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Newport, Tennessee

Cocke County’s seat on the Pigeon River, just above the French Broad: the 1930 courthouse, a Broadway of drive-ins, a soda fountain and boutiques, the Riverwalk behind City Hall, and the quickest way from I-40 to the Smokies’ quiet Cosby side and the Pigeon River whitewater.

City · county seatSeat of Cocke County →Pop. 6,868 (2020)Eastern time (ET)Things to do ↓Eat & drink ↓Places to stay ↓Events ↓A short history ↓City hall & resources ↓

Checked Oct 29, 2026 · all times Eastern (ET) · sources at the bottom

In 30 seconds
  • Why stop: walk Broadway past Debbie’s Drive Inn, Snowbird Coffee and Jabo’s soda fountain to the 1930 courthouse, then step down to the Riverwalk behind City Hall. From there it’s a short drive to the Cosby side of the national park, the Foothills Parkway East or a whitewater trip at Hartford.
  • Before you go: Newport is on Eastern time (ET). City Hall is open weekdays 8:30 AM–5 PM ET, and the tourism center on Mulberry St. weekdays 9 AM–5 PM ET and Saturdays 9 AM–3 PM ET. Newport elects its mayor and aldermen on Tue Nov 3. Shine On, Newport! is Fri Nov 6, 6–10 PM ET, and the Christmas parade is Fri Dec 4 at 6:30 PM ET.
  • Don’t confuse: this is Newport, Tennessee. The original 1790s county seat, a few miles away on the French Broad, is now called Oldtown. Many places with a Newport mailing address, like the KOA and the Christmas Never Ends light show, are outside the city limits. Hurricane Helene’s 2024 flood still affects some riverside buildings, so call ahead.

Visitor directory

Things to do in and around Newport

In town

  • Cocke County Courthouse ↗111 Court Ave. · the Colonial Revival courthouse, built in 1930, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Tennessee Encyclopedia notes a telling detail: when Newport was laid out by the railroad, the courthouse was not placed at the center of the business district. That spot went to the railroad depot. ⓘ source
  • Broadway & historic downtown ↗Newport is a Tennessee Downtowns community. On Oct. 28, 2026, the state awarded it a $245,511 Downtown Improvement Grant for facades, wayfinding signs, gateways and streetscapes, with a 25% local match. Shops on East Broadway include Fruit Jar Alley (249 E. Broadway), a boutique with the Grainery in the back · 423-532-8499. ⓘ source
  • Riverwalk on the Pigeon River ↗The city’s Riverwalk runs along the Pigeon River directly behind City Hall, 300 E. Main St. The Chamber’s free Rhythm on the River concerts play there every other Thursday from late May through July; 2026 was the 12th season. ⓘ source
  • Newport Tourism Information Center ↗115 Mulberry St., Suite 100 · maps, events, restaurants and outdoor trip ideas for Newport and Cocke County · Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM ET, Sat 9 AM–3 PM ET; Sundays open seasonally. Weekend hours change with the season, so call first: (423) 613-4040. ⓘ source
  • Newport City Park ↗100 City Park · 30 acres with tennis and pickleball courts, the Smoky Mountain Little League ball fields, open-air basketball courts, a football field, a paved walking and jogging trail, playgrounds and a disc golf course. The outdoor pool opens from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Pavilions can be rented. ⓘ source
  • Neighborhood parks ↗Bryant Town Park (131 English St.) · Fifth & Filbert Park (633 5th St.), with a basketball court, a modern playground, a “Mommy & Me” swing set and a covered pavilion · Kiwanis Park playground (301 College St.). ⓘ source
  • Newport Community Center ↗426 Cosby Hwy. · a 36,144-sq.-ft. center with an Olympic-size indoor pool, a full basketball court, racquetball, a wellness room, a spin room and a game room · Mon–Thu 7 AM–8 PM ET, Fri 7 AM–3:30 PM ET, Sat 8 AM–3:30 PM ET, closed Sunday · day admission $2 for adults and $1 for ages 17 and under or 55 and up · (423) 623-7304. Parks staff also lead free guided hikes, rated easy to moderate, from the center’s lower lot. Pre-registration is required. ⓘ source
  • Stokely Memorial Library ↗383 E. Broadway · Mon–Sat 10 AM–5 PM ET, closed Sunday · (423) 720-2075. The downtown library has flooded more than once, including in Hurricane Helene, and needed a new roof in summer 2026 (WVLT). Call ahead to check which areas are open. ⓘ source
  • Rhea-Mims Hotel (view from the street)A landmark of native stone mined on the site. It opened as a hotel in 1925, built to the vision of innkeeper Lucia Rhea Mims, and has been on the National Register since 1998. The Newport Housing Authority rebuilt it as 17 apartments, so it is private housing and not open for tours. ⓘ source

