A Guide to Knoxville
Neighborhoods
Old City is home to the majority of nightlife in downtown, although the "clubs" cater primarily to a college crowd. Barley's has great pizza and pool tables. Lonesome Dove offers very unique dining if you enjoy wild game.
75 locals recommend
Old City
Old City is home to the majority of nightlife in downtown, although the "clubs" cater primarily to a college crowd. Barley's has great pizza and pool tables. Lonesome Dove offers very unique dining if you enjoy wild game.
Located downtown, Market Square is home to a ton of great shops and restaurants. Depending on the time of the year, you can find live music and other events. Scruffy City Hall and Preservation Pub, located in Market Square are hands-down my favorite places for live music. For food, I love Not Watson's, Stock & Barrel and Cafe 4. Tomato Head is a favorite for pizza lovers and vegetarians. For great cocktails, walk around the corner to the alley next to the Oliver. You will see a red light which is the entrance to Peter Kern Library, a speakeasy-themed bar with FABULOUS drinks.
270 locals recommend
Market Square
Located downtown, Market Square is home to a ton of great shops and restaurants. Depending on the time of the year, you can find live music and other events. Scruffy City Hall and Preservation Pub, located in Market Square are hands-down my favorite places for live music. For food, I love Not Watson's, Stock & Barrel and Cafe 4. Tomato Head is a favorite for pizza lovers and vegetarians. For great cocktails, walk around the corner to the alley next to the Oliver. You will see a red light which is the entrance to Peter Kern Library, a speakeasy-themed bar with FABULOUS drinks.
Every trip to Knoxville deserves a walk down Gay Street. This is the heart of our downtown. Check the Tennessee Theatre website to see if there are any events going on. I'm not sure what their status is with Covid, but the theatre itself is absolutely beautiful. Grab ice cream at the Pheonix Pharmacy or Cruze Valley Farms. Ham 'n' Goodies has locally-famous lemon cookies. Mast General Store offers great local items and outdoor gear. Nama is known for their Sushi. Chivo's offers excellent tacos and drinks. Maple Hall offers bowling and cocktails. End the night at Suttree's High Gravity Tavern for good beer and arcade games.
33 locals recommend
Downtown
Every trip to Knoxville deserves a walk down Gay Street. This is the heart of our downtown. Check the Tennessee Theatre website to see if there are any events going on. I'm not sure what their status is with Covid, but the theatre itself is absolutely beautiful. Grab ice cream at the Pheonix Pharmacy or Cruze Valley Farms. Ham 'n' Goodies has locally-famous lemon cookies. Mast General Store offers great local items and outdoor gear. Nama is known for their Sushi. Chivo's offers excellent tacos and drinks. Maple Hall offers bowling and cocktails. End the night at Suttree's High Gravity Tavern for good beer and arcade games.
South Knoxville has a TON of great mountain biking trails. The South Loop is a 12 mile loop through the Urban Wilderness with a bunch of trails that stem off of it. If you can't bring your bikes, Riversports will rent a bike for the day. These trails are also great to hike or trail run.
8 locals recommend
South Knoxville
South Knoxville has a TON of great mountain biking trails. The South Loop is a 12 mile loop through the Urban Wilderness with a bunch of trails that stem off of it. If you can't bring your bikes, Riversports will rent a bike for the day. These trails are also great to hike or trail run.
Happy Holler Historic District is a strip of early-1900s commercial buildings undergoing a renaissance, with quirky cafes and bakeries sitting alongside stores selling vintage clothing, vinyl, or antiques. A local landmark with its retro signage, The Original Freezo is a 1940s ice cream stand. Central Cinema shows arthouse and cult movies, and Knoxville Children's Theatre presents original and classic plays.
Happy Holler
Happy Holler Historic District is a strip of early-1900s commercial buildings undergoing a renaissance, with quirky cafes and bakeries sitting alongside stores selling vintage clothing, vinyl, or antiques. A local landmark with its retro signage, The Original Freezo is a 1940s ice cream stand. Central Cinema shows arthouse and cult movies, and Knoxville Children's Theatre presents original and classic plays.
Sightseeing
This is a great place to just sit and enjoy a nice day. Go to the top of the Sunsphere to see Knoxville from above. The Knoxville Art Museum (free) is also worth a stop.
81 locals recommend
World's Fair Park
525 Worlds Fair Park DrThis is a great place to just sit and enjoy a nice day. Go to the top of the Sunsphere to see Knoxville from above. The Knoxville Art Museum (free) is also worth a stop.
Early-19th-century hall restored to its former colorful grandeur to host musical & theater acts.
