Your Guide to Knoxville and the Surrounding Area

Scott And Hedie
Scott And Hedie
Your Guide to Knoxville and the Surrounding Area

Our Favorite Restaurants

These are some of our favorite restaurants that are local to us.
A local restaurant chain serving American Food where you always get a good meal!
44 locals recommend
Aubrey's
401 Town Creek Rd E
44 locals recommend
A local restaurant chain serving American Food where you always get a good meal!
A great pizza place that allows for take out and delivery. Less than 5 minutes from the Garden Getaway.
Bella Roma Pizza
7817 Oak Ridge Highway
A great pizza place that allows for take out and delivery. Less than 5 minutes from the Garden Getaway.
This is a great restaurant serving American Food with a twist that is only 11 minutes from the Garden Getaway. https://corner16.com/locations/middlebrook/
9 locals recommend
Corner 16
1640 Bob Kirby Rd
9 locals recommend
This is a great restaurant serving American Food with a twist that is only 11 minutes from the Garden Getaway. https://corner16.com/locations/middlebrook/
This little sushi place is run by a family and it has some of the BEST sushi in the area and is about 15 minutes away in Oak Ridge. The Moua roll is absolutely heavenly!
I ❤️ Sushi
382 S Illinois Ave
This little sushi place is run by a family and it has some of the BEST sushi in the area and is about 15 minutes away in Oak Ridge. The Moua roll is absolutely heavenly!
Very good Korean food!
Tuk Tuk Thai Fusion
9253 Kingston Pike
Very good Korean food!
If you just want a good local diner for a burger or a good breakfast we have always loved Nick & J's.
Nick & J's Cafe
1526 Lovell Road
If you just want a good local diner for a burger or a good breakfast we have always loved Nick & J's.
Oh my goodness! We don't go here often (it is about 20 minutes away) but the food here is phenomenal! Just check out the menu and you should begin to find your mouth watering! https://scrambledjakes.com/menu/
23 locals recommend
Scrambled Jake's Breakfast Company
7428 S Northshore Dr
23 locals recommend
Oh my goodness! We don't go here often (it is about 20 minutes away) but the food here is phenomenal! Just check out the menu and you should begin to find your mouth watering! https://scrambledjakes.com/menu/
Not super fancy but good food at a great price. Love the atmosphere.
La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant
5707 Western Ave
Not super fancy but good food at a great price. Love the atmosphere.
The Asia Cafe is only 10 minutes from Garden Getaway. We have eaten here multiple times and it is ALWAYS good! They have the traditional Japanese steakhouse cooking grills with tables around them but they also have a section for just table dining and even a bar with live music. Excellent food!
Asia Cafe
1708 Callahan Dr
The Asia Cafe is only 10 minutes from Garden Getaway. We have eaten here multiple times and it is ALWAYS good! They have the traditional Japanese steakhouse cooking grills with tables around them but they also have a section for just table dining and even a bar with live music. Excellent food!
If you want local pastries and donuts this is your place. Named after the Karn's Beavers high school team, this little local donut shop is the Karns favorite! 6 minutes from Garden Getaway, you can get your donut fix and more right here!
Beaver's Dough-Joe
7650 Oak Ridge Highway
If you want local pastries and donuts this is your place. Named after the Karn's Beavers high school team, this little local donut shop is the Karns favorite! 6 minutes from Garden Getaway, you can get your donut fix and more right here!
A very popular BBQ place that actually catered our daughter's wedding. About 15 minutes away.
Archers BBQ
5415 Kingston Pike
A very popular BBQ place that actually catered our daughter's wedding. About 15 minutes away.
If you are craving Chinese take out Chen Garden is for you. 6 minutes from the Garden Getaway, they are easy to get to for pick up or you can use one of the delivery services (like DoorDash) to have them bring it to your door.
Chen Garden Restaurant
If you are craving Chinese take out Chen Garden is for you. 6 minutes from the Garden Getaway, they are easy to get to for pick up or you can use one of the delivery services (like DoorDash) to have them bring it to your door.
This is a great Japanese restaurant only 10 minutes from the Garden Getaway located just next to the Walmart Super-center. Very good food including a great Sushi selection.
Ichiban Japanese Grill
This is a great Japanese restaurant only 10 minutes from the Garden Getaway located just next to the Walmart Super-center. Very good food including a great Sushi selection.

