3 Great Weekend Getaways You Can Drive to Near Kingsport, TN

Kingsport, TN‘s close proximity to neighboring states and its prime location in the heart of Appalachia offer plenty of opportunities to get away from it all. Take advantage with these memorable nearby weekend getaways. 

Marvelous Mountain Respites

Kingsport residents enjoy convenient access to beautiful Appalachian mountain ranges. The old-growth forests and iconic fog of the Great Smoky Mountains span 187,000 acres. Thousands of bird, fish, reptile, and mammal species call this majestic region home. Visitors can camp, hike, and enjoy the wildflower-laden landscape at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here, you can experience one-of-a-kind natural spectacles such as the awe-inspiring synchronous fireflies and legendary black bears.

A cozy cabin stay at a honeymooning and skiing capital of America, Gatlinburg, is another great way to experience these amazing mountains. Or head east and take the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway through the jaw-dropping Blue Ridge Mountains. This blue-tinged Appalachian range is the ideal backdrop for a weekend away at a bed and breakfast or in a charming small town like Mount Airy, North Carolina (the inspiration for the Andy Griffith Show‘s Mayberry).

Lovely Lakeside Excursions

Near the Virginia and Tennessee border rests South Holston Lake: a popular aquatic spot that boasts more than 7,500 acres. Fishers love the bass, catfish, and plenty more catch of this freshwater paradise. During spring and summer, community-goers revel in the water and enjoy one of the region’s most spectacular firework shows over the lake.

Douglas Lake–nearer to Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee–is another aquatic hot-spot where fishers, boaters, and lakeside loungers converge for a leisurely outing. Lodging options are abundant, including lake-house rentals, RV parks, marine suites, cabins, and campgrounds. You’ll also be just a few minutes away from top tourist draws such as the aforementioned Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Knoxville. Bring along your camper or boat with the Toyota Tundra truck, which leads the pack with a 10,000-pound towing capacity.

Terrific Tourist Traps

The 100-mile Holston River connects Kingsport to big-city Knoxville, where you’ll discover a great weekend stop zoo, market square, or a University of Tennessee Vols athletic event. Neighbors Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are two of the state’s most visited areas. The former is renowned for its mountain adventures, sky-lifts, abundant country-themed miniature golf courses, and dazzling downtown featuring a next-level aquarium and fascinating Ripley’s museum of oddities.

Pigeon Forge serves up its own side of fun, ranging from dinner shows with a distinctly Appalachian twist to the unique Dollywood theme park (home to roller coasters, festivals, and music shows galore) named after the queen of country herself, Dolly Parton. If you want a closer staycation getaway, you can’t go wrong with Kingsport’s own Bays Mountain. This park’s a favorite for hikers, nature lovers, budding astronomers (with its planetarium), and picnickers.

Whether you want a cargo king or a fuel-efficient find, Toyota’s vehicles prepare you for the long haul. Stop by Toyota of Kingsport and test-drive a selection from our broad new and used inventory today.

Image by David Mark from Pixabay

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