Planning to go to the Volunteer State and searching for all of the enjoyable issues to do in Knoxville, TN? You’ve come to the best place.
Let me let you know, Knoxville will shock and delight you. It’s a mountain city not removed from the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park and is filled with unimaginable points of interest (and some hidden gems).
It’s an artsy place with a laid again vibe. On any go to to Knoxville, you’ll be blessed with out of doors journey, good meals, civil struggle historical past and heat hospitality.
We had a enjoyable stuffed three days exploring the Knoxville space and felt we obtained to know town rather well. On this information, we share the most effective Knoxville points of interest so as to add to your itinerary, plus embody some strategies for the place to eat and drink and locations to remain in Knoxville with youngsters.
Is Knoxville Price Visiting?
In case you’re questioning whether or not Knoxville is price visiting, the quick reply is; sure!
For us, the inspiration to go to Knoxville began approach again in 2006 while sitting in a bar in San Diego. We have been chatting with two guys who had attended the College of Tennessee they usually have been doing a superb job of entertaining us with tales of all of the cool issues to do in Knoxville.
To be sincere, they didn’t have to persuade us a lot and had us offered at tailgating and Faculty Soccer – and being on the doorstep to The Smoky Mountains – if you recognize us nicely sufficient, that’s a simple promote.
One fascinating truth we realized is that Knoxville is inside a day’s driving distance from two-thirds of the inhabitants of the USA east of the Mississippi River, and Interstates I-40, I-75, and I-275 run by means of town!
Which means it’s not solely an ideal place to discover, but it surely’s an ideal place to base your self to take day journeys and funky getaways.
Eleven years and two youngsters later we lastly made it to Knoxville, they usually have been proper, it’s a enjoyable and outdoorsy place to go to, and the locals definitely know the best way to embrace that and make the most of the place they reside.
Be sure you embody it in your Southern and East Coast street journey. It makes for an exquisite jumping-off spot.
Getting Round Knoxville
We arrived in Knoxville in direction of the tip of our Tennessee street journey. We’d simply spent just a few days exploring all of the enjoyable issues to do in Nashville with youngsters and points of interest in Memphis, and have been en path to the Smokies.
Because it has three main interstates working by means of town, it’s not arduous to overlook, actually. And for those who don’t wish to drive, The Mcghee Tyson Airport (Knoxville’s Airport) presents nonstop flights to twenty areas across the US. Seek for flights right here.
Getting across the metropolis is fairly easy. In downtown Knoxville, you may stroll to just about wherever. It’s a small and compact district, and all the things is inside quarter-hour on foot, and is true subsequent to the Outdated Metropolis which is basically solely a few streets.
There’s additionally a free Knoxville Trolley that runs by means of downtown and to the College of Tennessee campus on Monday – Saturday for those who don’t really feel like strolling. It has 4 color-coded routes and passes by lodges and Knoxville’s high points of interest.
To get to the suburbs, there are buses and in addition bike leases within the metropolis. You’ll discover loads of bikes and they’re comparatively low cost to lease at $1 for each quarter-hour.
To get to the encompassing areas and the Smokies, you’ll want to rent a automotive. Bus routes don’t have a tendency to achieve these beautiful nature spots, so that you’re most suitable choice is to take a tour or drive your self. You could find automobiles to lease utilizing RentalCars.com, a automotive rental comparability website.
Issues to Do in Knoxville
Now you recognize a bit about Knoxville and the best way to get round, it’s time to have a look at the highest points of interest. With or with out youngsters, there’s loads of issues to do in Knoxville!
1. Discover the Historic Market Sq.
A go to to Historic Market Sq. is among the greatest Knoxville issues to do.
It’s basically the guts, or the hub of downtown with an ideal vibe and is the place to be for cafes, eating places and reside music on choose nights.
There’s the odd busker within the sq. too – little Savannah was fortunate sufficient to get a lesson on the violin and what can we are saying in regards to the locals, they’re pleasant people round right here. She loves her music so she loved this second.