Nearby: the Smokies’ Cosby side, whitewater & the lake

  • Cosby & the Foothills Parkway EastNot in Newport — U.S. 321/TN-32 runs south to Cosby and the national park’s quieter northeast corner, with Cosby Creek, old-growth forest, a picnic area and trailheads. The Foothills Parkway East links Cosby and I-40 with valley overlooks. Check NPS conditions before you go. ⓘ source
  • Pigeon River whitewater at HartfordNot in Newport — east on I-40 toward the North Carolina line. The tourism council lists eight rafting companies at Hartford, offering Class III–IV runs and gentler family floats. Rafting on the dam-controlled river is seasonal, so book with a licensed outfitter. ⓘ source
  • Rankin Bottoms & Douglas LakeNot in Newport — at the head of Douglas Lake, the TWRA’s Rankin Wildlife Management Area has mudflats from mid-October to late March, which makes it a prime season for waterbirds. ⓘ source
  • Christmas Never Ends drive-through lightsOutside city limits — 1644 Old Newport Hwy., with a Newport mailing address · a drive-through Christmas light show reopening Nov. 1, 2026 · 423-720-9219. ⓘ source

Eat & drink

  • Debbie’s Drive Inn157 W. Broadway · a traditional drive-in with burgers, fries and shakes · (423) 613-9399. The Christmas parade starts here. ⓘ source
  • People’s Choice Restaurant230 W. Broadway · full-service home cooking · (423) 623-8740. ⓘ source
  • Jabo’s Pharmacy soda fountain602 E. Broadway · an old-fashioned soda fountain in a hometown pharmacy that celebrated its 50th year in 2025 · (423) 623-3088. ⓘ source
  • Snowbird Coffee Company237 E. Broadway, downtown · coffee, pastries and sandwiches · 423-415-5688. ⓘ source
  • Milano’s Pizza & Italian465 W. Broadway · pizza and traditional Italian dishes · (423) 625-3472. ⓘ source
  • Fox & Hounds127 Fox and Hound Way · a steakhouse with hand-cut filets, prime rib and lobster tails · (423) 623-9161. ⓘ source

Local picks from the Cocke County tourism council’s free restaurant directory and the restaurants’ own pages. Small-town hours change, so call ahead. Full list: Cocke County places to eat ↗.

Places to stay

  • Cosby Hwy. hotels at I-40 exit 435Best Western Newport Inn (1015 Cosby Hwy.), Hampton Inn (1020 Cosby Hwy.) and Holiday Inn Express (1022 Cosby Hwy.) are clustered at the interstate, all inside the city limits. ⓘ source
  • Newport KOAOutside city limits — 240 KOA Lane · campground · 423-623-9004. ⓘ source

Cabins, B&Bs and campgrounds across the county: Cocke County places to stay ↗.

Checked Oct 29, 2026 · in or out of town checked against Census city limits. Call ahead — hours change. All hours Eastern (ET).

Coming up in Newport

  • Thu Oct 29 — Last day of early votingVote 9 AM–6 PM ET at the Cocke County Election Commission, 157 Western Plaza Dr. Besides the state and federal races, Newport voters are choosing a mayor, five aldermen and two city school board members. ⓘ source
  • Sat Oct 31 — Trick-or-Treat at the TrackNewport Parks & Recreation’s annual Halloween-night event, 6–8 PM ET on the Newport City Park walking track. Local businesses hand out candy from decorated booths for kids up to age 10, and costumes are encouraged. Confirm at 423-623-7304. ⓘ source
  • Sun Nov 1 — Christmas Never Ends reopensThe drive-through light show at 1644 Old Newport Hwy. (Outside city limits) reopens for the season. ⓘ source
  • Tue Nov 3 — Election Day · Newport city electionPolls are open 9 AM–8 PM ET at your assigned polling place. The ballot covers the state and federal general election plus the Newport and Parrottsville town elections. The city’s Beer Board meeting set for that day is canceled. ⓘ source
  • Fri Nov 6 — Shine On, Newport!6–10 PM ET in historic downtown · lights, music and local shops, hosted by Historic Downtown Newport. The organizers say the full lineup is still to come. ⓘ source
  • Tue Nov 10 — Board of Mayor & AldermenRegular meeting on the second Tuesday, 5:45 PM ET at City Hall, 300 E. Main St. Meeting videos are posted on the city site. ⓘ source
  • Mon Nov 16 — Operation Christmas Child collection weekShoebox drop-offs run Nov. 16–23 in Newport at West End Baptist Church (116 West End St.) and First Baptist Church (599 Amanda Circle). Check drop-off hours online. ⓘ source
  • Sat Nov 21 — Empower Cocke County Christmas festivalNov. 21–22 at West End Baptist Church in Newport, with decorated trees, wreaths and homemade chocolates. Times aren’t posted yet · 423-532-1308. ⓘ source
  • Tue Nov 24 — Planning Commission · parade entry deadlineThe Newport Regional Planning Commission meets at 3:30 PM ET; its Oct. 27 meeting was canceled. The Chamber’s deadline for Christmas parade entries is 4 PM ET, with a $10 late fee after that. Source conflict: the Plain Talk reports that registration runs through Nov. 20, so register early. ⓘ source
  • Wed Dec 2 — Beer BoardMonthly meeting at 10 AM ET. ⓘ source
  • Fri Dec 4 — Newport Christmas Parade6:30 PM ET, a nighttime parade on the theme “Red, White and Bright: An American Christmas — Celebrating 250 Years.” It starts at Debbie’s Drive Inn, runs down Broadway through historic downtown and ends at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church. Floats stage from 4 PM ET. The City of Newport streams it live on Facebook. ⓘ source
  • Tue Dec 8 — Board of Mayor & AldermenSecond-Tuesday meeting, 5:45 PM ET at City Hall. ⓘ source

