10 Fall Things to Do with Kids in Knoxville

Winter. Spring. Summer. Fall. Every season in Knoxville is truly unique, but when summer comes to a close, you’ll find all kinds of reasons to fall in love with this artful, adventuresome city.

If you’re longing for breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains, from a spot that feels like home… take it to the House (Mountain), the highest point in Knox County with some views that will astound you! If you’ve got some energetic elementary-age kids and up, they’ll make short work of this tall trail.

Are your kiddos learning about different types of music in school? The Cradle of Country Music Walking Tour is a great opportunity to teach them about country music in the state of Tennessee! Bristol is known as the “birthplace” of the genre, and Nashville is very well known for this style today, but Knoxville is known as the “cradle” where stars like Dolly Parton and Roy Acuff cut their teeth and made it big. This self-guided walking tour will take you around downtown so you can stroll at your leisure, enjoy the fall colors, and hum “Jolene” along the way.

Parents and caregivers are going to love Finding Murals in Knoxville  – it’s free! We have a handy guide, walk around and find a couple or start a hunt to find them all. Get active and challenge the family to do different poses. Jump in the air, stand on one foot, make funny faces that will fill your photos with wonderful memories.

Is it a coincidence that one of the breweries on Knoxville’s Ale Trail is Last Days of Autumn? We think not. We also think of the delicious fall selections at our local breweries are going to wow you! This one might seem a bit odd…kids – at a brewery? But let us assure you, our breweries are family-friendly and you’re likely to see locals with their kids/dogs/pet rock in tow, so hang outside in the biergarten and relax! If you have no clue where to start, head to Knox Brew Hub. The team there can point you in the right direction whether you’re a fan of lagers, sours, or double IPAs. Or if you’re into Cider, stop by The Barrelhouse by Gypsy Circus Cider – it’s the largest cidery taproom in the Southeast with over 40 taps to try.

Prefer to discover Knoxville from the comfort of your own vehicle? Choose a Driving Tours  that aligns with your interests and put the pedal to the metal (disclaimer: please follow speed limits)! Whether you want to understand the Civil War in this area, to explore the rural communities along the French Broad River, or get to know specific neighborhoods better, we have several self-guided driving tours that are free.

Knoxville has over 85 miles of Greenway to explore, so grab your stroller, roller blades, and bicycles and “start workout” on your MyFitnessPal! Head to this Guide to Greenways post for an explanation of all the things you can expect to experience along several trails throughout the city.

Fall is the perfect time to become a Vols fan! Head downtown for a UT men's basketball game at Thompson-Bowling Arena or a football game at Neyland Stadium. Tailgate like a local or grab a pre-game meal at Dead End BBQ, Last Days of Autumn, SoKno Taco Cantina, or Redbud Kitchen. Every Vols fan needs a gameday shirt and hat! Shop like a local at Volshop in the heart of UT's campus on Cumberland Ave. Check out Gameday for more gameday information and to purchase tickets. 

Children’s theatre is fun!  Attendees of all ages will the enjoy the Knoxville Children’s Theatre (KCT) located in North Knoxville, or NoKno to locals. The KCT is a local theatre company producing professional plays for children, by children. Productions like Sister Act JR., Snow White and the Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon Kids ensure you can stay warm and still have fun on those cool, fall days. 

Knoxville is full of great neighborhoods ready to be explored! Need help finding one? We can help! Use this handy map to choose a neighborhood or you can hop on over to the Happy Holler Historic District in North Knoxville. This neighborhood dates back to 1885 and now boasts delicious eats and drinks, vintage shopping, a historic movie theater (Central Cinema) and exciting activities. For more details check out this blog.

Fall is here! Is there a better way to enjoy all the season has to offer other than picking pumpkins, taking a hayride, dizzying through a corn maze, cutting sunflowers, enjoying apple cider or a funnel cake? Many towns surrounding Knoxville boast some of the best fall attractions East Tennessee has to offer. 

And no trip would be complete without a visit to the Sunsphere! This 26 story tall structure from the 1982 World's Fair boasts 24-karat gold windows with a 360-degree view of downtown Knoxville, the University of Tennessee and the Tennessee River. From the 4th floor observation deck, you can witness the changing of the leaves to the deep, rich fall colors we love and the darker fall sky allows you to catch a sunset and see Knoxville's city lights! 

These suggestions merely scratch the surface and there’s way more where that came from. We guarantee you’ll FALL in love with Knoxville!