Location: Knoxville
Top Things to do in Knoxville
10 Sights & Landmarks in Knoxville That You Shouldn't Miss
During the Civil War, Knoxville's Mabry-Hazen House served as headquarters for both the Confederate and Union armies. Today you can visit the house and other historic homes in this eastern Tennessee city. Among Knoxville's other attractions are museums, a zoo and World's Fair Park, site of the 1982 World's Fair. University of Tennessee sports draw lots of fans, as does the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. To see Knoxville from the water, take a leisurely riverboat ride down the Tennessee River.
Restaurants in Knoxville
1. First Baptist Church
2. Knoxville National Cemetery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Tom_PGR - Acworth, United States
When you enter the gate you feel a quiet and serene effect. The rows of the fallen from the civil war up to the Global War on Terrorism. SInce it has been here since 1865 the trees that remain are tall and stately. A slow drive up to the top of the hill and see the Union Solider statue standing vigilant guard over the bivouac of the dead. Union Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside established the cemetery during the Civil War after the siege of Knoxville and subsequent Battle of Fort Sander. Capt. E.B. Chamberlain, the assistant quartermaster, was assigned the task of designing the national cemetery at Knoxville. The first interments were remains exhumed from Cumberland Gap, Concord and many other regional sites. The old Gray Cemetery that adjoins the National Cemetery is where SOuthern Soldiers and sympathizers were buried. Knoxville National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. Memorial and Monuments The Union Soldier monument, known locally as the Tennessee or Wilder monument, is an unusual, large Gothic Revival-style memorial that was erected between 1890 and 1901.
3. University of Tennessee
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 429 reviews
Over 26,000 students attend the University of Tennessee.
Reviewed By The_Loup_Garou - Phoenix, United States
Though we had driven past, and through Knoxville, over the decades, our March trip was the first one TO Knoxville. Our hotel, the Knoxville Hilton was very close to the University of Tennessee, so we decided to explore the campus, while in town. So, on a cloudy, cool Spring (yeah, tell that to the weatherman, because we had just driven through snow to get from Washington, VA to Knoxville, TN), we launched out for a walking tour of the University of Tennessee Campus. First, the University of Tennessee campus at Knoxville, covers about 1/4 of the City, and encompasses most of the land bound by Cumberland Ave, US Hwy 129, and Neyland Dr SW, along the Tennessee River. It pinches out at about Henley St, and its bridge across the River. We had already walked around a one of their outlying buildings, the Event Center, across the street from our hotel, and our room had a view of most of the main campus, so we almost felt that we knew it, before we ever walked it. Now, one disclaimer – it was still basically Winter, and the skies were threatening, so not the finest weather to take in the beauty of the campus, but we did our best. We walked The Hill, and took in the beauty of the architecture, and especially Hess Hall, the John C Hodges Library, and then McClung Plaza. While there were some newer buildings, the older ones held the greatest interest for both of us. My wife recounted that several reminded her strongly of the LSU campus, in Baton Rouge, LA, and I had to agree, and especially Ayres Hall. The interesting buildings seemed to be a mix of Federalist, and some exhibited an Ante-Bellum flair, definitely placing them on a college campus in the South. We spent a bit of time in Circle Park, and then walked over to the Clarence Brown Theater. We returned via Volunteer Blvd, and Stokely Hall, before planning to head along Fraternity Park Dr, near the Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Unfortunately, our walking tour was cut short, as the rain came. We did have our umbrellas, but the wind had also picked up, and made them nearly useless. I declared “Wine-thirty” a bit early, and we sadly left the campus, for our hotel. We will be back, and maybe shoot for late Spring, or Autumn, but as we have dealt with UT football traffic, maybe not on a weekend of a home game!
4. Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
From the 10-ton, 30-foot-high basketball that sits on top of the building to the life-like animatronic figure of Senda Berenson, "the mother of women's basketball," this will not be your typical hall of fame visit.
