Petros Weekend Guide: History, Music and the Big House on the Hill

Petros is a small Morgan County town with one of the most unusual attractions in Tennessee. Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, the historic prison on the hill, is now a tour destination, a concert venue, and a restaurant. This weekend is for history buffs and live-music fans who like their stories with some grit.

Day One: The Big House

Morning: Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary at 9182 TN-116. The prison opened in 1896 and closed in 2009. The self-guided tour walks through the cellblocks, the yard, and more than a century of Tennessee history. Give it two to three hours.

Afternoon: Lunch at the Warden's Table, the restaurant on the prison grounds. Then explore the rest of the property, including the distillery. Take the back-road loop around Petros while the light is good.

Evening: If a concert is on the calendar, stay for it. Brushy hosts big-name shows inside the prison, and they sell out. Check the event schedule when you plan the trip and buy tickets early.

Day Two: Frozen Head and the Valley

Morning: Frozen Head State Park rises right behind Petros. Trailheads on the east side of the park give you access to the ridgelines and the fire-tower overlook. The park is currently mid-renovation, so check tnstateparks.com for what is open before you go.

Afternoon: Slow drive through the valley on TN-116. This is coal-country scenery: creeks, ridges, and small communities tucked between them.

Evening: Dinner back at the Warden's Table or in Wartburg, about 15 minutes south.

Where to Stay

Petros is a vacation-rental town. Cabins and homes around Petros and the Frozen Head area are the best base. For hotels, Wartburg is about 15 minutes south, and Harriman is about 30 minutes southwest.

Good to Know

Tour times: Check the Brushy Mountain website for tour hours and availability before you drive in.

Concerts sell out: Event nights draw from all over East Tennessee. Buy tickets when you book the trip.

Cell service: Spotty in the valley and the park. Download your maps.

When did Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary close?

2009. It operated from 1896 to 2009, and reopened to the public as a tour destination, event venue, and restaurant.

Can you eat at Brushy Mountain?

Yes. The Warden's Table restaurant serves lunch and dinner on the prison grounds, and there is a distillery on site.

How far is Petros from Knoxville?

Roughly an hour west of Knoxville by car, depending on traffic.

Is Frozen Head State Park near Petros?

Very. The park sits between Wartburg and Petros, and its east-side trailheads are minutes from town.