When in Knoxville, TN - Things to Do and Places to Go
Whether you are visiting Knoxville, or planning on relocating to Knoxville, this list provides you with some of the most popular things to do and places to visit in this area.
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Outdoor Activities
Knoxville offers lots of outdoor activities--from bike trails and greenways to Farmer's Market and outdoor iceskating. These are only a few of outdoor activities available for family fun.
Market Square Farmers Market is located in downtown Knoxville, TN. It is held every Wednesday and Saturday, May through mid-November. Vendors provide fresh fruits & vegetables, eggs, honey, pasture-raised meats, flowers, jams & jellies, and much more.
Knoxville's Holiday on Ice is located on Market Square in Downtown Knoxville. It opens the day after Thanksgiving and runs through January 2, 2024. It's definitely a must-do during the holiday season!
Knoxville offers lots of greenways with walking and biking trails. The USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships have taken place in Knoxville for the last couple of years.
There are many hiking trails to explore around Knoxville. House Mountain is located in Corryton, TN, just 15 miles from Downtown Knoxville. The steep slopes of House Mountain are offer scenic views, rock outcrops, and a variety of bird and plant life.
There are seven large lakes and many rivers within driving distance from Knoxville. These include Fort Loudoun Lake, Tellico Lake, Watts Bar Lake, Melton Hill Lake, Norris Lake, Cherokee Lake and Douglas Lake. These are great places to take a day trip for kayaking, boating, fishing, and more.
Knoxville's Chalk Walk is one of our largest spring outdoor events. It takes place as part of the Dogwood Arts Festival in Downtown Knoxville on April 6, 2024.
Ancient Lore Village is located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, and is just 15 minutes from downtown Knoxville. You can book an overnight stay, book for private or corporate events, or just enjoy a day there doing axe throwing, archery, and other outdoor games.
Well-Known Restaurants in Knoxville
Knoxville has several popular family-owned restaurants. These are a few that have been recognized nationally.
Southern Magazine recently ranked Ye Olde Steak House in Knoxville, TN in the top 30 most legendary steakhouses in the South (#13).
Pizza Palace is a landmark in Knoxville, TN. This family owned pizza restaurant has opened back in 1961 and has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives with host Guy Fieri. It as call ahead ordering, drive-up ordering/dining, and a limited indoor dining.
Calhoun's on the RIver is a popular bar-b-que restaurant located on the Tennessee River. It offers awesome views of the river and Neyland Stadium--home of the Tennessee Volunteers.
Litton's is a family-owned restaurant and has been around since 1946. It not only offers delicious hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and onion rings, but also has Knoxville's most popular homemade bakery items. It has been mentioned in Southern LIving Magazine, USA Today, and more.
Family-Friendly Grills & Breweries
Over the last several years, Knoxville has exploded with breweries and unique bars. These a few that have become very popular with young and old alike.
Yee Haw Brewing is a popular taproom which includes an in-house brewery, 62 taps, delicious food offerings, a jumbotron, and a beer garden featuring an outdoor bar, shaded outdoor space, firepits, and an outdoor amphitheater equipped for large concer...
SouthsSide Garage is a bar and food truck park located on Sevier Avenue--They offer a large selection of local craft beers. The also offer a rotation of food trucks providing some of Knoxville's most delicious food. SouthSide Garage is family friendly and offers a patio and patio games.
Downtown Grill and Brewery is located on historic Gay Street in the heart of Knoxville. The Brewery has a rich history with a beautiful interior and is located in the old Woodruff's building. It is one of the most popular in downtown Knoxville
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux offers scratch-made seafood dishes, burgers, salads and Cajon specialties. They also offer extensive beer taps and cocktails. Family-friendly.
Activities for Kids
Knoxville offers lots of activities for families with kids. There are several outside activities for sunny days, as well as indoor activities for colder, rainy days.
Zoo Knoxville is one of the premiere zoological experiences in the southeast. It offers acres of creative habitats for animal lovers of all ages to explore.
The Muse Knoxville is a children’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math (STEAM) museum. It offers lots of hands-on activities, as well as Knoxville's only public access planetarium.
Fort Kid is was recently updated to include an accessible play surface, fort tower and slide, climbing and balancing poles, fully-accessible merry-go-round, toddler play area, new, full-accessible pathway, and new site grading and soil enhancements.
Safety City is a free 11-acre park which models a child-sized Knoxville. Children can learn pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, and fire safety. Safety City offers special events throughout the year, including Halloween and Christmas.
Museums
Knoxville has a variety of museums that showcase its history and arts scene. There's something for everyone to enjoy and learn from in this is list of the best museums in and Knoxville.
The Knoxville Museum of Art honors the diverse visual culture of East Tennessee, and showcases its ties to the global art scene.
McClung Museum is free and open to the public. Located on the UTK campus, it showcases collections in anthropology, archaeology, decorative arts, local history, and natural history.
The Museum of East Tennessee History is located in the heart of downtown Knoxville and offers a great collection of Knoxville, Appalachian, and East Tennessee history.
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame honors the sport of women's basketball. It is the only museum dedicated to all levels of women's basketball. It also offers 3 different basketball courts to tryout your skills.
Best Outdoor Dining/Drinking
There are dozens of restaurants and bars in Knoxville with outdoor seating. These are a few of the most popular in and around the downtown area.
Tupelo Honey on Market Square offers great outdoor seating along with an all-day menu of Southern comfort foods.
Preservation Pub offers live music, food and beer, with a rooftop garden deck.
Alliance brews both traditional and innovative styles of beer.
Hi-Wire Brewery is a family and dog friendly brewery with outdoor seating and rooftop views of Downtown Knoxville.
Radius Rooftop sits on the 14th floor of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Knoxville Downtown. It offers breathtaking views of the city skyline, as well as views of the Smoky Mountains and the Tennessee River.
Dog Parks/Pet-Friendly Activities
Knoxville offers plenty of pet friendly restaurants, parks, and hotels. This is a list of just a few of these.
Concord Dog Park has walking trails, ball, throwing areas, grassy areas and even a dog swimming area complete with a dog dock.
The Park Dog Park is Knoxville's 1st indoor/outdoor dog park and beer garden.
PetSafe Downtown Dog Park is conveniently located near downtown Knoxville. It offers an open play space and has a separate area for smaller breeds.
All pets are welcome at this hotel. It is conveniently located near downtown Knoxville and the University of Tennessee.
There are several restaurants on Market Square that offer pet friendly outdoor seating/patios. This link will take you to other pet friendly activities.
Barxville, Knoxville is a documentary about a dog visiting Knoxville for the first time. Click on video in link. (A Dog-Friendly Weekend in Knoxville from a Dog's Perspective).
One of the best pet friendly hotels in Hyatt Place, located in downtown Knoxville. It offers roomy guest rooms, stunning views, and a top-rated rooftop bar Five Thirty Lounge.