Located at the base of the Smoky Mountains, Morristown is the perfect place for those seeking a picturesque getaway.
You can get out and about, take in some history, and get some wonderful photographs during your visit, so it really is a city with something for everyone.
And here are the 11 best things to do in Morristown, Tennessee.
1. Go Exploring At Panther Creek State Park
If you’re looking to spend time outdoors, you won’t find anywhere quite as stunning as Panther Creek State Park.
Located on the Cherokee Reservoir, this park stretches on for 1,444 acres of wilderness, wildlife, and clear waters.
For those who enjoy hiking, there are 17 different trails to try out, including Point Lookout Trail which takes you 1,460 feet above sea level.
Cherokee Lake offers plenty of opportunities for paddling, as well as canoeing or kayaking if you bring your own equipment.
Other activities include fishing in the lake, birdwatching, biking on trails, and a playground for children.
Some of the best nearby eateries include Michael’s Pizza Cottage and the bakery Yummy Cakes & More.
If you want to stay overnight, there are 50 campsites with lots of space for BBQs and picnic tables.
To get some fantastic photos to remind you of your visit to Panther Creek State Park, challenge yourself to the 6.6-mile moderate hike up to Panther Creek Falls.
Every step of exploring this beautiful park will have you eager to see more.
2. Indulge In Some Retail Therapy At College Square Mall
If you want to get some time indoors, you’ll definitely enjoy a visit to College Square Mall.
There are tons of stores where you can shop for clothing, shoes, accessories, and games, as well as restaurants that include Longhorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, and Toro Mexican Grill.
There is even Planet Fitness for those who might want to take some time out of a relaxing trip to go to the gym. And for those who want to spend time as a family there is a designated Family Fun Zone that includes an arcade, bumper cars, trampolines, and laser tag!
You can also take in a movie during your visit to College Square Mall at the AMC CLASSIC movie theater. There are new releases being played every day and plenty of on-site amenities too.
The mall isn’t overwhelming in size, but there is lots to do and you’ll be able to do all the gift shopping for your trip in one place, giving you more time to spend experiencing other activities the rest of the time.
The fairly small size of the mall is also a bonus because it shouldn’t be too crowded, allowing you to browse in peace. And once you’ve satisfied your desire for retail therapy, you can explore more of the area.
3. Get Creative At Pink Pig Pottery Studio
A little bit of creativity is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face and you’re in luck that the Pink Pig Pottery Studio in Morristown is open for walk-ins any day of the week!
Whether you want to spend time together as a family, enjoy a fun date, or just engage in a creative project by yourself, this is the perfect place to do it.
There is a wide range of ceramics available for painting, including mugs, bowls, plates, and figurines, with the choice up to you.
There are also wheel throwing workshops that you can get involved in, though you’ll have to book your place in the class in advance. You’ll get a chance to create something from scratch, guided by a master potter as you shape, glaze, and use the wheel.
After your artistic session at Pink Pig Pottery Studio, you can take your creation and grab some local food at the nearby Jersey Girl Diner, Little Dutch Restaurant, or Timeless Elegance Tea Room.
4. Observe Animals At Briarwood Ranch Safari Park
Another great place to visit whether you’re looking for a family day out or just some time to explore more of Morristown is Briarwood Ranch Safari Park, which is home to wildlife from six different continents.
You’ll need a car to visit this attraction because it is an auto safari park that covers 4 miles of beautiful terrain filled with wildlife. You can also get involved with wagon rides (booked in advance) and the on-site petting zoo. The park’s store has plenty of cute mementos too.
Tickets for travelling through the safari park in your own car cost $20 per adult, $15 per child aged between 3 and 12, and $18 per senior or military individual.
If you don’t bring your own car and instead book a wagon ride, tickets cost $5 more than each of those prices. You can also purchase buckets of feed for $4 each if you’d like to feed some of the animals.
This really is a magical day out that you get to enjoy from the comfort of your own car, observing all kinds of wonderful wildlife.
5. Stop For A Drink At The 1907 Brewing Company
The 1907 Brewing Company is Morristown’s first taproom and brewery, making it the best place to stop for a drink as you make your way around the city.
There are several delicious craft beers, ciders, and sodas on offer, so you can step inside and relax for a bit even if you don’t drink alcohol. There is even a menu specifically for children.
Their boss is all passionate about finding the perfect drink for everyone and seeing that all visitors enjoy themselves.
1907 Brewing Company differs from the majority because it actually encourages customers to bring takeout food from any number of restaurants in Morristown.
All you have to do is download DoorDash or GrubHub, choose your desired eatery, and order the food to be delivered straight to the 1907 Brewing Company!
Events held at the establishment include trivia quizzes, food trucks, and live music. The interior is great to look at and you’ll be able to indulge in some well-needed rest time.
6. Learn About Morristown Culture At Rose Center
Though it was originally opened as Morristown’s first coeducational public high school, the Rose Center is now, as the name suggests, a museum and cultural center.
The attraction’s full name is Rose Center Council for the Arts, which emphasizes its place as a central preservation for the creative arts in Morristown.
It is host to a whole range of activities, including concerts, art classes, galleries, and regional history museum exhibits.
There are new events every month, so you’ll be able to look ahead and see what’s on at the time of your trip. You can also book to take part in a variety of classes, including jewelry making, tai chi, acrylic painting, and digital image transfer.
There is something for everyone, no matter how diverse or specific your interests are.
