12 Fun Things to Do in Knoxville, Suggested by the Locals 

Knoxville is arguably one of the few places left in the South with the perks of a dynamic metropolis at half the price tag. Bonus: it’s all wrapped up in a package of stunning natural beauty. The city’s personality is well-rounded and diverse, shaped by its southern roots but also deeply influenced by scientists, innovators, and scholars from around the world working and studying at institutions like the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), Maryville College, and Oak Ridge National Laboratories.  

Knoxville’s robust economy and affordable cost of living attract young professionals and families alike. Its temperate four-season climate, excellent public schools, and exciting arts and culture scenes are just a few of the reasons they stay for good.  

While Knoxville residents love their football, their mountains, and their fabulous restaurants—there’s nothing they love more than to share them with visitors! So, when we asked for some suggestions for fun things to do, they were glad to help. Whether you’re just passing through or planning to put down roots, here are a few things locals recommend you see and do in Knoxville!

1. Commune with nature in Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness

“Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness is quickly becoming the go-to spot for outdoor fun, and it’s no wonder why,” says Erin Morrison, local photographer and founder of Erin Morrison Photography. “With over 50 miles of hiking, biking, and trail running trails, it’s the perfect escape!” 

“The mountain biking scene is taking off,” she says. “Urban Wilderness has trails that cater to everyone, from beginners to experienced riders. My husband and young daughter are big into mountain biking. Whether they’re hitting the trails for a challenge or just enjoying a ride through Baker Creek Preserve, it’s always a great time. And the best part? It’s expanding year after year! If you’re looking for a fun way to enjoy Knoxville, Urban Wilderness should be on your list. It’s not just a park; it’s where outdoor adventure connoisseurs come together to explore and take in the East Tennessee life.” 

Urban Wilderness features nine areas for you to explore (but again, it’s expanding), including greenways to connect them, all located right in the city. In addition to hiking, biking, and trail running, there are pristine lakes for paddleboarding and fishing, a beautiful nature center, playgrounds for the kiddos, historic sites, rock climbing, and much more! 

Good to know: The Wilderness operates at different hours depending on your destination and attractions. Check their website for more information and trail conditions before you embark!

2. Get in the holiday spirit in Market Square

Sarah Scheafnocker of Christmas Décor Plus More and Design Décor Knoxville shared an excellent idea for a family-friendly outing around the holiday season. “Many say fall is the prime season to experience East TN, but we highly recommend a winter holiday visit to our great city,” she says. “Our lighting decor experts at Christmas Decor Plus More partner with the Knoxville City Alliance and others to create a stunning winter wonderland in the Market Square area of downtown—it is a must-see attraction and is free to the public all season!”  

“Market Square is brimming with trendy restaurants, unique shopping, and large-scale art everywhere you look,” Scheafnocker continues, “these few blocks come to life in a magical way during the holidays! Themes vary year to year, but always deliver an Instagram-worthy backdrop. The magnificently decorated trees and lights strung from one corner of the square to the other create a festive canopy prime for memory-making. Don’t miss Knoxville’s Market Square during the Christmas season!”

3. Check out some local live music

There’s always something going on for music fans of all tastes in Knoxville. Not only is Knoxville part of the region that gave birth to bluegrass and old-time Appalachian music, thanks to the Knoxville Jazz and Symphony Orchestras, but it’s also home to some of the best classical and jazz musicians in the Southeast. Exciting venues like The Pilot Light, The Mill & Mine, and The Bijou Theater host artists from all genres, and events like the Rhythm N’ Blooms, Southern Skies, and Big Ears Festivals are a guaranteed good time!

4. Picnic under the Sunsphere

Located in the World’s Fair Park, the Sunsphere was built for the 1982 World’s Fair and, after a couple of decades of neglect, has been restored to one of the most popular spots to host an event in the city. But thanks to the observation deck on the fourth floor, it’s also an excellent place to take in views of the gorgeous (and growing!) Knoxville skyline, UT campus, the Tennessee River, and the Smokies. The observation deck is filled with fascinating information and exhibits about Knoxville’s history and the 1982 World’s Fair. The park features fountains, great places to picnic, walking trails, and an amphitheater hosting concerts and other performing arts events. 

5. Immerse yourself at the Knoxville Museum of Art (KMA)

While you’re at the World’s Fair Park, stroll over to the Knoxville Museum of Art and enjoy permanent installations showcasing 19th-century landscape paintings, 20th-century modernism, and contemporary pieces. The KMA also hosts traveling exhibitions ranging from contemporary art to sculpture to photography. Past notable names include Andy Warhol, Ansel Adams, and Kara Walker. 

One of the highlights of the KMA is Knoxville-based Richard Jolley’s “Cycle of Life: Within the Power of Dreams and the Wonder of Infinity.” The installation is enormous, spanning over 100 feet long and weighing over seven tons. The glass-and-steel piece depicts the human experience through six stages: Emergence, Flight, Desire, Tree of Life, Contemplation, and Sky’s Edge. It’s a truly awe-inspiring work that is considered a must-see for visitors.  

Good to know: The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays and major holidays. Admission to the museum is free (!), and guided tours are available upon request.

6. Spend the day at Zoo Knoxville

With more than 800 animals representing over 200 species, you’ll probably want to clear your schedule and take a day to explore Knoxville’s Zoo. One of the most popular attractions is The Asian Trek exhibit featuring animals native to Asia, like Malayan Tigers and Red Pandas (Zoo Knoxville is known as one of the leading zoos in the world for red panda conservation and breeding). You can help feed the giraffes (a fan fave), marvel at the African Elephants, get to know the Gorillas, and check out the chimps.  

