If you are searching for a wonderful destination for tourists, Knoxville is the perfect choice. It is not too big to be overwhelming, but still has a variety of attractions to explore and exciting activities beyond the downtown area.
Downtown Knoxville has everything from historic homes to local art galleries and live music venues. It is home to several historical sites, excellent dining options, and opportunities for outdoor recreation, there are so many reasons why people visit Knoxville every year.
Of course, with so much going on in a small area it can be difficult to know what attractions and activities are best for you. To help you plan your next visit, here’s our list of top things to do in Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee
The 98 Most Popular Things To Do In Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee
98. KNOX COUNTY MUSEUM OF EDUCATION
5.0 (1 review)
Credit: KNOX COUNTY MUSEUM OF EDUCATION, Google Maps
Location: 801 Tipton Ave Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 579 8264
Web Address: http://kcme.website/
97. Red Panda Village
5.0 (4 reviews)
Credit: Glitched Error, Google Maps
Location: Knoxville TN
Web Address: https://zooknoxville.org/habitat/boyd-family-asian-trek/
96. Legacy Parks Foundation
4.7 (6 reviews)
Credit: Legacy Parks Foundation, Google Maps
Location: 900 Volunteer Landing Ln Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 525 2585
Web Address: http://legacyparks.org/
95. Volunteer Landing Park
4.3 (6 reviews)
Credit: Tisha Barron, Google Maps
Location: Knoxville TN
Web Address: https://knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/parks_and_recreation/parks/volunteer_landing_park
94. Stanley Lippencott Park
4.7 (6 reviews)
Credit: Danny Rader, Google Maps
Location: Knoxville TN
Web Address: https://knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/parks_and_recreation/parks/stanley_lippencott_ridge_park
93. Ball Camp Park
4.7 (6 reviews)
Location: Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 6600
Web Address: https://visitknoxville.com/plugins/crm/count/
92. Ewing Gallery of Art + Architecture
4.3 (7 reviews)
Credit: Ewing Gallery of Art + Architecture, Google Maps
Location: 1715 Volunteer Blvd Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 974 3200
Web Address: https://ewing-gallery.utk.edu/
91. Tennessee Woman Suffrage Memorial
5.0 (8 reviews)
Credit: Joel Kramer, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 524 1223
90. Little River
4.3 (11 reviews)
Credit: Brent Moore, License, Flickr
89. Dogwood Arts
4.8 (12 reviews)
Credit: Brent Moore, License, Flickr
Location: 123 W Jackson Ave Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 637 4561
Web Address: http://dogwoodarts.com/
88. Knoxville Food Tours
5.0 (13 reviews)
Credit: jonna artisan, Google Maps
Location: 402 S Gay Street Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 201 7270
Web Address: http://knoxvillefoodtours.com/
87. River Bluff Wildlife Area
4.9 (16 reviews)
Credit: Heather Lucas, Google Maps
Location: Knoxville TN
86. Molly Branch Fireflies
4.8 (16 reviews)
Credit: Amy Forson, Google Maps
Location: 9100 Hogskin Road Corryton TN
Web Address: https://mollybranchfireflies.com/
85. Fountain City Lake
4.3 (19 reviews)
Credit: Vincent Schmutzler, Google Maps
84. Collier Preserve
4.8 (21 reviews)
Credit: Logan Bagwell, Google Maps
Location: 330 W Emory Road Powell TN
Web Address: https://outdoorknoxville.com/places/parks/north/collier-preserve/
83. Knoxville Walking Tours
4.7 (26 reviews)
Credit: Knoxville Walking Tours, Google Maps
Location: 301 S Gay Street Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 309 4522
Web Address: http://knoxvillewalkingtours.com/
82. Old Gray Cemetery
4.7 (26 reviews)
Location: 543 N Broadway Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 522 1424
Web Address: https://oldgraycemetery.org/home
81. Airplane Gas Station
4.5 (26 reviews)
Credit: Mark Pippin, Google Maps
Location: 6829 Clinton Hwy Knoxville TN
80. First Baptist Knoxville
4.8 (28 reviews)
Credit: Joel Kramer, License, Flickr