Market Sq. is a cool vacation spot at any time of day however actually comes alive within the night.
We witnessed some reside music one evening which offered for a household pleasant ambiance and was enjoyable. Individuals have been kicked again of their camp chairs having fun with the tunes, and the close by out of doors diners might take part too!
Searching for someplace to eat in Market Sq., Knoxville?
There’s no scarcity of eating choices across the sq. from informal to a bit fancier.
Our high two picks must be The Tomato Head and The Inventory & Barrel (learn our full record of locations to eat and drink down beneath in our part beneath the place to eat in Knoxville).
Each morning we’d hit up the Juice Bar for a wholesome smoothie or acai bowl. Yeah, it’s a sequence with areas across the nation however they’ve a superb choice of smoothies and juices.
And for those who can’t discover one thing to fulfill your wants in Market Sq., there’s loads of different choices positioned across the nook and on close by Homosexual St (principal avenue Knoxville).
2. Eat and Store at Knoxville Market Sq. Farmers’ Market
Virtually everybody we talked to earlier than visiting Knoxville recommended we needed to go to the Knoxville Farmers Market, which got here with excessive expectations.
In case you’ve been following our travels over time you’d know that we’ve been to our justifiable share of Farmer’s Markets and I’ve no hesitation in saying that the Knoxville Farmers Market is among the greatest we’ve been to!
We love open-air markets with an emphasis on native produce and group, and at this market, all the things is grown or made by the seller within the East Tennessee area.
We all the time do our greatest to buy native when touring and if we lived in Knoxville we’d positively be right here each Saturday!
There was such an ideal vary of merchandise on provide from scrumptious native meals and occasional (seize a espresso from Wild Love), to artisan crafts and rather more.
With a vibrant group ambiance, it’s a pleasant technique to kick off your weekend and a wonderful child pleasant Knoxville attraction!
- Hours: Could – November, Wednesdays 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Saturdays 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
3. Go Boutique Bowling at Maple Corridor Bowling
Being from Australia we’re not used to bowling alleys being all fancy and enjoyable and so in style.
Again residence bowling is a factor you’d do perhaps yearly at most on a wet day if you’ve run out of different concepts. Actually, I can’t bear in mind the final time I went bowling.
So after we heard about Maple Corridor it seemed like enjoyable and the youngsters have been particularly excited.
On the few occasions we’ve got been bowling they liked it and we have been all intrigued with the placement.
Maple Corridor is positioned within the coronary heart of Knoxville within the historic J.C. Penney constructing and is that this tremendous cool boutique bowling alley. It’s underground with a full-service bar, cozy lounge areas and even has a VIP room.
It’s greater than only a bowling alley, it’s an expertise and we had a good time as a household.
Kalyra was in high-quality bowling kind, flattening pins like she’s a daily, as was Mummy. And little Savannah had enjoyable progressing from utilizing the kiddy help steering factor (I don’t know what they’re referred to as lol) to bowl all by herself.
Maple Corridor is in style and lanes get stuffed on a primary come first serve foundation, so for those who come right here in peak hour count on a little bit of a wait – you may all the time hold on the bar – or they’ll textual content or name you as quickly as one opens up!
Undoubtedly among the best issues to do in Knoxville with youngsters.
Households be aware that that is an all ages facility till 9:00 pm, then they change into 21+ until it’s a youngster with a mum or dad.
4. Free Reside Music at Knoxville Guests Heart
At any time when we go to a brand new vacation spot, we make an effort to drop into the guests heart to speak with the locals within the know and to select up any free maps.
The parents working right here all the time provide nice insider suggestions into their hometowns and are captivated with sharing their recommendation.
The Knoxville Customer Heart isn’t any completely different and nicely price a go to.
And we additionally obtained to expertise one thing particular, the Knoxville Customer’s Heart has reside music taking part in at noon from Monday to Saturday.
