Guidebook for Butler
Food Scene
Authentic Italian cuisine in a country-style setting draws diners from far and wide. Reservations recommended due to the popularity of this unusual restaurant. Bring your own bottle of wine if you want to indulge. Beer stores are the only sources for alcoholic beverages in Johnson County. Dinner and dessert served most days.
36 habitants recommandent
LA CUCINA Italian Kitchen
6811 Hwy 67 WAuthentic Italian cuisine in a country-style setting draws diners from far and wide. Reservations recommended due to the popularity of this unusual restaurant. Bring your own bottle of wine if you want to indulge. Beer stores are the only sources for alcoholic beverages in Johnson County. Dinner and dessert served most days.
Shirley's Home Cooking
3266 US-321Family-style country fare
Dry Hill General Store & Deli
1535 Dry Hill RdGood place to get a substantial breakfast
Johnson County's only winery and local wine vendor. Wood-fired pizza on Saturdays is a treat.
54 habitants recommandent
Watauga Lake Winery
6952 Big Dry Run RdJohnson County's only winery and local wine vendor. Wood-fired pizza on Saturdays is a treat.
Offers local products and baked delights from the people who make and grow them, "because fresh and local is better."
Johnson County Farmers Market
1306 N Shady St Offers local products and baked delights from the people who make and grow them, "because fresh and local is better."
Several restaurants appeal to a variety of appetites for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is no sale of liquor by the drink in Johnson County, so near-by Carter County just west of Butler offers the closest restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages. But BYOB is an option in some Johnson County restaurants. Call ahead to find out.
12 habitants recommandent
Mountain City
Several restaurants appeal to a variety of appetites for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is no sale of liquor by the drink in Johnson County, so near-by Carter County just west of Butler offers the closest restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages. But BYOB is an option in some Johnson County restaurants. Call ahead to find out.
It's one of the area's few bars offering good food and live music.
16 habitants recommandent
Jiggy Rays Downtown Pizzeria
610 E Elk AveIt's one of the area's few bars offering good food and live music.
It's a great place to take a break from shopping or antique car viewing in downtown Elizabethton.
27 habitants recommandent
The Coffee Company
444 E Elk AveIt's a great place to take a break from shopping or antique car viewing in downtown Elizabethton.
Pleasant's Store
Great subs 5 minutes from the house.
Coffee House Cafe
217 Donnelly StThey have great coffee and serve good food in an iconic downtown setting.
Offers lunch and dinner menus, bar service, indoor or outdoor seating, and a panoramic view of Watauga Lake. Come in your car or boat.
24 habitants recommandent
Captain's Table
2340 US-321Offers lunch and dinner menus, bar service, indoor or outdoor seating, and a panoramic view of Watauga Lake. Come in your car or boat.
The fresh spring rolls are amazing! Enjoy authentic Thai cuisine and sit out on the bank of Doe Creek to eat.
28 habitants recommandent
Monsoon ( Thai & Exotic Foods
10630 Hwy 67 WThe fresh spring rolls are amazing! Enjoy authentic Thai cuisine and sit out on the bank of Doe Creek to eat.
For breakfast, lunch, gas, beer and convenience items, it's a local gathering spot 10 minutes from the house.
Doe Valley Food Mart
For breakfast, lunch, gas, beer and convenience items, it's a local gathering spot 10 minutes from the house.
Parks & Nature
Fish Springs Marina
191 Fish Springs Rd You can rent a boat there and explore Watauga Lake.
Boating rentals, fishing, swimming, hiking and sightseeing are all accessible within the immediate area. Watauga is the highest and cleanest of the TVA lakes. Located at the confluence of the Watauga and Elk Rivers in the Blue Ridge Mountains, near the Eastern Continental Divide, Watauga Lake is at the top of the Tennessee River watershed. The Appalachian Trail crosses Watauga Dam near Hampton.
105 habitants recommandent
Watauga Lake
Boating rentals, fishing, swimming, hiking and sightseeing are all accessible within the immediate area. Watauga is the highest and cleanest of the TVA lakes. Located at the confluence of the Watauga and Elk Rivers in the Blue Ridge Mountains, near the Eastern Continental Divide, Watauga Lake is at the top of the Tennessee River watershed. The Appalachian Trail crosses Watauga Dam near Hampton.