Elsewhere in the county (Not in Newport): the Big Christmas Bazaar at Del Rio School on Sat Dec 5 and the Parrottsville Christmas Parade on Sat Dec 12. More: Cocke County events ↗.

Checked Oct 29, 2026 · times Eastern (ET) · dates from the City of Newport, the Cocke County Partnership, the Cocke County Election Commission and The Newport Plain Talk. More Cocke County events are on the county guide.

Area news

Headlines · Newport & Cocke County

  • Tennessee Town & City (TML) · Oct 28, 2026

    Newport is one of 14 Tennessee Main Street and Tennessee Downtowns communities sharing more than $3.9 million in Downtown Improvement Grants. Newport’s $245,511 goes to facades, signs, gateways and streetscapes, with a 25% local match.

    Read at Tennessee Town & City (TML) →
  • The Newport Plain Talk · Oct 28, 2026

    The Cocke County Partnership set the 2026 Newport Christmas Parade for 6:30 PM ET on Friday, Dec. 4, on the theme “Red, White and Bright.” It runs from Debbie’s Drive Inn down Broadway to Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church and will stream live on Facebook.

    Read at The Newport Plain Talk →
  • The Newport Plain Talk · Oct 28, 2026

    Newport elects a mayor, five aldermen and two city school board members on Nov. 3. Only five candidates filed for the five alderman seats, which the county’s elections administrator calls a first in modern history.

    Read at The Newport Plain Talk →
  • The Newport Plain Talk · Mar 3, 2026

    Hurricane Helene left the city police headquarters unsafe, so the department has been working out of the Newport Community Center. The city has bought six acres off Cope Blvd. for a new station and hired an architect, and it is seeking FEMA and insurance help with the cost.

    Read at The Newport Plain Talk →

Short summaries in our words — tap through to read the full story at the source. All area news → · Outlet requests: [email protected]

A short history

John Gilliland planted a corn crop at the mouth of the Pigeon River in 1783 to stake his claim, the first white settlement in what became Cocke County (Tennessee Encyclopedia). In 1797 the state created Cocke County from Jefferson County and named it for William Cocke, a State of Franklin supporter and one of Tennessee’s first U.S. senators. The county seat went on fifty acres beside the French Broad River donated by Gilliland’s son and was named New Port; a log courthouse came first, then a brick one in 1828. The city’s own history says the town was laid out in 1799. It also credits Peter Fine’s ferry across the river as a main reason the site was chosen.

The railroad moved the town. When the Cincinnati, Cumberland Gap & Charleston Railroad arrived in 1867, the county seat shifted to the bluffs above the river under pressure from railroad backers. The new town kept the name Newport, and the first site became Oldtown, whose surviving O’Dell House (1814) is on the National Register. Fire destroyed the courthouse and most county records in 1876, and county government went back to Oldtown until a new courthouse opened in 1884. The Western North Carolina Railroad, finished in 1882, linked Newport to Knoxville and Asheville. Investors in the Scottish Carolina Timber and Land Company helped make it the permanent seat. Source conflict: MTAS gives an incorporation date of Feb. 1, 1799 (Acts 1799, ch. 32), the city’s “About Us” page says Newport was “established in 1893,” and the city site’s header reads “Founded in 1903.” The current charter dates from Private Acts 2005, ch. 76.

