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 |