It’s referred to as the Blue Plate Particular. They have been doing a reside radio cross that includes an acoustic duo from Asheville who have been entertaining the group – so cool!
Oh, and on the outside wall to the middle is a cool mural about Knoxville and naturally taking a pic is obligatory.
Undoubtedly one thing you wish to do if you go to Knoxville.
5. Watch a Vols Recreation at Neyland Stadium
As you’ll have guessed, I’m a giant Faculty sports activities fan, and each native we spoke to in Knoxville raved in regards to the College of Tennessee Soccer video games which can be performed at famed Neyland Stadium.
They definitely LOVE their soccer round right here, which is another excuse that is my sort of city!
“You need to come again within the fall to a Vols recreation”, they mentioned. “The entire city shuts down and the tailgating and ambiance is off the charts”.
I’ve now penciled in a Vols recreation and would like to see a giant rivalry recreation towards both Florida or Georgia – off to test the schedule now!
For individuals who care, Peyton Manning performed faculty right here. As did Reggie White, two greats of the #NFL.
And in case you don’t know, Neyland Stadium is the fifth largest stadium within the US with a capability of 102,000 and me being me I simply needed to discover a approach inside.
I’m not going to provide away an excessive amount of information on how we managed to make it inside, and we didn’t do something unlawful, however the place there’s a will there’s a approach and we have been in a position to sneak in for a fast pic due to somebody within the know!
If you wish to do an organized tour of Neyland Stadium, take a look at extra information right here.
6. Get Knoxville Views at The Sunsphere
You may’t miss the Sunsphere in Knoxville. It’s the massive orange sphere protruding above the skyline and visiting is among the free issues to do in Knoxville TN.
The Sunsphere was constructed for the 1982 World’s Truthful and served because the image to the Truthful. And it was additionally residence to a full-service restaurant and the Remark Deck, which used to price $2.00 for the elevator journey as much as go to.
After the Truthful completed, the Sunsphere closed to the general public and remained vacant for many of its life.
The Remark Deck on the 4th stage re-opened in 2014 and presents a 360-degree view of World’s Truthful Park, downtown, the Tennessee River, the College of Tennessee, and the Smoky Mountains.
Visiting the Remark Deck is FREE.
The World’s Truthful Park can also be a stunning place to picnic, stroll, and contains different Knoxville points of interest just like the Knoxville Museum of Artwork.
7. Mountaineering on the Ijams Nature Heart
Getting outdoor in nature is what we love most, and positioned a mere three miles from downtown Knoxville Tn is the Ijams Nature Heart!
Ijams options 10-miles of trails, rock formations, lakes and beautiful overlooks and is a much-loved sanctuary away from town by the locals and guests.
We did a stunning quick stroll alongside the Tennessee River and subsequent time we’re again on the town for an extended keep we’ll be up for exploring extra hikes plus bike rides and paddles on the river.
There’s a great deal of household enjoyable available on the Ijams Nature Heart. Hold studying to find extra household actions you are able to do right here.
Pop into the Ijams Customer Heart for a path map and to find out about all of the actions on provide, together with Navitat and Meads Quarry (see beneath).
8. Fly Excessive with the Navitat Excessive Ropes Course
The Navitat Cover Expertise was Kalyra’s favourite exercise in Knoxville and if it was as much as her we’d have stayed there all day AND evening.
I need to admit, it was arduous to go away and I liked it too!
We’ve accomplished just a few of those excessive ropes challenges amongst the tree cover around the globe and this one was positively enjoyable, and difficult. We solely had time to finish 4 out of the 6 programs so there’s a very good cause to return again for extra!
Navitat is a part of the Ijams Nature Heart and every course consists of 10 to 12 challenges, and every course is designed with various diploma of problem from newbie to superior.
In case you get freaked out about heights like me, don’t fear, I felt extremely protected and safe of their harnessing system which is essentially the most intuitive and simple to make use of one I’ve skilled.