Location: 510 W Main Street #2539 Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 546 9661
Web Address: http://fbcknox.org/
79. Lakeshore Park Conservancy
4.8 (29 reviews)
Location: 5930 Lyons View Pike Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 1722
Web Address: http://lakeshoreparkknoxville.org/
78. The Bluffs
4.7 (31 reviews)
Credit: Brent Moore, License, Flickr
Location: 1028 Cherokee Trail Knoxville TN
77. Candoro Marble Building
4.7 (33 reviews)
Credit: Candoro Marble Building, Google Maps
Location: 4450 Candora Ave Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 275 5560
Web Address: https://candoromarblebuilding.org/
76. Crescent Bend House & Garden
4.2 (35 reviews)
Credit: Michael Miller, Google Maps
Location: 2728 Kingston Pike Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 637 3163
Web Address: http://crescentbend.com/
75. Ross Marble Quarry
4.9 (38 reviews)
Credit: James St. John, License, Flickr
Location: 2915 Island Home Ave Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 577 4717
74. Marie Myers Park
4.3 (39 reviews)
Credit: Moshe Bar Gil, Google Maps
Location: 4701 Sevierville Pike Knoxville TN
Web Address: https://knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/parks_and_recreation/parks/marie_myers_park
73. Alex Haley Heritage Square
4.7 (59 reviews)
Credit: Karen Anderson, Google Maps
Location: 1620 Dandridge Ave Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 4311
Web Address: http://knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/parks_and_recreation/parks/alex_haley_heritage_square
72. Historic Westwood
4.6 (67 reviews)
Credit: Historic Westwood, Google Maps
Location: 3425 Kingston Pike Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 523 8008
Web Address: http://historicwestwood.org/
71. Baxter Gardens
5.0 (67 reviews)
Credit: Steve Cook, Google Maps
Location: 3901 Sam Cooper Ln Knoxville TN
Web Address: https://baxtergardens.org/
70. Mead’s Quarry Lake
4.7 (77 reviews)
Credit: Kellye Lenoir, Google Maps
69. Sam Houston Historic Schoolhouse
4.7 (78 reviews)
Location: 3650 Old Sam Houston School Road Maryville TN
Tel: 865 983 1550
Web Address: https://samhoustonhistoricschoolhouse.org/
68. Church Street United Methodist Church
4.6 (80 reviews)
Location: 900 Henley Street Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 524 3048
Web Address: http://churchstreetumc.org/
67. Baker Creek Preserve
4.9 (81 reviews)
Location: 653 E Red Bud Road Knoxville TN
Web Address: https://outdoorknoxville.com/places/parks/south/baker-creek-preserve/
66. Mascot Park
4.2 (85 reviews)
Location: 1909 Number Two Drive Mascot TN
Tel: 865 215 4263
Web Address: http://knoxcounty.org/parks/park_directions.php
65. PostModern Spirits
4.6 (87 reviews)
Credit: PostModern Spirits, Google Maps
Location: 205 W Jackson Ave Suite 205 Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 437 3190
Web Address: http://postmodernspirits.com/
64. French Memorial Park
4.6 (92 reviews)
Credit: Sarah Nelson, Google Maps
Location: 7752 Martin Mill Pike Knoxville TN
Web Address: https://knoxcounty.org/parks/park_map/locations/FrenchMemorialPark/index.php
63. Gay Street Bridge
4.7 (98 reviews)
Credit: Brian Stansberry, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Knoxville TN
Web Address: http://knoxvilletn.gov/
62. Roy Arthur Stormwater Park
4.3 (111 reviews)
Credit: Danny Rader, Google Maps
Location: 7221 Harrell Road Knoxville TN
Web Address: https://outdoorknoxville.com/places/parks/west/roy-arthur-stormwater-park/
61. High Ground Park
4.7 (113 reviews)
Credit: Matthew Doyle, Google Maps
Location: 1000 Cherokee Trail Knoxville TN
Web Address: http://outdoorknoxville.com/places/parks/south/high-ground-park
60. Mabry-Hazen House
4.6 (117 reviews)
Credit: Mabry-Hazen House, Google Maps
Location: 1711 Dandridge Ave Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 522 8661
Web Address: http://mabryhazen.com/
59. William Hastie Natural Area
4.7 (125 reviews)
Credit: Jon Kellogg, Google Maps
Location: 1302 Margaret Road Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 4311
