displayed as the capitol where the State of Franklin's delegates met in the 1780s. There is, however, nothing to verify that this building was the actual capitol. In the 1960s, the capitol was reconstructed, based largely on the dimensions given in historian J. G. M. Ramsey's Annals of Tennessee

My review is based on a visit to the Appalachian Fair at the end of August 2023. It was packed!…read more The event is okay for Carnival rides and such. (Please take that with a little grain of salt because after living in Texas and experiencing the Texas State Fair - anything else, hmmm). There were livestock displayed which drew the attention and crowds of the youngest patrons. I didn't realize, but there was also a livestock competition that probably ended by the time I entered the grounds. I chose to purchase the pass for unlimited rides, not the wisest investment I've made. Lines were extremely long for the most popular rides that I probably would have waited at least an hour or more to experience. This is a fair, not an amusement park! I would have been better off purchasing a sheet of coupons for rides and entertainment. However, I do see the draw for friends and families to enjoy a summer day / evening of rides and fair food together. The grounds itself hosts different and various event throughout the year. There is a driving Christmas Light Show that starts the day before Thanksgiving and runs until the beginning of January. That might be an event considering to visit.

Love this fair! The concerts are great and the people are really nice. Always a fun time for the…read morewhole family.

A functioning drive-in cinema in 2026 is quite special. State Line delivers a nostalgic, quaint,…read morefun movie-going experience that you can't get everywhere - even in Los Angeles, where I've lived for 19 years (after growing up in Elizabethton with State Line nearly in my backyard). Especially with the closure of the Bonnie Kate, please continue to support State Line!

Enjoy Family Fun relax take it all in All around family fun. Brings back childhood memories. They…read morealso have a concession where you can order popcorn hotdog, and sodas and more check them out. I'm sure you'll like it.