knoxville sightseeing tours

The 10 Best Tours to Take in Knoxville, Tennessee

By: Author Laurin

Posted on Last updated: September 14, 2023

Categories Activities , Knoxville , Northeast Tennessee

Booking a tour from our list of best tours in Knoxville will have you exploring the city of Knoxville and beyond!

Tours can take away the stresses of decision-making on things to do while visiting a new city, giving you more time to explore.

Situated almost exactly halfway between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau, Knoxville has all the charm of a mountain town.

It’s also one of the largest urban hubs in Appalachia, drawing visitors with its scenery, abundance of restaurants, breweries and distilleries, shopping, live music, nightlife, hotels , and sports.

With so much to see and do indoors and out, one of the best ways to truly experience The Marble City is by booking some of the best tours in Knoxville .

Knoxville tours cover the gamut of interests, from moonshine and local craft beer to aerial helicopter tours and the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just an hour away.

Keep reading to see what tours are offered in and around Knoxville below!

Table of Contents

The 10 Best Tours in Knoxville, Tennessee

1. a taste of knoxville brew hop.

Knoxville is renowned for its craft beer scene , offering a vast variety of incredible settings to enjoy a brew. In fact, the city has its very own Knoxville Ale Trail , with more than 30 breweries!

This brew hop is unique among tours in Knoxville, allowing you to DIY your very own brewery crawl ! You can pick your starting and ending points, and spend however much time you’d like at each spot. Five local favorites including Printshop Beer Co. (try a sour!) and Elst Brewing Co. are included. 

Not only does this Knoxville tour offer a flexible schedule that you create yourself, but it also includes all five destinations at a fixed rate. In other words, hop on and off the bus visiting as many breweries as your heart desires, all for one flat rate!

Combined with free water and wi-fi on the bus, and free cancellation up until 24 hours before, it’s easy to see why this is rated as one of the best tours in Knoxville!

Book A Taste of Knoxville Brew Hop Tour Here 🍺

2. Knoxville Scavenger Hunt: Knoxville’s Perfect Blend

A real-life scavenger hunt is the perfect way to discover Knoxville’s rich history and cultural attractions.

This tour weaves through some of Knoxville’s most notable locations , all stitched together with super fun clues, riddles, and challenges. Interesting spots in the city, like Bijou Theater and Blount Mansion, are even more fun to explore when there’s a bit of adventure added!

Designed for a group of friends or family , the challenges range from taking silly pictures together to testing your knowledge with some tricky trivia.

Best of all, the scavenger hunt has a team-building energy and friendly competition element, perfect for bringing loved ones together — something not all tours in Knoxville can claim!

Everything is done through an app, so there’s no need to worry about scheduling an exact time. Simply check the forecast, wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and hit the streets!

This excursion involves walking but is also wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. 

Book the Knoxville Scavenger Hunt Here 🔎

3. Knoxville’s Country Music Heritage: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Nashville may be more closely associated with music, but Knoxville boasts its own vibrant heritage.

Performers like Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton have done noteworthy performances in Knoxville! To get an authentic taste of this rich history, embark on a self-guided walking tour through the heart of the city .

For just $6, this low-commitment activity vividly tells the remarkable stories of various venues and historic buildings in pleasant downtown Knoxville.

It touches on how the city contributed to country music, through home-grown talent and performers who accelerated their careers here.

This Knoxville tour lasts up to 1.5 hours and weaves through several downtown blocks. Make sure to wear appropriate, comfortable footwear and check the forecast.

Book the Country Music Heritage Tour Here 🤠

4. Knoxville Food Tours

We couldn’t talk about the best tours in Knoxville without including Knoxville Food Tours !

In just a few hours on this fun and flavorful experience, you’ll get a literal taste of The South.

The diverse sampling of Knoxville’s best restaurants includes Southern and Appalachian classics, plus some surprises.

This is a walking tour (about one mile total), so it also presents an excellent way to get the lay of the land of downtown Knoxville.

Local historian and author Paula Johnson leads the tours through Market Square and Gay Street. You’ll visit 4-6 establishments, depending on the time of year and itinerary.

Tours are held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and last 2.5-3 hours.

Please note that alcoholic beverages are available but not included in the tour price. Be sure to bring some extra money to cover that, as well as gratuity for your guide! However, tips for individual restaurant servers are included.

Other Tours Near Knoxville (Within an Hour’s Drive)

5. sharing nature with children.

Traveling with little ones and not quite sure how best to dive into Knoxville’s beautiful natural surroundings? This immersive tour pairs families with experienced, child-oriented guides!

The activities are hands-on and intuitive, leading to smiles from the kiddos and adults alike.

From face-painting with rocks to learning about settler history and salamander hunting, participants consistently comment that these tours thoroughly entertain everyone .

4-hour tours start at a highly-rated cafe (perfect for an adult caffeine fix!) and continue on to Great Smoky Mountains National Park . The guide does an incredible job selecting a trail that feels like an adventure but is also approachable for all ages and experience levels.

