What are you interested in? If you like bluegrass (old-time), there is PLENTY for you to do and see. The upper East Tennessee area is great. It's according to when you plan to travel.
The National Storytelling Festival is in Jonesborough, the oldest city in TN. It is this coming weekend.
Gray Fossil site is just down the road from Jonesborough and is an active site.
Rocky Mount holds re-enactments several times throughout the year.
The Barter Theater (Abingdon, VA) is up the road about 45 minutes and is the oldest active theater in Virginia.
There are just numerous activities around the area, within a couple hours drive but unless I know what you are interested in, I can't narrow it down.
Here is the link to the NE Tennessee website for more information. You might want to also check out the Southwest Virginia area, also.
NE Tennessee information