And if you’re like Kalyra and wish to keep all day AND evening, throughout spring and summer season Navitat at Night time is supplied each Friday and Saturday evening!
Undoubtedly some of the enjoyable issues to do in Knoxville with youngsters particularly!
9. Go Swimming and Kayaking at Mead’s Quarry Lake
In case you’re planning a visit to Knoxville with youngsters, Meads Quarry can also be to not be missed.
Of all of the Knoxville TN points of interest, Meads Quarry was my favourite.
Simply down the street from Ijams Customer Heart is Mead’s Quarry the place you may go canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
Sadly, board rent was closed on our day of visiting Mead’s Quarry, however Caz and the youngsters nonetheless jumped in for a swim, and regardless the surroundings was lovely.
And apparently, in the summertime you may catch a glimpse of freshwater jellyfish within the lake!
10. Stroll The Knoxville Riverfront
One of the best time to stroll, or for those who’re up for it a run, alongside the Knoxville riverfront is at dawn. Take a look at these photos of the bridges reflecting on the Tennessee River Caz took throughout her morning dawn run.
In any other case, do as we did as a household and take a peaceable afternoon stroll alongside the riverfront and find yourself at Calhoun’s for a drink and early dinner.
Alongside the best way, you’ll get views of Neyland Stadium on the College and any watercraft having fun with the river – apparently on a Vols soccer recreation day they even tailgate alongside right here and on the water.
It’s a easy, serene and free Knoxville TN issues to do.
11. Go to the Girls’s Basketball Corridor of Fame
We’ve all heard of males’s NBL gamers comparable to Coby Bryant and Michael Jordan, however there are some unimaginable feminine gamers who’ve been underrepresented within the sport.
You could find out all in regards to the greatest names in girls’s basketball from the Basketball Corridor of Fame.
It opened in June 1999 and is the one museum devoted to all ranges of girls’s basketball.
The Corridor of Fame was added to the museum in 2019 and has to this point honored 171 gamers.
The museum is devoted to preserving the historical past of the sport in addition to representing the feminine gamers who dominate the game.
12. Go to the Mcclung Museum of Pure Historical past and Tradition
Positioned on the campus of the College of Tennessee, the Mcclung Museum of Nationwide Historical past is a museum that showcases reveals on pure historical past, native historical past, archaeology, anthropology, and the ornamental arts.
It was inbuilt 1963 and has all the time been a spot that fosters training, analysis, and concepts. The aim was to assist guests achieve an understanding and appreciation of the earth and its folks.
It additionally presents programmes for Ok–12 college students and households thinking about studying extra about our pure historical past.
13. Catch the A Efficiency at one in all Knoxville’s Theaters
One of many extra distinctive issues to do in Knoxville is to attend the theater. There are a number of locations the place you will get cultured within the evenings, together with attending a Knoxville Opera, which runs for a number of nights in a 12 months at their theater on Depot Ave.
You too can catch the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra just a few nights per week at their theater on Homosexual Road.
And you’ll find Broadway productions, and performing arts at The Tennessee Theater, which is simply as beautiful as its performances. It was constructed within the early nineteenth century and the corridor has been lovingly restored.
The theater has a bit one thing for everybody; you may watch traditional films, watch musicals or drama productions.
14. Picnic at Knoxville Botanical Backyard and Arboretum
One other excellent place to spend time with the household is on the Botanical Backyard and Arboretum. It’s a free park to discover and covers 47 acres. The house is made up of manicured gardens, bushes & lawns, in addition to some previous partitions and stone buildings.
It’s an ideal place to sit down and have a picnic or eat some native produce purchased from the Farmer’s Market you visited earlier.
15. Cruise on the Star of Knoxville Riverboat
The Star of Knoxville is an genuine paddlewheeler boat that was utilized by the USA Coast Guard. There are two decks, inside and out of doors, and the within deck is absolutely enclosed and air conditioned in the summertime, and heated within the winter. This makes it a enjoyable exercise all 12 months spherical.