Miles of ATV trails give access to this mountainous wilderness area. ATV rentals are available nearby, or you can bring your own and park your trailer on our level lawn between the ends of our U-shaped driveway.
21 habitants recommandent
Doe Mountain Recreation Area
1203 Harbin Hill RdMiles of ATV trails give access to this mountainous wilderness area. ATV rentals are available nearby, or you can bring your own and park your trailer on our level lawn between the ends of our U-shaped driveway.
The section of the AT accessed by this trailhead follows Laurel Fork a few miles to one of the many impressive waterfalls in this area. The trail is well maintained and the walking is mostly easy with a few short stretches of moderate difficulty.
50 habitants recommandent
Laurel Falls Trailhead
U.S. 321The section of the AT accessed by this trailhead follows Laurel Fork a few miles to one of the many impressive waterfalls in this area. The trail is well maintained and the walking is mostly easy with a few short stretches of moderate difficulty.
The short hiking trail climbs a knife-like ridge and follows it above the short tunnel through which TN130 passes and down to Beaver Dam Creek, a pristine mountain stream. It's a beautiful spot for a picnic and wading. Just down the road toward Damascus, you can visit one of the iconic shelters built during the Great Depression by the CCC.
35 habitants recommandent
Backbone Falls
The short hiking trail climbs a knife-like ridge and follows it above the short tunnel through which TN130 passes and down to Beaver Dam Creek, a pristine mountain stream. It's a beautiful spot for a picnic and wading. Just down the road toward Damascus, you can visit one of the iconic shelters built during the Great Depression by the CCC.
You can rent a bike in Damascus and they'll take you up to the top of the trail. Then you can ride back down along this old railroad grade--now paved--back to Damascus, where the AT crosses the road and there are shops and restaurants catering to cyclists, hikers and tourists.
Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail
Virginia Creeper National Recreation TrailYou can rent a bike in Damascus and they'll take you up to the top of the trail. Then you can ride back down along this old railroad grade--now paved--back to Damascus, where the AT crosses the road and there are shops and restaurants catering to cyclists, hikers and tourists.
It offers some of the most panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and tours of historic sites.
91 habitants recommandent
Blue Ridge Parkway
It offers some of the most panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and tours of historic sites.
Doe River Gorge
This wild and scenic river gorge offers an experience for adventurous hikers.
Rocky Mount
Step back in time to pioneer days at this living history site.
A great spot for swimming, picnicking and boating 10 minutes from our house.
21 habitants recommandent
Watauga Point Recreational Area
A great spot for swimming, picnicking and boating 10 minutes from our house.
An out-of-the-way spot for walking, swimming and boating. The boat-ramp offers the closest lake access just 10 minutes from our house.
Sink Mountain Recreation Area
An out-of-the-way spot for walking, swimming and boating. The boat-ramp offers the closest lake access just 10 minutes from our house.
Drinks & Nightlife
This university town has many bars, nightclubs and music venues
59 habitants recommandent
Johnson City
This university town has many bars, nightclubs and music venues
Arts & Culture
Butler has a fascinating history. The town was moved when Watauga Lake was created in 1948, and this living history museum tells its story.
11 habitants recommandent
Butler Museum
123 Selma Curtis RdButler has a fascinating history. The town was moved when Watauga Lake was created in 1948, and this living history museum tells its story.
Live performances feature a wide array of entertainment. Appalachian music is a frequent focus of presentations, but plays and performance art are also popular.
Heritage Hall
9434 Coeburn Mountain RdLive performances feature a wide array of entertainment. Appalachian music is a frequent focus of presentations, but plays and performance art are also popular.
Set at the historic ford of the Watauga River, the park features a local history museum, river-walk trail, replica of a Revolutionary War era fort, amphitheater where history is dramatized, and picnic area.
