Located nearly equidistant from the growing metropolis of Knoxville and the peaceful splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Morristown deserves its own place on any East Tennessee must-visit list. The charming town square recalls the ideals of small-town America - which are alive and well in Morristown - while invigorating tourist spots are scattered around the immediate area.
Spend a day perusing the historic downtown's bustling shops and enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the cafes. Or grab all the ingredients for a picnic at the Downtown Farmers Market, one of the longest-operating markets in the surrounding area, then head out for fun on the lake, at a hidden gem of Tennessee's state parks system, or on the road as you try to take in all there is to see and do.
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GO ON SAFARIAt Briarwood Auto Safari, you’ll get to get up close with animals from six continents. Take plenty of time to study their behavior from the safety of your own car during your four-mile safari through beautiful hills and pasture lands. When you’re done, take a ride on a tractor-pulled wagon or enjoy a lazy afternoon in the petting zoo. For more information and tickets, visit briarwoodsafari.com.Source: mymorristown.com
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*ON PAR*Combining the concept of Frisbee with the rules of golf, disc golf has grown in popularity, especially for families looking for a new way to have fun together.*In Morristown, host of the Tennessee State Disc Golf Championships since June 2013, you’ll find is three courses for all ages and skill levels:Cherokee Park Disc Golf Course at Cherokee Park, 3075 Floyd Hall DriveRotary Disc Golf Course at Frank Lorino Park, 3100 Lorino Park RoadKiwanis Disc Golf Course at Wayne Hansard Park, 5100 Dearing Road*Source: mymorristown.com
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ROUGHING ITLocated just off Cherokee Lake, Morristown offers outdoor fun in the form of Panther Creek State Park and Cherokee Park.Panther Creek State Park is located on 1,435 acres and bordered by Cherokee Lake. Every member of the family will enjoy the pristine wilderness preserve whether opting for the hiking, mountain biking or horse trails, lounging by the pool or picnicking in one of the pavilions with sweeping scenic views of the lake. Visit tnstateparks.com/parks/about/panther-creek to learn more and plan your visit.Cherokee Lake offers 30,300 acres of water fun and 463 miles of lounging shoreline, including the 178-acre Cherokee Park. Rent a pontoon boat and camp at one of the many islands dotting the lake, hire a fishing guide to learn the best spots on the lake or just unwind on one of the walking trails granting lake and mountain views. To learn more, visit hamblencountytn.gov/cherokee-park.Source: visitmorristowntn.com
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KING OF THE WILD FRONTIERAs you might be able to guess, the Crockett Tavern Museum was built on the site of the boyhood home of Davy Crockett. It is a reconstruction of the 1790’s John Crockett Tavern. Tour the historic site or make plans to attend one of the re-enactment events. Visit crocketttavernmuseum.org for more details.Source: mymorristown.com
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CIVIL WAR STOPSIf history is what you’re after, Morristown offers several sites you shouldn’t miss.When a local developer proposed constructing a small retail store and demolishing the historic house Gen. James Longstreet used as his headquarters in Russellville, Tenn., during the winter of 1863-64, Lakeway Civil War Preservation Association organized to keep history alive. Now you can tour Gen. James Longstreet’s Headquarters for a nominal fee.Just down the street is a stop on the Tennessee Civil War Trails: Bethesda Church. The quaint old building with high-backed pews and an enclosed pulpit is one of the oldest churches in this section of the state. The church was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers by both the Union and Confederate armies and for a short time. Along with graves dating back to the 1700s, there are approximately 82 unknown soldiers buried in the cemetery.Source: visitmorristown.com; longstreetmuseum.com
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FEAR FACTORChoose your fate at the abandoned home of one of Tennessee’s most prolific serial killers, Jeremiah Lexer, who in 1902 butchered his entire family with an axe before diving headfirst out the second-story window. Since then, dozens of mutilated bodies have been unearthed on the 20-acre property. Frightmare Manor offers three independent, walk-thru haunted attractions, a heart-pounding free-fall tower — the “Lexer Jump” — and the nationally recognized Nightmare at Frightmare Challenge.>If all five attractions are successfully completed, you’ll get your money back. But don’t go planning on how else to spend that money just yet. Eyewitness sightings, among other things, led the popular restaurant located there to close in 2001. If you dare, visit frightmaremanor.com to learn more about this top-rated haunted attraction.Source: frightmaremanor.com