10 Best Things to Do in Kingsport, TN

Kingsport, Tennessee is a small city located on the Holston River in northeastern Tennessee. The city and surrounding area is rich in history and natural scenic beauty. Visitors to Kingsport can enjoy the great outdoors or spend a day inside one of the cities galleries, museums, or restaurants. The following list will give travelers some great ideas on what to see and do on their Kingsport vacation. Photo: Kagenmi/Fotolia

Bays Mountain Park is the place to be for outdoor fun and education. Owned by the city of Kingsport, this nature preserve spans over 3500 acres and includes a 44-acre lake and 38 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and running. There are also on-site animal habitats where visitors can see bobcats, reptiles, birds, and more up-close. Adventurers can try out the park’s rope course, which includes a 300-foot zip line, then finish off the fun by taking in a show at the state-of-the-art planetarium. Bays Mountain Park is open daily. Hours vary by season. Contact: 853 Bays Mountain Park Road Kingsport, TN 37660, Photo: Kagenmi/Fotolia

History comes alive at the Exchange Place! Throughout its 160-year history, the Exchange Place has served as a plantation, a stagecoach relay station, and a post office. Today, it is a 62-acre “living history” farm where visitors can see what life was like for settlers and farmers in the 1850’s. Guests can tour buildings such as the main house, school house, blacksmith forge, granary, and barns. The farm is also home to some unusual breeds of chickens, sheep, cattle, and horses. The Exchange Place is open from May through October, and it also hosts several festivals and special events throughout the year. Contact: 4812 Orebank Road Kingsport, TN 37664, Phone: 423-288-6071 Photo: Exchange Place

Originally known as the “Flying Pig Gallery,” the Art in the Heart Gallery is located in downtown Kingsport. The gallery is dedicated to showcasing the work of local artists. Paintings, ceramics, photographs, jewelry, and craft projects have all been displayed here. In addition, Art in the Heart offers a wide variety of arts and crafts classes to both children and adults. Whether you are an accomplished artist or a novice, there is something for you at Art in the Heart. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday. Class times vary. A schedule can be found on the gallery’s website. Contact: 246 Broad Street Kingsport, TN 37660, Phone: 423-480-9702 Photo: Art in the Heart Gallery

Because it is bordered by mountains and the Holsten River, Kingsport offers visitors many opportunities for outdoor fun and adventure. At GRIP Outdoors, guests can take a trip down the river on a variety of vessels. GRIP offers kayak rentals in one, two, four, or eight-hour increments. Guests can also take an all-day float down the river on an inner tube, complete with floating coolers for easy access to refreshments. Rentals include life jackets and transportation to the drop-off and pick up points on the river. Fishing rentals are also available but most be booked in advance. Contact: 1837 Netherland Inn Road Kingsport, TN 37660, Phone: 432-612-1058 Photo: Robin/Fotolia

The Kingsport Carousel began as the idea of local resident Gale Joh. Mr. Joh recruited other local civic leaders, volunteers, and donors to share in his vision. In 2015, the dream became reality when the Kingsport Carousel finally opened to the public. With its thirty-two animals, twenty-four sweep animals, and two chariots, all carved and painted by hand, the carousel is truly a work of art. It is located inside Pat’s Roundhouse, which is available for rent for birthday parties and other gatherings. The carousel is open Wednesday through Sunday. Hours vary by season. Contact: 350 Clinchfield Street Kingsport, TN 36770, Phone: 423-343-9834 Photo: arenysam/Fotolia

Become one with Nature at the Kingsport Greenbelt. The Greenbelt is an 8-mile scenic trail that runs through the city and surrounding forest. The trail is completely paved and is open for walkers, runners, cyclists, and rollerbladers. The trail is open year-round and the scenery changes with the seasons, meaning there is always something interesting to see at the Greenbelt! Along the trail, visitors will find a wetland preservation area, wildflowers and native trees, two historic sites, a natural spring, a skate park, and picnic areas. Access to the trail can be found at various other points throughout Kingsport. Photo: dmcgill71/Fotolia

Minor League Baseball has become increasingly popular in the United States. They provide an inexpensive, up-close sports experience for adults and children alike. Visitors to Kingsport can experience the great American pastime with the Kingsport Mets, the city’s minor league team. The Mets are part of the Appalachian League of teams and a minor league affiliate of the New York Mets. The team has produced great professional players such as Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden. Games are played at the 2,500-seat Hunter Wright Stadium from June through August. Tickets can be purchased at the stadium or on the team’s website. Contact: 800 Granby Road Kingsport, TN 37660, Phone: 423-224-2626 Photo: S.White/Fotolia

At Sleepy Owl Brewery in Kingsport, visitors will find a variety of delicious craft beer brews, food, and special events. Sleepy Owl keeps approximately one dozen brews on tap, including their American Barleywine, Irish Red Ale, American IPA, and Imperial Stout. Seasonal brews and beers from other craft brewers are available on a limited basis. Local food trucks set up out front, so patrons can satisfy their hunger and their thirst. Sleepy Owl also features local and visiting musicians. The taproom is open Monday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Event hours vary. Contact: 151 Main Street Suite One Kingsport, TN 37660 Photo: Sleepy Owl Brewery

The Netherland Inn has been a Kingsport landmark for over 200 years. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this quaint inn was once an important stop for those traveling west to Tennessee and beyond. The property has also served as boatyard and a stage coach stop and has hosted Presidents Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, and James K. Polk. Today the inn has been restored and functions as a museum. A school house, kitchen wing, children’s museum, and pioneer transportation museum are also on the property. The Netherland Inn is open for tours on weekends in May through October. Contact: 2144 Netherland Inn Road Kingsport, TN 37660, Phone: 423-245-5449 Photo: The Netherland Inn

Named for the Cherokee War and Trading Path, Warrior’s Path State Park is a 950-acre nature complex located next to the Patrick Henry Reservoir. The park contains 12 miles of hiking trails that take guests through the beautiful Tennessee wilderness. The park also contains an 8.5-mile mountain biking trail, a 134-site campground, an 18-hole golf course, picnic areas, and pavilions. Fort Patrick Henry Lake is located in the park, and it is an excellent spot for swimming, fishing, and boating. The park’s playground includes equipment and trails that are accessible for blind and disabled children. Contact: 490 Hemlock Road Kingsport, TN 37663, Phone: 423-239-8531 Photo: MasterSergeant/Fotolia

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