Things to Do in Farragut

The Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum sprawls across 44 ridge-top acres crisscrossed by walking paths, dotted with display gardens, and ornamented by more than two miles of stone walls. Open from sunrise until sunset, the gardens—formerly Howell Nurseries—showcase local flora and fauna, inviting visitors to capture their beauty on camera or via their own personal sketch artist. Patrons can call ahead for guided tours of the premises, or attend events such as galas and educational workshops. Guests hosting upcoming events can also rent the facility for special occasions, such as outdoor weddings and corporate getaways.

The energetic pastors and staff at Friendship Church seek to help others discover their spiritual faith in an atmosphere reminiscent of a nondenominational church. They reach out to community members of all ages through youth and adult ministries and small discussion groups, constantly working to place theological debates within a modern context. For nearly a decade, they've augmented their main mission with a range of summer camps for children of all ages. Staffers of the church’s tech camps, which build appreciation for the outdoors and technology more effectively than challenging a bear to a game of Super Mario Bros., educate children through the use of robotics, video production, and video games and immerse them in outdoor games and activities such as waterslides and trampolines. They also hold competitive gaming weekends for all experience levels.

Built in 1786, James White's Fort affords glimpses into the frontier lifestyles of America's forefathers while providing education on Knoxville founder and the fort's creator, James White. Each year, more than 10,000 visitors explore the residence, which was restored and opened to the public in 1970. Six cabins and a stockade wall surround the main two-story log house, where guests can experience hands-on interpretations of life as a pioneer by cooking on an open hearth or spinning retro cell-phone-charger cords on an antique loom. Special events held throughout the year keep a continuous line of visitors waltzing across the land of Tennessee's first capital, including an annual celebration of Cherokee heritage.