Trying to find a great place to take the family for a little R&R? Look no further because Jonesborough is a truly memorable experience that has something for every member of your family.
While Jonesborough is indeed the oldest town in Tennessee and is chock full of history, it also features charming restaurants, excellent shopping opportunities, majestic bed and breakfasts, incredible museums, parks…and the list goes on and on.
Parents have plenty of options, beginning with where they chose to stay. Jonesborough boasts a number of historic and delightful lodging options including the Historic Eureka Inn, Blair-Moore House Bed & Breakfast, Franklin House Bed & Breakfast, Jonesborough Bed & Breakfast, Hawley House Butterfly Cottage and the modern hotel known as AmericInn Lodge & Suites. If you are looking for more of a rustic farm setting, then Storybrook Farm Bed & Breakfast would be your choice, located just along the outskirts of town.
And if you love the outdoors, there’s also Persimmon Ridge and River Park Campgrounds where your family can enjoy the amazing mountain views, landscape and great hiking.
If shopping is on your to do list, historic downtown offers clothing stores, antiques, contemporary art, quilts and so much more. There’s also a diverse selection of restaurants, featuring breakfast to sandwiches and southern burgers, as well as gourmet cuisine.
The entire family will enjoy visiting the Jonesborough/Washington Country History Museum and the Chester Inn State Historic Site & Museum, where they can get a taste of the town’s remarkable history; or a Historic Walking Tour that is offered on select days at 1 p.m. beginning from the Chester Inn. The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre is also perfect for a family outing, featuring classics, musicals and comedies year round.
If you’re visiting Jonesborough when the weather is warm and your children are with you, one of the first places you’ll want to check out is Wetlands Water Park. Trust us, the kids aren’t the only ones who’ll have a great time!
Wetlands features an 80-foot enclosed fiberglass flume slide, a 200-foot giant fiberglass flume slide and the children’s otter slide. It also has a zero depth wading area, a rain tree, tubes, water bubblers and tumble buckets, along with a volleyball court. And if (when) everyone needs a little break, there are shower facilities, shaded pavilions to enjoy and a café and covered dining area.
The kids will also love visiting the Old Town Dairy Bar or JJ’s Eatery & Ice Cream for old-fashioned ice cream and candy from the Lollipop Shop.
And that’s not all. There’s also:
- Music on the Square (Friday nights, May-September)
- Storytelling Live! (Tuesday-Saturday, May-October)
- Movies on Main, featuring free family movies on Main Street (select Saturdays, May-August)
- Jonesborough Days Festival (three-day festival around July 4)
- National Storytelling Festival (early October)
- Christmas in Olde Jonesborough (Christmas Tree Lighting, Spirit of Christmas Stroll, Storytelling, Craft Show, etc.)
As you can see, there’s no shortage of fun, educational, family-oriented things to do in Jonesborough so plan your trip now!