Keep in mind that getting a bit muddy is part of the fun (one of the things that makes this one of the most memorable tours in Knoxville!), so bring a change of clothes.

Book the Sharing Nature with Children Tour Here 🌱

6. Family-Friendly Floating Tour at the Smokies

When the infamous East Tennessee heat sets in, it’s time to hit the river! This rafting tour, led by a knowledgeable guide, combines just enough adrenaline to get the heart pumping with some excellent calm swimming holes.

Safety is paramount, as this tour near Knoxville is specifically for families with children three and older , so you can rest assured the trip isn’t too intense. The rafts each accommodate up to eight people, so they’re large enough for the entire family.

In addition to expertly navigating through class I and II rapids (gentle), the tour stops at a small island with games, nature trails, and excellent spots to kick back and relax. The entire float spans six miles of the river, plenty to see amazing scenery but also very manageable!

Many participants note they love the guides, who add a personable twist that makes the experience even more entertaining.

The tour departs from a launch point along the Pigeon River, just under an hour’s drive from Knoxville . Rafts go out rain or shine, but if the forecast looks especially bad, you can take advantage of free cancellation up to 24 hours prior.

Book this Floating Tour in the Smokies Here 🚣

7. Tickets to Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show

Want to witness a truly unique cultural attraction? Book a ticket to watch a lively event filled with talented lumberjacks sawing, hacking, climbing, and even jousting in front of a live audience!

The family-friendly show features 13 individual events over 90 minutes. Audience interaction is strongly encouraged and oftentimes, kids get to join in on the fun!

The show is in Pigeon Forge , a charming town 40 minutes from Knoxville. It’s filled with excellent options for dining and drinking, so you can make a whole night of it and hit the town before or after.

Like many other tours in or near Knoxville, there’s free cancellation up to 24 hours beforehand, so book your preferred date and time ASAP — tickets do often sell out.

Book Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show Here 🪓

8. Ridge Runner Helicopter Tour

Most tours hit the road…but how about one that flies the skies? This helicopter flight soars over the treetops of the Smokies, offering excellent vistas and adrenaline-inducing fun .

Referred to as the “Ridge Runner,” this 15-minute flight traverses the Chilhowee mountain range and offers a birds-eye view of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.

In addition to flying the helicopter, the pilot points out fascinating details about the region, both in historical and natural aspects.

Although many people think sunny weather is best, misty days offer an unforgettable experience! Similar to other Knoxville tours, free cancellation means rescheduling is easy when the forecast is grim!

Book the Ridge Runner Helicopter Tour Here 🚁

9. Pigeon Forge Wine and Moonshine Tour

Knoxville may be known for its craft beer scene, but outside the city, it’s all about moonshine !

The Brewery Hop organizers, one of the tours in Knoxville mentioned earlier, also offer this highly-rated excursion to Pigeon Forge.

The bus stops at two wineries and two distilleries (so it’s especially handy that transportation is taken care of!). Between all four tasting rooms, you’ll try red and white wines, plus nearly a dozen varieties of locally-produced moonshine. 

After sampling a variety of beverages, the tour even includes a behind-the-scenes look at production. So while the experience involves a fair amount of tipsy fun, it’s also culturally enriching!

In addition to the personable bar staff, you’ll have an outgoing driver/guide who gives background on each stop.

Book this Pigeon Forge Wine & Moonshine Tour Here 🍷

10. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Driving Tour

A trip to Knoxville simply isn’t complete without a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

In an expansive park with many sections, it can be overwhelming to figure out what to see first. Instead, book a self-guided tour with a pre-planned route to take care of the details!

This Knoxville “tour” is actually an app with an itinerary and accompanying audio narration for a relaxing drive.

It even downloads offline, so there’s no need to worry about cell signal! Simply drive to the starting point and hit play. Best of all, it’s only $15 per vehicle! 

The narration covers Cherokee history, with added immersion through animated clips in the app. It also includes wildlife descriptions and stops at some of the park’s most breathtaking sights.

Think of iconic Clingman’s Dome and Rainbow Falls. With a starting point less than an hour from Knoxville, this tour is a totally doable day trip!

Book the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tour Here 🚙

Which of these best tours in Knoxville intrigues you the most? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Featured Image Credit: Brew Bus Knoxville

Worldwide Tours and Charter Services

Hello travelers, our 2024 schedule is under development and will add additional tours as they become available. for a list of tours with set dates  click here. more details and pricing on trips soon to follow., upcoming tours, 12 day mystery tour: may 29 - june 09, 2024, 5 day north carolina's outer banks: june 03-07, 2024, 10 day scenic black hills: june 15-24, 2024, 8 day niagara falls & new york city: june 29 - july 06, 2024, 3 day "daniel" sight & sound theater lancaster, pa: july 08-10, 2024, 16 day canadian rockies: july 23 - august 07, 2024, charter services, we can take your group anywhere you need to go let us know a little more about your travel needs and we can customize the transportation to make sure your group arrives as safely and as comfortable as possible. .

