Greeneville
Around Greeneville
Photo: AppalachianCentrist · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Tennessee · 73k people
Greeneville
“Hub of East Tennessee”
Where the hills hold the history.
Tennessee Volunteers OrangeAppalachian Forest Green
Welcome to Greeneville! Whether you're here for the history, the mountains, or just the sweet tea, you'll feel right at home. Come share a story on the square or a hike along the Nolichucky.
Clubs for Greeneville
No clubs for Greeneville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Greeneville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Greeneville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Andrew Johnson National Historic Site Home and grave of the 17th president.
- Tusculum University Oldest college in Tennessee, founded 1794.
- Greeneville Historic District Antebellum architecture and local shops.
- Nolichucky River Popular for tubing and fishing.
- Cherokee National Forest Hiking and camping in the Appalachians.
- Appalachian Trail Passes nearby, great for day hikes.
- Outdoors Hiking the Appalachian Trail
- Outdoors Tubing the Nolichucky River
- With kids Visit Andrew Johnson National Historic Site
- With kids Explore the historic downtown
- Evenings Live bluegrass at local venues
- Evenings Bar hopping on Main Street
- Locals love Historic downtown squares
- Locals love Appalachian trailheads
Through the year
- Andrew Johnson Heritage Festival September Celebrates the town's presidential history with music, food, and reenactments.
- Greene County Fair August Classic county fair with rides, livestock, and local produce.
- Nolichucky Riverfest July River-based activities, live music, and food vendors along the Nolichucky.
- Davy Crockett Days May Frontier-themed celebration in Limestone with crafts and demonstrations.
- Greeneville Summer Concert Series June–August Free outdoor concerts on the courthouse lawn.
Four distinct seasons with mild winters, hot humid summers, and beautiful springs and falls. Best: Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) are ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “Crick”
- Creek
- “Holler”
- Hollow (a small valley)
- “Fixin' to”
- About to (do something)
- “Y'all”
- You all
Getaways
- Johnson City Bustling college town with breweries and music venues.
- Kingsport Family-friendly parks and the Bays Mountain Park.
- Asheville Mountain city with vibrant arts scene and craft breweries.
- Newport Gateway to the Smokies with rafting and hiking.
Local flavour
Rooting for Tennessee Volunteers (NCAA), Tennessee Titans (NFL), Nashville Predators (NHL)
Eat and drink
- Country ham with red-eye gravy A staple of East Tennessee breakfasts
- Biscuits and gravy Classic Southern comfort food
- East Tennessee barbecue (pork, vinegar-based sauce) Regional style distinct from Memphis or Nashville
- Sweet tea Iced tea sweetened, ubiquitous in the South
- Pal's Sudden Service Local fast-food chain known for burgers and sauce, based in the Tri-Cities
Where people go
- Historic downtown squares Courthouse squares with local shops and diners
- Appalachian trailheads Access to the Appalachian Trail and other hiking
- Tobacco barns
- Country diners Home-style cooking and local gathering spots
- General stores Old-fashioned stores selling local goods
Heritage and traditions
Greeneville is proud of its deep Appalachian heritage and its role as the home of President Andrew Johnson, as well as its scenic mountain beauty and strong community traditions.
This time of year in Greeneville
- Apple picking Fall Orchards open for picking and apple festivals.
Say it like a local: “poke” — a paper bag
Festivals
- Old Oak Festival Spring Held at Tusculum University in April, featuring local artisans, music, and food.
- Greene County Apple Festival September Celebrates the apple harvest with cider, pies, and crafts in September.
- Christmas in Greeneville December Historic downtown open houses, tree lighting, and carriage rides in December.
- Greeneville's Fourth of July Celebration July Fireworks over the Nolichucky River and a community picnic in July.
Landmarks with a story
- Dickson-Williams Mansion An 1815 Federal-style mansion that served as a hospital during the Civil War.
- First Presbyterian Church A historic church in downtown Greeneville dating to the early 1800s.
- Andrew Johnson Homestead The president's residence, part of the National Historic Site.
Food traditions
- Sorghum molasses making A fall tradition where locals boil sorghum cane into syrup, often at community gatherings.
- Apple butter making In the fall, families cook down apples with spices in copper kettles, a communal event.
- Fried apple pies A sweet treat often sold at church bazaars and farmers markets, made with local apples.
- Cornbread and pinto beans A humble Appalachian staple, often served with chow-chow or pickled vegetables.
Music and arts
- Old-time Appalachian music Fiddle and banjo traditions passed down through generations.
- Bluegrass Local jam sessions and festivals celebrate this genre.
- Storytelling Davy Crockett's tall tales are part of local heritage.
- Folk crafts Quilting, basket weaving, and woodcarving are practiced by local artisans.
A little history
- 1783 Greene County established
- 1786 Davy Crockett born in Limestone
- 1861-1865 Greeneville occupied by both Union and Confederate forces
- 1865 Andrew Johnson becomes President after Lincoln's assassination
- 1875 Andrew Johnson dies in Greeneville
Rivalries
- Tennessee Volunteers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Third Saturday in October, SEC football rivalry.
- Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts AFC South NFL rivalry.
- Nashville Predators vs. Carolina Hurricanes Central vs. Metropolitan division clash.
- Greeneville High vs. Morristown West Local high school football bragging rights.
- Game day High school football
- Game day Nolichucky River fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Scenic drives along the Cherokee National Forest
- Outdoors Birdwatching in the mountains
- With kids Riding the Greeneville Trolley tour
- With kids Visiting the Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park
Residents speak with an Appalachian accent, often dropping the 'g' in -ing words and using distinct vocabulary.
Only here
- The grave of a U.S. President (Andrew Johnson) is in Greeneville.
- The birthplace of Davy Crockett is in nearby Limestone.
- The Nolichucky River is one of the few rivers that flows north.
- Greeneville is the only town in Tennessee named after a Revolutionary War general.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce 'Greeneville' as 'GREEN-vil' (rhymes with 'ville' but with a short 'i').
- Try Pal's for a quick burger and sweet tea; it's a local institution.
- Be ready for humid summers and occasional thunderstorms; pack an umbrella.
- Get a fishing license if you plan to fish the Nolichucky River.
- Take a self-guided tour of the Andrew Johnson sites to understand local history.
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Part of Tri-Cities area
Nearby
Every areaNewportTennesseeWhere the mountains meet the riverMorristownTennesseeApple country and lake life in the foothills.Johnson CityTennesseeMountain charm, Appalachian spiritKingsport–BristolTennesseeWhere the mountains meet the music, and the race never stops.AshevilleNorth CarolinaWhere the mountains meet the arts.SeviervilleTennesseeThe Smokies' front porchWaynesvilleNorth CarolinaThe friendliest town in the SmokiesMarionNorth CarolinaWhere the mountains meet the river
Greeneville, TN. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.