Bays Mountain
Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium is a 3500-acre nature preserve
open year round. It is one of the nation’s largest city-owned
parks. Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium offers an array
of activities for all season and features 28 miles of hiking
trails, 12 miles of mountain bike trails, and a 44-acre lake. A
barge ride on the lake is the perfect prescription for a
quiet escape to nature. When the weather turns cold, the
quiet snow of winter invites cross country skiers to test
their skills on 27 different trails. The park is framed on
all sides by mountain ridges, with much of the park lying
in a natural basin. Since it is a protected haven, animal
life is abundant. Inside the nature center is a 40-foot domed
planetarium that presents different astronomy subjects daily
in the summer and on weekends September through May. A freshwater
aquarium allows an intimate look at native fish and their
surroundings. The nature center also features natural history,
early pioneering and space sciences. Native animals, including
gray wolves, bobcats, deer and otters are housed near the
nature center. A quarter-acre waterfowl and wading bird enclosure
is located on the lake trail. The park’s newest addition
is a raptor habitat that features screech owls, vultures
and redtail hawks.
For more information, please visit www.baysmountain.com
Netherland Inn
Listed on the National Register of Historical Sites, the Netherland
Inn rises above the Holston River. The restored Inn faces
the Old Stage Road in the heart of Kingsport’s Boat Yard
Park, an area along the Holston River that served as a migratory
spot for settlers to build boats for their westward trip
during the mid-1700s.
William King originally built Netherland Inn
between 1802 and 1808 as a point from where he could ship salt
westward. He later sold the Inn in 1818 to Richard Netherland
who procured a stage contract and established the Inn and tavern
for travelers along the Old Stage Road.
The Inn hosted many famous persons, including
Presidents Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson and James K. Polk.
The Inn is filled with museum furnishings that
depict an intimate study of life in one of the South’s most
important American frontier settlements. Behind the Inn is
the Netherland Inn Log Cabin Children’s Museum and Schoolhouse,
featuring children’s toys of the 18th and 19th centuries.
For more information, please visit www.netherlandinn.com
Exchange Place
Exchange Place, a living history farm, is Kingsport’s tonic
for today’s fast-paced life. The site was once a community
that served as a self-supporting plantation and relay station
along the Old Stage Road. Exchange Place - The Preston Farm
recaptures life in the early 1800s. Listed on the National
Register of Historic Places, six of the eight buildings are
original, restored structures built between 1820 and 1850. The
farmstead received its name from the “exchanges” of horses
and currencies.
As part of Exchange Place’s commitment to preserve
19th century farm life, period livestock now reside at Exchange
Place. Demonstrations, including washing, spinning, weaving,
ironing, quilting, candle dipping and basketry are frequently
held during festivals and by special arrangements.
“Exchanges” still take place today at the country
store. Instead of exchanging currency, crafts made by local
artisans may be purchased. Exchange Place is open for tours
and by special arrangements for hosting events.
For more information, please visit www.exchangeplace.info
Kingsport Greenbelt
The Kingsport Greenbelt is a 9-mile historical, scenic fitness
trail that features a paved pathway for bikers, runners and
walkers. From one side of the city to the other, the pathway
meanders along gentle streams, wanders through marshlands,
glides across open meadows and passes by sites of historical
and aesthetic value. The Greenbelt is an easy grade and a
comfortable terrain that works its way through the woods
with rest point along the way. The bottomland along the Greenbelt
was buffalo grazing land frequently hunted by Cherokees. The
Greenbelt parallels the Great Indian warrior Path, 1773 Reedy
Creek to the north and Great Stage Road to the south. Along
the Greenbelt, there are many splendid rest stops to enjoy
pristine scenery. The Kingsport Greenbelt has many access
point throughout the city and is a favorite spot for an afternoon
stroll or morning jog. This linear park connects residential
neighborhoods, traditional parks, downtown, commercial districts,
schools and activity centers.
For more information, please visit www.kingsportgreenbelt.com
Allandale Mansion
Intriguing history and southern elegance create the romantic
setting of Kingsport's Allandale Mansion, often called Kingsport's "White
House." Built in 1950 by Ruth and Harvey Brooks, Allandale
still houses their fine furnishings, antiques and art. More
than a house, Allandale Mansion was first a home. The barn,
recently restored, once housed prize-winning cattle and the
fertile fields were pasture to blue-ribbon Tennessee Walkers.
The gardens, designed by President Eisenhower's landscape
architect, Timashenko, provided a peaceful backdrop to the
vibrant life of this 500-acre family homestead.
Allandale Mansion is ideal for weddings and social
events. The elegant surroundings, rooms and facilities are
sure to make memories that will last for a lifetime. As you
walk through the doors of this elegant Georgian mansion, you'll
experience the echoes of Kingsport's past.
For more information, please visit www.allandalemansion.com
FunFest
FunFest is a 9-day festival in Kingsport, Tennessee providing
fun and entertainment for the entire community - especially
families. All Fun Fest events are family oriented, fun, educational
and informative. With over 100 different activities in location
throughout the community there is truly something for everyone.
Activities include a world-record holding 8-K run, hot air
balloons, national music acts and even a dog show. Friendly
competition is exhibited in softball and kickball tournaments
and in treasure hunts.
Who Comes to FunFest?
FunFest has an average of more than 180,000 participants each
year. Beyond the Kingsport and the Tri-Cities, TN-VA Area,
large crowds from the surrounding states of Virginia, Kentucky,
and North Carolina, as well as the mid and western regions
of Tennessee. FunFest serves as a homecoming for many family
and high school reunions, as well as vacation for many local
residents and out-of-town guests. AAU tournaments have drawn
many families from across the country to Kingsport during
our festival. This year Kingsport hosts Girls 13 and under
basketball.
When is FunFest 2007?
This year’s dates are July 13- 21, 2007. This is our 27th year!
We have been named a Top 20 Southeast Tourism Society event
5 times! FunFest is a member of the International Festivals
and Events Association.
Demographic Information
Information reflects local information:
Tri-Cities market area population 490,000
Median Age - 41.9
44 and under—34.1%
Female—52%
Median Income—$33,600
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