The Southern Dozen are twelve scenic routes that start in Johnson City Virginia and take you throughout the region. Each is an adventure in itself that takes you through winding turns, breathtaking natural landscapes, historical landmarks, local attractions, and fun rides.

Whether you want to explore caves, see wolves, wander historic sites, linger in the arches of the heartland, or simply enjoy the view, you'll find a ride that's just right for you.

This route includes the “Places of the Past” route, part 3 of the Southern Dozen, and takes you through Northeast Tennessee and its epic history, from the volunteers who saved the American Revolution to the homes of legendary pioneers, statesmen, and even a U.S. president. This route takes you along cobblestone streets to Davy Crockett’s birthplace, past extraordinary museums, and even to a farm that has been preserved since 1791.

It’s originally an “up and down” trip along TN-34, visiting various tourist spots and museums. To make the drive a little more interesting, I changed the route back to Johnson City via Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park, a 2,265-acre state park in Unicoi County in eastern Tennessee. It’s in the Blue Ridge region of the Appalachians, close to the Tennessee-North Carolina state line, with some lovely winding mountain roads.

There are several interesting sights along the route that you can visit
- Jonesborough History Museum has a lot to offer and it is worth doing some sightseeing and visiting one of the museums. Jonesborough attracts heritage tourism due to its historic status as Tennessee’s oldest city and its significant historic preservation efforts that have preserved a rich architectural fabric. The town’s museum chronicles the local tobacco-growing heritage.

- The Chester Inn State Historic Site & Museum, located in the heart of downtown Jonesborough. The museum chronicles the history of Jonesborough from its founding in 1779 to the present. The museum is located at street level in the city's oldest commercial building. The Chester Inn is a state-owned historic site and managed by the Heritage Alliance. Exhibits include information about the state of Franklin, a diorama of Jonesborough in the 1850s, the history of the Chester Inn, and much more.

- Stonecypher Cabin, birthplace of Davy Crockett. David Crockett was a pioneer, soldier and politician. He was born near the town of Limestone.

- Andrew Johnson Homestead if you want to learn more about the rich history of the 17th President of the United States. The Homestead is the place that Andrew Johnson called home both before and after his presidency.

- City Garage Car Museum City Garage Car Museum has a very diverse collection of cars from a 1914 Ford Brass T Model to a 1972 DeTomaso Pantera Sports Car

- Andrew Johnson National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery on the grounds of the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville, Tennessee. Established in 1906, the cemetery was built around the resting place of Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, and holds more than 2,000 graves.