Image by Bruce McCamish Photography
Knoxville, Tennessee
Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville has long been a charming urban landing spot for outdoor enthusiasts, park visitors, and those looking for fun cultural experiences. Today, it offers something for everyone–from tons of live music and sports to great outdoor recreation and a dynamic food scene. Knoxville is the trailhead community of the Tennessee RiverLine and a perfect place to start your RiverLine journey.
Visit Knoxville!
Where History and Ecology Meet
This Southern metropolis sits where the Holston and French Broad rivers converge to form the Tennessee. People set up the first settlements in the area up to 3,000 years ago, and village sites between 500-1,000 years old are still marked around the city.
If you are interested in visiting sacred sites and reflecting on our continent’s history, two burial mounds have been preserved within city limits. The more curated–and easier to reach–of the two mounds is just off the shore of the Tennessee River on the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture’s campus. After making the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, the mound has remained undisturbed for decades, and it is surrounded by culturally significant plants.
If you haven’t been to UT Gardens in the last couple years, you haven’t been at all. New sections are always being developed and innovation is constant since UT Extension’s brightest are hard at work optimizing their space. From redwoods to roses, plant enthusiasts must take this opportunity to stroll among some of the area’s rarest and most unique plant life. Odds are you’ll come across educational opportunities while you are there, so check out its events schedule to make sure you aren’t missing something.
You can’t recount Knoxville’s history without mention of the Civil War, and in classic Knoxville style, some of its key historic sites are integrated into outdoor recreational spaces.
One such location is Fort Dickerson Park/Augusta Quarry, where a marble-harvesting quarry has been reclaimed by nature and now serves as a great place to hike, swim, paddle. Visitors can use the same vantage point that Union soldiers utilized as they prevented a Confederate invasion of Knoxville. This 300-foot-high Tennessee River overlook is often considered the most well-preserved earthen fort from the Civil War.
Mead’s Quarry is Knoxville’s other former marble harvesting hotspot turned swimming hole. Tennessee marble, a type of 300+ million-year-old sandstone which has naturally adopted a pinkish hue, remains a signature export of Greater Knoxville–having appeared in New York’s Grand Central Station, the Lincoln Memorial, and many other U.S. landmarks. The trails around the quarry are great for hiking and some pretty difficult mountain biking, and it provides a great place to see the iconic stone.
Ijams Nature Center at the quarry hosts events all throughout the year, from fungus ID for beginners, to movies under the stars, to evening paddles. Special events also include concerts, rock climbing, group birding sessions, and much more.
A 14+ mile network of hiking trails enable navigation around the area, with more than 9 miles of biking trails on-site as well. Paddlecraft are available to rent if kayaking and canoeing are your thing, and fishing has been a draw to the park for decades.
Outdoor opportunities are everywhere in Knoxville, bolstered by more than 60 miles of “Urban Wilderness,” as the city calls it. This space is a truly impressive series of greenways which connect pedestrians and bike-riders to scenic parks, historic sites, playgrounds and the rest of the city. Many are much more than a simple path through the woods, and they can be great places to experience nature and seclusion without leaving city limits.
Outdoor Sports
Fishing is a major attraction in Knoxville since its spot on the Tennessee River makes it a convenient place to find large and smallmouth bass, as well as catfish. Angler havens are everywhere, such as Island Home Park which is accessible from the water and offers bank fishing and Urban Wilderness greenway access.
Mountain biking is Knoxville’s other world-class sporting attraction, especially in South Knoxville, home to Baker Creek Preserve and William Hastie Nature Area. Baker Creek Preserve’s eight diverse trails ensure fun for everyone. Its impressive array of amenities for beginners make it very popular for families getting a feel for the activity, while the professionally-curated “Devil’s Racetrack” has attracted thrill-seekers from around the country.
Disc golf is growing in popularity around the region, and beautiful wooded parks and natural elevation changes make for a scenic, affordable way to get in a friendly competition.
Events and Dining
If watching sports is more your thing, Knoxville’s calendar always has something to offer. From the AA MiLB Tennessee Smokies, who will soon call Knoxville home, to the Knoxville Ice Bears of the Southern Professional Hockey League, to all the Division I NCAA action you could ask for from the Tennessee Volunteer teams, there is a squad to cheer on every night of the year in town.
The University 0f Tennessee’s campus is home to the eighth largest venue in the world, Neyland Stadium. The Tennessee River plays an integral part in the identity of one of college football’s most iconic venues thanks to the Vol Navy, a group of dedicated fans who gather on the river outside the stadium throughout the week before every home game. There have been hundreds of watercraft at a time tailgating before games, and Neyland is one of only two football stadiums in the country accessible by water.
After visiting Neyland on the water, you can easily paddle to a favorite local chain, Calhoun’s, right on the side of the river. Known for its craft beer and barbecue, it’s an easy place to relax and fill up before setting off on the next leg of your journey. If you are in the mood for a stroll, there is a multi-use riverfront trail with historical markers, railroad tracks (with a historic steam engine often parked along the side), and a beautiful arboreal canopy with views of the city’s surroundings.
The further you venture into Knoxville’s downtown area, the more diverse food options you will find.
Market Square has been growing and changing for more than a hundred years, and it has become a tasteful place for tradition to meet modern urban lifestyles. Historic pathways and buildings are adorned with a wide variety of cuisines, from sit-down sushi restaurants to hometown favorite Petro’s chili on-the-go. Reminders of Knoxville's past, such as the nation’s last weather-forecast kiosk still in its original place, can be found all over the city.
There is no shortage of larger reminders of the city’s history, either. The Tennessee Theatre was originally built as a movie palace in 1928, and now serves as a performing arts center. You can still catch Hollywood classics such as Back to the Future and Star Wars there on occasion, too. American icons such as Johnny Cash and B.B. King, among countless others, have graced its stage in the last few decades.
Knoxville has a rich history both making and breaking (in a good way) American musicians, from more contemporary country stars like Morgan Wallen and Kenny Chesney to iconic guitarists such as Chet Atkins and The Everly Brothers. The Cradle of Country Music Walking Tour downtown highlights local spots relevant to the careers of Hank Williams Sr., Elvis Presley and more legendary figures.
Music venues can be found all over the city, from smaller stages like Kern’s Food Hall to national headlining acts at Knoxville Civic Auditorium & Coliseum and Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, and every venue size in between, Knoxville has no shortage of a live music scene.
Knoxville is a vibrant destination where history, culture, and outdoor adventure come together. There’s something for everyone in this dynamic city. As the trailhead for the Tennessee RiverLine, Knoxville invites you to be part of the region’s growing outdoor culture. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to connect with nature and history all within a lively urban setting—your Knoxville adventure awaits!