7/25/26 My husband…read moreand I like to go on a cave trip every year for our anniversary. This year, we traveled from Ohio to the Bristol area. We took a trip to Appalachian Caverns on the second day of our trip and it became the 28th cave/cavern that we have visited in the US. We loved our tour here and our tour guide Roger was great! He was so funny while having a great balance of knowledge to share. We heard so much new information while on the tour and loved hearing about the bat population. We also got to see two bats while walking through. The bridges over the water were our favorite part. So beautiful! We highly recommend stopping in for a tour!

So they give tours about every hour or so. I think it was about 45 minutes. They had 2 tour guides…read morewhile we were there . But our tour guide complained alot about his life. We did joke around about some things, but at least pretend you enjoy your job. They had a couple cute doggos that greet you while you are there. They also have a little store with a lot of different kinds of rocks if that is your thing.

While visiting in the area we stopped at the Fort Watauga replica at the Sycamore Shoals State Park…read morein Elizabethton, TN near Johnson City, TN. It is located along the Watauga River. Fort Watauga, more properly Fort Caswell, was an American Revolutionary War fort that once stood at the Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga River in what is now Elizabethton, Tennessee. The fort was originally built in 1775-1776 by the area's frontier government, the Watauga Association, to help defend Watauga settlers from Native American (primarily Cherokee) attacks, which were in part instigated by the British. Fort Watauga was originally named Fort Caswell after North Carolina Governor Richard Caswell Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Watauga Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park 1651 W. Elk Avenue Elizabethton, Tennessee FREE Park. Free to view and tour the Fort Watauga, and FREE to tour the Visitors Center. The visitors center was not open when we stopped there but we did walk around the Fort.

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.

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.

We happened to be in town on a weekend when the museum was closed, which was a small letdown…read morebecause the building has that inviting, lived‑in look that makes you want to step inside and wander for a bit, but even from the sidewalk you can feel the weight of its long history and the marker out front fills in enough of the story to make the stop worthwhile in that quiet Jonesborough way where the past is always just under the surface. It reads, "Built in 1797 by Dr. William P. Chester of Lancaster, Pa., it has been continuously occupied as an Inn, a hotel and an apartment house. Among the guests here have been three presidents of the United States, Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson, as well as John Sevier, Governor of Franklin and first Governor of Tennessee. President Andrew Jackson held a reception for his friends on the porch of the Inn in the summer of 1832." It is marker number 1A-90 and it was erected by the Tennessee Historical Commission. The Museum is a reminder that Jonesborough has always been a crossroads for travelers, politicians, and everyday residents, and even though we couldn't go inside this time, the marker gives you enough context to appreciate the building's long life and to look forward to a return visit when the doors are open again. [Review 99 of 2026 - 598 in Tennessee - 25289 overall]

Standing in front of the Parthenon in Nashville didn't feel real at first it's massive, beautiful,…read moreand unexpectedly powerful. Walking inside and seeing the towering statue of Athena was a true wow moment and made the visit feel special, not just touristy. It's impressive, and one of those places that sticks with you after you leave. Easily a five star experience and a must see in Nashville. We will be back for sure next time to see again

Great little monument in the heart of Elizabethton. I recently stopped here at first since this was…read morea roundabout and then I came back to go buy it again just to go to the covered wagon. This Monument is a staple to the community and the history behind it is absolutely breathtaking. Thankfully there's not a lot of traffic here so you could run over to the monument and read the history behind it. During the winter time this Monument is decorated.

Located on the east side of the river, this tall granite obelisk honors the veterans of all wars. I…read morethought initially that it might have been a Confederate monument, but no. This is all wars from the Revolutionary War to the present date. "Built in honor of all soldiers of Carter County in all wars from the Revolution down to this date, 1912." The base of the Monument was constructed out of river rock that was brought from banks of the nearby Doe River and held together by hand-mixed cement. The base measures about 20 feet and the body of the structure measures about 65 feet high, which was a significant height when built. The top is a single piece that is pyramid shaped. Located in the center of a traffic circle where North Main Street meets South Main Street, it is just across from the old court house. [Review 14961 overall, 463 of 2021, number 264 in Tennessee.]

On my way through Johnson City and looking for a place to get a meal, I spotted this marker and…read morestopped to read the history of this small city. There is parking nearby and restaurants. The marker reads, "The town was formerly known as Green Meadows, Blue Plum, Johnson's Depot, Haynesville, then Johnson City. It is situated on land grants of 1782 to Robert and Joseph Young and in 1792 to Joseph Tipton. The town charter was repealed in 1879, but incorporated in 1885. The name honors Henry Johnson, prominent merchant and postmaster. As industrial and educational center, it is the home of Milligan College, East Tennessee State University, and Steed College." It is marker number 1A-93 and was erected by the Tennessee Historical Commission. [Review 20376 overall - 476 in Tennessee - 1354 of 2023.]

This marker is along Watauga and there is a spot to stop and read the marker. It is next to Carver…read morePark. It has the same text on both sides. The marker reads, "On September 2, 1811, James Nelson deeded to trustees William Nelson, William Duzan, James King, Jacob Hoss and John R. Boring, 4 acres and 8 poles to be used by the Methodist Episcopal Church for a house of worship. For many years a campground for religious meetings was maintained here with a central permanent tent and many family tents. During the Civil War Col. Robert Love's 62nd N.C. Regiment, CSA used the ground as a camp." It is marker number 1A-89 and it was erected by the Tennessee Historical Commission. It does not have a date for when it was installed but it is well faded. [Review 266 of 2025 - 570 in Tennessee - 23829 overall]