Knoxville, TN, is a city ready to welcome you. While it’s more famous neighbors, Nashville and Memphis, might hog all the Tennessee glory, Knoxville is still a destination worthy of your attention. Known as Scruffy Town, or more appealingly, the “Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains”, it has destinations suitable for just about anyone. Whether it’s art, history, food, or the great outdoors you’re looking for, stick around and check out the top things to do in Knoxville, TN.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Day Trip
Knoxville is known as “The gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains” for a reason, and visitors who love the great outdoors shouldn’t pass on visiting the national park that bears it’s name and include it to the top things to do in Knoxville,TN. Although the park entrance is not located inside Knoxville, it’s an easy drive to get there and perfect for a day trip. The GSMNP is America’s most popular national park, with well over a million visitors each year. People come from all over for the jaw-dropping scenery, historical buildings, abundant animal life, and well-maintained hiking and cycling trails.
If you’re popping in for the day from Knoxville, a visit to Cades Cove is a must. This green valley is one of the most popular tourist sites and can be reached on foot, by bike, or by car. Be sure to take it slowly, and enjoy the sights and nature, and look out for foxes, deer, or even black bears. With over 800 miles of hiking trails, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park will definitely be the perfect day trip for you. After enjoying the sights and scenery, head back to Knoxville to rest before your next adventure. For the more intrepid hikers, Knoxville is a perfect staging ground for a multi-day camping and hiking trip.
World’s Fair Park
In the 80s, Knoxville was struggling. Competition had taken away its industrial dominance, and the growing highway network meant it wasn’t a railway powerhouse anymore. However, the city turned a new leaf with the 1982 World’s Fair, which became one of the most popular exposition in US history with over 11 million visitors. While most of the Fair’s attractions are long gone, visiting the site of the city’s historic turning point is worth the time.
The only remaining buildings from the Fair are the Tennessee Amphitheater, which still hosts shows and the iconic Sunsphere. This 266-foot structure is topped with a golden sphere, is one of the most distinctive buildings on the Knoxville skyline. Admission is free, and guests are able to climb inside the sphere to enjoy a unique 360-degree view of the city.
Besides the Sunsphere, it’s also worth visiting Volunteer’s Landing. This structure was built to monitor the environmental condition of the Tennessee river and offers some quiet walks and great photo ops. Then, cool off in the Splashpad, a network of water fountains built with young visitors in mind, before continuing your adventures.
McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture
Nestled in the University of Tennessee Campus, the McClung Museum is a compact attraction that is densely filled with artifacts and exhibitions. This museum has free admission and free parking, and the wealth of objects on display make this one of the best things to do in Knoxville and a really easy sell to tourists.
The museum’s most interesting feature is called Monty, and he’s a 24-foot long cast bronze skeleton of a Hadrosaur, a duck-billed dino that called this area home millions of years ago. Inside you’ll find collections relating to Egyptology, archaeology, paleontology, and anthropology, as well as new temporary exhibitions. It takes about 2 hours to explore the whole museum, so it’s a great way to explore the past before lunch.
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Historic Old Town
Interested in some of the best food, shopping, and live entertainment that Knoxville has to offer? Then plan a visit to the Historic Old Town. This part of downtown is a thriving artist and foodie haven, offering plenty to see and do both day and night. Dishes and cuisine from every corner are offered, including loaded hotdogs, Japanese, Mexican, and traditional American grills. Thirsty? Check out one of the many Scottish or Irish pubs for an authentic experience, or mosey over to the distilleries to see how gin, whiskey, and more are made. There are also plenty of galleries and art exhibitions, so art lovers are welcomed here.
And if you return after dark, make sure to catch a show. Historic Old Town has a bustling events calendar, and almost every night offers something new to take in. Music of all types, dancing, live sports, and more. The Historic Old Town makes for a perfect night out.