The Exhibits Space is also super interesting and worth a look at because the cultural center showcases new exhibits every month too. You’ll be able to grab food nearby after a day spent dedicated to the arts.
7. Bowl For Hours At The West End Bowling Lanes
Bowling is always a fun evening out for all the family, as well as a great way to spend time with friends.
The West End Bowling Lanes in Morristown are a great space for this where you pay by the hour, allowing you to spend as long as you like on your bowling.
The staff is friendly and eager to help, and the bowling alley is a great-looking remodeled space. You can also play some games in the site’s arcade.
The West End Bowling Lanes are only open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in the evening, so you’ll have to arrange your bowling trip for the end of the week. But you’ll definitely be able to bowl when you make the trip because there are 24 separate lanes to enjoy.
You can get some food on your way to the bowling alley at the nearby restaurant’s Pal’s Sudden Service, Redbud Deli, or Chick-fil-A.
As you won’t be able to get into West End Bowling Lanes until the evening, you can spend your day sampling other activities in Morristown and then end it with some shared fun.
8. Stretch Your Legs At Frank Lorino Park
Morristown is filled with lots of delightful outdoor spaces, and Frank Lorino Park is one of them.
One of the biggest bonuses is that it is a completely free place to visit, with lots of space for all sorts of activities. There is a rotary disc golf course, a BMX raceway, tennis courts, and several athletic fields.
But if you aren’t interested in any of those specific activities, you can still enjoy a day at Frank Lorino Park exploring the outdoors and having a picnic.
If you’re taking a family trip to Morristown, this is the perfect space to let your children run around and have fun.
There are pavilions, concession stands, and on-site public restrooms, so every need is taken care of. For a full meal, bringing a picnic is a good idea, especially since you’ll burn up lots of energy exploring all 142 acres of this space.
Frank Lorino Park also hosts monthly summer drive-in movies, called ‘Starlight Cinema’, so if you’re in town in the summer months, go along to one of those for a unique cinema experience.
9. Pick Up Some Souvenirs At Specialty Gift Shops
Everybody wants to find some quality souvenirs to remember a trip by, and Morristown has several specialty stores that are perfect for hunting for souvenirs and gifts.
The Meeting Place Country Store is one. It is filled with antique items that will take you several hours to get through and the owners will be able to give you all the information you need.
It even has its own cafe for refreshments, as well as the option for outside dining. This is the perfect place to take in some of Morristown’s history too.
Another specialty shop is Rowena’s, which is located in downtown Morristown. There are one-of-a-kind gifts available, which include beautiful items of jewelry and purses.
It is also located close to 1907 Brewing Company and College Square Mall, so you can plan a day full of activities for your convenience.
A third great place to shop for souvenirs and gifts is Toadily Candles & Soaps which sells, as you’ll expect, candles and soaps, among other products. These are all natural and handcrafted, making them thoughtful, loving gifts for anyone.
10. Immerse Yourself In History At General Longstreet Museum
Though this museum is actually located in Russellville, Tennessee, it is just a 10-minute drive away from Morristown and easily accessed on the main highway.
The museum is displayed inside a beautiful house and run by helpful, knowledgeable tour guides who will teach you all about the Civil War in East Tennessee.
Artifacts include clothing, furniture, archaeological items, and weapons, all preserved inside Nenney House, which was occupied by General James Longstreet in the winter of 1863-1864.
Admission is $5 per adult and $3 per child, with a gift shop available too. The museum is open between April and December, and you’ll be able to take in even more history on the rest of the Civil War Trail in the Lakeway area.
Bethesda Church and Cemetery, which was used as a hospital during the Civil War, is located two miles from General Longstreet Museum. There is also a kiosk on-site to provide more information about the Civil War.
You should also look out for special events being held by the General Longstreet Museum because it offers unique events like the Victorian Christmas open house.
11. Explore More Of The Outdoors At Cherokee Park
Comprised of a park, campground, and marina, Cherokee Park is 178-acres of glorious outdoor public space.
The view across the lake is spectacular, with a small campground right by its edge for those looking to stay longer than a day. There is lots to explore on foot, as well as spots that are perfect for picnicking and enjoying fun activities with family and friends.
There is also an amphitheater and, of course, a marina where you can enjoy the water.
When you venture out of Cherokee Park, you can grab some typical American cuisine at Cook’s Boathouse Restaurant.
You’ll also be able to pass by the Crockett Tavern Museum for a look, though it is currently still closed due to COVID-19.
You’ll also be able to discover lots of hidden gems in Morristown when you explore it on foot, and Cherokee Park is the perfect place to enjoy new food you’ve found, or just to spend some time relaxing by the lake.
Travel Tips
You can reach Morristown by plane easily by flying into Morristown Regional Airport. If you require an international airport in Tennessee, you could fly into Nashville International or McGhee Tyson Airport.
If you are planning on driving to Morristown, you’ll be able to find accurate directions online based on your starting location. All the roads into Morristown are clearly signposted, and you’ll find plenty of places to stop along the way for a rest or some food.
There is public transport running through Tennessee too, so you should be able to see everything you plan to during your trip.
Summary
With those travel tips in mind, you should start planning your trip to Morristown, Tennessee as soon as possible.
There is plenty to do and something to satisfy all interests. You can take in the beauty of outdoor Morristown, as well as relax indoors too.
You’ll find yourself occupied for hours and hours every day no matter what activities you choose from this list because Morristown is filled with opportunities and experiences.
Recommended Reading:
10 Best Things To Do In Williamstown KY | Join Exciting Outdoor Activities