Morristown
Around Morristown
Photo: AppalachianCentrist · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Tennessee · 126k people
Morristown
Locals say Lakeway Area · “Apple Capital of Tennessee”, “Mo Town”
Apple country and lake life in the foothills.
University of Tennessee OrangeForest Green
Welcome to the Lakeway Area, where the lakes are big and the pace is easy. Whether you're here for the fishing, the apples, or just the friendly folks, you'll find a place to call home. Come enjoy a sunset over Cherokee Lake or a stroll through our historic downtowns.
Clubs for Morristown
No clubs for Morristown yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Morristown. 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 Morristown. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Cherokee Lake Large TVA reservoir for boating and fishing
- Douglas Lake Another TVA lake popular for water sports
- Panther Creek State Park Trails, lake views, and camping
- Historic Downtown Morristown Walkable shops and restaurants
- Dandridge Historic District Oldest town in county, historic homes
- Rose Center Arts and community events
- Outdoors Boating on Cherokee Lake
- Outdoors Fishing on Douglas Lake
- With kids Visiting the Rose Center
- With kids Exploring Dandridge Historic District
- Evenings Live music at downtown bars
- Evenings Lakefront bonfires
- Locals love Lake marinas
- Locals love Apple orchards
Through the year
- Mountain Makins Festival September Craft and music festival in Morristown
- Dandridge Apple Festival September Celebrates the local apple harvest
- Jefferson County Fair July County fair with rides and livestock
- Morristown-Hamblen County Fair August County fair with carnival and exhibits
- Music on the Square Summer Summer concert series in downtown Morristown
Humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. Precipitation is spread throughout the year. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “Y'all”
- You all
- “Fixin' to”
- About to
- “Supper”
- Evening meal
- “Lake rat”
- Someone who loves the lakes
Getaways
- Newport Gateway to the Smokies and the Pigeon River
- Greeneville Historic town with Andrew Johnson sites
- Sevierville Dollywood and Smoky Mountain attractions
- Middlesborough Cumberland Gap and scenic mountain drives
Local flavour
Rooting for Tennessee Volunteers (college football), Tennessee Titans (NFL)
Eat and drink
- Country ham A staple of East Tennessee breakfasts, often served with red-eye gravy.
- Biscuits and gravy Classic Southern comfort food, a local diner favorite.
- Apple butter The region is known for its apple orchards and annual Apple Festival.
- East Tennessee barbecue Pork with a vinegar-based sauce, distinct from Memphis style.
- Sweet tea A universal Southern drink, ubiquitous in local eateries.
Where people go
- Cherokee Lake and Douglas Lake Major reservoirs that define the area's outdoor recreation and scenic views.
- Apple orchards The region is dotted with orchards, especially around Morristown.
- Historic downtown squares Small-town courthouse squares with local shops and eateries.
- Hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains Though just outside the MSA, the Great Smoky Mountains are a short drive and a major draw.
- Country stores Rural general stores that sell local goods and provide a gathering spot.
Heritage and traditions
The Lakeway Area is proud of its Appalachian heritage, its historic ties to Davy Crockett, and its role as Tennessee's apple capital, with a strong sense of community and small-town charm.
This time of year in Morristown
- Apple harvest September–October Fall apple picking and cider making.
Say it like a local: “over yonder” — over there
Festivals
- Carson-Newman University Christmas Concert December Annual choral and orchestral performance in December
- Dandridge Christmas in the Historic District December Candlelight tours and caroling in the historic district
Landmarks with a story
- Crockett Tavern Museum Davy Crockett's boyhood home, now a museum in Morristown.
- Dandridge Historic District Antebellum architecture and the only town named for Martha Washington.
- Carson-Newman University Founded in 1851, a Baptist liberal arts college in Jefferson City.
- New Market Historic District Known for Quaker heritage and 19th-century buildings.
- Jefferson County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Dandridge, built in the 19th century.
Food traditions
- Apple stack cake Layered cake with dried apple filling, a fall staple at community gatherings.
- Ramp suppers In spring, wild leeks (ramps) are foraged and cooked with potatoes and bacon.
- Sorghum making Sorghum cane is boiled down to make molasses, often at community events.
- Fried apple pies Hand-held pies filled with dried apples, a fall favorite.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and old-time music Local jam sessions and festivals keep Appalachian string-band traditions alive.
- Quilting and woodworking Craft traditions passed down through generations, showcased at the Mountain Makins Festival.
A little history
- 1792 Dandridge founded, named for Martha Washington
- 1813 Davy Crockett leaves Morristown to serve in the Creek War
- 1851 Carson-Newman University established
- 1864 Battle of Morristown (Civil War skirmish)
- 1941 Cherokee Lake created by TVA
Rivalries
- Morristown East vs Morristown West High school football rivalry
- Jefferson County vs Morristown-Hamblen County rivalry in sports and pride
- Tennessee Volunteers vs Alabama Crimson Tide College football rivalry
- Tennessee Volunteers vs Florida Gators College football rivalry
- Game day High school football
- Game day Fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Fishing on Cherokee or Douglas Lake
- Outdoors Boating on the lakes
- With kids Visiting the Crockett Tavern Museum
- With kids Exploring the Dandridge Historic District
East Tennessee accent with a Southern drawl, often dropping 'g' in -ing words and using 'y'all' for plural 'you'.
Only here
- The Lakeway Area nickname comes from Cherokee Lake and Douglas Lake.
- Dandridge is the only town in the U.S. named for Martha Washington.
- Morristown claims to be the 'Apple Capital of Tennessee'.
- The Crockett Tavern is where Davy Crockett spent part of his boyhood.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce Morristown as 'Morris-town' – locals drop the 'h' in 'town'.
- Expect hot, humid summers and mild winters; pack layers for spring and fall.
- Sweet tea is the house drink – it's served at most restaurants and gatherings.
- Be friendly and wave to neighbors; it's a small-town culture.
- Try the local apple butter and stack cake – they're regional specialties.
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Part of Knoxville area
Nearby
Every areaNewportTennesseeWhere the mountains meet the riverGreenevilleTennesseeWhere the hills hold the history.SeviervilleTennesseeThe Smokies' front porchTazewellTennesseeSmall towns, big mountain heartsMiddlesboroughKentuckyWhere the mountains meet the skyKnoxvilleTennesseeWhere the mountains meet the river.Kingsport–BristolTennesseeWhere the mountains meet the music, and the race never stops.Johnson CityTennesseeMountain charm, Appalachian spirit
Morristown, 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.