Tennessee Welcome Center — Attraction in Newport

I was just looking to cross the state line to nab a quick coffee at a C-Store open after midnight. But you know after traveling in mountains so late at night with poor eyesight amidst massive overnight construction on new high speed interstates built so quickly Google asks if I know where I am + well you know by God, I knew the good folks of Tennessee could help a confused old man out in the next best place to EXIT for a 24/7 Hwy. Exit friendly to human beings actually awake this time of night (1:40 or so a.m.) and by God, this is a nice rest area! I'll go out on a limb a bit and say it's the most Welcoming WELCOME CENTER God could bless you with at any darn time of night or day. Man, I enjoyed my conversation with the extremely nice man keeping the PRISTINE Welcome Center even more pristine in the short time I visited. And hell by the time I got to the State of the Art Coffee Center on these State of Tennessee Grounds (2:30 a.mish) well, the also cool old fellow running security in the Coffee Shop told me in 5 seconds EXACTLY which EXIT I needed to take to get the 24 OUNCE Cup of Java I was aiming for AND it wasn't the NEXT EXIT (WEST), it was the one right after that and He knew # and everything. By the time I left the Tennessee Welcome Center I was dreaming of Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Memphis and even the very place in Tennessee me & my only EX-WIFE got married in 1998 (all-in-one-day CEREMONY & HONEYMOON Gatlinburg, Tennessee (just around a 40 mile hairpin turn-a-bout from the Cherokee Indian Reservation my then fiance and I went on our first overnight trip so she could see the snow.) Well, I'll tell you after I got that extra-large coffee at that 24/7 just where SECURITY had told me, sheesh I'm just praying I make it back before Sun-Up. And I did make it back but I can't wait to get back to Tennessee! It ain't Nashville I'm searching for. I done that song-pit like a million others - Hank Sr. & Patsy Cline included. I'm going to Memphis. Memphis, Tennessee. And they call me Crazy. You oughta come to South Carolina. It's Wally World 24 hours a day. No admission required. Hell it's the last State in the Union still building Office Space! Thank you Tennessee, you sure...

The Tennessee Welcome Center along I-40 West is located about 10 miles after entering into the state from North Carolina. This is primarily due to being in the mountains with lots of turns and hills as you travel. This welcome center is not open to trucks. Our visit here was on August 3, 2018.

This welcome center is like an oasis in the middle of the mountains and forest. This place is easy to get in and out of. There is a bit of a hill to get to the building, but it isn't too bad. There are stairs, but there is a handicap accessible route to get up there. There's some neat stuff to see outside at this location as well. They have covered picnic tables, and a nice amount of open space. You can even see the mountains across the interstate. There is a separate building for vending, which had a good selection of food and drinks.

Once inside, this place is just stunning. It's one of the better welcome centers I have been to in any of my travels over the years. There are staff members there ready to assist you (they are available daily from 8 am to 6 pm). They will give you coupon books, brochures, etc. and will help answer any questions that you may have about the state. The hospitality was great. They even have lots of seating inside, as well as rockers to just relax for a little while on the porch. Just don't stay too long since parking is limited to two hours. The restrooms were clean and well maintained.

Overall, this welcome center was definitely a highlight. The weather there was just breaking from rain that we went through while in Asheville, NC. The staff here are great to talk to and they like to get to know you as well. It really felt like coming home visiting here. If your travels take you this way, you definitely need to stop in. They are open 24 hours a day, so there's no excuse...

Oh boy, let me tell you about my pit stop at the Tennessee Welcome Center! It was like stumbling upon a sparkling oasis in the middle of my road trip desert. I could hardly contain my excitement (or my bladder) when I spotted this haven of porcelain perfection!

As soon as I stepped inside, my eyes widened in awe. The toilets were gleaming, my friends! They were so pristine, you’d think they were auditioning for a fancy bathroom fashion show. I half expected them to start strutting down the aisle, showing off their shiny surfaces and impeccable flushing skills. Talk about potty pride!

And let’s not forget the dog walking area—they really know how to pamper our furry friends. It’s like they took a page from a pet resort brochure and transformed it into reality. My pooch was wagging his tail so hard, I thought he might take flight and lead the way to a secret canine kingdom. Who knew a dog could appreciate architectural landscaping and fire hydrants with such gusto?

Oh, the vending machines! They were like a chorus line of snack-filled wonders, serenading me with the sweet symphony of munchies galore. Whether you were craving some salty chips or a sugary pick-me-up, those vending machines had your back. I couldn’t resist trying a little bit of everything. I swear, I gained five pounds of happiness in just five minutes. Worth it? Absolutely!

So, my fellow travelers, if you’re ever passing through Tennessee and need a pit stop that’s more than just a bathroom break, the Tennessee Welcome Center is the place to be. From toilets that sparkle like diamonds to a doggie paradise and vending machines that’ll make your taste buds dance, it’s a roadside haven that’ll leave you in awe—and maybe a little heavier in the snack department. Bon...