45 habitants recommandent
Parc historique d'État de Sycamore Shoals
1651 W Elk AveSet at the historic ford of the Watauga River, the park features a local history museum, river-walk trail, replica of a Revolutionary War era fort, amphitheater where history is dramatized, and picnic area.
Home of the Storytelling Center, oldest town in TN, home of a large weekend fleamarket, Jonesborough makes another great day-trip. It's about an hour's drive through both Elizabethton and Johnson City. A nice motor tour. Good eateries and shopping in the historic downtown.
56 habitants recommandent
Jonesborough
Home of the Storytelling Center, oldest town in TN, home of a large weekend fleamarket, Jonesborough makes another great day-trip. It's about an hour's drive through both Elizabethton and Johnson City. A nice motor tour. Good eateries and shopping in the historic downtown.
A top venue for performances by bands of national repute in our area. Check out their schedule on line.
7 habitants recommandent
Freedom Hall Civic Center
1320 Pactolas RdA top venue for performances by bands of national repute in our area. Check out their schedule on line.
Essentials
It's five minutes from the house and a good place to find snacks and necessities.
11 habitants recommandent
Dollar General
12437 Hwy 67 WIt's five minutes from the house and a good place to find snacks and necessities.
Food Country USA
100 N Church StIt's the closest real grocery store.
Entertainment & Activities
Circuit de Bristol Motor Speedway
151 Speedway BlvdIt is about 35 miles away.
Home of Appalachian State U, Boone offers shopping, nightlife, access to the Blue Ridge Parkway and many other activities.
285 habitants recommandent
Boone
Home of Appalachian State U, Boone offers shopping, nightlife, access to the Blue Ridge Parkway and many other activities.
Nolichucky River
Whitewater Rafting is popular here.
They offer a variety of wilderness, white water and lake activities in addition to theirzip-line venue in Piney Flats.
Off-The-Grid-Adventures-ZipLine
191 Fish Springs RdThey offer a variety of wilderness, white water and lake activities in addition to theirzip-line venue in Piney Flats.
The Captain's Table Restaurant is a top local dinner destination, and its view of Watauga Lake from the glass wall of the dining room is fantastic. Get there by boat or car.
30 habitants recommandent
Lakeshore Marina
2285 US-321The Captain's Table Restaurant is a top local dinner destination, and its view of Watauga Lake from the glass wall of the dining room is fantastic. Get there by boat or car.
Sightseeing
Centered on the crossroads of US 421 ("The Snake," as bikers call it) )and TN Rts. 91 and 130 just north of Mountain City, Shady Valley is a high mountain valley that follows Beaver Dam Creek past Backbone Rock National Recreation Area into Damascus, VA. Grab a bite to eat at the convenience stor at the crossroads, a meeting place for friendly motorcyclists.
Shady Valley
Centered on the crossroads of US 421 ("The Snake," as bikers call it) )and TN Rts. 91 and 130 just north of Mountain City, Shady Valley is a high mountain valley that follows Beaver Dam Creek past Backbone Rock National Recreation Area into Damascus, VA. Grab a bite to eat at the convenience stor at the crossroads, a meeting place for friendly motorcyclists.
The antique car show on summer weekends is a must-see on the main street downtown. It's free, and it's like stepping back 50 years. And the near-by park where the Doe River cuts across town is the setting for one of the last "covered" bridges (walled to keep horses from panicing) from the 19th century. It is now a well-maintained pedestrian bridge connecting the sides of the park on both banks of the river. On weekdays, this small downtown area offers antique malls, unique shops, restaurants and more. On the bypass, you can find grocery stores, Wal-Mart, fast-food restaurants and all the usual.
27 habitants recommandent
Elizabethton
The antique car show on summer weekends is a must-see on the main street downtown. It's free, and it's like stepping back 50 years. And the near-by park where the Doe River cuts across town is the setting for one of the last "covered" bridges (walled to keep horses from panicing) from the 19th century. It is now a well-maintained pedestrian bridge connecting the sides of the park on both banks of the river. On weekdays, this small downtown area offers antique malls, unique shops, restaurants and more. On the bypass, you can find grocery stores, Wal-Mart, fast-food restaurants and all the usual.