Looking to add a fresh destination to your travel bucket list? Set your sights on Knoxville, Tennessee—a city that's become one of the South's most exciting getaways. This gateway to the Great Smokies combines small-town charm with a hip urban scene, where you can go from mountain trails to craft distilleries in under an hour. Plus, there’s a whole lot of culture, history, and outdoor attractions worthy of exploring. Our ultimate travel guide has everything you need to explore Knoxville!
Start with the golden Sunsphere, Knoxville’s most iconic landmark. Head up to the 4th Floor Observation Deck for panoramic views of downtown and the distant Smoky Mountains–the perfect spot to capture that quintessential Knoxville photo.
Step back in time by exploring Knoxville’s beautifully preserved Historic House Museums, each brimming with charm. Scattered across our city’s varied landscape, these homes range from frontier settlements to antebellum mansions, offering glimpses into different chapters of Tennessee’s past.
Or, hop aboard the Star of Knoxville, the city's only authentic paddlewheel riverboat, as it glides along the historic Tennessee River. Whether you opt for a sunset dinner cruise or an afternoon sightseeing tour, you’ll gain a unique perspective on Knoxville’s riverfront history.
Traveling with your partner, friends, or family? You’ll find plenty of outdoor things to do in Knoxville that cater to everyone in your crew.
Families will love Zoo Knoxville, a 53-acre paradise home to a diverse assortment of land and water-based creatures, including giraffes, otters, great apes, and crocodiles. After the kids enjoy the carousel, splash pad, and playground, grab a bite at one of the many on-site dining spots.
There’s something for everyone at Ijams Nature Center, part of Knoxville's Urban Wilderness, which features miles of hiking and biking trails, water activities, and rock climbing. Navitat Knoxville, a tree-based zipline adventure park at Ijams, is a must-do for thrill-seekers. It features six “adventure trails” ranging from beginner to more challenging, with elements like zip lines, bridges, elevated tunnels, balancing challenges, rolling barrels, and climbing nets.
Live music pulses through Knoxville, from Market Square's outdoor stage—where impromptu jams and scheduled concerts bring the heart of downtown to life—to the Old City's cozy bars.
The crown jewel is the Tennessee Theatre on Gay Street, a 1920s movie palace where ornate Spanish-Moorish architecture meets world-class performances. The historic Bijou Theatre is just down the street, offering a wide range of touring musicians, comedians, and other local productions.
Just blocks away, The Mill & Mine has mastered the balance between gritty and polished. Once an industrial space, this Old City venue now pulses with indie rock and electronic beats, its towering warehouse windows and steel beams setting the stage for underground artists and rising stars.
Knoxville has two stops on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. At Knox Whiskey Works, locally sourced grains are transformed into small-batch gin and whiskey with distinctly Appalachian twists. Just down the street, PostModern Spirits reinvents tradition with its creative infusions, combining art and science.
Beer lovers can explore breweries along Knoxville’s Ale Trail and taprooms where everything from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts is crafted–often using regional ingredients. Wine enthusiasts will find cozy wine rooms and nearby wineries showcasing Tennessee-grown grapes, particularly the regional muscadine.
Knoxville: The Gateway to the Smokies & Other Tennessee Destinations
Base yourself in Knoxville, and you’ll be within easy reach of some of Tennessee's most iconic landscapes and destinations.
Just an hour's drive east brings you to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where you can hike to cascading waterfalls and spot local wildlife from scenic overlooks. Within the park’s Tennessee section lies Cades Cove, a breathtaking valley surrounded by misty peaks, offering a glimpse into early Appalachian life. Arrive early to see deer grazing in open fields and explore preserved 19th-century log cabins and churches. You can cycle the 11-mile loop on Wednesday mornings May through September, continue exploring nearby, and then return to Knoxville for eats or a craft beer.
Travel Tips & Recommendations
Knoxville is a fantastic destination year-round, but the best times to visit are from March through June and September through November, where mild weather and seasonal events make the city especially inviting.
And getting here is easy! McGhee Tyson Airport is just 12 miles from downtown, offering convenient access to East Tennessee. Once in town, the Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) system provides bus and paratransit services for getting around.
With so much to see and do, there’s no better time to start planning your Knoxville adventure!
Author
Visit Knoxville
Visit Knoxville is the official Convention and Visitors Bureau for Knoxville and Knox County. It’s our priority and privilege to promote Knoxville as a nature-loving-adventure-seeking-artsy-kinda-town! If you're seeing this, that means a VK team member, past or present, or maybe even an intern, wrote this post.