Gay Street
Another historically significant part of the city is Gay Street, which has the honor of being Knoxville’s first paved road. Gay Street has played host to a number of important historical events, including assassinations, shoot-outs, Civil War rallies, and successful non-violent Civil Rights protests. With plenty of historic buildings, local legends, and plenty of dining options too, Gay Street is a great place to explore.
Beyond that, Gay Street is also Knoxville’s theater hub, with plenty of options for live entertainment. The Tennessee and Bijou Theater are both located here and play host to opera, comedy, contemporary, and even off-Broadway shows, in addition to other performance art presentations and even movies. And if you want to ride in style, then be sure to catch one of Knoxville’s iconic Free Trolleybuses that operate in Gay Street and the Old Town.
Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
First opened in 1999, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame celebrates and recognizes the queen’s of the court. The only facility of its kind in the world, the Hall is an essential part of a visit to Knoxville, even if you’re only a passing fan of the sport. The building is easily identified thanks to the 10-ton basketball on the roof, which, mind you, is also the biggest basketball ever made!
Within the Woman’s Basketball Hall of Fame is housed information about its inductees, artifacts (either signed by famous players or specific to women’s basketball history), the iconic Eastman statue, and basketball court for attendees to practice their skills at throwing, dribbling, and passing. There are also unique frames to pretend to be a famous player at a point in their lives. A visit to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame helps further the Hall’s goal to promote women’s sports, and live up to their motto of: “honor the past, celebrate the present, and promote the future.”
Tour the Gardens
A visit to Knoxville will leave you aware of the relationship between cities and nature, and you can really appreciate this connection in one of Knoxville’s beautifully maintained gardens.
The University of Tennessee Gardens are part of the esteemed university’s institute of agriculture and are recognized as the official gardens of Knoxville. Maintained and curated by students and volunteers, the gardens are free to the public and have more than 4 000 different plants growing here. The garden functions as a massive verdant laboratory, giving researchers and students the chance to study how this vegetation functions. Collections in the garden include rose gardens, old-growth trees, annual flowerbeds, a children’s garden, and even a kitchen-friendly garden, which should give plenty of inspo to any aspiring chef.
Similarly, the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum also allows visitors to wander amongst the flowers and tiptoe through tulips. This garden is spread over 47 hectares and incorporates historic structures and attractive stonework into its design. Also free to the public, it’s a perfect place to enjoy nature in an urban space. So bring a book, sniff the daisies, and unwind.
Market Square
In the heart of downtown lies one of the best things to do in Knoxville, the market square. This historic area has been in use since the 1850’s, and remains a popular place to stroll, shop, and snack. This open-air destination offers live music, art displays, theatrical performances, and a myriad of activities in each season.
The Market Square also has plenty of options for hungry travelers. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert, you’ll find a plate to satisfy your palate. Highly recommended by many is The Tomato Head, which is widely renowned for its vegetarian and vegan offerings, as well as its eclectic Italian-inspired menu, is bound to have something for everyone.
Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness
In Knoxville TN, nature doesn’t just surround the city; nature is intertwined with the city. Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness, as they put it, is closer than you think. Occupying over 1000 acres, the Urban Wilderness invites you to explore its 50 plus miles of trails and tracks. Nine distinct parks or adventure areas are linked, all within a short drive from the hotels and conveniences of the city.
If you can imagine an outdoor activity, you can do it here. Hike the trails, including a 12.5 mile trail connecting all the areas, race down the Devil’s Racetrack, an expert-level bike track, conquer boulders and cliffs, or just take a nice walk in the trees.
Be sure to check out Ijam’s Nature Center. This protected area is rich with birds and flower life and also allows visitors to tackle the trees in the Navitat Canopy Adventure and paddle out on the flooded Ross Marble and Mead’s Quarry Lakes. And if you’re traveling with your four-legged friend, you’ll be pleased to know that leashed dogs are welcome.
But what do you think? What would you do if you visited Knoxville, TN? Let us know in the comments what you’re most excited about, or if you think we missed something, tell us what site we left out. And don’t forget to like the video, subscribe to ViewCation, and hit the bell for more videos. Thanks for watching, and travel safely.