Fun Things To Do in Knoxville, TN

by Noah Ryan
An overview look of Knoxville, Tennessee. It features the Sunsphere and the World's Fair Park.
Photo Courtesy of Wondering Wheatleys

Contributing Author: Chris Melton

Knoxville, Tennessee, boasts plenty of fun things to do, including:

  • Knoxville Zoo
  • Market Square
  • Star of Knoxville Riverboat Tour
  • World’s Fair Park/Sunsphere

Beautiful Knoxville

Thirty minutes from Fort Loudoun Lake, Knoxville is an epicenter of history and culture. The metropolis combines energetic city living with a small-town pace, offering no shortage of places to discover. While traversing the city, take in Knoxville’s vibrant art and music culture. Artists and musicians take their talents to the streets, bringing the city to life. With everything to do, deciding how to spend your time can be challenging — so here are a few recommendations!

Knoxville Zoo

An image of the Asian Trek exhibit at the Knoxville Zoo. It features Asian-styled architecture and paper balloons.
An image of a red panda from the Zoo laying on wood logs.
Photo Courtesy of Haines Structural Group | Photo Courtesy of Zoo Knoxville

With more than 20 different species and 12 different habitats, the Knoxville Zoo is the perfect place for a family day. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredits the Knoxville Zoo for its habitats and conservation efforts. In fact, they hold the record for the most red pandas bred and are a world leader in breeding endangered tortoises. Popular habitats include Tiger Forest, The Boyd Family Red Panda Village, and the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Campus. Many of the habitats host interactive educational shows with featured animals. Additionally, the zoo hosts many events and activities throughout the year. Two of the most interesting include Zoo Lights and Night Safaris, which occur after regular zoo hours once the sun goes down.

  • Location: 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914
  • Contact: (865) 637-5331
  • Hours: Everyday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Market Square

An image of Market Square. There is a girl with a drink at a rooftop bar overlooking the Square at night.
An image of a restaurant at Market Square. The restaurant is named Tupelo Honey Cafe, and there are people walking around and eating at the restaurant.
An image of the Chalk Walk at Market Square. The sidewalks has been decorated with chalk drawings, and people are walking around looking at the art.
Photos Courtesy of Visit Knoxville

If you’re looking for a cultural center, Market Square is the place to be. The Square is a vibrant area with live music and street painting, providing a colorful backdrop for the perfect Instagram post. Additionally, Market Square hosts multiple events, such as the Farmers’ Market and the Chalk Walk, where artists use chalk to embellish the sidewalk. During your time here, be sure to visit the restaurants and shops around the Market. You can get a taste of the South at Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen or try out the various other eateries like Stock and Barrel — a local favorite burger spot. For those of age, the nightlife here is stellar, with plenty of venues to entertain you late into the night.

Star of Knoxville Riverboat Tour

An image of the Start of Knoxville Riverboat. The boat is floating down the Tennesse River towards a bridge, with Neyland Stadium in the background. The image also features a look at downtown Knoxville in the distance.
Photo Courtesy of Tennessee Riverboat Co.

The Star of Knoxville is a riverboat tour that boasts a unique way to take in the city of Knoxville. This authentic paddle-wheeler floats you down the Tennessee River while you enjoy the area’s beautiful sites. The service offers various tours, from lunch and dinner cruises to the Blues Cruise — a tour with live music from the Smoky Mountain Blues Society. In addition, you can even book the boat for weddings, reunions, football tailgates, and other private charters! If you only want to take the tour for sightseeing, the service offers an eagle-eye view on the top deck.

  • Location: 300 Neyland Dr., Knoxville, TN 37902
  • Contact: (865) 525-7827
  • Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm
    • Sunday/Monday: Closed

World’s Fair Park/Sunsphere

An image of the Sunsphere at the World's Fair Park in Knoxville. There are trees and a pond at the park in the foreground, with a background of downtown Knoxville.
Photo Courtesy of Visit Knoxville

One of the best ways to see Knoxville is from atop the Sunsphere, an observation deck that was built for the 1982 World’s Fair. From the tower, visitors get a stunning view of downtown Knoxville, the Tennessee River, the University of Tennessee, and the Smoky Mountains. While visiting the tower, you’ll likely see live music and other events. World’s Fair Park contains three event areas: the Festival Lawn, Performance Lawn, and the Tennessee Amphitheater, where festivals, concerts, and other live events are held. Furthermore, the park’s Splash Pad is open during the summer, providing a place for the kids to play and cool off in the southern heat.

  • Location: 963 World’s Fair Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37916
  • Contact: (865)-215-8160

Now you know some of the best attractions around Knoxville. There’s always something to discover here, so get out there and explore!

The city combines the rush of living in the big city with the comfort of small southern towns, containing no shortage of places to discover.

Two of the most interesting include Zoo Lights and Night Safaris, which take place after normal zoo hours once the sun goes down

For those of age, the nightlife here is stellar, with plenty of venues to liven up your night, such as Tern Club, Preservation Pub, and Radius Rooftop Lounge.

One of the best ways to see Knoxville is from the top of the Sunsphere, where you can get a stunning view of downtown Knoxville, the Tennessee River, the University of Tennessee, and the Smoky Mountains!

The Star of Knoxville is a riverboat tour that boasts the most unique way to witness Knoxville. This authentic paddle-wheeler floats you down the Tennessee River while you take in the city’s beautiful sites.