It additionally has two bars, a dance ground, and a band stage, and will be employed out for occasions. Although you may be a part of common night cruises, social gathering cruises, or our favourite, Blues Cruises, the place you may take pleasure in music from blues musicians as you sight see from the deck.
16. Museum of East Tennessee Historical past Heart
One other essential museum in Knoxville is the Museum of East Tennessee Historical past Heart, which is devoted to preserving the previous of Tennessee. You may find out about its essential folks, locations and occasions that formed the state.
The Voices of the Land: The Individuals of East Tennessee exhibit is a selected favourite. It’s an interactive show that enables guests to listen to first-person accounts of life up to now Knoxville.
Prime tip: The museum is open seven days per week, but it surely’s FREE on Sundays. Ensure to plan your go to for then.
17. William Blount Mansion
William Blount was the previous Governor of the Southwest Territory, and he owned this lavish residence. It was inbuilt 1792, the 12 months Knoxville was made a capitol.
The mansion’s nickname is definitely “the home with many eyes” as a result of it offers guests an inside glimpse into his life, in essentially the most visible and in-depth approach.
It’s in some methods a museum and in different methods a lovingly preserved residence, but it surely’s positively price visiting for those who’re thinking about studying in regards to the former politics of town.
Issues to Do in Knoxville with Youngsters
Now lets have a look at some particular enjoyable Knoxville points of interest for teenagers!
18. Feed the Animals at Zoo Knoxville
Lots of you recommended we take a look at the Knoxville Zoo while on the town to see the wildlife, and our children won’t ever say no to feeding the giraffes.
It was nice timing as nicely, because the Zoo was proudly displaying off their cute child gorillas!!! They’re so humorous and human-like, we might sit and watch them work together for hours.
And this Mumma was very protecting of her little bubba.
We additionally obtained up shut with a tiger and elephants, and there are additionally some enjoyable play areas for the youngsters to take pleasure in too making it some of the family-friendly points of interest in Knoxville.
Tickets price:
- Adults $19.95
- Youngsters ages 4-12 $16.95
- Seniors ages 65+ $16.95
- Youngsters beneath 4 FREE
Hours: Open each day besides Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!
19. Experiment and Study at The Muse Knoxville
Bought youthful youngsters? The Muse is positioned within the historic Chilhowee Park (near the Zoo) and Savannah loved herself at this heart.
It presents palms on actions for the youngsters to play, study, and uncover with actions for teenagers of various ages.
One cool factor at Muse is the planetarium, which has a number of reveals taking part in all through the day on their dome projection system.
Tickets price:
- Below 2: Free
- 2 to 64: $7
- 65 and up; Navy ID and Lecturers (with ID): Free
- 65 and up: Free
In case you like your child’s to have engaged studying experiences, then the Muse is among the greatest issues to do in Knoxville with youngsters.
Watch our Issues to do in Knoxville with youngsters video
For different Knoxville points of interest it’s possible you’ll wish to take into account:
- Blount Mansion – first body home constructed west of the Appalachians, Blount Mansion is among the oldest homes within the Southern inside
- James White’s Fort – some of the visited historic websites in Knoxville. It’s a museum residence highlighted by the unique 1786 residence of James White the founding father of Knoxville.
- Volunteer Touchdown – go to this waterfront park with fountains and a splash pad, which hosts common occasions. Catch a pageant or live performance within the night.
The place to Eat in Knoxville
There’s a energetic culinary scene right here with a various choice of eating places in Knoxville, plus cafes, bars and brew pubs and also you’d definitely want longer than the three days we needed to eat your approach round city.
Beneath are our really helpful locations to eat in Knoxville.
20. The Tomato Head
Positioned in Market Sq., the Tomato Head has yummy and recent pizzas with numerous toppings obtainable (gluten free bases on provide), a pleasant vary of sandwiches, salads, and sweets.
There’s a chosen youngsters menu and general good worth for cash with a pleasant informal ambiance.
