Got a Knoxville bucket list? Here are 14 things you must try in the Scruffy City
Knoxville is brimming with things to do, but how do you actually decide what is worth your time?
A checklist might help!
Whether you're a tourist simply passing through or call the city home, these places and activities are well worth your time.
What's on your Knoxville bucket list? Email jake.yoder@knoxnews.com to share your favorite activity in the city.
Catch a show at the Tennessee Theatre
Perhaps the most iconic piece of downtown Knoxville's Gay Street is the Tennessee Theatre. It's been a staple of downtown Knoxville since its opening in 1928 and hosts film screenings, live theatre performances, opera, comedy shows, concerts and more.
The Tennessee Theatre's intricate interior, the result of a $25.5 million renovation in 2005, is what makes the venue stick out from the rest. Whether or not you consider yourself a fan of the fine arts, stopping by the Tennessee Theatre should be high on your Knoxville to-do list.
The Tennessee Theatre is located at 604 S. Gay St.
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Cheer on the Vols in Neyland Stadium
Neyland Stadium is basically the heart of Knoxville for University of Tennessee football fans. The massive stadium seats more than 100,000 fans and is full of life on football game days. That's an experience everyone in Knoxville needs tohave at least once.
Neyland also hosts the occasional concert, with A-list artists such as Garth Brooks selling out the stadium.
Neyland Stadium is located at 1235 Phillip Fulmer Way.
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Spend some time on Market Square
Market Square in downtown Knoxville is full of unique places to people watch, enjoy a rooftop drink or grab a bite to eat.
There's something for all palates: brunch at Ruby Sunshine, burgers at Stock & Barrel, Japanese at Kabuki, Chicken at Myrtle's Chicken + Beer, Mexican at Soccer Taco, Pizza at The Tomato Head and more. Plus, Market Square is located in the heart of downtown, meaning you're a short walk away from tons of activities.
Not finding what you want to eat on the Square? Gay Street and the Old City have plenty of yummy options too.
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Check out nature at Ijams
If you're looking to get away from the city and want to explore Knoxville's greener side, Ijams Nature Center is the place to go.
With more than 315 acres of land to explore, Ijams will satisfy any nature lover's need for outdoor activity. You can hike, bike, swim, kayak, rock climb and exercise. Plus, the nature center hosts a slew of camps, public programs and events throughout the year.
Ijams Nature Center is located at 2915 Island Home Ave. Admission is free.
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Visit the Sunsphere in World's Fair Park
You can't pass through Knoxville without stopping by the Sunsphere. Since its debut at the 1982 World's Fair, the gold ball has been Knoxville's iconic symbol. The observation deck features a 360-degree view of the cityscape.
While you're at the Sunsphere, you might as well spend some time in World's Fair Park. The 10-acre park is a great place to spend an afternoon walking around, exercising, playing sports with friends or having a picnic.
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Get your museum fix
The best places in Knoxville to get a slice of local history and culture are the Museum of East Tennessee History and the Beck Cultural Exchange Center.
Those visiting the Museum of East Tennessee History can get a look at more than 300 years of East Tennessee history in the museum's signature exhibit, "Voices of the Land: The People of East Tennessee." The museum also hosts changing exhibits each year, with "Shaver: An Artist of Rare Merit" currently on display.
The Beck Cultural Exchange Center is dedicated to preserving, teaching, nurturing and continuing Black history and culture. The museum features art and exhibits and hosts a slew of events.
The Museum of East Tennessee History is located at 601 S. Gay St. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and is free for children 16 and under.
The Beck remains closed for now, but virtual visits are available. It is located at 1927 Dandridge Ave.
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Support local artists on First Friday
Knoxville is full of talented local artists, and First Friday is the best day to support them.
On first Friday, local artists, galleries, studios and artist collectives come together to showcase their newest works. Pandemic withstanding, downtown businesses usually come together to host an "ArtWalk," connecting a large number of First Friday exhibitions together for the public's viewing pleasure.
Find more information at visitknoxville.com/knoxville-first-friday/.
