Knoxville is a city in the eastern part of Tennessee, and it is full of fun attractions for visitors of all ages. The city is home to the University of Tennessee, which has about 27,000 students. The university is walking distance from downtown and next to the popular World’s Fair Park. There are plenty of options for shopping in the area, as well as sports teams to cheer on. Keep reading to find the best things to do in Knoxville.
Visiting Historic Market Square is one of the best things to do in Knoxville. Located in the center of downtown, this square is surrounded by restaurants and shops and it often attracts street performers in the warm weather. World’s Fair Park is another popular destination. The park was the site of the 1982 World’s Fair, and it includes fountains for kids to play in as well as an observation deck.
The best things to do near Knoxville include:
Exploring Old City
Shopping in Gay Street
Walking through the University of Tennessee campus
Knoxville has several tourist attractions to hit when visiting the city. One place is the Knoxville Zoo, which is home to several red pandas. To learn more about the city, visit the Museum of East Tennessee History. As for festivals, make sure to plan a trip during the annual Dogwood Arts Festival. This festival involves more than 60 miles of walking trails lined with dogwood trees, as well as outdoor concerts and art exhibits.
Popular attractions near Knoxville include:
Visiting the Beck Cultural Exchange Center
Celebrating Labor Day at the Boomsday Festival
Touring the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
Walking through the historic Blount Mansion
Learning about history among the gardens at James White’s Fort
Knoxville has many fun things to do during the day. Start with a walk through World’s Fair Park, as it was recently renovated to include beautiful walkways and landscaping. End the day with an action-packed game at the University of Tennessee.
Exciting activities near Knoxville include:
Watching a Lady Vols basketball game
Walking through the University of Tennessee Gardens
Shopping along Gay Street
Grabbing a slice at the Tomato Head
Eating Brazilian cuts of meat at Brazeiros Churrascaria
Knoxville gets lively at night due to its college population. As for things to do tonight, head to Old City. Barley’s is a popular spot, as it has 48 beers on tap and concerts on the weekends. Another good option is Fort Sanders Yacht Club, which has a series of arcade games such as Street Fighter and Donkey Kong. The Tennessee Theatre is another vibrant spot as it features touring acts such as John Legend and David Sedaris.
Nighttime activities near Knoxville include:
Listening to music at Baker Peters Jazz Club
Dinner at Cru Bistro and Wine Bar
Dancing at Sassy Ann’s
Attending the Knoxville Symphony
Catching live music or comedy at Scruffy City Hall
Families will find plenty of things to do with kids in Knoxville. The Knoxville Zoo is a great place to start, as it covers 53-acres and has about 800 animals. There’s also the Muse, which is a science museum that has several hands-on activities for kids.
Family-Friendly things to do near Knoxville include:
Playing paintball and mini-golf at Sir Goony’s Family Fun Center
Exploring Jo’s Grove at Ijams Nature Center
Riding the Three Rivers Rambler Steam Engine
Watching the Knoxville Holstons play vintage baseball
Springing upward on the trampolines at JumpJam Trampoline Park
Visitors will find plenty of indoor activities in Knoxville. The art museum is a great choice, as well as the Frank H. McClung Museum. Artsy types will enjoy Painting with a Twist or throwing pottery at Mighty Mud.
Knoxville things to do indoors include:
Touring art galleries on First Fridays
Going ice skating
Rock climbing indoors at Onsight
Taking a letterpress class at Striped Light
Trying a class at Blue Ridge Yoga
Sports and Outdoor Activities in KnoxvilleView All
Knoxville has many fun outdoor activities. Other than the parks in the city, there’s hiking in the Smoky Mountains and at House Mountain. People can rent jet skis in downtown Knoxville or rent a bike and travel through the many greenways.
Active things to see in Knoxville include:
Touring the Victorian homes in the Fort Sanders neighborhood