The Most Charming College Town In Tennessee Is Home To Delicious Dining, Shopping, And More
By Chris Dodge|Published September 11, 2023
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
Johnson City, Tennessee. This is by far my favorite city in my state and there is no other Tennessee town quite like it. Nestled nicely in the mountains, filled with a wonderful community, and just big enough to have everything you would want in a city without being too big… what is there not to love? Today I want to give you just a taste of how great this Tennessee college town really is.
Sitting at the heart of Johnson City is East Tennessee State University (ETSU). Everywhere you look in the city you will find pride in the local school.
While visiting Johnson City, downtown is one of the best places to go. Not only can you see this iconic sign with Buffalo Mountain in the background, but you can also do plenty of shopping and enjoy some tasty restaurants.
Speaking of which, when it comes time to grab a bite, Johnson City is filled with some top-notch places. My all-time favorite is Southern Craft, but other great choices are Burg’r & Barrel, Label, and The White Duck... to name just a few.
Make sure to explore downtown Johnson City for a wide variety of unique shops. Patriot Popcorn sells amazing flavored popcorn; across the street is Cakebuds for all your bakery needs. The Generalist offers local artisan creations and Owl's Nest is a great place to do a little thrift shopping.
When you need to stay overnight, there is no need to leave downtown. Stay at this modern apartment in the heart of the city overlooking one of the lovely breezy courtyards.
Right within the city is Buffalo Mountain with plenty amount of intersecting hiking trails from wooded wonderlands to gorgeous overlooks. Tannery Knobs is also a highly sought-after bike track in the mountains for those who love mountain biking. Just outside the city limits is also a whole world of possibilities with thousands of miles of trails to pristine parks, waterfalls, and natural wonders.
Speaking of parks, the city also houses a large number of incredible green spaces and parks.
My favorite is the stunning views found at Willow Springs (pictured above). This park pays homage to the town's historical past in just about every way and has lovely walking trails. We also love Rotary Park which has an excellent playground and a splash pad area my kids love on warm days.
Johnson City, Tennessee, really does have a lot to offer but the best part of the city is the people in it. The community is something you just have to experience. To get to know the people you will see that everyone does a great job of making sure you feel welcome and at home.
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