Web Address: http://knoxvilletn.gov/cms/one.aspx
58. Henley Street Bridge
4.6 (126 reviews)
Credit: melmel80, License, Flickr
Location: 1200 Chapman Hwy Knoxville TN
Tel: 615 741 2848
57. Historic Ramsey House
4.7 (128 reviews)
Credit: Historic Ramsey House, Google Maps
Location: 2614 Thorngrove Pike Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 546 0745
Web Address: http://ramseyhouse.org/
56. Beck Cultural Exchange Center
4.7 (154 reviews)
Credit: Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Google Maps
Location: 1927 Dandridge Ave Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 524 8461
Web Address: http://beckcenter.net/
55. Marble Springs
4.5 (168 reviews)
Credit: James St. John, License, Flickr
Location: 1220 W Governor John Sevier Hwy Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 573 5508
Web Address: https://marblesprings.net/
54. Sterchi Hills Park
4.5 (171 reviews)
Credit: Kelly Michelle, Google Maps
Location: 1145 Dry Gap Pike Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 6600
Web Address: http://outdoorknoxville.com/places/parks/north/sterchi-hills-park
53. Nicholas Ball Park
4.4 (184 reviews)
Location: 9715 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville TN
Web Address: http://outdoorknoxville.com/places/parks/west/nicholas-ball-park
52. James White Fort Association
4.4 (196 reviews)
Credit: James White Fort Association, Google Maps
Location: 205 E Hill Ave Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 525 6514
Web Address: http://jameswhitesfort.org/
51. Emporium Center – Arts & Culture Alliance
4.7 (225 reviews)
Credit: Emporium Center / Arts & Culture Alliance, Google Maps
Location: 100 S Gay Street Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 523 7543
Web Address: http://knoxalliance.com/
50. Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
4.6 (227 reviews)
Credit: Brent Moore, License, Flickr
Location: 700 S Hall of Fame Dr Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 633 9000
Web Address: http://wbhof.com/
49. Three Rivers Rambler
4.5 (228 reviews)
Credit: Brent Moore, License, Flickr
Location: 2560 University Commons Way Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 524 9411
Web Address: http://threeriversrambler.com/
48. Charter E. Doyle Park
4.4 (232 reviews)
Credit: Angela Addington, Google Maps
Location: 5100 W Martin Mill Pike Knoxville TN
Tel: 423 609 9853
Web Address: http://knoxvilletn.gov/cms/one.aspx
47. The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
4.8 (234 reviews)
Location: 711 S Northshore Dr Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 588 0249
Web Address: http://shcathedral.org/
46. I.C. King Park
4.3 (251 reviews)
Credit: Craig Hutto, Google Maps
Location: 3440 Alcoa Hwy Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 6600
Web Address: http://knoxcounty.org/parks/park_directions.php
45. Petsafe Downtown Dog Park
4.3 (263 reviews)
Credit: Michelle D, Google Maps
Location: 200 S Central Street Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 4311
44. Walker Springs Park
4.5 (273 reviews)
Location: 700 Kidder Ln Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 6600
Web Address: http://cityofknoxville.org/
43. Dead Horse Lake Golf Course
4.3 (286 reviews)
Credit: Larry Baylor, Google Maps
Location: 555 Frank Gardner Ln Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 693 5270
Web Address: http://deadhorselake.com/
42. Spring Place Park
4.6 (307 reviews)
Location: Knoxville TN
41. Powell Station Park
4.5 (317 reviews)
Credit: 911 Emergency Vehicles, Google Maps
Location: 2318 W Emory Road Powell TN
Tel: 865 215 6600
Web Address: https://knoxcounty.org/parks/rec_activities.php
40. Escape Game Knoxville (Downtown Knoxville)
4.7 (325 reviews)
Location: 815 S Central Street #301 Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 279 6181
Web Address: http://escapegameknoxville.net/
39. Admiral Farragut Park
4.6 (327 reviews)
Credit: MusicMan Reviewer, Google Maps
Location: 9950 S Northshore Dr Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 6600
Web Address: http://knoxcounty.org/parks/
