Things to Do in Knoxville, TN: A Local’s Guide to the Real Version of the City

Knoxville is one of those cities that gets better the closer you look. There’s over a thousand acres of connected wilderness inside the city limits, just minutes from downtown, with trails running along the Tennessee River and the Smokies sitting on the horizon. And that’s only the beginning of it.

Whether you’re figuring out what to do in Knoxville for a weekend or you’ve lived here for years and want to get to know it better, this is the guide we wish everyone arrived with.

If You Want to Be Outside (And You Should)

Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness

Spread across South Knoxville, the Urban Wilderness connects over 1,000 acres of parks and preserves and more than 60 miles of trails linking Ijams Nature Center, Mead’s Quarry, Fort Dickerson Park, Baker Creek Preserve, William Hastie Natural Area, Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area, and Marie Myers Park. You can hike, bike, trail run, rock climb, paddleboard, or simply enjoy views over the Tennessee River.

Ijams Nature Center

Ijams is the heart of the Urban Wilderness with 315 acres of forest, hiking trails, climbing, canoe and kayak rentals on Mead’s Quarry, and year-round programming including bluegrass jams and community events.

Fort Dickerson Park & Augusta Quarry

Explore one of the country’s best-preserved Civil War earthen forts, then continue to Augusta Quarry for swimming, paddleboarding, and panoramic views.

The Tennessee River

Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard from Knoxville Adventure Collective and enjoy sunset views of Neyland Stadium, downtown, and local wildlife from the river.

If You Want to Eat and Drink Well

Old City & Downtown

Highlights include Potchke, J.C. Holdway, Vida, The Vault, A Dopo, Pete’s Coffee Shop, The French Market Creperie, and Cruze Farm.

South Knoxville (SoKno)

Grab coffee at Mia Piccola or SoKno Sourdough, then enjoy Angry Dumplings, 71 South, or South Coast Pizza after exploring the trails.

Where Locals Go for a Drink

• Brother Wolf
• Radius Rooftop Bar
• Fly By Night
• Alliance Brewing
• Xul Beer Company
• Schulz Bräu Brewing

If You Want Culture and Music

• WDVX Blue Plate Special
• Bijou Theatre
• Tennessee Theatre
• Sunsphere Observation Deck
• Museum of East Tennessee History
• Knoxville Museum of Art

If You Have Kids

• Zoo Knoxville
• Muse Knoxville
• Ijams Nature Center playgrounds
• Baker Creek beginner pump tracks

If You Only Have One Day

Start at Pete’s Coffee Shop, spend the morning at Ijams Nature Center and Mead’s Quarry, have lunch in South Knoxville, explore Market Square, enjoy dinner at A Dopo, Chismoso, or J.C. Holdway, then finish the evening with a show at the Bijou or Tennessee Theatre and a nightcap in the Old City.

If You’re Here for a UT Football Weekend

Experience Neyland Stadium, the Vol Navy, and campus tailgating. If you’d rather avoid the crowds, stay in South Knoxville where the Urban Wilderness offers a quieter base while remaining close to downtown.

Calendars Worth Bookmarking

• Bijou Theatre & Tennessee Theatre
• Knoxville Music Warehouse
• Market Square Farmers’ Market
• WDVX Blue Plate Special
• Ijams Nature Center
• Visit Knoxville events calendar

Where to Stay

The best way to experience the Urban Wilderness is to wake up inside it. The Drop Inn is a new Scandinavian-inspired outdoor hotel in South Knoxville featuring tiny home retreats, campervan sites, fire pits, and direct trail access, all just minutes from downtown.