Johnson City Roundtrip The Southern Dozen Ride 03 Places of the Past
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 04-06-2025
Route Summary Each is an adventure in itself that takes you through winding bends, breathtaking natural landscapes, historical sites, local landmarks and fun attractions.
This “Places of the Past” route is part 3 of the Southern Dozen and was originally a 66 mile tour from Johnson City Virginia to Greenville and back. It has been extended to 115 miles.
I rate this route 5 stars because of the beautiful winding roads and interesting options to see.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
6h 48m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
217.06 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review 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.
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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North Carolina
About this region
North Carolina is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. North Carolina is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the 50 United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and South Carolina to the south, and Tennessee to the west. Raleigh is the state's capital and Charlotte is its largest city. The Charlotte metropolitan area, with an estimated population of 2,569,213 in 2018, is the most-populous metropolitan area in North Carolina, the 23rd-most populous in the United States, and the largest banking center in the nation after New York City. The Raleigh-Durham-Cary combined statistical area is the second-largest metropolitan area in the state, with an estimated population of 2,079,687 in 2019, and is home to the largest research park in the United States, Research Triangle Park.
Earliest discoveries of human occupation in North Carolina date back to 10,000 years ago, found at the Hardaway Site. North Carolina was inhabited by Carolina Algonquian, Iroquoian, and Siouan speaking tribes of Native Americans prior to the arrival of Europeans. North Carolina was established as a royal colony in 1729 and was one of the Thirteen Colonies. North Carolina is named in honor of King Charles I of England who first formed the English colony, Carolus being Latin for "Charles". The Halifax Resolves resolution adopted by North Carolina on April 12, 1776, was the first formal call for independence from Great Britain among the American Colonies during the American Revolution.On November 21, 1789, North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the United States constitution. In the run-up to the American Civil War, North Carolina declared its secession from the Union on May 20, 1861, becoming the tenth of eleven states to join the Confederate States of America. Following the Civil War, the state was restored to the Union on July 4, 1868. On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully piloted the world's first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina's Outer Banks. North Carolina uses the slogan "First in Flight" on state license plates to commemorate this achievement, alongside a newer alternative design bearing the slogan "First in Freedom" in reference to the Mecklenburg Declaration and Halifax Resolves.
North Carolina is defined by a wide range of elevations and landscapes. From west to east, North Carolina's elevation descends from the Appalachian Mountains to the Piedmont and Atlantic coastal plain. North Carolina's Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet (2,037 m) is the highest point in North America east of the Mississippi River. Most of the state falls in the humid subtropical climate zone; however, the western, mountainous part of the state has a subtropical highland climate.
Read more on Wikipedia
Earliest discoveries of human occupation in North Carolina date back to 10,000 years ago, found at the Hardaway Site. North Carolina was inhabited by Carolina Algonquian, Iroquoian, and Siouan speaking tribes of Native Americans prior to the arrival of Europeans. North Carolina was established as a royal colony in 1729 and was one of the Thirteen Colonies. North Carolina is named in honor of King Charles I of England who first formed the English colony, Carolus being Latin for "Charles". The Halifax Resolves resolution adopted by North Carolina on April 12, 1776, was the first formal call for independence from Great Britain among the American Colonies during the American Revolution.On November 21, 1789, North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the United States constitution. In the run-up to the American Civil War, North Carolina declared its secession from the Union on May 20, 1861, becoming the tenth of eleven states to join the Confederate States of America. Following the Civil War, the state was restored to the Union on July 4, 1868. On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully piloted the world's first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina's Outer Banks. North Carolina uses the slogan "First in Flight" on state license plates to commemorate this achievement, alongside a newer alternative design bearing the slogan "First in Freedom" in reference to the Mecklenburg Declaration and Halifax Resolves.
North Carolina is defined by a wide range of elevations and landscapes. From west to east, North Carolina's elevation descends from the Appalachian Mountains to the Piedmont and Atlantic coastal plain. North Carolina's Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet (2,037 m) is the highest point in North America east of the Mississippi River. Most of the state falls in the humid subtropical climate zone; however, the western, mountainous part of the state has a subtropical highland climate.