38. Navitat Knoxville
4.8 (374 reviews)
Credit: Navitat Knoxville, Google Maps
Location: 2915 Island Home Ave Knoxville TN
Tel: 855 628 4828
Web Address: https://navitatknoxville.com/
37. Sharp’s Ridge Veterans Memorial Park
4.4 (380 reviews)
Location: 329 Sharp’s Ridge Memorial Drive Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 4311
Web Address: http://knoxvilletn.gov/cms/one.aspx
36. Springbrook Park
4.7 (400 reviews)
Credit: Springbrook Park, Google Maps
Location: 1561 Dalton Street Alcoa TN
Tel: 865 983 9244
Web Address: http://parksrec.com/parks/alcoa-duck-pond
35. Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
4.1 (438 reviews)
Location: 9626 Kingston Pike Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 409 2215
Web Address: https://urbanair.com/tennessee-knoxville
34. Plumb Creek Dog Park and Disc Golf Course
4.7 (450 reviews)
Credit: Jonathan Pierce, Google Maps
Location: 1517 Hickey Road Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 6600
Web Address: https://knoxcounty.org/parks/
33. Louisville Point Park
4.6 (452 reviews)
Credit: Louisville Point Park, Google Maps
Location: 3298 Cox Road Louisville TN
Tel: 865 983 9244
Web Address: http://parksrec.com/parks/louisville-point-park
32. Fort Dickerson Quarry
4.5 (459 reviews)
Credit: Brent Moore, License, Flickr
Location: 550 Augusta Ave Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 4311
Web Address: https://knoxvilletn.gov/cms/one.aspx
31. East Tennessee Historical Society and Museum
4.8 (460 reviews)
Credit: Brent Moore, License, Flickr
Location: 601 S Gay Street Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 8830
Web Address: http://easttnhistory.org/
30. Caswell Park
4.4 (462 reviews)
Credit: Josh Hartwell, Google Maps
Location: 570 Winona Street Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 544 5751
29. Morningside Park
4.2 (462 reviews)
Credit: Andy Jaynes, Google Maps
Location: 1600 Dandridge Ave Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 1413
28. McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture
4.7 (477 reviews)
Credit: McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture, Google Maps
Location: 1327 Cir Park Dr Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 974 2144
Web Address: http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu/
27. Baker Creek Preserve – Parking Lot
4.8 (493 reviews)
Location: 3700 Lancaster Dr Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 4311
Web Address: http://outdoorknoxville.com/places/trails/south/baker-creek-preserve
26. Sequoyah Park
4.6 (501 reviews)
Credit: Craig Hutto, Google Maps
Location: 1400 Cherokee Blvd Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 4311
Web Address: https://knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/parks_and_recreation/parks/sequoyah_park
25. West Hills – John Bynon Park
4.6 (559 reviews)
Credit: Francois Michot, Google Maps
Location: 7624 Sheffield Dr Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 4311
Web Address: http://knoxvilletn.gov/cms/one.aspx
24. Suttree Landing Park
4.6 (560 reviews)
Credit: andrea haury, Google Maps
Location: 1001 Waterfront Dr SE Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 4311
Web Address: http://knoxvilletn.gov/cms/One.aspx
23. Holston River Park
4.5 (567 reviews)
Credit: Davidellias, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3300 Holston Hills Road Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 523 5084
Web Address: http://knoxvilletn.gov/cms/one.aspx
22. New Harvest Park
4.5 (575 reviews)
Location: 4775 New Harvest Ln Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 6600
Web Address: https://knoxcounty.org/parks/harvest_park.php
21. Adair Park
4.5 (598 reviews)
Credit: Johnathan Key, Google Maps
Location: 1807 Adair Dr Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 4311
Web Address: http://knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/parks_and_recreation/parks/adair_park
20. Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area
4.7 (600 reviews)
Credit: Melissa Davis, Google Maps
