Featured
Hunt for Antiques at Rocky Top
Even if you don't plan on buying any antiques a visit to Rocky Top General Store is worth the trip.
They give free, fresh popcorn to all visitors, which adds to the cinematic quality the store has.
On the front porch you'll see little red wagons, garden tillers, rolls of chicken wire, and 50 pound bags of rabbit food stacked head high.
The sensory assault continues past the front door. On the walls hang antique farm tools- bow saws, push mowers and plows, and at the back of the room, past the... Read More »
Bird Watching at Mount Roosevelt Wildlife Management Area
The Roosevelt Mountain WMA is approximately 11,000 acres and virtually surrounds the town of Rockwood, TN. However, the best and easiest access point is the Overlook. The overlook (believed to be one of the highest in the Cumberlands) is a celebrated site for witnessing fall migration of not only raptors but also songbirds and butterflies. The overlook possesses a small parking area, picnic tables and observation platforms. Also, a spur trail leading to Walden Ridge Trail is located at the... Read More »
County Fair is a Real Affair in Kingston, TN
The Roane County Fair is held in Kingston every fall. Thousands of people come to celebrate the harvest and take in the agricultural sights.
There are rides, concerts, and plenty of educational opportunities. Bands play bluegrass music that gets the whole crowd dancing. In the past there have been dog shows, pie eating contests and needle in the haystack games and a greased pig chase. It's fun for the whole family. Read More »
Train Rides in Kingston, TN Provide Link to the Past
Turn the clock back to yesteryear and return to the heyday of passenger railroading with the Southern Appalachia Railway Museum's Secret City Scenic Excursion Train.
Trains depart from the Heritage Center (formerly K-25) near Oak Ridge, Tennessee, an historic Department of Energy facility where research and development plunged the United States into the Atomic Age. The train winds along Poplar Creek and Highway 327 in the beautiful hills and valleys of East Tennessee. The northern portion of... Read More »
Smokin On the Water Festival is 4th of July Tradition in Kingston, TN
Kingston, TN celebrates the 4th of July with a festival called Smokin On the Water.
Most events during this day are centered around the waterfront of Watts Bar Lake. Activities include:
Miss Firecracker Pageant
Car & Bike Shows
Drag Boat Races
Home Run Derby
Live Bands
Watermelon Eating Contest
Homemade Raft Race
Fireworks show after dark.
Many residents participate in the floating parade, drag boat & raft races, children's activities, classic car shows, vendors, and more. All event are... Read More »
Restaurants in Kingston, TN
Roane County has no shortage of locally owned restaurants offering food and ambiance that can’t be found anywhere else.
With its national reputation for excellence, Whitestone Country Inn outside of Kingston draws folks from miles around to its serene retreat on Watts Bar Lake. The AAA Four-Diamond bed-and-breakfast has been featured on HGTV and in Southern Living magazine, and America’s Historical Inns voted it among the most romantic inns in America. The peaceful place is renowned for its top... Read More »
Fun Things To Do in Roane County, TN
Roane County, TN offers a variety of fun things to see and do. Take in the fresh air or step back to a simpler time, and enjoy Roane County's history and scenic offerings.
1. Watch fireworks and a drag boat races at the Smokin' on the Water festival every July 4th in Kingston.
2. Sail, swim and fish at the Watts Bar Lake, which is one of the largest lakes in the south.
3. Take a hike and learn about commercials forests and surface mining on the Bacon Ridge Trail.
4.Go... Read More »
Kingston, TN Relishes Local Restaurants
Roane County has no shortage of locally owned restaurants, offering many interesting cuisine and ambiance options. Here are some local dining hotspots:
Whitestone Country Inn
Whitestone is just outside of Kingston and draws folks from miles around to its retreat on Watts Bar Lake. The AAA Four-Diamond bed-and-breakfast has been featured on HGTV and in Southern Living magazine, and the menu specializes in Southern regional cooking fused with a northern Italian flair.
The Crow's Nest
This... Read More »
Shopping in Kingston, TN
Kingston has a variety of shopping destinations to choose from. Below is a listing of some of the stores available here.
Furniture
EMPIRE FURNITURE, 719 N. KENTUCKY ST., (865) 376-7004
Gift Shops
REFLECTIONS, 350 E. RACE ST. # 3, (865) 717-0089
TOUCH OF NATURE, 253 OLD POPLAR SPRINGS RD., (865) 248-8264
Jewelers
ROBINSON JEWELRY, 110 N. KENTUCKY ST., (865) 376-9302
Retail
A LOT LESS, 132 E. CUMBERLAND ST., (865) 717-9558 Read More »
Kingston, TN Offers Unique Mountain Culture
The mountain culture of Kingston and Roane County is on display all year long, with interesting attractions and events. Here are some examples:
Rocky Top General Store
This is the 21st century, isn’t it? Customers arriving in the parking lot at Rocky Top General Store in Harriman might have to remind themselves of that, since the quaint and rustic store looks like a throwback to simpler times. It remains an enigma in 2011, serving as a general store and a museum – all in the same... Read More »
Kingston, TN Walking, Hiking Trails
Opportunities for hiking and walking in Roane County are abundant, with a variety of trails that range from flat and scenic to hilly and ultra-challenging. Here is a quick overview:
Bacon Ridge Trail
One of the most popular hiking venues in this part of East Tennessee is Bacon Ridge Trail, which spans 3.4 miles and offers maps that point out potential wildlife viewing spots along the way. Those wildlife sightings can include small reptiles and mammals like lizards and raccoons, as well as... Read More »
Lakes and Rivers Create Liquid Assets Outside Kingston, TN
Roane County is blessed with more lake miles than any other area in east Tennessee and enjoys 738 shoreline miles on beautiful Watts Bar Lake.
Watersports are very popular here – knee boarding, wake boarding, tubing and jet skiing. Boating is nearly a year-round activity with the mild temperatures in east Tennessee, and you can always find a houseboat or cruiser tied up in a quiet cove to spend a relaxing weekend surrounded by water.
One of the South’s largest lakes, Watts Bar Lake, covers 39,... Read More »
A Throwback to Simpler Times
This is the 21st century, isn’t it?
Customers arriving in the parking lot at Rocky Top General Store in Harriman might have to remind themselves of that, since the quaint and rustic store looks like a throwback to simpler times. Not many places have 50-pound bags of rabbit food stacked six feet high on the front porch, along with authentic Radio Flyer wagons that are available to purchase.
But Rocky Top General Store specializes in these types of odd and sometimes nostalgic items, along with... Read More »