One of the newer attractions is the Clayton Family Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Campus (ARC). Opened in 2021, this state-of-the-art facility houses reptiles and amphibians from all over the world, like Komodo dragons, giant tortoises, poison dart frogs, and lots more! The zoo is highly active in conservation, too. It’s accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the world’s largest conservation movement focused on preserving genetically diverse animal populations in zoos whose wild populations are threatened or endangered.  

Good to know: The zoo is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm, but be sure to check their website before you go; sometimes the hours change to accommodate special zoo-hosted events and activities.

7. Find your Zen in the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum

Located just a few miles from downtown, the botanical garden is the perfect place to spend a few peaceful, contemplative hours. It features hand-crafted stone walls and terraces, sculptures, and walking paths that lead visitors through storybook-worthy gardens, meadows, and shady forest areas. Some of the gardens are formally designed, while others take a more natural approach to showcasing the region’s flora. The pollinator garden is one of the gardens’ most popular (and magical) areas. Its native plants are designed to attract and support local pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.  

Good to know: The Knoxville Botanical Garden is free and open to the public daily from dawn to dusk.  

8. Cheer for the home team(s)

Catching a University of Tennessee game at Neyland Stadium is an exciting must-do pilgrimage for football fans, but it isn’t the only sporting attraction Knoxville is well known for! You can catch a Smokies game at Smoky Stadium in Sevierville (relocating soon to downtown Knoxville), an Ice Bears match at the Civic Coliseum, or a UT men’s or women’s basketball game at Thompson-Boling Arena. As one of the most successful programs in women’s college basketball history, the Lady Vols, in particular, are a massive attraction for basketball fans!

9. Get inspired at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

Because of the city’s deep ties to women’s basketball, it’s only fitting that the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame has made its home in Knoxville. Established in 1999, the museum honors individuals and teams who have significantly contributed to the growth of women’s basketball. It features exhibits on the history of women’s basketball, memorabilia and artifacts from all eras of the game, and an exhibit honoring pioneers of women’s basketball from the 1800s to the present day. The museum’s centerpiece is the Hall of Honor, where you’ll learn about each inductee’s career and contributions to the game.  

There are also several tributes to Pat Summit, widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in basketball history ever, regardless of gender. Summit led the UT Lady Vols to a whopping eight national championships and over 1,000 career wins. Needless to say, her impact on the game is immeasurable, but she’s also a fascinating person whose coaching philosophy continues to inspire leaders from all walks of life.   

Good to know: The Hall of Fame is open year-round from 10 am to 5 pm, but its days of operation vary depending on the season and the holidays, so it’s best to check out their website before you go. They offer guided and self-guided tours. 

10. Learn a thing or two at The East Tennessee History Center

East Tennessee is an area rich in history and culture! Spend an afternoon at The East Tennessee History Center, and you’ll see why. The primary attraction at the center is the Museum of East Tennessee History, where you’ll find exhibits telling 300 years’ worth of stories from the region focusing on the events and people who’ve shaped East Tennessee. Perhaps the most comprehensive of these is “Voices of the Land: The People of East Tennessee,” in which you’ll get a close look at the area’s Native American residents and the Europeans who settled later, how the Civil War impacted the region, its industrial growth, cultural development, and more.  

East Tennessee’s role in the Civil War is a significant focus at the History Center. The region was among the most divided during the conflict, with many residents supporting the Union while others were loyal to the Confederacy. You’ll find artifacts, uniforms, documents, photos, and personal stories from the period that give visitors insight into how the war affected soldiers and civilians in the region. The Historical Society has also prepared a driving tour for visitors to explore the East Tennessee Civil War Trail sites that shaped history.  

Good to know: The Center houses several different attractions under one roof (the first floor is the East Tennessee Museum, the second is the Knox County Archive, and the third contains the Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection). Each attraction’s hours may vary, so it’s best to check their website before you plan your trip. 

11. Take a trip to the past at The Tennessee Theatre

An icon of the city, The Tennessee Theatre is a stunning, beautifully restored 1928 “movie palace” that is now one of the best-preserved historic theaters in the US. Back in the day, you could catch a vaudeville show, live radio broadcast, or a movie. Now, the theatre hosts all kinds of events and performances, including touring Broadway productions, the Knoxville Opera and Symphony Orchestra, movies, and concerts.  

You really have to see the inside of this glamorous theatre to believe it. There are crystal chandeliers, marble and gold leaf accents, and velvet curtains. The whole interior is decorated in deep blues, golds, and reds, giving it a dramatic flair that’ll take your breath away. Aside from its unbelievably ornate interior, one of the theatre’s most famous features is its Wurlitzer organ. Initially installed in 1928, it’s one of the few remaining theatre organs in the US that is still regularly played. 

12. Party in The Old City

The Old City is Knoxville’s historic district known for its nightlife, with bars, breweries, restaurants, live music venues, and cultural events. It was initially known as The Bowery when it was a bustling industrial and transportation hub in the early 1800s. During the late 19th-early 20th century, it was a scruffy part of town, complete with gambling dens, saloons, and all the other shady stuff that comes with it.  

The area died out for a while there by the mid-20th century, but eventually, revitalization efforts led to a rebirth of The Old City. It is now a fashionable area where gorgeously preserved historic architecture mingles with hip lofts, galleries, shops, music venues, and more. The Old City is your spot if you’re looking for a fun night out! 

Knoxville can’t wait to welcome you!

If there’s one thing this town loves to do, it’s to socialize! The people here love to go out for dinner, drinks, and dancing! But they also enjoy spending time in the city’s abundant natural beauty and showing off the cultural attractions that make Knoxville so unique. We hope our locals have given you a few ideas for where to begin your adventure, but there’s a whole lot more where that came from. Come visit and see for yourself, but don’t be surprised if Knoxville’s charm convinces you to stay!