Knoxville is the third-largest city in Tennessee, after Nashville and Memphis, and the city beautifully maintains a small-town feel. And when talking about the most unique things to do in Knoxville, the place has many things to offer to all ages. Also, the city is super affordable, and there are many attractions including museums, parks that are free or almost free to the public. Be it kid-friendly fun and adventure place, peaceful and serene place, or vibrant cultural attraction, just like the Market Square, the city is brimming with all types of lively and fun things.
So, read on and explore the list of best and unique things to do in Knoxville, TN, and whenever the time is right for you, plan a trip to the city and make some unforgettable travel experiences!
1. Visit Knoxville Visitors Center
Address: 301 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 523-7263
Hours: Monday through Wednesday 8:30 am to 5 pm; Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm; Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm; Sunday from 12 to 4 pm.
Going to the Visitors Center is some of the most necessary and fun things to do in Knoxville as the tourist information center offers unique attractions to go through along with providing detailed maps of the city to make your city-visit effortless and pleasant!
Located in downtown Knoxville at the corner of Summit and Gay, a trip to this place allows visitors to enjoy live entertainment, locally sourced products, and attraction brochuers. The best part, the staffs are so friendly and helpful that you won’t hesitate to enquire about upcoming festivals, walking tours, family outings or anything else.
Come by the Visitors Center Tuesday through Thursday or Saturdays to enjoy free live music from 12 – 1 PM. Additionally, the Visitors Center recently renovated the gift shop, packed with local products. The gift shop is great for collecting a perfect souvenir from this trip.
2. World’s Fair Park
Address: 525 Henley St, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 215-1158
Hours: Open every day 6 am through 12 am.
Nestled in the heart of Knoxville, TN, World’s Fair Park is a natural wonder and a must-to-visit place for any city explorer. Bustling with top notch events throughout the year, the attraction is sure to make everyone alive and thriving with its multiple attractions and activities.
So, must include this top-rated attraction in your list of top things to do in Knoxville. Some of the most loveable attractions in the park include splash pads and a small lake with a fountain. These attractions are open throughout the summer season.
Sitting on the former fairgrounds of the 1982 World’s Fair, the public park is also home to the Sunsphere and the Tennessee Amphitheater, the only two remaining structures from the exposition.
The park also houses a 5-acre performance lawn, used for cultural and community events. So, get ready to dive into the world of super fun with your family members inside this unique city attraction.
You Might Also Like: Popular Parks You Must Visit in Memphis, Tennessee.
Also Read: Best Parks You Must Visit in Nashville, TN.
3. Knoxville Museum of Art
Address: 1050 Worlds Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916
Phone: (865) 525-6101
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10 am through 5 pm; Sunday 1 to 5 pm; closed on Monday and Thursday.
Established in 1961, Knoxville Museum of Art celebrates the rich and diverse culture of East Tennessee through its collection of artworks. Complete with an inspiring collection of historical and contemporary artworks, and fantastic exhibits, the museum is sure to take you on a time-traveling journey through East Tennessee’s history and culture.
The art museum was opened as the Dulin Gallery of Art, and, initially, was housed in the H.L. Dulin House on Kingston Pike, and the house was designed by prominent architect John Russell Pope in 1915.
Today the museum boasts a collection of nine Thorne miniature rooms, designed by Narcissa Niblack Thorne in the 1930s and 1940s. The largest collection of Thorne miniature rooms is located at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Also include this attraction in some of the best and free things to do in Knoxville, Tennessee, as the museum is free to the public and a visit to this museum is popular among all ages.
4. Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
Address: 700 S Hall of Fame Dr, Knoxville, TN 37915
Phone: (865) 633-9000
Hours: Monday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm; closed on Sunday.
Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame is another great place to visit in Knoxville. The attraction honors women who contributed in basketball. Opened in 1999 in Knoxville, Tennessee, it is the only facility of its kind dedicated to all levels of women’s basketball.
Also, Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame is home to the world’s largest basketball which measures 30 feet in height and weighing 10 tons. So, a visit to this unique attraction will help you know about the game, and about women’s achievements in this game.
So, must plan your visit to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame whenever you’re in the city to take some unique memories from this trip.
5. Sunsphere Tower
Address: 810 Clinch Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 314-0660
Hours: Monday through Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 1:30 pm and again from 2:30 to 5 pm; Thursday from 9 am to 12:30 pm and again from 1:30 to 3 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 1:30 pm and again from 2:30 to 5 pm; Sunday from 12 to 4 pm.
Experiencing the Sunsphere Tower is really one of the best things to do in Knoxville, Tennessee. Located in World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville, the tower is 266-feet high, and the gold-colored glass sphere at the top of the tower servers the symbol of the 1982 World’s Fair.