Location: 3140 McClure Ln Knoxville TN
Tel: 800 332 0900
Web Address: https://tn.gov/twra/hunting/wildlife-management-areas.html
19. Tommy Schumpert Park
4.6 (652 reviews)
Location: 6400 Fountain City Road Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 6600
Web Address: http://knoxcounty.org/parks/schumpertpark.php
18. Tyson Park
4.4 (699 reviews)
Credit: Davidellias, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2351 Kingston Pike Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 1413
Web Address: http://knoxvilletn.gov/cms/one.aspx
17. Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum
4.5 (901 reviews)
Credit: Raymond Isbill, Google Maps
Location: 2743 Wimpole Ave B Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 862 8717
Web Address: http://knoxgarden.org/
16. UT Gardens Knoxville
4.8 (905 reviews)
Credit: UT Gardens Knoxville, Google Maps
Location: 2518 Jacob Dr Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 974 7324
Web Address: http://utgardens.tennessee.edu/locations/knoxville
15. Fort Dickerson Park
4.5 (916 reviews)
Credit: Brent Moore, License, Flickr
Location: 3000 Fort Dickerson Road SW Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 4311
Web Address: http://knoxvilletn.gov/cms/one.aspx
14. Muse Knoxville
4.6 (1,000 reviews)
Credit: Muse Knoxville, Google Maps
Location: 516 N Beaman Street Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 594 1494
Web Address: http://themuseknoxville.org/
13. Lakeshore Park
4.8 (1,149 reviews)
Location: 5930 Lyons View Pike Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 1722
Web Address: http://lakeshoreparkknoxville.org/
12. Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center
4.3 (1,256 reviews)
Location: 3301 E Magnolia Ave Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 1450
Web Address: https://chilhoweepark.com/
11. Victor Ashe Park
4.6 (1,878 reviews)
Credit: cmilton111, Google Maps
Location: 4901 Bradshaw Road Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 4311
Web Address: http://knoxvilletn.gov/cms/one.aspx
10. Ijams Nature Center
4.8 (2,135 reviews)
Location: 2915 Island Home Ave Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 577 4717
Web Address: http://ijams.org/
9. Zoo Knoxville
4.5 (9,372 reviews)
Location: 3500 Knoxville Zoo Dr Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 637 5331
Web Address: https://zooknoxville.org/
Our Top picks
8. South Gay Street
4.5 (8 reviews)
Credit: Trader Scott, License, Flickr
7. Haunted Knoxville Ghost Tours
4.3 (48 reviews)
Location: 36 Market Square #1404 Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 377 9677
Web Address: http://hauntedknoxville.net/
6. Blount Mansion
4.6 (129 reviews)
Credit: User:BrineStans, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 200 W Hill Ave Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 525 2375
Web Address: http://blountmansion.org/
5. Charles Krutch Park
4.5 (557 reviews)
Credit: Brent Moore, License, Flickr
Location: 504 Market Street Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 4248
Web Address: https://knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/parks_and_recreation/parks/krutch_park
4. Maple Hall
4.6 (628 reviews)
Credit: Phiro NoSurvivors, Google Maps
Location: 414 S Gay Street Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 249 8454
Web Address: http://maplehallknox.com/
3. Knoxville Museum of Art
4.7 (1,247 reviews)
Location: 1050 Worlds Fair Park Dr Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 525 6101
Web Address: http://knoxart.org/
2. Sunsphere
4.5 (1,517 reviews)
Credit: Blinutne, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 810 Clinch Ave Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 314 0660
Web Address: https://worldsfairpark.org/sunsphere
1. World’s Fair Park
4.7 (2,654 reviews)
Credit: Blinutne, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 525 Henley Street Knoxville TN
Tel: 865 215 1158
Web Address: http://worldsfairpark.org/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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