Doing a campus visit can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. The College Board recommends spring of junior year as a good time to start visiting campuses (after doing research to narrow down options). Consider visiting for spring break to explore the University of Tennessee, and you’ll be welcomed to Big Orange Country! Whether you’re looking to do an official visit or just wander around campus, you’re in the right spot. In this post we’ll share:

  • Information about the University
  • Information about Knoxville
  • How to Tour Campus (guided and self-guided)
  • Where to Get More Knoxville Information
  • How to Experience Game Day
  • Housing Options

Before we get started, view the UT Visitor Guide here and the Visit Knoxville Visitors Guide here.  Find a hotel here.

 

About the University

The University of Tennessee is located in the heart of and proud to call Knoxville, Tennessee home. UT was founded in 1794, two years before Tennessee became the 16th state, and today has 10 undergraduate colleges and 11 graduate colleges. Their more than 28,000 students are known as “Volunteers” as the state of Tennessee got its nickname as the “Volunteer State” for the large number of Tennesseans who volunteered in the War of 1812. UT’s colors are bright and energetic Orange, White, and a Smokey Gray – named after the official mascot, a Bluetick Coonhound. Check out the UT campus map to find several statues of UT beloved pup. to get the full run down on other iconic parts of campus, read this post “In the Neighborhood – UT Campus”.

Knoxville Skyline courtesy of Shawn Pemrick

About Knoxville

Being accepted to a school and compatibility with its programs is the priority for post-secondary education, but you might as well like where you’ll be living the next 4(+) years!  We describe ourselves as a-nature-loving-adventure-seeking-artsy-kinda-town because the city has so much to offer. It’s safe to say that Knoxville is much more than just a college town, although the University and its students bring such a vibrant culture to the city. Knoxville has about 190,000 residents with over 860,000 in the metro area, and some have described it as a friendly town with big city amenities. The Holston and French Broad Rivers conjoin just east of downtown to form the Tennessee River, and with the Smokies only 40 minutes away there’s no end to outdoor activities.  History buffs will find Historic Homes and Civil War sites to explore, and art enthusiasts will enjoy the vibe of “The Maker City”.  Knoxville has a warm temperate climate with cool to mild winters and hot and humid summers, so if you’re visiting in the spring, plan for layers and grab an umbrella. Check out our “In the Neighborhood” blog series to learn more about what makes different parts of town unique.

Ayers

Tour the Campus

Since you’re here to see the campus, head over to UT Admissions to schedule an official tour. The University offers tours Monday-Friday at 8:30am, 9:30am, 12:30pm, and 1:30pm. Their Visitor Center is in the Student Union at 1502 Cumberland Avenue, Suite 282. Parking is available in the Vol Hall Garage located at 1545 White Avenue and parking validation will be provided when you check in on your tour. The campus visit begins with a 30-minute orientation session followed by a 90-minute walking tour. You’ll get a great overview of campus, academics, and student life. If you’d prefer a self-guided tour, you can do so here.

Visit the Knoxville Visitors Center and pick up a visitors guide, maps, and other Knoxville travel tools to make your visit more convenient and enjoyable.

Knoxville Visitors Center

Speaking of visitor centers, while you are here in Knoxville touring UT, we would love for you to come down to 301 S. Gay Street to our own Visitors Center at Visit Knoxville. You’ll be greeted with a friendly staff who will be more than happy to answer all your Knoxville-related questions. At the Visitors Center, there are free maps and brochures available so you can get to know the area’s attractions. There is a Gift Shop filled with Knoxville-centric items, and many of them made by local Makers. Should you be around on Wednesday or Thursday, come in around noon for free live music with in-house Americana radio station, WDVX.

Neyland Stadium

Experience Game Day

Looking to get a feel for how spirited an SEC school can really get? Consider a fall visit on a home game weekend and it’ll be hard to not become engulfed in the bright sea of orange Volunteers . At full capacity, Neyland Stadium can hold 102,455 people, the 5th largest football stadium in the U.S. and is only one of two universities to have a waterfront football stadium (University of Washington is the other). From our riverfront views of the ‘Vol Navy’, to shouting Rocky Top at the top of our lungs, to Smokey running through the orange and white checkerboard endzone, it’s an experience like no other. Check out our Guide to Gameday to plan your weekend win! https://www.visitknoxville.com/blog/post/national-college-colors-day/

Brown Hall

Housing

Once you’ve fallen in love with Knoxville and the beautiful campus (we don’t blame you), you’ll want to start thinking about where you’re going to live. University Housing is more than just furniture, here you may find some of your lifelong friends and create lasting memories. Freshman are required to either live on campus or with a parent/guardian, and you can find more information on UT housing here. For those thinking about joining Fraternity or Sorority life, see if going Greek is the option for you. In addition to campus housing options, Knoxville offers a lot of off-campus student apartments.

 

We might be biased, but we’re proud to call Knoxville home and hope you can too. Read up on FAQs about the University and see what Knoxville has to offer in our Visitors Guide. Welcome and Go Vols!