Make the Drive: The 3 Best Museums Near Kingsport, TN

If you’re searching for the best museums in northeastern Tennessee, look no further. These Kingsport, TN and adjacent locations have just what you need.

Renaissance Arts Center

This architectural masterpiece is a work of art itself, but once you step inside you’ll be cocooned by culture and art. The 350-seat theatre routinely hosts live musical and theatrical performances.

The art gallery and museum, a second-floor fixture, is the true heart of this influential site. From eight in the morning until eight at night on weekdays, visitors can appreciate the works of regional and more widely reaching talents in the art world. Each month highlights a different stunning exhibit.

Netherland Inn

A National Register of Historic Places landmark, this site got its famed start in 1802 as a boatyard. A few years later, it became a faithful stage stop for travelers from all walks of life, including former presidents.  Each museum floor preserves a different aspect of frontier life, from the tavern on the first floor to the family quarters on the second floor and the guest spaces on top.

If you’re a history buff who’d love an intimate glimpse of the 19th century frozen in time, this destination is a can’t-miss. Knowledgeable and incredibly dedicated guides will immerse you in this bygone era and leave you with a fascination that will likely last a lifetime. And for insight into 19th-century farm life, make a visit to the nearby Exchange Place living history farm a part of your itinerary.

East Tennessee State University Museums

Johnson City’s East Tennessee State University is home to some truly impressive exhibits. Prehistoric fanatics young and old will fall in love with the General Shale Natural History Museum, which is brimming with fossils, dinosaur displays, and the real-life work of dedicated scientists and students studying the Gray Fossil Site.

And become a kid all over again at the George L. Carter Railroad Museum. Feel your eyes widen with delight and the smile spread across your face as you watch the toy trains and model railroads in action. Antique railroad memorabilia also provide renewed appreciation of the accomplishments of real rail pioneers like the museum’s namesake.

After discovering the region’s top art, history, music, and science spots, find the best autos. Visit Toyota of Kingsport and browse an inventory with royal quality.

Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay

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