Mountain Ribbons
9
ABOUT
Mountain Ribbons
The highways of East Tennessee flow like ribbons through the Appalachian Mountains. Cut across breathtaking lakes, rivers, and streams as you wind your way to one of the greatest rides in the whole world – the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rev your engines and enter the next chapter of this glorious ride, where you can visit the Moses Cone House, the Linn Cove Viaduct, or the various overlooks of Grandfather Mountain.
DIRECTIONS
FROM HOLIDAY INN JOHNSON CITY
L – onto N Roan St, 0.4 mi
R – continue on US 11E / US 19W, 8.8 mi
R – ramp to US 19E S toward Elizabethton, 0.1 mi
Merge – US 19E E, 14.0 mi
L – US 321 S, 9.6 mi
Continue – US 321 S, 17.5 mi
(Entering North Carolina)
R – US 321 S / US 421 S, 6.4 mi
R – US 321 S / Blowing Rock Rd, 6.3 mi
R – ramp toward Blue Ridge Pkwy, 0.1 mi
L – Blue Ridge Pkwy, 13.9 mi
R – ramp to US 221 S / Blowing Rock Hwy toward Linville / Grandfather Mtn, 0.1 mi
Merge – US 221 S, 2.9 mi
Continue – NC 181 N, 13.9 mi
R – NC 194 N, 38.8 mi
Continue – US 19E W, 33.0 mi
(Entering Tennessee)
R – ramp to US 11E S / US 19W S, 0.2 mi
Merge – US 11E S / US 19W S, 8.9 mi
L – N Roan St, 0.4 mi
Arrive – Holiday Inn Johnson City
SIGHTS ALONG THE WAY
NEARBY
ATTRACTIONS
- Rocky Mount State Historic Site – Step back to 1791 at Tennessee’s first territorial capital.
- Ridgewood Barbeque – A local legend serving hickory-smoked ham and blue cheese dip since 1948.
- Downtown Elizabethton – A charming historic district with local shops, restaurants, and scenic views of the Watauga River.
- Watauga Lake – A high-elevation mountain lake with clear water, sweeping views, and peaceful shoreline pull-offs.
- Laurel Falls – A short forest hike leads to a scenic Appalachian waterfall tucked into the Cherokee National Forest.
- Downtown Boone – A vibrant mountain town full of shops, eats, and charm.
- Moses H. Cone Memorial Park – Scenic trails and history at a mountaintop estate.
- Linn Cove Viaduct – An iconic Blue Ridge Parkway bridge curving around Grandfather Mountain.
- Grandfather Mountain – Iconic peaks, wildlife habitats, and a mile-high swinging bridge.
- Linville Falls – Stunning waterfall views and scenic hiking trails in the Blue Ridge.