Spring Flings

Early spring is a great time to explore new places in East Tennessee. Here are a few ideas for fun day trips and weekend flings to shake off that cabin fever.

Heroes and White Rabbits
What better place to start your East Tennessee adventures than the former home of Davy Crockett? The “king of the wild frontier” spent the early years of his life in Hamblen and Jefferson counties. Start out at the Crocket Tavern Museum, Davy’s boyhood home in Morristown. Take in Morristown’s Main Street and historic downtown, with several properties recognized by the Historic Trust, and the historic Morristown Cemetery. The historic Rose Center, serving both counties, is a multipurpose cultural center that includes a museum, art gallery, concerts and classes.

Tales and Treasure Hunts
Historic Rugby in Morgan County, once a fascinating Utopian community, is now a heritage treasure, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and considered one of America’s most authentically preserved historic villages.

The new Rugby Visitor Centre & Theatre is the starting point for daily guided walking tours of some of the key historic buildings and richly detailed interpretive exhibits, including an award-winning documentary, the Thomas Hughes Free Public Library, Hughes' home Kingstone Lisle, Christ Church Episcopal and Laurel Dale Cemetery, where many early colonists are buried.

Follow with dinner (try the Welsh rarebit) at Harrow Road Café, shopping at the Rugby Commissary and search for treasures in area art and antique stores. Spend the night in one of the restored historic inns, such as the Newbury House B & B, the Pioneer Cottage or the Percy Cottage. Several privately owned homes also provide lodging within a 2-block radius of the historic district.

There are often special events, classes and workshops going on in Historic Rugby, so be sure to check out the possibilities.

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