While you’re here…
There’s more to Northeast Tennessee than great racin’

When NASCAR comes to town, there’s plenty of action the speedway. But if you get the urge to venture out, Northeast Tennessee offers a wide variety of cultural and recreational activities for the whole family.

BIG FISHIN’

Pack your rod & reel, because Northeast Tennessee is a fisherman’s Victory Lane.
The Nolichucky and Watauga dams release cold water into their respective rivers, ensuring that the “tailwaters” are a hotbed for monster trout. Just pick a spot below the dam and remember to bring your heavy-duty stringer. Or, if you want some expert advise on where to fish, stop by Mahoney’s in Johnson City. They’ve got all information and equipment you could possibly need.

And that is just a hint of the outdoor adventure in Northeast Tennessee. You will have endless choices with parks for walking, biking, picnic and dogs and a 3,550-acre nature preserve with state of the art planetarium, 44-acre lake, live animal habitats and more.

MOUNTAIN MUSIC

Many race fans don’t realize that country music was born right here in Bristol in 1927, and it all started with the “first family of music,” the Carter Family. Just across the mountain in Hiltons, Virginia, you’ll find the Carter Fold—a casual, family-friendly venue for music fans of all ages. With weekly hoe-downs and the occasional stop-in by some of the biggest names in music, the Carter Fold is guaranteed to bring the flat-footin’ out in everyone.

Just as Tony Stewart called BMS a “driver’s track,” the Down Home in Johnson City is a “musician’s venue.” For the past three decades, this stage has been graced by everyone from Doc Watson to Nickel Creek. In fact, this is where Kenny Chesney and Alison Krauss got their start. It’s the kind of place where Bela Fleck might drop in, unannounced, or where a kid nobody knows could become country music’s next superstar.

You can hear local bands most any night of week throughout the region.

RAGE ON THE RIVER

If you’re looking to beat the summer heat, there’s nothing like cool water and mountain air. And if you’re ready for a little adventure, nothing brings them together like rafting on the Nolichucky River. Whether you’re an experienced thrill-seeker, or a newcomer to the water, Cherokee Adventures will set you up with all the instruction and equipment you and your family need for a great day in one of America’s deepest gorges.

GO UNDERGROUND

Just a few miles from the track, you’ll see a natural wonder 200 million years in the making. Carved by huge prehistoric underground rivers, Appalachian Caverns and Bristol Caverns offer all the fascination a family could ask for. You’ll see stalactites and stalagmites as big as tree trunks. You’ll hear stories of how ancient Native Americans used these rivers as escape routes. And you’ll marvel at the brilliant reds, whites, and blues that only nature could create.

Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association

If you think that’s a lot to do, be warned: we haven’t even scratched the surface of all this region has to offer. From historical sites and museums to watering holes, antique shops to hole-in-the-wall barbecue restaurants, you’ll find plenty of activities to complement the perfect race weekend—and more than enough reasons to plan a return trip to Northeast Tennessee.