What "Appalachian Highlands" Really Means |
The Tri-Cities may be the region’s best-known communities, but the Appalachian Highlands identity reaches far beyond three city limits. |
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TRI-CITIES, Tenn./Va. — You’ve probably heard the term Appalachian Highlands, but it describes much more than a point on a map. It represents a region connected by mountains, rivers, music, history and a shared way of life that stretches across Northeast Tennessee and neighboring Southwest Virginia.
While Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol serve as the region’s economic and cultural hubs, the Appalachian Highlands also includes communities such as Jonesborough, Elizabethton, Greeneville, Abingdon, Damascus, Erwin and many others. Together, they form a landscape where small towns, outdoor recreation and Appalachian heritage remain closely intertwined.
The region is home to the Appalachian Trail, scenic mountain balds, Cherokee National Forest, South Holston Lake, Watauga Lake, Boone Lake and countless rivers and streams that attract hikers, anglers, paddlers and campers throughout the year.
Music also helps define the Appalachian Highlands. Bristol is recognized as the Birthplace of Country Music, while venues throughout the region continue traditions rooted in bluegrass, old-time, gospel and Americana. Festivals, storytelling events and local theaters help preserve the area's rich cultural heritage while introducing it to new generations.
Higher education, healthcare and tourism also connect the region. East Tennessee State University, Ballad Health, local state parks and historic sites serve residents from dozens of surrounding communities, creating regional ties that extend well beyond county and state lines.
Today, the Appalachian Highlands has become more than a geographic description. It is a regional identity embraced by tourism organizations, businesses and community leaders who recognize the shared history, natural beauty and welcoming spirit that unite Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
Whether you're hiking a mountain trail, exploring a historic downtown, paddling a quiet lake or enjoying live music on a summer evening, you're experiencing what makes the Appalachian Highlands one of the most distinctive regions in the Southeast. |