For those of you who have ever planned a visit to Tennessee, I dare say that Knoxville most likely wasn’t the first city to come to mind – or even at all. With Nashville and Memphis to compete against, unfortunately, Knoxville tends to be forgotten. A real shame, because even though Knoxville is small – tiny even – it sure packs a punch!
On a recent trip to catch up with friends on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail (read all about it here!), hubby and I decided to take a little break and spend the day in Knoxville, Tennessee – because really, driving over 5 hours straight, even if the reward is good friends and even better Bourbon, is just too much to ask of those of us hailing from a country small enough you could traverse it in a mere 4 hours. And boy, are we glad we did.
So, what exactly did we do during our mini break in Knoxville? Here are a few of the highlights we discovered in this soulful little Tennessee gem.
First off, if you have read any of my previous post, you might have noticed that my first stop on any trip is invariably the visitor center – and this trip was no exception! What we didn’t know, however, was that the Knoxville Visitor Center is not just your average visitor center. Yes, they have maps, walking tours, information about local attractions, friendly folks to help you find your way, and all that other good stuff. But even better than that, they are also home to the WDVX Blue Plate Special, a free live performance radio show held every Monday through Saturday at noon at the WDVX studio right inside the visitor center! Their line-up features a wide range of live music and musicians young and old, from blues to bluegrass, country to Celtic, folk to funk, rockabilly to hillbilly, local to international… so grab your lunch, grab a seat and enjoy some lively tunes while you eat your sammies.
Tip: There is also a beautiful musical Knoxville-themed mural on the side of the visitor center that you don’t want to miss!
If murals are your jam, you will love Knoxville’s Downtown Mural Walking Tour. From alleys to stairwells, the street art adorning the city are a sight to behold. Among my favorites are the visitors center’s mural Postcard from Knoxville, Strong Alley’s portrait of Dolly Parton, the London Streetscape at Central Street and the iconic staircase at Cumberland Avenue.
With old, beautifully preserved historic buildings around almost every corner, Knoxville is just downright charming. A great way to explore both the Old City Historic District and Market Square, where you will find the majority of significant historic buildings, is to take the self-guided Historic Downtown Knoxville Walking Tour (the free guide for which you can find – where else? – at the visitor center), which will guide you along 60 historic buildings throughout downtown Knoxville. If you have time, there are a few historic sites along the way that are well worth a visit!
Tip: As you stroll along Gay Street, stop in for a sweet treat at Phoenix Pharmacy. You won’t be disappointed!
If you like the theatre (or Broadway shows, classic films, opera, concerts, dance, etc, etc.), visit the Tennessee Theatre, where you can take in a show, or just take a tour to gaze at the unique Spanish-Moorish style interior that incorporates elements from all parts of the world, such as Czechoslovakian crystals in the French-style chandeliers, Italian terrazzo flooring in the Grand Lobby, and Asian influences in the carpet and drapery patterns.
History buffs will love the chance to stand in the very spot where where Knoxville was founded – and officially the birthplace of the city – at James White’s Fort . Set up by James White, the fort is a great place to learn more about the history of the city and the historic Southwest Territory.
For a Civil War-era home with hints of a dark past, visit Bleak House, also known as Confederate Memorial Hall, an antebellum Classical Revival style house which became a key battle point between the Unionists and the Confederates in the Battle of Knoxville in 1863. Today, Bleak House is on the United States Register of Historic Places, and it still boasts some fascinating remnants of its long history, such as bullet holes in the outside, and two canons which lay embedded withing the walls.
History is not all that Knoxville has to offer however! For some awesome river vistas, head to Volunteer Landing, which runs parallel with the Tennessee River to create a beautiful riverfront park where you can enjoy fishing, biking, and walking, as well as paddling on the river and other water sports and activities – either actively, or, like we did, just seeing them done safely from the riverbank. If you’re lucky, you might see the Vol Navy line the River along Volunteer Landing to create a sea of orange full of fun and excitement to cheer on the home team during UT home football games!
Tip: For a bit of a longer walk, hop on the Neyland Greenway that winds through the Park and connects with the James White Greenway – a beautiful pathway that will take you even further along the Tennessee River. From here, you can also traverse Neyland Drive, where the spur for the Second Creek Greenway borders the UT campus on its way to the World’s Fair Park.
Finally, if you’d like to see some beautiful panoramic views of the city, the golden dome of the Sunsphere, one of only two remaining structures from the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, is a can’t-miss. The 4th floor observation deck offers a 360-degree view of the city and is splashed with factoids on both the World’s Fair and Knoxville. Did you know, for example, that the world’s largest Rubik’s Cube is located at the Knoxville Convention and Exhibition Center? (I certainly didn’t!)
Tip: If the unique structure before you looks eerily familiar, it might be that you have seen it before, even though it is the only one of its kind… The Sunsphere was featured in The Simpsons episode “Bart on the Road” in which Bart, Milhouse, Nelson, and Martin head to Knoxville, Tennessee in the hopes of seeing the World’s Fair.
Tineke 