If you're visiting Knoxville soon, I hope you like to drink – because this is one city that loves itself a good brewery. But even if drinking isn't your thing, there are still tons of things to do in Knoxville. Sights to see, parks to explore, campuses to tour. The works.
So if you've got a Knoxville trip coming up soon – but you're wondering, "WTF is there do in Knoxville, Tennessee?" – I got you. Relax. Because in this post, I am sharing with you the best things to in Knoxville when visiting.
This post is all about things to do in Knoxville, Tennessee, when visiting.
The Best Things To Do in Knoxville, Tennessee, When Visiting
1. Explore downtown by foot.
Downtown Knoxville isn't huge, so it doesn't take long to explore the city by foot. It's also really pretty – and really clean, for the most part. As for where to go on your walking tour, here are the places I'd recommend checking out, specifically.
Gay Street
Lots of food, bars, and shopping to choose from, including (my recommendations):
- Fat Tuesday
- Cruze Farm Ice Cream
- Downtown Grill & Brewery
You'll also find museums and entertainment venues on Gay Street, too.
Market Square
More food, bars, and shopping, including (my recommendations):
- Tupelo Honey
- Cafe 4
- Knox Brew Hub
Market Square also hosts the Market Square Farmers Market every Wednesday and Saturday morning.
The Tennessee River
Paths and greenways lined with parks and restaurants, such as Calhoun's on the River and Ruths Chris.
The Old City
More food and bars, including (my recommendations):
- Barley's
- STIR
- Melting Pot
- Pretentious Beer
- Merchants of Beer
2. Visit World's Fair Park & the Sunsphere
World's Fair Park and the Sunsphere are iconic Knoxville landmarks, so you've got to give the historic park a visit – and snap a pic of the ever-so-phallic Sunsphere. The park also hosts occasional festivals and performances.
🧐 Fun Fact: World's Fair Park was originally established to host the 1972 World's Fair Exhibit. Many weren't convinced lil' ole' Knoxville could pull off an international event – but the fair was a success! You can read more about the park's history here.
3. Check out the University of Tennessee Campus
Whether or not you're a Vol, there's no denying that UT campus is gorgeous. Not to mention: walking around it provides a fantastic alternative to leg day (i.e. there are so many hills).
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4. Enjoy some time in the great outdoors.
Knoxville is a super outdoorsy city – which makes sense, considering its proximity to the Smoky Mountains. But you don't need to venture all the way out to the Smokies to enjoy some outdoor time. There are plenty of parks and hiking trails in the Knoxville area. These are my favorites in/near downtown:
5. Drink local
There are dozens of breweries all over Knoxville, so if you're into that kind of thing, you're going to love Knoxville. Here are some of my recommendations:
6. Drink unlocal
If you're in the mood drink – but local breweries aren't your jam – not a problem. Knoxville has tons of un-local options, too. I bet you'd enjoy these:
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