This quaint southern town was founded in 1779 and established 17 years before Tennessee actually became a state. It was named after Willie Jones, a North Carolina legislator who supported westward expansion over the Appalachian Mountains of NC.

The rise of local business in Jonesborough continues to strengthen the sense of community for residents and tourists alike. It is a marvel to walk down the brick layered sidewalks and bop into the local shops. The atmosphere is warm and inviting with each door you walk through. The tone of Jonesborough is set by a friendly southern greeting with hints of historical attributes like the old concrete steps used for carriage rides.

Daniel Boone, Andrew Jackson, and David Crockett have walked through Jonesborough, just as visitors come and go throughout this little slice of Heaven town nestled in Appalachia. Daniel Boone worked for The Transylvania Company who made a land purchase from the Cherokees. He blazed a trail from Virginia through the mountains of the Cumberland Gap and opened the land to settlement.

In the early 1800s, Jonesborough was home to several trades and occupations setting the foundation for small businesses and local community. Jacob Howard's print shop stood on a corner of Main Street and housed a periodical dedicated to the abolition of slavery- The Emancipator. Physicians, lawyers, and tradesmen like bricklayers and shoemakers provided business among the town.
​

Every October, Jonesborough hosts the National Storytelling Festival. This year the event will be held fully online. Known as the Storytelling Capital of the World, this town is base to the International Storytelling Center. Folks travel from all over the world to gather each year to tell stories, listen, love, and laugh together for this very special and unique occasion.

Downtown Main Street Jonesborough is home to several locally owned businesses. It is these small shop owners that bring a true sense of community and gathering to the area. From the moment you walk in their doors, you will feel like family. East Tennessee Hemp Company is a family-owned business and East Tennessee's first cannabis dispensary. Their products contain legal, industrial hemp and are sourced right from farms here in the Appalachian Mountains!

A few doors down is the Tennessee Tails Pet Boutique. They carry a variety of quality pet products like Ruffwear ​harnesses to get your pup ready for the rugged outdoor trails along with handmade vegetarian dog treats. Their sister-shop, Gabriel's Christmas, is the only year-round Christmas shop in the Tri-Cities and sure to get you into the spirit!

Fall time is near, and you don't want to miss the spectacular sense of community in the town of Jonesborough just in time to see the colorful array of leaves changing in Appalachia!

​Earlier known as "Wolf Hills," Abingdon was established in 1778. Situated within the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, the town is rich with history, culture, and nearby outdoor recreation.

Imagine Daniel Boone making his way through the Appalachian hills circa 1760. He blazed his way through a dense forest in search of camp for a night, and a pack of wolves emerged from a hidden cave and attacked his hunting dogs. Legend has it that the town was then dubbed as Wolf Hills.

​The Virginia Creeper Trail is a 34.3 mile trail that begins in Abingdon and ends near Whitetop Mountain along the Virginia & North Carolina border. There are bike rental shops and shuttle services in both Abingdon and the Appalachian Trail town of Damascus. The trail is currently open and accessible during the pandemic, however some facilities along the route remain closed. Check here to plan your own Creeper Trail Adventure!

Along with cycling, Abingdon boasts its' accessibility to outdoor recreation, including fishing, hiking, and floating.

There is an unbeatable sense of historic charm that fills the air, as you walk the cobblestone streets downtown. The Barter Theatre is the nation's "longest running professional theatre" and is located right on Main Street. The community is also known for its' eclectic art scene and bluegrass music heritage. Don't miss this list of Must-See Spots!

​Fall is a wonderful time to visit the mountains of Virginia! The town hosts a warm welcome to returning guests and new visitors to the area. Plan ahead to get familiar with the town's safety regulations, as they are currently enforcing a mask mandate in public indoor settings.