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Visit the wildlife at Zoo Knoxville
Animal lovers will feel at home at Zoo Knoxville, which brings wildlife from all over the world right to Knoxville's backyard. Visitors can spot giraffes, lions, tigers, chimpanzees, rhinos and more.
Zoo Knoxville frequently hosts events that allow visitors the chance to get more up close and personal with their animals, such as animal encounters, behind-the-scenes tours and night safaris.
Zoo Knoxville is located at 3500 Knoxville Zoo Dr. Tickets cost $24.94 for adults and $19.95 for children and seniors. Parking is $5.
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Go bar hopping in downtown Knoxville
If you like to have an alcoholic beverage every now and then, downtown Knoxville is the place to be. There are plenty of bars around, so you're sure to find something up your alley. Check out Market Square, Gay Street and the Old City to get the full experience.
From new bars like Bernadette's Crystal Gardens and the Vault to Irish pubs like Clancy's to barcades like Suttree's High Gravity Tavern, downtown bars are a joy to explore. They might not all be for you, but chances are you'll eventually find one you love.
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Catch a movie at Central Cinema
Everybody loves a good movie, but how many single screen indie theaters have you experienced?
Central Cinema is an independently owned movie theater just a few miles outside of downtown. Owned and operated by the founders of the annual Knoxville Horror Film Festival, Central Cinema is constantly showing classic films, low budget independent films and other things you just won't see anywhere else.
For a night at the movies you won't forget, Central Cinema is a must.
Central Cinema is located at 1205 N. Central St. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $9 for students and military, $8 for seniors and $5 for children.
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Get some ice cream from Cruze Farm
Cruze Farm is the place to go for all of your ice cream needs in Knoxville. The locally owned ice cream shop gets all of its dairy from its own cows, pasteurizing and bottling real churned buttermilk, whole milk, light milk, chocolate milk, coffee milk and seasonal flavored milks.
Milk is fine, but the real treat at Cruze Farm is the ice cream. Those with a sweet tooth will feel right at home at Cruze Farm, with soft serve, milkshakes, floats, sundaes and more all on the menu. No matter what time of year it is, its always the right time to get a frozen treat from Cruze Farm.
Cruze Farm has locations at 445 S. Gay St. and 2723 Asbury Road. It also has a location in Sevierville.
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Find a treasure at McKay's Books
Perhaps the biggest and most robust used book store in Knoxville, McKay's is a sight to behold. Located at 230 Papermill Place Way, the store is home to thousands of used books, movies, CDs, video games, instruments, toys, comics, trading cards and electronics. No matter what you're into, McKay's probably sells it.
If you've got a ton of old books lying around your house that you haven't used in ages, chances are McKay's might give you a few bucks. Or, you can take in-store credit and buy even more stuff to replace the stuff you just traded.
With a constantly rotating stock, you'll probably find something new each time you go to McKay's. If you're lucky, you might just find something you've been hunting for ages.
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Appreciate the scenery at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum
If the weather is right and the pollen isn't overwhelming, the Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum is the perfect escape from the city.
Located at 2743 Wimpole Ave., the Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum features 47 acres of walking trails, display gardens and unique horticulture for plant lovers to enjoy. It also hosts events year round such as tree walks, workshops and lectures to help the public learn more about local plant life and nature.
Admission to the Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum is free, though events may cost extra. The gardens are open daily from dawn until dusk.
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Visit the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
Believe it or not, the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame is located right here in Knoxville. The Hall of Fame opened in 1999 and puts a spotlight on all facets of women's basketball. So far it has honored more than 170 inductees.
Visitors of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame can explore different exhibits dedicated to the sport's history, test their skills on three different courts, check out the world's largest basketball and more.
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame is located at 700 Hall of Fame Drive. Admission is $7.95 for adults and $5.95 for children and seniors.
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News intern Jake Yoder can be reached at jake.yoder@knoxnews.com. Follow along with his work on Twitter @jakeywakeyy. Support our local news efforts by becoming a Knox News subscriber.