Mentioned in many engineering publications for its unique design, the attraction was invented as the theme structure for the 1982 World’s Fair, and it was designed by Community Tectonics, a Knoxville-based architectural firm.
The highlighting feature of the Sunsphere is its 4th floor observation deck that offers a breathtaking 360-degree view, including the fascinating views of the Great Smoky Mountains, the Tennessee River and the University of Tennessee Campus.
So, don’t miss out this attraction, a 1982 World’s Fair timeline, gallery, memorabilia, and gift shop await visitors. The general ticket prices are $5 per adult, and $1 per kid under 12.
6. The McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture
Address: 1327 Cir Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: (865) 974-2144
Hours: Tuesday and Saturday 9 am through 5 pm; Sunday 12 to 4 pm; closed on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture is another great attraction that is open for all ages and with free admission and free parking. Located inside the campus of the University of Tennessee, this history and cultural museum is popular for many reasons.
The huge opportunities for visitors include exploring some of the great collections in anthropology, archaeology, decorative arts, local history, and natural history. From toddlers to teens, everyone will find fun and adventure that are sure to please them.
Moreover, the museum provides excellent opportunities to learn, engage, and explore for people of all ages. So, delve into rich history and culture and enjoy a peaceful corner with lots of exploring opportunities inside the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture.
You Might Also Like: Best Museums You Must Visit in Nashville, TN.
7. Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum
Address: 2743 Wimpole Ave, Knoxville, TN 37914
Phone: (865) 862-8717
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 am to 4 m; closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Botanical Gardens are great place to visit and enjoy the purity and serenity of the environment with near and dear ones. A visit to this attraction is one of the best ways to make memories in Tennessee’s beautiful land.
Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum offers 47-acres of gardens, lawns, beautiful 0.9-mile walking trails with free admission for visitors. The attraction is also popular for its distinctive and historic horticulture and educational garden spaces.
Located on the former Howell Nurseries, the garden is privately owned and operated, and the uniqueness lies in its over two miles of stone walls and timeless buildings, just five minutes from downtown.
So, whenever the time is right for you, must plan your trip to the vibrant city of Knoxville, and don’t miss the city’s worth watching attraction, Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum.
8. Ijams Nature Center
Address: 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920
Phone: (865) 577-4717
Hours: Sunday through Friday 10 am to 5 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm.
Your entire trip to Knoxville will be in vain if you don’t explore this unique attraction Knoxville has to offer. Loved by all ages, and by locals and visitors alike, Ijams Nature Center is a wonderful place that takes visitors on a journey through ultimate fun and adventure.
Ijams Nature Center is a full urban park with 10 miles of popular trails, and the attraction also offers multiple wetlands and rock formations that are unique to the region. It’s a perfect family-friendly attraction, and offers nice places, relaxing environment, easy trails and great wildlife watching opportunities as well.
It’s a non-profit nature center, and houses 318+ acres of protected wildlife habitat and natural areas three miles from downtown Knoxville. Engaging activities include hiking, mountain biking, seasonal paddling and swimming at Mead’s Quarry Lake. Adventurous souls could also go with climbing at the Ijams Crag, and so much more.
Ijams Nature Center is also having a Visitor Center, and it is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. The Visitor Center includes a gift shop, information desk, live animal exhibits and more. So, opportunities are endless. And each city goer must put this nature center at the top of the list of best and unique things to do in Knoxville, TN.
9. Three Rivers Rambler
Address: 2560 University Commons Way, Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 524-9411
Hours: Saturday and Sunday 9 am through 3:30 pm; closed Monday through Friday.
Three Rivers Rambler is another popular tourist attraction in Knoxville, Tennessee. The very unique Three Rivers Rambler is an excursion train and it is operated by the Knoxville and Holston River Railroad.
So, get ready to experience a fabulous train ride that starts at the depot located at 2560 University Commons Way, then the train heads out towards the river, going past the County Building, and under the Henley Street and Gay Street Bridges.
Three Rivers Rambler offers visitors unique opportunities that include watching dozens of other popular attractions such as the Knox County Greenways, the McWherter Riverside Landing Park, McNutt Farm, and many more.
At last, the Rambler heads back into the town along the same tracks, and the entire trip takes an average of 90 minutes to complete the ride.
You Might Also Like: Most Popular Things For Couples To Do in Memphis, TN.
10. Zoo Knoxville
Address: 3500 Knoxville Zoo Dr, Knoxville, TN 37914
Phone: (865) 637-5331
Hours: open every day, from 9 am to 5 pm.