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21088Amount of visitors (North Carolina)
686Amount of downloads (North Carolina)
Route Collections in this region The Original Southern Dozen Motorcycle Rides in Tennessee Virginia and North Carolina
The Southern Dozen; hit the throttle and hold on tight!
There’s no better place to leave the daily grind in the dust than roaring around the curves of the Southern Dozen! Surrounded by some of the most breathtaking natural beauty in the country, you’ll find the freedom of exhilaration as you wind through the foothills and mountains of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina.
Whether you’re looking for heart-pumping curves, breathtaking scenery, historic landmarks, local gems, or nearby attractions, the Southern Dozen has rides worthy of even the most seasoned road warrior. Explore the Original Southern Dozen and see all that Johnson City and the surrounding region have to offer.
Johnson City is a regional gem where big-city amenities meet small-town Southern charm. Here you’ll have access to everything you could want or need and more! Perfect for the casual rider and those who “live to ride,” Johnson City hosts numerous bike rallies each year. So plan your trip and book one of the many biker-friendly accommodations.
There’s no better place to leave the daily grind in the dust than roaring around the curves of the Southern Dozen! Surrounded by some of the most breathtaking natural beauty in the country, you’ll find the freedom of exhilaration as you wind through the foothills and mountains of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina.
Whether you’re looking for heart-pumping curves, breathtaking scenery, historic landmarks, local gems, or nearby attractions, the Southern Dozen has rides worthy of even the most seasoned road warrior. Explore the Original Southern Dozen and see all that Johnson City and the surrounding region have to offer.
Johnson City is a regional gem where big-city amenities meet small-town Southern charm. Here you’ll have access to everything you could want or need and more! Perfect for the casual rider and those who “live to ride,” Johnson City hosts numerous bike rallies each year. So plan your trip and book one of the many biker-friendly accommodations.
View Route Collection
The 10 most downloaded routes in the USA from RouteXpert Hans van de Ven
Hello and welcome to this collection of the Top 10 MyRoute app downloaded routes in USA.
There will be a great new event to be announced soon, where all these routes can be driven.
Download them all now and place them in a new "Top 10" folder, so that you always have them at hand.
If you are going to drive one of these routes in the meantime, track them with the MRA Mobile App or with MRA Navigation. Take some photos (moments) along the way as these will come in handy.
Create a travelogue of your Top 10 driven routes and add the recorded track to it.
There will also be some great prizes on offer, so keep an eye on the MRA-RouteXperts page and your mail.
The 10 routes are:
1. D13 Estes Park Denver
2. D03 Chadron Custer
3. D01 Pigeon Forge round trip through the Smokey Mountains
4. D08 Kalispell Sandpoint
5. D10 Colville Wenatchee
6. D09 Sandpoint Colville
7. D04 Custer Wall
8. D11 Wenatchee Seattle
9. D08 Cody Yellowstone NP
10.R13 San Francisco Monterey
There will be a great new event to be announced soon, where all these routes can be driven.
Download them all now and place them in a new "Top 10" folder, so that you always have them at hand.
If you are going to drive one of these routes in the meantime, track them with the MRA Mobile App or with MRA Navigation. Take some photos (moments) along the way as these will come in handy.
Create a travelogue of your Top 10 driven routes and add the recorded track to it.
There will also be some great prizes on offer, so keep an eye on the MRA-RouteXperts page and your mail.
The 10 routes are:
1. D13 Estes Park Denver
2. D03 Chadron Custer
3. D01 Pigeon Forge round trip through the Smokey Mountains
4. D08 Kalispell Sandpoint
5. D10 Colville Wenatchee
6. D09 Sandpoint Colville
7. D04 Custer Wall
8. D11 Wenatchee Seattle
9. D08 Cody Yellowstone NP
10.R13 San Francisco Monterey
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