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Top Things to Do in Knoxville Tennessee
If you are planning a trip to Knoxville Tennessee and looking for the best things to do, see and eat while visiting, you are in the right place. Knoxville is located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains next to the Tennessee River. It is referred to as the City of Artists and is the birthplace of Mountain Dew. Knoxville is full of brick buildings, street art, country music, Civil War history, outdoor adventures, scenic drives, barbecues, craft beer, and sweet tea.
Browse the following list of must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path experiences, outdoor activities, and museums to create your personal Knoxville Tennessee bucket list. Then, plan the itinerary for your Knoxville Tennessee trip with these top things to do, see, and eat. Enjoy your time out of the office!
Read Great Smoky Mountains Travel Guide
Things to Do in and Around Knoxville Tennessee
Explore the city on the free trolley
Have lunch and people-watch at Historic Market Square
Check out the panoramic view from the observation deck of The Sunsphere
Photograph the city from the World’s Fair Park
Listen to the daily Blue Plate Special (WDVX-FM radio live show) at the Knoxville Visitors Center
Shop for souvenirs at Mast General Store
Take the self-guided Cradle of Country Music Walking Tour
Stop by Knoxville Chocolate Company and buy a few souvenir Sunsphere Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Bars
Grab a coffee and take a walk along the Knoxville Riverfront
Have lunch next to the river at Calhoun’s
Check out the downtown mural walk and the graffiti at Strong Alley
Eat a great Smokey Mountain sundae at the Phoenix Pharmacy
Say hello to the endangered red pandas at the Knoxville Zoo
Browse the vendors at the Knoxville Farmers Market
Take a riverboat cruise on the Tennessee River
Go for a ride on the Three Rivers Rambler steam train
Play chopsticks on one of the public pianos downtown
Tour the Knox Whiskey Works or enjoy a flight at Postmodern Spirits
Spend a night out in the Old City, Central St., and Jackson Avenue
Browse the galleries of the 100-Block Arts District
Enjoy a cocktail with a view on the rooftop of the Hyatt Place
Sample craft beer along the Knoxville Ale Trail https://knoxvillebrewers.com/ale-trail/
See a show at the gorgeous Tennessee Theatre
Enjoy a concert at the Tennessee Amphitheater
Spend a rainy day bowling at Maple Hall Bowling
Pay respect at the Tennessee Woman Suffrage Memorial
Learn about Knoxville’s black history and culture at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center
Check out the retro uniforms and badges at the Girl Scout Museum
Get your history fix at the East Tennessee History Center
Browse the figural glass installation at the Knoxville Museum of Art
Check out the heirlooms at the Mabry-Hazen House
Take a selfie with Monty the dinosaur at the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture
Explore the monuments at the Old Gray Cemetery
Tour Blount Mansion, “the house with many eyes”
Learn about the Civil War at Farragut Museum, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”
Experience frontier life at James White’s Fort, the birthplace of Knoxville
Tour the Ramsey House, built-in 1797
Learn about the Battle of Knoxville at Bleak House
Check out the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
Go hydro-biking on the Tennessee River from Volunteer Landing
Check out the Forks Of The River sunflower fields in bloom (July)
Walk the Tennessee River boardwalk at the Ijams Nature Center
Go for a swim at Mead’s Quarry or Fort Dickerson Quarry
Check out the ropes course at the Navitat Canopy Experience
Be sure to check the Knoxville Tennessee Office of Tourism for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
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Tennessee Travel Guide
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Knoxville Tennessee Attractions and Day Tours
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