A zoo visit is always a fun thing to do for a child and child at heart! Zoo Knoxville is the city’s some of the most popular attractions and it receives 585,000+ annual visitors. Home to 800 animals, landing on 53-acres of area, the zoo was opened in 1935, and still, the attraction is being one of the most fun things to do in Knoxville for its outstanding arrangements, facilities and mind-blowing animal exhibits that are conducted throughout the year.
Formerly known as the Knoxville Zoo or Knoxville Zoological Gardens, the animal-land is located just east of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Knoxville is best known in the country for being the breeding house of endangered red pandas than any other zoo in the world. The zoo is also a leaded in the breeding of endangered tortoises.
Divided into two parts, East Zoo and West Zoo, both sections are popular for conducting multiple indoor and outdoor exhibits with the animal residents. The most popular animals in the zoo include American black bears, red panda, Malayan tigers, white-handed gibbons, white-naped cranes, silvered leaf langurs and many more!
Also Read: Best Places To Take Your Kids in Memphis, TN.
Related: Best Places To Take Your Kids in Nashville, TN.
11. Old City
The lively Old City is neighborhood in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the attraction offers many exploration opportunities in quirky boutique shops, artisan bakeries, coffee shops, and trendy restaurants in 19th-century buildings like the iconic former Patrick Sullivan’s Saloon.
Also, the nightlife of Old City is very exciting and is jam-packed with many Irish pubs, craft beer bars, and clubs that are popular among young adults. Though, the neighborhood is a family-friendly attraction, too. And a leisure stroll, exploring old buildings, and enjoying variety of shopping options and music venues could be great options for families.
The historic Old City is located at the northeast corner of the downtown of Knoxville. A visit to this place will allow you to know the creative and independent cultures of the city. So, get ready to enjoy all inspiring attractions of Old City that bring the past to life.
In spite of its name, the Old City is not the oldest section of Knoxville, at all, and it is being the entertainment hub for the young and young at heart. So, take in the city’s most concentrated collection of restored Victorian buildings along with many other fun options.
Enjoying the place with family and friends is certainly some of the best things to do in Knoxville Tennessee, and it’s sure to become one of your favorite Knoxville neighborhoods.
12. Blount Mansion
Address: 200 W Hill Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 525-2375
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 4 pm; Sunday from 12 to 4 pm; closed on Monday.
The Blount Mansion, a museum in Knoxville, TN, is located at 200 West Hill Avenue in downtown area. The museum is also known as William Blount Mansion as it was the home of William Blount, the only territorial governor of the Southwest Territory.
Blount Mansion is called the birthplace of Tennessee, and the museum allows visitors to come and enjoy this historically significant museum through guided tours. The museum also conducts a virtual tour.
The museum preserves, promotes and celebrates the unique historic value of the mansion. So, must plan a visit to the mansion of William Blount who played a pivotal role in Tennessee becoming the sixteenth state.
13. James White Fort Association
Address: 205 E Hill Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915
Phone: (865) 525-6514
Hours: Monday through Friday 10 am to 4 pm; Saturday from 9:30 am to 5 pm; closed on Sunday.
Among all the unique things to do in Knoxville, TN, James White Fort Association offers a seeming endless variety of options for history lovers in Knoxville. The fort is Knoxville’s first home founded in 1786. The attraction is known as the birthplace of Knoxville.
As the name suggests, James White was the original 1786 residence here, now, the fort is one of the most visited historical sites in Knoxville. Have a tour of the 18th century fort and you’ll surely find out everything to satisfy your history-seeking mind!
14. Market Square
Market Square is truly a great place to visit in Knoxville. It’s a fun place to walk around, with plenty of places for unique entertainment, shopping and dining options or just to hang out. Market Square is a historic district and its continuously changing landscape is home to many outdoor concerts, festivals and more other fun.
Located just minutes from the University of Tennessee Campus, the Market Square has been serving the community since 1860s, and it’s been one of Knoxville’s most popular places to shop, work, play, eat, drink and live.
Except these things, the Square is home to two water play fountains that are kid and pet-friendly. And the best part is Market Square is just minutes from the city’s another popular attraction, Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. It’s popular with over 50 miles hiking and biking trails, and offers tons of recreational opportunities.
FAQs
1. Is Knoxville, TN worth visiting?
Knoxville in Tennessee is quite popular for a weekend vacation or family getaway. The city comes with many affordable and cheap attraction and activities for all ages. Visitors could explore many historic houses and museums, parks, a zoo, World’s Fair Park, Sunsphere Tower and many other pleasing attractions. A visit to Knoxville is sure to please each visitor.
2. What is the best time to visit Knoxville, TN?
Knoxville experiences four distinct seasons. Though summer is the busiest season for tourists in Tennessee, spring and fall are always great options to experience the beauty of the city and nature as well under a very pleasing environment. Summer can get quite warm, but to escape heat, March through June and September through November are best months to choose.
