Get to Know Knoxville, Tennessee
By Kellie Walton Benz
Knoxville, Tennessee, may be a town synonymous with orange, but its allure spans far beyond the stunning University of Tennessee campus. Set in the rolling Tennessee hills, Knoxville is a beautiful culmination of lakes, hills, and even mountains, with the Great Smoky Mountains towering in the distance.
Lovers of the outdoors, nightlife, food, and yes, college sports, will enjoy a visit to the vibrant city, housing plenty of destinations for adventure, entertainment, and SEC revelry. We’ve rounded up seven can’t-miss attractions across the east Tennessee town.
Market Square
Built in 1928, Market Square is a historic public space in downtown Knoxville home to many shops, restaurants, theaters, and more. The square is one of the city’s most popular spots to visit thanks not only to its accessibility and convenience, but also to its regular public events. Stay tuned for hosted outdoor concerts, movies, and Shakespeare on the Square performances.
When not catching a show outside, make plans to stroll the boutique shops like Earth to Old City and Fruit Jar Alley packed with unique clothing, home goods, jewelry, and other gifts. After an afternoon of shopping, stop inside one of Market Square’s many restaurants for a bite, from gourmet burgers at Stock and Barrel to chicken and waffles at Myrtle’s Chicken and Beer.
Keep the adventure going into the night, with lively options for evening entertainment. Grab a beer at the Knox Brew Hub, dance the night away at Preservation Pub or enjoy rooftop views at Scruffy City Hall.
While in Market Square, you’re in close proximity to the playful and pet-friendly Krutch Park, perfect for soaking up the sun on a nice Knoxville day. Visiting during the summer? Be sure to also check out the weekly farmer’s market.
World's Fair Park
Knoxville hosted the iconic World’s Fair in 1982, bringing the periodic international exhibition celebrating the achievements of nations to the United States. Throughout its history, the World’s Fair has only been held in the United States a total of six times (in Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, New York City, Seattle, and Knoxville), with Knoxville as the most recent.
Knoxville created a beautiful park to house the festivities that still serve as a focal point for the city today, highlighted by the iconic gold Sunsphere. The sphere itself is a 266-foot tall observation tower that offers panoramic views of the city and the park beneath it, which also houses a large fountain, walking paths, and public art installations.
Visit the recently-built Performance Lawn, a section of greenway that runs through the area for concerts, festivals, parties, and other special events. The lawn itself is greater in size than two football fields! In addition, the World’s Fair Park also features an amphitheater for outdoor concerts and performances.
worldsfairpark.org
Knoxville Museum of Art
While strolling World’s Fair Park, you’ll come across the Knoxville Museum of Art. Featuring a collection of contemporary and modern art from global, regional and local artists, the museum houses permanent collections of paintings, sculptures, glass, and photography, as well as rotating temporary exhibits throughout the year. Current exhibitions include Higher Ground: A Century of the Visual Arts in East Tennessee as well as Facets of Modern and Contemporary Glass. The rotation for 2023 includes installations by Courtney Egan and Jane Cassidy.
Admission is free and all ages are welcome to admire the beautiful pieces housed within, and educational opportunities are offered regularly. If kids are in tow, visit the Creative Corner, an interactive play area for the little ones to participate in hands-on activities, read books, draw at easels, and tap into their inner artist. Or, visit on the second Sunday of every month for a drop-in art activity, where kids are able to create a piece to take home and display.
knoxart.org
University of Tennessee
We’d be remiss not to mention the University of Tennessee when discussing Knoxville, as its campus is one of the most unique and noteworthy in the region. Founded in 1794, the school has welcomed hundreds of thousands of students to a variety of programs in fields like agriculture, engineering, law, business, education, and arts and sciences. Prepare to get your workout in as you stroll the campus itself, as it sits atop a Tennessee hill lending itself to the joke of being “uphill both ways.”
The 910-acre campus features lots of beautiful landscaping and buildings both old and new, including the iconic Ayres Hall, which is a symbol of the university and one of the most recognizable landmarks in Knoxville. The focal point, however, is the expansive Neyland Stadium, marked by its orange and white checkerboard end zones and its bowl shape able to hold nearly 102,000 fans.
The UTK campus is the pinnacle of the Volunteer State, named for Tennessee’s response for troops during the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War. The school’s mascots nod to Tennessee history: the bluetick coonhound, Smoky, is a common breed in Tennessee named for the neighboring mountain range, and the Davy Cockett mascot nods to the infamous native East Tennessean.
Explore the Outdoors
Knoxville’s diverse landscape is an outdoor lover's dream, with lakes and rivers, a nature center, and even a national park nearby. On game days, the Vol Navy takes to the Tennessee River to “sailgate” before heading to campus to cheer on the Volunteers, though the river is a beautiful body of water to experience any time of year.
For a more land-based adventure, visit the Ijams Nature Center, which offers hiking trails, rock climbing, and kayaking in the beautiful natural surroundings of Knoxville. The 300-acre wildlife sanctuary and environmental learning center houses more than 12 miles of hiking and biking trails that wind – literally – over the river and through the woods. Launch a kayak or canoe into the Tennessee River, enjoying a diverse variety of wildlife that inhibit the area. One of the most exhilarating experiences in the city can be found at the Navitat Canopy Experience, offering ziplining and other aerial adventures through the towering trees.
Located near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Knoxville is a bustling hub for those looking for a mountainous retreat. Head nearly 35 miles south to enter one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States, packed with stunning natural valleys, rivers, waterfalls, and mountain views. Make stops to hike the historic valley of Cades Cove, or climb to the highest point at Clingmans Dome.
volnavy.com
www.ijams.org
navitat.com
www.nps.gov
Old City
At the intersection of Central and Jackson Avenues stands Old City, a vibrant historic district filled with restaurants, bars, shops, and plenty of nightlife, housed within buildings with beautiful architecture. Get a taste of flavors from around the world at Old City’s restaurants, which include Fin-Two Japanese Ale House, Good Golly Tamale, DaVinci’s Pizzeria and Calzones, and the locally-influenced Southern Grit.
Take home a memorable gift from one of the area’s boutiques or specialty shops, from a piece of art at Dogwood Arts Gallery or a satchel from Honeymouth Leather. You’re in a college town, after all, so roaring nightlife is to be expected. Old City is a destination for after-hours fun, packed with breweries, distilleries, bars, and entertainment venues. Kick off your evening out at Knox Whiskey Works or Blue Slip Winery, then keep the party going at the lively Hannah’s Cafe or the Public House. Or, check the calendar at the Mill & Mine to secure tickets to a show before you arrive.
Visiting on the first Friday of the month? Make plans to participate in the monthly art event that takes place throughout the city.
oldcityknoxville.org