112 locals recommend
Tennessee Theatre
604 S Gay StEarly-19th-century hall restored to its former colorful grandeur to host musical & theater acts.
Food scene
SoKno Taco Cantina
3701 Sevierville PikeBest food after a day mountain biking
Lonesome Dove Knoxville
100 N Central StSuper unique food in Old City
Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria
200 E Jackson AveGreat beer, pizza and pool.
Not Watson's Kitchen + Bar
15 Market SquareGood food with a lot of variety
Nama Sushi Bar - Downtown Knoxville
506 S Gay StExcellent sushi in a relaxed setting
The Tomato Head
12 Market SquareGreat pizza and vegetarian dishes
Casual counter-serve venue dispensing falafels, hummus & baba ghanoush in airy, low-key environs.
28 locals recommend
Yassin's | Falafel House
706 Walnut StCasual counter-serve venue dispensing falafels, hummus & baba ghanoush in airy, low-key environs.
Gourmet tacos & an extensive tequila menu offered in a dark, rustic-chic tavern with a trendy vibe.
45 locals recommend
Chivo Taqueria
314 S Gay StGourmet tacos & an extensive tequila menu offered in a dark, rustic-chic tavern with a trendy vibe.
Sandwiches & other diner staples in an enduring American breakfast & lunch joint. A Knoxville classic
28 locals recommend
Pete's Coffee Shop
540 Union AveSandwiches & other diner staples in an enduring American breakfast & lunch joint. A Knoxville classic
Worth the Drive
Located in Oak Ridge, 30 minutes away, Cherokee Caverns is a fun place to explore and see Knoxville from below the surface.
Historic Cherokee Caverns
8524 Oak Ridge HwyLocated in Oak Ridge, 30 minutes away, Cherokee Caverns is a fun place to explore and see Knoxville from below the surface.
Obed Wild and Scenic River
208 Maiden StreetA must-visit for climbers
Outdoors
Ijams Nature Center is a 315-acre wildlife sanctuary featuring gently sloping woodlands that houses an array of habitats and exhibit. Visit Navitat Canopy Adventure Zipline located next to Ijams. You can walk pedestrian-only trails plus 10 miles of multi-use trails that wind through the rugged terrain at old Meads and Ross Marble Quarries, past unique rock formations and scenic overlooks. There is also a 25-acre quarry lake that offers fishing, paddling and swimming.
273 locals recommend
Ijams Nature Center
2915 Island Home AveIjams Nature Center is a 315-acre wildlife sanctuary featuring gently sloping woodlands that houses an array of habitats and exhibit. Visit Navitat Canopy Adventure Zipline located next to Ijams. You can walk pedestrian-only trails plus 10 miles of multi-use trails that wind through the rugged terrain at old Meads and Ross Marble Quarries, past unique rock formations and scenic overlooks. There is also a 25-acre quarry lake that offers fishing, paddling and swimming.
Walk down the Tennessee River Front or rent SUPs or kayaks at Billy Lush, located next to Ruth Chris, and see Knoxville from the water. Grab BBQ at the local favorite, Calhoun's
15 locals recommend
Volunteer Landing Park
400 Neyland DriveWalk down the Tennessee River Front or rent SUPs or kayaks at Billy Lush, located next to Ruth Chris, and see Knoxville from the water. Grab BBQ at the local favorite, Calhoun's
Cocktails and Drinks
Peter Kern Library
407 Union AveExcellent atmosphere and cocktails
Lofty taproom with a spacious backyard doles out Mexican & Southern-inspired eats & draft beers.
65 locals recommend
Balter Beerworks
100 Broadway SWLofty taproom with a spacious backyard doles out Mexican & Southern-inspired eats & draft beers.
Craft cocktails & creative pub grub offered in a relaxed environment with outdoor seating.
31 locals recommend
Knox Public House
212 W Magnolia AveCraft cocktails & creative pub grub offered in a relaxed environment with outdoor seating.
32 taps pour a changing selection of craft beers at this tavern also preparing whiskeys & ramen.
39 locals recommend
Suttree's High Gravity Tavern
409 S Gay St32 taps pour a changing selection of craft beers at this tavern also preparing whiskeys & ramen.
Alliance Brewing Company
1130 Sevier AveGreat local beers
Crafty Bastard Brewing
6 Emory PlExcellent beer
Coffee
Coffee and Chocolate
327 Union AveExcellent coffee and chocolates in Market Square
K Brew
1138 N BroadwayFabulous coffee and snacks
Honeybee Coffee
700 Sevier AveGreat coffee and relaxed setting