PRESS RELEASE
Monday, June 8, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Visit Kingsport Launches Long Island Iced Tea Trail
KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Visit Kingsport is excited to announce the official launch of its new Long Island Iced Tea Trail, a digital passport experience. The trail was created as a way to turn a piece of local history into a fun and interactive way for visitors and residents to explore Kingsport. It features more than two dozen stops around the city and includes a digital passport for users to track their activity.
The Trail launched on Saturday, June 6, to coincide with International Long Island Iced Tea Day. It will serve as a year-round visitor asset that celebrates Kingsport’s connection to the original Long Island Iced Tea while encouraging participants to explore and support local restaurants, shops and businesses around the city.
“The Long Island Iced Tea Trail gives visitors, residents and regional travelers a fun new way to experience Kingsport,” said Chelsea Ketron, Visit Kingsport’s Director of Marketing. “This digital passport brings a piece of Kingsport’s history to life while encouraging visitors to discover local flavors, support Kingsport businesses and enjoy our city one stop at a time.”
At its core, the Long Island Iced Tea Trail is about exploration and community pride. The goal is for people to explore, taste, sip, stay awhile and see Kingsport in a new way. From crafted cocktails to sweet treats and more, each participating stop brings its own flavor and flare on a classic drink while telling a little piece of Kingsport’s story.
“Bellafina is thrilled to be a part of Kingsport’s Long Island Iced Tea Trail,” said Jes Williams, Executive Director of Bellafina Chocolates. “This is such a fun and creative way to celebrate our city’s history while inviting locals and visitors to discover the local restaurants, shops and businesses that make our community special.”
Participants can redeem their free digital passport at VisitKingsport.com/longisland and check in at participating businesses. Once you sign up your pass will be instantly delivered to your phone via text or email and is ready to use immediately. There is no app to download, and your pass can be saved to your phone’s home screen for easy one-tap access. The digital passport also includes a points-based rewards system that allows users to earn points by checking in and redeem rewards along the way. This format allows participants to explore Kingsport and visit businesses at their own pace. The trail gives visitors and locals a new reason to walk through the doors of businesses they may not have tried before. There are currently 25 local businesses participating in the Long Island Iced Tea Trail and more are expected to join throughout the year.
“Nick’s Restaurant is proud to join the Long Island Iced Tea Trail and be part of an experience that encourages people to explore more of Kingsport,” said Victoria Harville, Nick’s Restaurant Owner. “We are excited to welcome new faces and share the food, service and local hospitality that Nick’s is known for”
Participating Businesses Include:
- 6ix Grist & Grind
- Bays Mountain Brewing Company
- Bellafina Chocolates
- Brushstrokes n’ More
- Cornucopia
- Cancun Mexican Grill
- Chocolate Elegance
- East Coast Wings & Grill
- Fusion at Ridgefields
- Gypsy Circus
- Gypsy Bean, Leaves & Things
- High Voltage
- Hook & Ladder Distillery
- Horse Creek Lounge at MeadowView
- Inspire Wine Bar
- King City Distillery
- Macado’s
- Nick’s Restaurant
- Ole Crow Tavern
- Riverfront Seafood Co.
- Southern Craft BBQ
- Stir Fry Café
- The Crumbum
- The Laboratory
- The Reserve
For more information about the history of the Long Island Iced Tea, to redeem your free mobile passport and start earning rewards points, click here.