21. The Inventory & Barrel
A number of of you recommended we go eat at The Inventory & Barrel for excellent burgers. Thanks for that, we ate lunch right here and it was an ideal suggestion!
It presents superb burgers and I completely loved my turkey burger and the duck confit fries have been delish! In case you go for dinner, is perhaps a good suggestion to guide forward as this place isn’t large and is in style!
22. Calhoun’s
Calhoun’s has a number of areas in Tennessee however we solely skilled the one on the Tennessee River.
As talked about we stopped in right here for a drink and chew to eat after a stroll alongside the riverfront and this place is all about location, location.
I imply the meals was high-quality and all, nothing that memorable however you’re proper on the water and we selected to sit down outdoors and benefit from the recent air.
Youngsters menu and gluten free menu obtainable.
23. Pete’s Espresso Store & Restaurant
In case you love a traditional American type diner serving up eggs, pancakes and omelettes take into account Pete’s.
This place is a little bit of an establishment for breakfast in Knoxville and we love that it’s a household owned.
We even obtained to speak with Pete who was tremendous pleasant and took a selected curiosity in us as Aussies – seems he watches a little bit of Aussie TV and documentaries.
24. Balter Beerworks
Do you know there’s an Ale Path in Knoxville? So if the craft beer scene is your factor, there are at present 10 breweries working with extra on the best way.
While our go to wasn’t targeted on breweries, we do love a few beers and a chew to eat at a brew pub so once more we’ve got another excuse to return again to Knox – hi there Fall Soccer recreation!
We did get to 1 brewpub although, the Balter Beerworks which has a pleasant out of doors seating space and pleasant workers – our waitress had simply returned from dwelling in Australia so we had tons to speak about.
The menu was fairly intensive, we had the salmon and an open burger, and washed all of it down properly with a brew.
25. Cruze Farm Ice Cream
One for the youngsters, and massive youngsters y’all going to like this Knoxville attraction.
The lately opened Cruze Farm on South Homosexual Road is a cool story and visually interesting store that leverages off a household dairy farm in Knoxville – you’ll discover their milk throughout East Tennessee.
They milk Jersey cows and bottle their very own entire pasteurized Jersey milk, in addition to actual churned buttermilk, mild milk, and chocolate milk.
You’ll have seen their farm ladies round city delivering milk to a market or probably even milking cows. They’re arduous to overlook of their putting crimson and white attire, impressed by their grandmother who wore a costume whereas she milked cows.
26. Ok Brew Cafe
How cool is that this cafe in Knoxville!
Fancy a espresso while lazing in a hammock?
Even for those who’re not a giant espresso drinker, Ok Brew is successful with the youngsters. You might need to remind them that they’re not on the swings at a playground, and for those who come with out youngsters why not relax with a very good guide and your latte and picture you’re on trip!
Nicely performed Ok Brew!
The place to Keep in Knoxville, TN
We stayed on the lately opened Tennessean Resort, a private luxurious lodge with a major central location downtown throughout the road from the Sunsphere and a straightforward 5-10 minute stroll to Market Sq..
Identical to with journey, it’s not all the time in regards to the vacation spot however the folks you meet and the identical goes for lodges, it’s not all the time in regards to the amenities however the workers who work there.
From the valet guys who greeted us upon arrival, and each day of our keep, to the pleasant and attentive entrance desk workers, our keep was made very nice, snug, and personable.
And, we have been minutes’ drive from the most effective Knoxville has to supply.
Issues to Do close to Knoxville TN
Are you planning a full Tennessee journey? Then take a look at these different guides on issues to do close to Knoxville:
Earlier than You Go
So there you could have it! These are 26 enjoyable issues to do in Knoxville Tennessee with household. As you may see, there’s numerous enjoyable available on this superior metropolis.
We hope that you just discovered this information helpful and that you’ve got a good time exploring Knoxville.
Due to Go to Knoxville for internet hosting our keep.
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