4 Great Kid-Friendly Activities for Families in Johnson City, TN

Loads of fun and exciting kid-friendly activities await you in Johnson City, TN. Grab a lantern and hunt for ghosts or search for Bigfoot in the Appalachian Mountains. Get out into the fresh air with your family to hike, bike, fish, boat, paddle, and picnic. If you enjoy the theater, the 129-year-old community theater, the oldest running community theater in Tennessee, is right on your doorstep.

1. Search for Ghosts and Bigfoot

Appalachian GhostWalks are thrilling, family-friendly, lantern-led night walks filled with mountain mystery. There are 16 different walks, including history tours and paranormal expeditions throughout Southwest Virginia and Eastern Tennessee.

On the Johnson City GhostWalks, you will find out more about the city’s notorious gangsters, the ghosts of the John Sevier Hotel, bootlegging, and moonshine running. On the walks, you will know all about Al Capone’s underground tunnels and his illegal whiskey trading operations. The searches for ghosts and Bigfoot will definitely keep the kids clinging to their lanterns.

2. Spend a Day Filled With Outdoor Activities

The city has many beautiful parks packed with recreational activities where families can enjoy quality time together. Enjoy 200 acres of lakefront fun at Winged Deer Park and boat, paddle, play softball, soccer, and disc golf on the 18-hole course. There are also batting cages and a half-mile walking and jogging path. Willow Springs Park has the huge village-themed Johnson’s Depot playground with a train where your kids can climb, slide, and swing.

The park also has a tree-lined enclosed dog park with separate areas for small and big barkers if you want to take the family pet along. If you enjoy mountain biking, Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park is a world-class park for mountain biking. It was designed for riders of all ages and levels. There are also beautiful hiking trails in the park with magnificent views.

3. Go on a Family Picnic

Pack a picnic basket and take the kids for a stroll through the lush forest on the north slope of Buffalo Mountain and find the perfect spot to enjoy a family picnic. The beautiful 725-acre Buffalo Mountain Park is an unspoiled nature preserve filled with bird and animal life that can be observed along the trails. The 10.4-acre Rotary Park is another place that is perfect for picnics.

There are covered pavilions with picnic tables for family barbecues, a playground, and a splash pad for the little ones close by. Carnegie Park, Carver Park, Kiwanis Park, Lions Park, and Civitan Park have pavilions. The Meredith Pavilion in Carroll Creek Road is close to a boat ramp and a floating dock to take the kids fishing and paddling before the grill those juicy burgers.

4. Enjoy a Play at the Theatre

This is the longest-running community theatre in Tennessee. The city was a mere 14 years old when the first Community Theater was formed. Today, 129 years later, the actors, directors, and theatre technicians are still committed to providing artistic excellence and top-quality thespian entertainment to everyone, young and old. They also have auditions should you and your family be interested in becoming the city’s latest thespian sensation.

The city offers families plenty of things to do and see to created unforgettable moments with loved ones. Contact Champion Chevrolet today for a maintenance appointment. Our Chevrolet-trained technicians will ensure that your vehicle is in tip-top condition, fuel-efficient, and reliable.