Knoxville’s got the funk, and visitors come from all across the country to experience its music-oriented culture and modern, bluesy attractions. It also serves as the gateway between the Smoky Mountains and the Tennessee River, which makes it a solid getaway for family-friendly outdoor adventures. There are plenty of shopping options in the area, as well as sports games to attend. Keep reading to find the best activities to do with kids in Knoxville.
During warmer months, spend time enjoying the street performers in Knoxville’s Historic Market Square. Additionally, here are some of Knoxville’s most popular deals for kids:
At the Muse Knoxville, get tickets to a planetarium show and experience the milky way up close
Day trip to Zoo Atlanta to learn about the habitats of more than 1,000 wild animals
Head to Alpine Mountain Village and fly down the shute at Pigeon Forge Snow
Learn about the stars of basketball at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
Explore Old City Knoxville for coffee, shopping, and live music
Show the kids a fine time where you’ll have just as much fun. Whether you shop, dine, or sightsee, these are some kid-approved activities in Knoxville:
Visit the East Tennessee Historical Society on Gay Street
Shop for fresh fruits and veggies at the Knoxville Farmers Market
Ride the Sunsphere to the top for out-of-this-world city views
Laugh out loud during a kid-friendly show at Scruffy City Hall
Share the legacy of jazz by listening to a live show at Baker Peters
Vacationing with kids can be easy and affordable if you know where to look. When you need to stay wise with your wallet, try these cheap things to do with kids in Knoxville:
Dance around to live music at Sundown in the City
Visit the site of the 1982 World’s Fair at Historic Market Square
Hike through the forests at House Mountain State Natural Area
Attend a local festival, like the Boomsday Festival or the Musical Roots Festival
Show the kids the time of their lives on your next trip to Knoxville. See what’s happening at the skating rink or watch a live performance. Consider the following Knoxville attractions for kids:
See what’s going on at the Knox County Parks and Rec, where they host classes, festivals and sports
At All Bounce Events, rush the walls because they’re made of bouncy plastic
Take a class at Tataru’s Gymnastics to run out some energy
Enjoy the thrill of indoor skating at Skatetown
See a comedic play at the Knoxville Children’s Theatre
Entertainment for parties, family gatherings, and large groups is easy to come by in this southern city. Head to the amusement park or go ziplining. Check out these family or big group activities in Knoxville:
Jump around inside a gigantic trampoline room at JumpJam Trampoline Park
Go on a ziplining adventure with Navitat Canopy Adventure
Bring the whole gang on an upper ridge river rafting trip
Day trip to Dollywood for a day of thrill and excitement at the amusement park
Get cookin’ at a Williams-Sonoma Junior Chef Class in the West Town Mall
For curious kids who enjoy keeping their minds active, try venturing to a local museum or stop to learn about the flowers at the University of Tennessee. Try these kid-friendly learning experiences in Knoxville:
Learn about natural history at the Frank McClung Museum
African-American history is a central piece of Knoxville, visit the Beck Cultural Exchange Center to appreciate it
See how the other half used to live at the opulent Blount Mansion
Discover local plant varietals at the University of Tennessee Gardens
Appreciate the intricacies of live music at the Knoxville Symphony
Let your kids tap into their creativity by signing them up for a local workshop. Knoxville offers a wide selection of popular creative and performing arts classes for kids:
Sign the kids up for the Summer Art Academy at the Knoxville Museum of Art
At the Basement Community Art Studio, play in an open studio where supplies are provided
Paint your own pottery with Liza Moz or Brush Fire Pottery
Kindermusik offers a variety of rhythm and music classes for varying age ranges
Take a teacher-led painting project class at Painting with a Twist
Knoxville is home to a number of indoor attractions that will entertain the kids for hours. Get them ready for a fun day at the bowling alley or to cheer on the home basketball team. Find more things to do indoors with kids:
Watch the Lady Vols play a mean game of basketball
Play mini-golf and paintball at Sir Goony’s Family Fun Center
Play a routy bowling match at Maple Hall
At Cool Sports Home of the Icearium, ice skate anytime of year