City/town information

If you want to visit the Smokies you need to drive to Townsend. It is the closest gateway into the Smoky Mountain National Park and there are all types of activities including hiking, river tubing, bicycling, etc. There are some great local restaurants and you are just 10 minutes from Cades Cove as well. https://www.cityoftownsend.com/wp/ https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
90 locals recommend
Townsend
90 locals recommend
If you want to visit the Smokies you need to drive to Townsend. It is the closest gateway into the Smoky Mountain National Park and there are all types of activities including hiking, river tubing, bicycling, etc. There are some great local restaurants and you are just 10 minutes from Cades Cove as well. https://www.cityoftownsend.com/wp/ https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
Well, Gatlinburg has it all...including a lot of tourists! LOL. But, it is a great place to visit. There are many great restaurants and attractions including: - Ripley's Aquarium (we love it) - Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park & Ski - Ripley's Believe it or Not! - Skybridge There are also a ton of great restaurants! https://www.gatlinburgtn.gov/
660 locals recommend
Gatlinburg
660 locals recommend
Well, Gatlinburg has it all...including a lot of tourists! LOL. But, it is a great place to visit. There are many great restaurants and attractions including: - Ripley's Aquarium (we love it) - Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park & Ski - Ripley's Believe it or Not! - Skybridge There are also a ton of great restaurants! https://www.gatlinburgtn.gov/
Pigeon Forge is a booming place and is visited by over 10 million people every year. Dollywood is one of the greatest theme parks and is only one of many attractions in Pigeon Forge (although definitely the biggest attraction there). Some of the places we recommend (other than Dollywood) are: - Dolly Parton's Stampede (we have been a couple of times and it is fun). - Wonderworks - Titanic Museum - Lumberjack Feud and Adventure Park (kids for sure) - Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show (we loved this one)
500 locals recommend
Pigeon Forge
500 locals recommend
Pigeon Forge is a booming place and is visited by over 10 million people every year. Dollywood is one of the greatest theme parks and is only one of many attractions in Pigeon Forge (although definitely the biggest attraction there). Some of the places we recommend (other than Dollywood) are: - Dolly Parton's Stampede (we have been a couple of times and it is fun). - Wonderworks - Titanic Museum - Lumberjack Feud and Adventure Park (kids for sure) - Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show (we loved this one)

Our Favorite Hiking Trails

If you are a hiker (serious or casual) there is a trail for you in the Knoxville area. We have been to all of these hiking trails and can vouch for every one of them!
This is our go-to-hiking trail when we are hosting family and friends from out of town. It is an easy trail with a beautiful river and waterfalls. Always beautiful and even cool during the summer months!
Middle Prong Trail Trailhead
This is our go-to-hiking trail when we are hosting family and friends from out of town. It is an easy trail with a beautiful river and waterfalls. Always beautiful and even cool during the summer months!
Another beautiful hiking spot less than a hour North of the Garden Getaway. Beautiful trails in serene wilderness.
43 locals recommend
Frozen Head State Park
964 Flat Fork Rd
43 locals recommend
Another beautiful hiking spot less than a hour North of the Garden Getaway. Beautiful trails in serene wilderness.
For serious hikers, Mt. Le Conte has two trails to the top (one is longer but less difficult). The vistas from the top are amazing!
86 locals recommend
Mount LeConte Lodge
86 locals recommend
For serious hikers, Mt. Le Conte has two trails to the top (one is longer but less difficult). The vistas from the top are amazing!
Great hiking trails close to downtown Knoxville. There is swimming available in a beautiful quarry as well. Many people use the quarry for paddle boarding, kayaking or just floating around enjoying the beautiful clear cool water.
273 locals recommend
Ijams Nature Center
2915 Island Home Ave
273 locals recommend
Great hiking trails close to downtown Knoxville. There is swimming available in a beautiful quarry as well. Many people use the quarry for paddle boarding, kayaking or just floating around enjoying the beautiful clear cool water.
Haw Ridge is less than 10 minutes from the Garden Getaway. It is located on a peninsula along the shores of the Clinch River. It has over 30+ miles of trails that are used by everyone from hikers, trail runners, extreme mountain bikers and horse back riders. They also have a really cool mountain bike skills area and pump track. There is a boat ramp you can put in your kayak or canoe and you can paddle your way along more than 5 miles of shoreline beside the park. If you are a casual cyclist there is the paved 5.7 mile Melton Lake Greenway follows the river to Melton Lake Park and terminates at Elza Gate Park.
18 locals recommend
Haw Ridge Park
18 locals recommend
Haw Ridge is less than 10 minutes from the Garden Getaway. It is located on a peninsula along the shores of the Clinch River. It has over 30+ miles of trails that are used by everyone from hikers, trail runners, extreme mountain bikers and horse back riders. They also have a really cool mountain bike skills area and pump track. There is a boat ramp you can put in your kayak or canoe and you can paddle your way along more than 5 miles of shoreline beside the park. If you are a casual cyclist there is the paved 5.7 mile Melton Lake Greenway follows the river to Melton Lake Park and terminates at Elza Gate Park.

