The Southern Dozen are twelve routes that start in Johnson City and travel throughout the region. Each ride is an adventure in itself, taking you through winding roads, breathtaking scenery, historic 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 just enjoy the view, you’ll find a ride that’s just right for you.

This route takes you along the highways of East Tennessee that flow through our highest glory, the Appalachian Mountains. Prepare to catch your breath as you meander along the lakes, rivers and streams of one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges. Eventually, the drive leads to one of the greatest attractions in the entire world – the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visit the Moses Cone House, the Linn Cove Viaduct or the various viewpoints on Grandfather Mountain.

You start in Johnson City and the first stop is Downtown Elizabethton, here you can stop and shop if you are interested in Antiquities. At RP5 you have a view of the covered bridge on the right.

You continue the drive along Watauga Lake and take a moment to admire the beautiful view. Take highway 67 through the mountains via Damascus and Mountain City and highway US 421 to Boone, where you can have lunch at one of the many restaurants.

We continue on US 421 for another 12 miles and take the exit to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Everyone should experience a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway runs from Virginia all the way to Cherokee, North Carolina. You will drive about 40 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Linville with great views. No large trucks are allowed on the BRP and the speed limit is 45 mph.

You can visit the Moses H Cone Memorial Park and Manor, an estate in honor of Moses H. Cone in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The manor is home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild, which features handmade artwork from hundreds of regional artists. Turned bowls, ceramic tableware, woven garments, and more handmade artwork is displayed in several rooms on the first floor. Enjoy their seasonal art demonstrations on the porch while you take in the views.

Just before Linville we leave the Blue Ridge Parkway to visit Grandfather Mountain, this has been an icon in the North Carolina landscape for generations and offers breathtaking scenery and unparalleled ecological diversity. The Grantfather mountain park has much to offer its visitors, walk over the highest suspension bridge in America, visit the Wilson Center for Nature Discover, enjoy a drink and a bite to eat at Mildred's Grill. And there is much more to see and do.

In Linville you can visit the famous Linville Falls, the most popular waterfall in the Blue Ridge Mountains because of its accessibility to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a spectacular three-tiered waterfall that plunges into Linville Gorge, the 'Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians'.


We continue our drive to Johnson City through Roan Mountain State Park, another beautiful drive with amazing roads and views. Roan Mountain is famous for its spectacular natural gardens with Catawba rhododendron. The blooming season of the sea of purple-magenta is usually mid-June, plus or minus a week, depending on the weather. Enjoy the flowers in two areas: a nice walk along the Appalachian Trail from Carver's Gap or near the recreation area with an easy paved trail and a picnic area.