The great city of Knoxville is nestled in the state of Tennessee, where it is also blessed with an abundance of beautiful surrounding landmarks such as the Tennessee River, the stunning Great Smoky Mountains, and the equally breathtaking Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can learn all about Tennessee’s history and culture on one trip here, with gems like museums, historic centers, parks, trade fairs, and theaters, as well as an array of historic buildings and landmarks. Today we will take you to discover the best things not to miss in Knoxville, TN.
World’s Fair Park
World’s Fair Park was the site of the World’s Fair in 1982 and continues to be one of Knoxville’s most loved attractions all these years.
The park is made up of grassy hills, fountains and cobbled paths, and if you want to come here during the summer months, you will have a real treat. When the weather is warm, you can cool off in the extravagant fountains and geysers set up here or simply witness some of the live music events that take place here during the holiday season.
The park also has a sunglass viewing platform from which you can see the Smoky Mountains and the Tennessee River and enjoy the local scenery.
McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture
The McClung Natural History and Cultural Museum is easily recognizable for the dinosaur that greets visitors on the lawn in front of the house called Monty.
The purpose of the museum is to show the best local historical and archaeological context in Tennessee, for this purpose it is possible to find fossils and dinosaur bones on display, as well as artifacts that delve into periods such as the Civil War.
Tennessee Theater
The Tennessee Theater was founded in 1928, when it was charmingly called “the palace of cinema”. Today, the theater is still an icon thanks to its Hispano-Moorish architectural style, and here you’ll find period antiques like original crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and Asian textiles.
If you are looking for culture in Knoxville, this is one of the best places to find it as you can expect classic movies, music concerts and Broadway shows.
Knoxville Zoo
To see some of Knoxville’s most beautiful wildlife, head to the Knoxville Zoo, where more than 900 animals can be found in one place.
Species come from all over the world and are grouped according to their habitat, and you can experience exotic animals like the Komodo and Khaleesi dragons.
There are also animal encounter sessions where you can get up close to the wildlife, plus other attractions like blocks, a theater, and a carousel.
James White Forte
James White was the founder of Knoxville and now you can see how he would live by visiting his former home known as James White Fort.
The house is the perfect place to learn all about frontier life and here you can enjoy shows such as cooking, spinning and even a blacksmith’s workshop.
This working life museum also hosts special events during the holidays, such as ghost tours around Halloween.
Ijams Nature Center
Anyone who is a nature lover shouldn’t miss the Ijams Nature Center on a trip to Knoxville.
The center was born from an idea of Harry Ijams who originally opened it as a bird sanctuary, although the area has grown to 300 acres of land and is now a nature reserve and educational center.
Amazingly, downtown is only 3 miles from Knoxville, but you can feel like you’re in a different world as you explore the bays, groves, and hiking trails.
There is also a rock climbing section in the center, or you can take a relaxing kayak ride.
The Muse knoxville
The Muse Knoxville is a children’s favorite in Knoxville, making it a great place to visit if you’re traveling with younger guests.
The property is a mix of an art and science gallery and covers 4,000 square feet.
The facility is divided into educational themed sections such as construction, nutrition, and science, and most of the exhibits are interactive, allowing children to learn by doing.
There is also a planetarium which is the only one available in Knoxville, so if you want to explore the Solar System, you shouldn’t miss it.