Reviewed By cobyb490
This is a great place to visit and learn about the rich history of the Lady Vols, especially during the many years they were led by UT's legendary coach and beloved community member, Pat Summit. Enjoyable by all ages; something "a bit different" to bring your family and guests to for an interesting outing.
5. James White Fort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
The original Pioneer structure of Knoxville's founder.
Reviewed By Tennessedoctor - Knoxville, United States
See Knoxville as it was when first founded. This stockade surrounded fort has several historic buildings that are furnished with period pieces. The staff are very knowledegable about the history of the fort and area
6. Market Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,923 reviews
Reviewed By 304maggiel - Fort Lauderdale, United States
Great place for a fun and relaxed afternoon or evening! friendly atmosphere with welcoming restaurants serving delicious food to choose from in casual outdoor terraces or more formal indoor settings. Regardless of what your choice is you will be sure to satisfy taste buds and hunger pains. There is also a comedy club with a great bar, an outdoor stage and small shops with fun and unique ambiance and beautiful restored old historical buildings housing restaurants and shops. A beautiful suffragette sculpture centerpiece stands welcoming at the entrance of Market Square and on quiet afternoons a street violinist plays in the background. Surely a friendly and relaxed square that everyone will be sure to enjoy!
7. Mabry-Hazen House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
The Mabry-Hazen House Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located atop Mabry's Hill in Knoxville, Tennessee. Built in 1858, three generations of the same family resided in the Italianate-style home overlooking downtown Knoxville, the Tennessee River, and Great Smoky Mountains. The museum showcases one of the largest original family collection in America with over 2,000 original artifacts on display. Furnished and decorated in the style of several decades, Mabry-Hazen gives a rare view into 130 years of Knoxville history. Learn about the origins of Knoxville's iconic Market Square, the bitter divisions of the Civil War, the infamous 1882 Gunfight on Gay Street, a mountain city in the New South, the scandalous 1934 breach of promise and seduction trial, and much more through the rich, colorful lives of the Mabry and Hazen families.
Reviewed By MichiganMelissa04 - Plymouth, United States
This home is just beautiful. We did not go inside due to the pandemic but the collection is supposed to be amazing and I hope to go back.
8. Blount Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By leidenhoven1
This is a fabulous, interesting, educational tour of the home; you'll learn a lot about the family that lived there, and a lot about the early history of Knoxville, too. It is definitely worth your time when visiting Knoxville, and the entry fee is quite reasonable. I was fortunate to have Penny, a docent, as my tour guide. She gave a great tour, readily takes questions, and know a lot about the home, the family that built the home, and its history.
9. Historic Ramsey House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Last tour begins at 3 pm. Historic Ramsey House was built in 1797 by Knoxville's first builder, Thomas Hope, for Francis Alexander Ramsey. It was known at that time as the finest home in Tennessee. The house, constructed of Tennessee pink marble, is significant for its original interior and exterior architectural features and its period decorative art collection. Ramsey House was bought in 1952 by the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities, along with one acre of land. Today, the site consists of 101.5 acres, a historic house restored and furnished to the period of Francis A. Ramsey's occupancy, and a Visitor Center located in a beautiful country setting.
Reviewed By devils22db - Easley, United States
Although the house is fairly small, the tour was very good and offered plenty of facts about life in the Knoxville area since the late 1700's. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the house, the different time periods, the family, and the Knoxville area. Well kept grounds are easy to navigate along with the tour of the inside of the house. You can view a short film about the house before the tour that will set the tone for the rest of your visit. Although most of the furnishings, decor, and personal items are not from the Ramsey family, everything is of the time period that is discussed on the tour. It was good to hear that the people who run the house and tour are planning for expansion of the historic sites around the property. A convenient and quick drive off of I 40 to get to the house for the tour that lasts less than an hour. Plenty of eating options right off the interstate make this a nice little stop for a history lesson about the early days of Knoxville.
10. Beck Cultural Exchange Center
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