Sightseeing

If you like driving around and viewing the beauty of Knoxville and the surrounding area here are some suggestions.
The Foothills Parkway is a beautiful scenic drive and is a must do for those who want a 'high up' view of the Smoky Mountains. You can be on the parkway in less than 50 minutes from the Garden Getaway.
64 locals recommend
Foothills Parkway
Foothills Parkway
64 locals recommend
The Foothills Parkway is a beautiful scenic drive and is a must do for those who want a 'high up' view of the Smoky Mountains. You can be on the parkway in less than 50 minutes from the Garden Getaway.

Knoxville Area Attractions

These are some of the local attractions around Knoxville that you may want to check out while you are staying at the Garden Getaway!
We take our granddaughter to this zoo often and she loves it. It is clean and there are many interactive things to do.
115 locals recommend
Zoo Knoxville
3500 Knoxville Zoo Dr
115 locals recommend
We take our granddaughter to this zoo often and she loves it. It is clean and there are many interactive things to do.
If you want to get a feel for Knoxville's downtown this is the place to go. Great restaurants and you are also just blocks away from the local theaters like the Tennessee Theater.
270 locals recommend
Market Square
270 locals recommend
If you want to get a feel for Knoxville's downtown this is the place to go. Great restaurants and you are also just blocks away from the local theaters like the Tennessee Theater.
If you have the time and enjoy elegant and historic theaters you need to see what is going on at the Tennessee Theater while you are here. We have attended concerts there and it is a lovely experience. https://www.tennesseetheatre.com/
112 locals recommend
Tennessee Theatre
604 S Gay St
112 locals recommend
If you have the time and enjoy elegant and historic theaters you need to see what is going on at the Tennessee Theater while you are here. We have attended concerts there and it is a lovely experience. https://www.tennesseetheatre.com/
Tinseltown Cinemark theater is in Oak Ridge and is only 15 minutes from the Garden Getaway. We usually go here because it is less busy than the big theaters in Knoxville but still has the reclining chairs and great screens.
9 locals recommend
Cinemark Tinseltown USA
755 Main St W
9 locals recommend
Tinseltown Cinemark theater is in Oak Ridge and is only 15 minutes from the Garden Getaway. We usually go here because it is less busy than the big theaters in Knoxville but still has the reclining chairs and great screens.
If you want to learn more about East Tennessee's history this is exactly where you want to go. We have been here a couple of times and they typically have a special exhibit they run during different times of the year. Always interesting...always Tennessee!
38 locals recommend
East Tennessee History Center
601 S Gay St
38 locals recommend
If you want to learn more about East Tennessee's history this is exactly where you want to go. We have been here a couple of times and they typically have a special exhibit they run during different times of the year. Always interesting...always Tennessee!
This intimate little theater has character to burn! It has wonderful musical acts that come through on a regular basis. Small but historic and fun!
54 locals recommend
Bijou Theater
803 S Gay St
54 locals recommend
This intimate little theater has character to burn! It has wonderful musical acts that come through on a regular basis. Small but historic and fun!

Shopping & Services

Here are some of the local shopping and services you may need during your stay at the Garden Getaway.
Karns Cleaners is less than 5 minutes away and does everything from dry cleaning to alterations.
Karns Cleaners
7833 Oak Ridge Highway
Karns Cleaners is less than 5 minutes away and does everything from dry cleaning to alterations.
This Walgreens is only 5 minutes from the Garden Getaway. It also has a Kroger Express so therefore has a pretty good selection of groceries.
Walgreens
7810 Oak Ridge Highway
This Walgreens is only 5 minutes from the Garden Getaway. It also has a Kroger Express so therefore has a pretty good selection of groceries.
This Dollar General has recently been renovated and has a modest selection of groceries and household items.
Dollar General
620 Edgemoor Road
This Dollar General has recently been renovated and has a modest selection of groceries and household items.
There are Food City grocery stores all around Knoxville. This is just 7 minutes from Garden Getaway and is a full service grocery store with a bakery, hot bar, cold food bar and even a gas station up front.
Food City
9565 Middlebrook Pike
There are Food City grocery stores all around Knoxville. This is just 7 minutes from Garden Getaway and is a full service grocery store with a bakery, hot bar, cold food bar and even a gas station up front.
This is the closest Walmart to the Garden Getaway (@12 minutes away).
6 locals recommend
Walmart Supercenter
6777 Clinton Hwy
6 locals recommend
This is the closest Walmart to the Garden Getaway (@12 minutes away).
This Kroger is right across the street from the Walmart Super Center which makes it about 12 minutes from the Garden Getaway.
65 locals recommend
Kroger
2217 N Broadway
65 locals recommend
This Kroger is right across the street from the Walmart Super Center which makes it about 12 minutes from the Garden Getaway.
Asian Auto Specialists is a great auto repair shop. Kenny is honest and fair and does excellent work.
7130 Oak Ridge Hwy
7130 Oak Ridge Highway
Asian Auto Specialists is a great auto repair shop. Kenny is honest and fair and does excellent work.