“a-nature-loving-adventure-seeking-artsy-kinda-town”

Story by Lyda Kay Ferree, The Southern Lifestyles Lady. Photography courtesy of Visit Knoxville, University of Tennessee Athletics, Bruce McCamish Photography, © 2014 Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

In this one unique location, mountains meet music…art meets adventure...culture meets cuisine…and no one meets a stranger. The walkability of downtown allows people to explore and discover vibrant murals, local music, historic sites, art museums, parks, greenways and more. With its sophisticated mix of culture and cuisine, experience a destination served up with genuine hospitality.

Music & Entertainment

Knoxville is one of America’s most vibrant cities for live music. From classical to bluegrass, country to rock, live music is on the square, on the streets and on the stages of the historic Bijou and Tennessee Theatres, hosting concerts and Broadway shows as well as performances by the Knoxville Opera Company, the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

WDVX’S Blue Plate Special is a Knoxville must-do. The live radio show takes place Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:00noon-1PM at the WDVX studios in the downtown Visitors Center. Known primarily for Americana and Bluegrass, the Blue Plate welcomes a variety of performers from around the world. The Gift Shop is better than ever. Guests may shop in person or online (shop.visitknoxville.com). A great place to find literature on the area.

Adventure

The sounds of nature are also part of Knoxville’s soundtrack. Located just three miles from downtown, Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness is a spectacular 1000-acre outdoor adventure area where you can hike, bike, climb, paddle or just wander in the woods—within the heart of the city. Over 50 miles of trails and greenways connect Ijams Nature Center (home to Navitat, a unique tree-based adventure park), pristine lakes, historic sites, Civil War battlegrounds, quarries, adventure playgrounds, city parks and 500-acre wildlife area.

The city also features more than 85 miles of greenways connecting all facets of the city. Consider a slow ride to the Knoxville Botanical Gardens or the University of Tennessee Garden and take a leisurely stroll amongst the flowers. A variety of water activities beckon—fish, paddleboard, kayak, or take a dinner cruise on the beautiful Tennessee River. On football Saturdays in the fall, expect to see “sailgating” instead of tailgating—boaters from surrounding states line the waterfront ready to cheer on the Vols!

Arts & Culture

Knoxville is known to be a community of artistic souls looking to capture the heart and culture of Knoxville by not only reliving the past, but focusing on the present as well as looking forward into the future. Knoxville has even been declared as an Etsy Maker City. Area local artists bring the essence and vitality of Knoxville’s spirt to life in painted murals, artwork, sculptors and photography displayed throughout the city. Be sure to stop in Glitterville Studios, where some of Oprah’s “favorite things” are made.

The Knoxville Museum of Art (KMA) celebrates the art and artists of East Tennessee. The KMA presents an engaging schedule of exhibitions and is home to Richard Jolley’s Cycle of Life, one of the largest figurative glass-and-steel assemblages in the world.

Every First Friday of the month, experience a growing number of galleries and venues throughout the city that feature a variety of artists’ displays and live music. Downtown anchors include The Art Market, The Emporium, and the downtown Visitors Center.

“There really is something for everyone—beautiful historic homes for the history buffs, live music in a variety of venues, over 1,000 acres of dedicated wilderness for outdoor enthusiasts, and a vibrant downtown with culinary and craft beer options galore. We invite visitors to explore our city on their terms and think they’ll agree: Knoxville is a nature-loving-adventure-seeking-artsy-kinda-town!”

— Kristen Combs, Director of Communications & Social Strategies

Food & Drink

Knoxville has more than its fair share of culinary arts as well. With a heavy focus on locally sourced foods, Knoxville’s unique culinary scene is shaped by a group of talented chefs including Tennessee’s first James Beard Award Winner: Joseph Lenn, who is the owner of J.C. Holdway and is one of several Blackberry Farm chefs who operate restaurants in Knoxville. Chef Matthew Gallaher, known for Knox Mason, also operates Emilia, serving Italian-inspired cuisine in a crisp atmosphere. Knoxville is also home to Lonesome Dove, a Western Bistro operated by celebrity chef and University of Tennessee grad Tim Love.

Foodies would be remiss not to experience some other unexpected Knoxville flavors. For Knoxville’s version of hot chicken, go see Miss Jackie at Jackie’s Dream. She always serves with a smile and a handshake but make no mistake—hot is hot! Yain’s Falafel House not only claims some of the best Middle Eastern cuisine around, but has also been recognized by Good Morning America as the “Nicest Place in America.” You’ll be sure to get your shawarma with a smile!

The city is also building a name for itself as one of the best craft beer towns in the Southeast! From Hefeweizen in a German castle (Schulz Brau) to experimental brews in a glass-blowing studio (Pretentious Craft Co.), you’ll find plenty to whet your whistle. Knoxville is also home to a few stops on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, so be sure to have a sample at Knox Whiskey Works and PostModern Spirits.

If your sweet tooth is in control (or maybe out of control), you can’t go wrong with a stroll down Gay Street. From one end to the other you’ll find Cruze Farm Creamery, Status Dough, and the Phoenix Pharmacy & Fountain. Yum!

Other downtown dining options include Food Truck Park, Rooftop bars like Five Thirty Lounge on top of Hyatt Place and Radius Lounge on top of Embassy Suites.

History & Heritage

As the first capital of Tennessee, Knoxville is proud of its heritage and committed to preserving it. Many visitors come to Knoxville to learn more about Civil War sites in the area, and tour earthworks, battle sites and historic homes. The East Tennessee History Center holds the key to Knoxville’s past. A trip to Knoxville would not be complete without a 360-degree view of the city from the observation deck on the 4th floor of the Sunsphere, built for the 1982 World’s Fair.

From log cabins to frame houses to stately stone mansions, there are seven Historic Homes of Knoxville.

Other popular Knoxville attractions include the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, an international museum dedicated to preserving the history of women’s basketball (Personal Note: one of my favorite Knoxville attractions); the McClung Museum, where exhibits showcase the past of Tennessee and cultures from around the globe; and Zoo Knoxville, one of the premiere zoological experiences in the Southeast.

Festivals & Events

Fall is one cultural event after the other, starting at the end of August with the Knox Asian Festival. HoLa Festival, Greek Fest, German Fest, and other international festivals are all in succession. October brings Halloween fun for the entire family. Boo! at the Zoo is an annual favorite for not-so-spooky fun for the littles.
“Expect everything from outdoor adventure, rich history, and an incredible arts and culture scene all within a friendly, walkable destination,” said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville.

Game Time

If you plan to attend a UT Game, consider hotels conveniently located near the University of Tennessee and Neyland Stadium: Hyatt Place on Gay Street; Embassy Suites on Gay Street; The TENNESSEAN across from the Convention Center (I had a very good experience at this lovely hotel); The Oliver Hotel, downtown with 28 rooms with a speakeasy; and Graduate Knoxville (on campus/Cumberland and is themed University of Tennessee with Saloon 16 in partnership with Peyton Manning.

For Tips for Knoxville Gameday Visitors, a MUST read for both first time gameday visitors and longtime passionate followers of the Tennessee Vols, visit this website and blog: www.visitknoxville.com/events/gameday/ and: www.visitknoxville.com/blog/post/guide-to-gameday/

Among the tips in this helpful blog are: get downtown two to three hours before kickoff; notice the crown jewel of Tennessee Gameday: the Vol Navy having a sailgating party! And don’t miss the Vol Walk—the football team themselves—roughly two hours before kickoff heading into Neyland Stadium (100 years old this year) and the Pride of the Southland Marching Band!