The 20th century added the stone Rhea-Mims Hotel (1925) and the 1930 courthouse. Cocke County produced Ben W. Hooper, who in 1911 became Tennessee’s first Republican governor in thirty years; the soprano Grace Moore, born near Del Rio; and writers Wilma Dykeman and James Stokely (Tennessee Encyclopedia).

In September 2024, Hurricane Helene flooding on the Pigeon River damaged the riverfront, the downtown library and the police headquarters, and recovery is still under way (Newport Plain Talk; WVLT). Newport counted 6,868 people in the 2020 Census; the state certifies a 2026 estimate of 7,049 (MTAS).

Read more: History of Newport & Cocke County (City of Newport) ↗ · Cocke County (Tennessee Encyclopedia) ↗

Cocke County’s history → · The Lost State of Franklin → · East Tennessee history hub →

City hall & local resources

  • Emergency (police · fire · EMS)911Call 911 for any emergency.
  • Newport City Hall(423) 623-7323300 E. Main St. · Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM ET; closed on holidays. ⓘ source
  • Newport Police (non-emergency)(423) 623-5556Since Hurricane Helene the department has been working out of the Newport Community Center, 426 Cosby Hwy. A new station is planned off Cope Blvd. ⓘ source
  • Newport Fire Department (training office)423-613-4047103 “C” Ave. · fire-safety programs and station tours. ⓘ source
  • Street Department (brush & large-item pickup)(423) 623-5246140 Locust St. · Mon–Fri 7 AM–3:30 PM ET · weekly garbage pickup inside the city limits. ⓘ source
  • Curbside recycling sign-up(423) 625-3850Free bin for homes and businesses inside the city limits · Recycling & Convenience Center at 122 Locust Ave. ⓘ source
  • Newport Utilities (electric · water · wastewater · fiber)(423) 625-2800170 Cope Blvd. · lobby and drive-thru Mon–Fri 9 AM–4:30 PM ET · report outages 24/7 at the same number. ⓘ source
  • Parks & Recreation · Community Center(423) 623-7304426 Cosby Hwy. · pavilion rentals, programs and guided hikes. ⓘ source
  • Newport Tourism Information Center(423) 613-4040115 Mulberry St., Suite 100. ⓘ source
  • Cocke County Partnership (Chamber & tourism)(423) 623-7201115 Mulberry St., Suite 200 · Christmas parade entries and visitor guides. ⓘ source
  • Stokely Memorial Library(423) 720-2075383 E. Broadway · Mon–Sat 10 AM–5 PM ET. ⓘ source
  • Cocke County Election Commission(423) 623-2042157 Western Plaza Dr. · office hours vary during early voting. ⓘ source
  • Newport City Schools (Newport Grammar School)423-625-0686301 College St. ⓘ source
  • Tennova Newport Medical Center(423) 625-2200435 Second St. · 24/7 emergency department. ⓘ source

City of Newport official site ↗ — agendas, minutes, meeting videos, permits, property taxes and city news. Newport is governed by a Board of Mayor and Aldermen: a mayor and five aldermen. The board holds its regular meeting on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:45 PM ET at City Hall, 300 E. Main St. A city administrator runs day-to-day operations. The city provides garbage pickup, streets, parks, police and fire service. Electric, water, wastewater and fiber service come from Newport Utilities. Cocke County government is based at the courthouse, 111 Court Ave.

Checked Oct 29, 2026 · official sites only · numbers copied from each agency’s own page — tap ⓘ to confirm. Times Eastern (ET). Emergencies: call 911.

Around Cocke County

← Cocke County guide — Cosby, the Foothills Parkway East, Pigeon River whitewater, the Cherokee National Forest, the Appalachian Trail and county resources.

Other Cocke County town: Parrottsville. Communities: Cosby · Del Rio · Hartford · Bybee · Grassy Fork · Oldtown. Census places: Parrottsville town · Cosby CDP. Next door: Sevier · Jefferson · Hamblen · Greene county guides, plus Haywood and Madison counties across the North Carolina line.

Other county-seat guides: Wartburg (Morgan County) · Kingston (Roane County) · Huntsville (Scott County) · Jamestown (Fentress County) · Crossville (Cumberland County) · Clinton (Anderson County) · Dayton (Rhea County) · Decatur (Meigs County) · Athens (McMinn County) · Cleveland (Bradley County) · Madisonville (Monroe County) · Loudon (Loudon County) · Maryville (Blount County) · Sevierville (Sevier County) · Knoxville (Knox County).

Sources

Checked Oct 29, 2026