If the Smoky Mountains are too far out of the way for you but you still would like to do something outdoorsy then you can visit one of our favorite date locations when we lived in Knoxville. 40 miles of trails for hiking or biking with gorgeous natural views! $5 parking, but admission is free.
Yes, this is the venue, but we wanted to add it here because it holds a special place in our hearts. We came here on our very first date and sat on a park bench and talked about what we thought we would do now that we had finished our final college classes. If you come by before the wedding, be sure to head up in the Sunsphere for a 360-degree view of Knoxville and the Smoky Mountains, and if you hop into the Knoxville Convention Center you can find another interesting remnant of the 1982 World's Fair, the World's largest Rubik's cube, used to advertise the new puzzle toy which debuted at the fair.
This is where we went on our first date after a walk around World's Fair Park. Elevated casual fare located directly on "The Strip" so you can get a look at what college was like in Knoxville without all the students running around since class won't be back in session yet.
Thanks to the historically dominant Lady Vols basketball program and the Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Pat Summit, Knoxville is the home of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Come follow and celebrate the history of women's basketball (and women's athletics as a whole) at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Even if you aren't sure about visiting, it's at least worth going for the photo-op with the world's largest basketball! (30 ft diameter, 10 tons, not regulation for any recognized basketball leagues)
Located right next to the venue and admission is FREE! Come see art exhibitions from local artists as well as from around the world.
Located downtown, this is one of our favorite casual places to get a drink in Knoxville. You pour your own drinks here from their wall of 68 digital taps you activate with an RFID wristband you receive upon entry. Drinks are charged by the ounce, so you can sample all sorts of local and distant beers, meads, wines, and premade cocktails.
This neighborhood bar is our favorite stop on Gay St, if for no other reason than their pinball hall. They have a curated tap list of the finest craft beers from around the country as well as top-notch ramen.
This is our favorite restaurant in Knoxville. Full stop. This hole in the wall is located at the base of the residence hall that I (Houston) lived in during my time as a student, and I ate here at least once a week, and we've made a habit of stopping in every time we've visited Knoxville since. My favorite dish is the Panang Curry and Shosh likes the Drunken Noodles, and they also make some mean sushi. Closed on Sunday.
A great spot for local BBQ with beautiful ambiance located right on the river.
Named "The Nicest Place in America" in 2018 by Good Morning America, Yassin's is an unassuming fast-casual restaurant that we still frequent when we need a quick bite for lunch and are craving something Mediterranean.
This Smithsonian-Affiliated museum is a little outside of town. Located in "The Secret City," Oak Ridge, all you Oppenheimer-heads out there will know that this is one of the major locations in which The Manhattan Project took place. In the years following WWII, Oak Ridge remained one of the predominant hubs for nuclear research. Blending science and history, the American Museum of Science and Energy is one of the more interesting locations in East Tennessee
Hoo-wee! Looky here, I don't care what any of y'all say. I love Dollywood. They've got roller coasters and live music and the best cinnamon bread you've ever tasted. It's fun for the whole family, and if you're thinking about going here let me know. I'll give you the inside scoop on how to maximize your day here.
This is a MASSIVE second-hand media store. They started as a book-store, which is still what they carry the most of, but today they also have shelves upon shelves of movies, board games, video games, vinyl, etc. We challenge you to stroll around in here for 10 minutes and not walk out with something that caught your eye.
A central location downtown, Market Square is home to an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, and local shops. There are also often a handful of street performers putting on music, magic, or dancing shows during the day. Also be sure to check out the Strong Alley murals. It's the most beautiful back-alley you'll ever see.
Located in Shosh's old stomping grounds of South Knoxville, Mead's Quarry features a lake up to 100 feet deep. You can wade in for a swim or even rent a paddle board to leisurely take in views of the surrounding rock cliffs.
Come see the Cubs AA affiliate in their brand new stadium in downtown Knoxville! They'll be playing the Pensacola Blue Wahoos here every day from 7/22 to 7/27 and a Blue Wahoo is a large striped fish - I looked it up.
We actually just found out about this place. It's a cool hangout located in an old car dealership. They have a garage full of pinball machines and some of the greatest dessert beers we've ever tasted. Their signature drink - The PB&J Mixtape - tastes EXACTLY like a PB&J sandwich. I don't know what magic they used to make it happen. I presume they filled a barrel with Uncrustables and put it away until it fermented.
This is a good strip of fun bars and restaurants. The Jig & Reel is a Scottish pub with live music most nights. Da Vinci's Pizza is the best late-night food option downtown. If you're not sure what you want to do in Knoxville you can't go wrong walking through here and looking for a local restaurant, bar, or shop.
The hoppingest place downtown! Maple Hall is a trendy bowling alley. Mast General Store is a blend of fashion, outdoors, and old-timey candy shoppe. There's a movie theatre, a karaoke lounge, and for some strange reason, a Fat Tuesday. Cruze Farms Creamery is a local ice cream shop that will hit the spot perfect on a hot July day. There's no way to prove you were even in Tennessee if you don't get a picture at the giant Tennessee Theatre sign!
This is our personal favorite restaurant in Market Square. They specialize in burgers and every ingredient in each of their specialty burgers feels so intentional to make each bite a burger you'll remember forever. That sounds dramatic, but go get a burger there and tell me it was "just alright."
The most visited national park in the United States is just a 40-minute drive from downtown Knoxville! If you have a car and want to spend a day hiking in the most beautiful green mountains on the planet then look no further. We would also recommend exploring downtown Gatlinburg if you make your way here. It's a cozy little mountain community full of the kitschiest entertainment you could dream of.