Things To Do

WAHOO'S ADVENTURES is the High Country?s oldest and finest rafting, kayaking, canoeing, tubing and caving adventure company?receiving two ?Outfitter of the Year? awards by the Professional Paddlesports Association and we are Voted #1 on TripAdvisor.

The Watauga River tailwater begins just below Wilbur Dam, in Elizabethton, TN. The stream is well known for its trophy rainbow and brown trout fishing. The upper section offers some public access, for wading. However, most of the trophy section is only accessible by boat.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park protects the land that was the location of several important historic events that occurred in the late 18th century. Leaving the English colonies, settlers began arriving along the Watauga Old Fields, in search of a new life on what was Cherokee land. John Carter, one of the primary political, military and business leaders of this era, and his son Landon, built a home, the Carter Mansion, three miles from Sycamore Shoals. This structure is the oldest standing frame house in Tennessee, dating back to the mid to late 1770s.

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.

Built in 1882, the Covered Bridge is believed to be the oldest such bridge that is still in use for pedestrians. Constructed at a cost of $3,000 by contractor Dr. E. E. Hunter, George Lindamood and three carpenters, it spans the river for 134 feet, resting on earth and limestone abutments. Hunter hired Colonel Thomas Matson, who had engineered the elevated railroad tracks in New York City, to design the bridge and serve as construction chief.

Built between 1775-80 by John and Landon Carter, the Carter Mansion is the oldest standing frame house in the state of Tennessee. Both John and Landon were strong business, political and military leaders in the Watauga Settlement in the late 18th century. The interior of the home is noted for it's elaborate architecture which include hand carved panels, crown molding, and chair railing. Considered the oldest paintings known in the state, two over-mantle paintings can be seen over the fireplace in Carter's office and upstairs in the master bedroom.

Watauga Lake, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest in northeastern Tennessee, enjoys the most stunningly beautiful lake and mountain views in the 'Volunteer State'. Started in 1942 and finally dammed on the last day of 1948, Watauga Lake is the TVA's highest-elevated reservoir in Tennessee. Surrounded by densely forested mountains in the "high country", Watauga Lake sits 1,959 feet above sea level at "full pool" (full summertime elevation). At Watauga Lake, it's usually a few degrees cooler than similar locations closer to sea level.

The Tweetsie Trail is a rails-to-trails project traversing former ET&WNC railroad right-of-way between Johnson City and Elizabethton. Because of the unique sound of the locomotive whistle, the railroad and its trains became unofficially yet affectionately known as the ?tweetsie.? The trail provides opportunities for walking, hiking, running, biking, etc. on a relatively flat grade in a beautiful, natural setting. When complete, the 10-mile trail will be the longest rails-to-trails project in Tennessee!

Wilbur is located in some of the most beautiful country in the Tennessee River watershed. The reservoir is surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest and flanked by the Appalachian Mountains. Even in the dog days of summer, Wilbur remains cool, with a constant breeze blowing through the Watauga River gorge.

Completed in 1948, this 950-foot long dam and its surrounding area provides picnicking, boat launching, tent camping and fishing. Watauga Lake, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest in northeastern Tennessee, enjoys a stunningly beautiful lake with mountain views in the Volunteer State. Begun in 1942 and dammed on the last day of 1948, Watauga Lake is TVA's highest-elevated reservoir in Tennessee. Surrounded by densely forested mountains in the "high country," Watauga Lake sits 1,959 feet above sea level at "full pool"--full summertime elevation. At Watauga Lake, the air is fresh and a few degrees cooler than similar locations closer to sea level.

The Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site tells the rich story of the history of Northeast Tennessee and of the several families that lived here. The site includes 45 acres, eleven historic buildings, the Tipton/Gifford/Simerly cemetery, a limestone cave, a natural spring, a buffalo trace, a nature trail, and a Visitor Center. The Visitor Center contains a permanent exhibit, museum store, educational spaces, a library, and archives.

Watauga Kayak is the Only locally Owned and Operated Outfitter on Watauga River. The First Outfitter on The Banks of Watauga River to Have A Full Service Facility. Best rafting prices on Watauga River don't be fooled with specials from other outfitters... We have the best prices and the longest rides year round without gimmicks. One of the Best Rafting Trips in Boone, NC & East Tennessee.

The Gray Fossil Site is a place where visitors can view and learn about an active Pliocene-era fossil dig site. Scientists believe the site was formed by an underground limestone cave that collapsed and created a sinkhole. This left a vast fossil deposit that dates back approximately 5 million years ago. Animals that have been unearthed so far include: saber tooth cat, alligator, tapir, rhinoceros, short-faced bear, and a mastodon as well as hundreds of plants and other animals.

Buffalo Mountain Park is a 725-acre natural resource area obtained in 1994 through a land swap with the U.S. Forest Service. The park is located on the north slope of Buffalo Mountain and consists of steep topography and densely forested land. The park functions as a nature preserve primarily for hiking, picnicking, and nature programs.

Passing through the door of Rocky Mount, you step back in time to the year 1791... George Washington is President of the United States and has appointed William Blount as Governor of the Southwest Territory. Governor Blount has taken up residence at William Cobb's log home of Rocky Mount to conduct the business affairs of the new territory. When William Cobb arrived with his family in the western frontier of North Carolina in 1769, he did not realize that his new home would play such an important role in shaping the future of our country.

Backyard Terrors creates and puts together anything for your event or attraction, we've dealt in Horror, Sci-Fi, Dinosaurs, Dragons, and Pirate themes.

The beautiful greenspace that greets visitors and residents as they enter our downtown district from the west, was designed through a storm water retention project. The lovely creek that flows through the center of the park was developed to help with a flooding problem that had plagued the downtown for decades. Now, on a beautiful day, you will find folks taking a casual stroll, others admiring the sculptures that have been placed by the Public Arts Committee, musicians enjoying the open air pavilion and children flying a kite on the great lawn.

The Birthplace of Country Music showcases Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia?s role in the birth and development of country music through the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, WBCM Radio Bristol, and a multitude of community and educational outreach programs.

Paved, well lighted walkways wind through the vaulted chambers and along the banks of the ancient Underground River that carved these remarkable caverns from the hard core of the earth 200 to 400 million years ago. In the frontier days, Indians used the Underground River as an attack and escape route in their raids on settlers. Stealing into the area by way of the Underground River and the caverns, they swooped down on unsuspecting families, then disappeared as if swallowed up by the earth.

Featuring five life-sized bronze sculptures paying tribute to U.S. servicemen and women. Open free to the public. Bristol's early citizens envisioned a park here, and in 1950, this community park became a reality. Today its memorial honors soldiers who lost their lives in times of war.

Steele Creek Park is a regional park encompassing more than 2,200 acres. The park?s main entrance is located at 4 Little Lane. The park was originally planned as a state park (Watauga) dating back prior to 1936. The planned state park was abandoned in 1945 and the property that had been purchased by the department of the interior was deeded to the State of TN.

Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway, is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961. Despite its short length, Bristol is among the most popular tracks on the NASCAR schedule because of its distinct features, which include extraordinarily steep banking, an all concrete surface, two pit roads, and stadium-like seating. It has also been named one of the loudest NASCAR tracks.