Jefferson City Weekend Guide: College Town, Two Lakes

By Real Estate Concepts

Jefferson City grew up as Mossy Creek and never really left the creek behind. It is a college town anchored by Carson-Newman University, with a Victorian mansion, a downtown revival, and Cherokee Lake a few miles out. Two easy days.

Day One: Mansion, Creek, Broadway

Morning: Glenmore Mansion. Tour the 1868-69 Second Empire Victorian at 1280 N Chucky Pike. Guided tours run Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 to 4:00, May through October, $10. Go early in the window and confirm hours before you drive over.

Midday: lunch on Broadway. Broadway Boulevard is the dining strip. Pick from Gondolier Italian at 544 E Broadway, Sazon Mexican at 221 E Broadway, Lisa's Country Kitchen at 1712 N Highway 92, or The Hoagie Shop at 303 E Broadway. Grab coffee at 60 Beans Coffee, 120 E Broadway.

Afternoon: Mossy Creek. Walk the Mossy Creek Wildlife Viewing Area trail, stop at Mossy Creek Station Park downtown, and see the creek that named the town and is driving its revival. If you want to get on the water, Mossy Creek Outfitters at 2004 Branner Ave rents kayaks, paddleboards, and tubes and runs guided fishing trips.

Evening: campus and dinner. Stroll the Carson-Newman campus, then catch an Eagles game if one is on. Dinner back on Broadway.

Day Two: Cherokee Lake

Morning: Cherokee Dam Loop. Drive out to Cherokee Dam on the Holston River and walk the roughly 2-mile loop trail around the TVA grounds. Well-kept grounds, good picnic spots, and the dam itself is the view.

Midday: Cherokee Lake. The lake is about 6 miles out. Put in a boat, fish, or find a swimming cove. Summer is full-pool season.

Afternoon: Dandridge detour. Head 15 minutes south to Dandridge, Tennessee's second-oldest town, for the historic downtown and the Tinsley-Bible soda fountain. It pairs naturally with this weekend.

Thinking about living here? See Things to Do in Jefferson City, TN and Things to Do in Dandridge, TN.