Discover Jonesborough through its history and storytelling: its well-preserved Main Street offers a glimpse into the town’s past. Jonesborough was also the first town in Tennessee to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Historic tours, museums and performances offer different experiences, so when planning, be sure to check their respective seasonal schedules and performance times.
Historic Traces in the Townscape
From March to December, the Heritage Alliance regularly offers historic walking tours of downtown. They start at the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum. Tour times are seasonal, and departure arrangements may also change, so check the specific details before your visit.
The Jonesborough/Washington County History Museum and Archives collects artifacts, documents and photographs about the people and history of the region. You can also see the clock that kept time in the Washington County Courthouse, built in 1847. Exhibition details may change. The Chester Inn Museum features a diorama of Jonesborough in the 1850s. The Chester Inn’s upper parlors, dining room and guest rooms have been restored in the Victorian style of the late 19th century.
The Chuckey Depot Museum offers another historical perspective. The former depot was dismantled, rebuilt in Jonesborough and opened as a museum in October 2017. It presents the history of the depot in the community of Chuckey and the region’s railroad heritage. Themed exhibits cover, among others, the Southern, Clinchfield, and East Tennessee and Western North Carolina railroads.
Storytelling and Cultural Events
The International Storytelling Center’s Mary B. Martin Storytelling Hall features performance and event spaces, exhibits and a gift shop. Storytelling Live offers afternoon performances Tuesday through Saturday at 2 p.m. If you’re planning for a later season, check the schedule again.
The StoryTown Radio Show is presented in the style of an old-fashioned radio broadcast. The 2026 season schedule lists it for the fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m.; check the dates again for later seasons. The McKinney Center’s Artist Exhibition Series also adds to the cultural offerings: its exhibition receptions are open to the public and free of charge. Dates and themes of individual exhibitions may change.
Trails and Water Attractions
Persimmon Ridge Park covers 130 acres and offers biking and hiking trails. The Lost State Scenic Walkway is approximately three miles long. It starts in downtown Jonesborough at Mill Spring Park and ends at Golden Oak Park. If extensions are completed, trail details may change, so check the route before setting out.
Persimmon Ridge Park is also home to Wetlands Water Park. Attractions include water slides, a lazy river and a shallow swimming area with a zero-depth entry. The park operates seasonally, approximately from Memorial Day through the end of September. This timeframe is an important difference to consider when planning your trip compared with the park’s hiking and biking trails.
Plan a Distillery Visit and Your Stay
The Salt House is a Civil War-era landmark that is now used as an active distillery, tasting room and bar. Tennessee Hills Distillery produces small-batch spirits and hand-bottles them at the 1840s Salt House. On a tour, you can walk through the production area, hear the story from the people who built the distillery and sample the results. Visitor offerings may change; check tour availability before your trip.
Then find a hotel for the nights that fit your priorities and check availability for those exact dates. This way, your accommodation plans are based on your actual travel dates, without assuming a fixed itinerary.
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