Sometimes finding things that are cool enough can be hard for those with ages that end in ‘teen’. We’re here to help with this top 10 list, this one is designed for teenagers, but some are younger kid-friendly too. For our top 10 kid list, click here. And just like that post, some are free and all are great for visitors and locals alike!
This one is good for anyone 7 and up, but teens especially will appreciate the progressively challenging courses. Give them their space, or try to see the obstacles from their point of view – how will they solve the ‘puzzle in the trees’? Nighttime is especially fun – if you haven’t done this before, you’re really missing out!
Warm temperatures extend outdoor activities for much of the year here in the south. Take advantage of our climate and enjoy paddling well into fall. Riversports Outfitters rents kayaks and stand up paddleboards in Mead’s Quarry at Ijams. If you and your teens are newer to getting out on the water, the quarry is perfect with no current to rock the boat.
Try as you might to get the kids outside, sometimes it’s just not gonna happen. For days like these, head to Token Game Tavern, where you can beat them at Pac-Man and they can beat you at, well, nothing – you’re the pinball wizard!
Knoxville has a couple of food truck parks so if your teen is still on the picky side, they might find something to help open up their palate without you even trying. Visit Southside Garage, Hey Bear, or the Creekside – no need to pack any fancy clothing yet still enjoy delicious dining!
Help them up their Instagram game with some mural-hunting. We have so many murals in every part of the city that you might need a couple of excursions to check them all off your list. Let them teach you how to use that selfie stick, filters on Snapchat, and encourage each other with creative poses.
If all of your bowling experiences have been in dilapidated alleys with mystery nacho cheese, stale hot dogs, and the lingering smell of Marlboro, it’s time to see bowling in a whole new light. Maple Hall is Knoxville’s downtown boutique bowling alley. With only 11 lanes and set below street level on Gay Street, right off the bat (lane?) you’ll feel like you’ve tapped into a whole new sport. Their food is unexpected and they can really craft a cocktail for the 21+ set.
The Tennessee Theatre has something year-round for everyone to enjoy. I mean, whose kids didn't go through that phase of singing the entire Hamilton soundtrack for weeks on end!? Musicals are where it’s at, and the Theatre’s Broadway shows typically start in December. For the summer, plan on catching some films of your childhood with Summer Movie Magic.
Knoxville is a festival-loving town with over 80 events annually. Experience a different culture, try new cuisine, or make your best guess at what genre that band falls into at Big Ears.
We know you read that one and are thinking, was this really written for teens? Hear us out! The ETHC has things that might surprise you. From seeing a replica pharmacy (just promise them a visit to the Phoenix Pharmacy afterwards) to one of Dolly's dresses, there are lots of artifacts that might open up a conversation. Maybe you've got an older teen who is looking forward to voting, you can share with them that East Tennessee played a major role in women's suffrage. Make sure you look at the letter from Febb Burn to her son inside, then see the statue outside behind the center. This are just a few ideas - but follow their interest and see where their curiosity leads you!
From guided tours to self-guided tours, from food to history to ghosts – we have something for everyone. Stay in the car, get out and do a scavenger hunt, or event a boat tour down the Tennessee River. Options abound!
Hope this gives you some ideas on how to plan a trip to Knoxville with your teen(s)! Get more ideas here!
Author
Kristen Combs
Kristen Combs is the Director of Communications & Social Strategies for Visit Knoxville. With an extensive knowledge of Knoxville as a tourist destination, Kristen is also the author of 100 Things to Do in Knoxville Before You Die, published by Reedy Press and available in the Visitors Center Gift Shop. Find Kristen on Instagram at @100thingsknoxville.