“I was thrilled to hear that Knoxville Tours has survived the Pandemic and will hopefully begin tours sometime in 2021. I can’t say enough about the great trips (about 6) I have been on. The trips are always well planned. Martha Hooks has been a wonderful and informative director. I have always felt safe with the bus drivers. That hasn’t been the case with some other tour companies. I’m very excited to start traveling again. Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and “on the road again” in 2021!”

– nina duncan.

“I organized a 2019 tour of the South for 30 Northerners. All the Knoxville Tours staff and our fabulous driver Suzanne Page could not have been more helpful and professional. We had reserved for a 2020 repeat trip when COVID shutdown our plans. We are intending to travel with Knoxville Tours in 2022 when we try our trip again. I can’t imagine using a different tour company.”

– amelie ratcliff, “do you love fun and adventure i do the mystery trips with knoxville tours are one of my favorites. fun, food, friends, food, learning new things, food i love trying to figure out where we will be the next day come travel, have fun, make new friends”, – shirley from chattanooga, tn, “we had never been on a bus tour and decided to travel with knoxville tours on our first trip. we couldn’t have been more pleased we feel like a big part of that was because we had debbie pearcy for our tour director. we took the fall new england tour and it was absolutely gorgeous. the places we visited and the places we stayed were excellent. we can’t wait for our next adventure”, – sherrell and jan from chattanooga, tn, “life is filled with memories, and we have so many good memories with our knoxville tours travels.”, – julie from tellico village, “i miss you all and think about the tours we have been able to take all the time. hope to see you in 2021.”, – sue and john from knoxville, tn, “i really miss traveling with knoxville tours and sure hope we can get back on the road later in 2021.”, – toni, “ralph and i have always enjoyed all the trips we have taken over the past nine years. we have stayed in wonderful places, eaten great food, and seen many terrific sites. we also have enjoyed meeting great people who have traveled with us. we will keep many memories of fun times and look forward to having many more in the future. i guess one of the best trips we took was to mackinac island. we got to spend two nights at the grand hotel which was out of this world. somehow, we were given the beautiful esther williams suite along with our friends ken and martha. we pray that knoxville tours will once again be able to schedule trips in 2021 and that this pandemic will go away. we thank knoxville tours for being the best tour company ever. they have brought a lot of joy and happiness into our lives”, – pat and ralph, “knoxville tours is the best a trip i especially enjoyed was the trip to new york city when i took three granddaughters and their mothers–their first trip to the big city. it was great fun thank you.”, – dana from abingdon, va, “boy, tessa and i sure missed traveling this year so glad to hear knox tours is still in business and planning for 2021. i, too, hope with vaccines, we can travel again in summer 2021.”, – brenda from maryville, tn, “ready to roll when you travel with knoxville tours you become extended family. i have made so many new friends and memories on our trips seeing the world with friends is amazing can’t wait for the next adventure filled excursion.”, – linda and ken, knoxville, tn, office hours.

Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday - Closed

Office Location

4910 Clinton Highway Knoxville, TN 37912 Phone: (865)-688-6232 Email: [email protected]

Knoxville   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Getty Images |

18 Best Things To Do in Knoxville

Updated Jul. 5, 2022

Even though Knoxville is the third-largest city in Tennessee (after Nashville and Memphis ), it maintains a small-town feel. Historic attractions, museums, theaters, parks and shopping are among the most popular activities, and because many of them

• All Things To Do

Knoxville's Market Square Knoxville's Market Square free

Since the 1860s, Market Square has been a community center of Knoxville, with shops, restaurants, cafes and bars drawing a large number of locals and visitors. Recent travelers said it's a lively and fun place to walk around, with plenty of places to eat or just hang out. From outdoor concerts and movies to Shakespeare on the Square and other live entertainment, the area is usually bustling. There are also two water play fountains, a magnet for kids in warm weather.

From May through November on Wednesday and Saturday, the open-air Market Square Farmers Market offers products grown or made by vendors in the East Tennessee region. Products, which vary by the seasons, include eggs, honey, herbs, pasture-raised meat, baked goods, coffee, crafts and much more.

World's Fair Park World's Fair Park free

Once the fairgrounds of Knoxville's 1982 World's Fair, today the space is a public park and home to the Sunsphere and the Tennessee Amphitheater, the two remaining structures from the exposition. Visitors and locals say the park is a great place to see a show, have a picnic or just take a walk.

The two-acre Festival Lawn accommodates a variety of events, from concerts to festivals, while the enormous Performance Lawn, another open area, provides a natural amphitheater-like setting, also perfect for concerts, festivals, parties and other events. The Splash Pads, a fun water feature, are usually available from mid-April to early October, but availability can depend on the weather conditions.

Ijams Nature Center Ijams Nature Center free

Spanning more than 300 acres in Tennessee's Knox County, this nature center offers plenty of rock climbing opportunities and more than 10 miles of trails to walk or hike. What's more, visitors can paddle on Mead's Quarry Lake via canoe, kayak and paddleboard. Start at the visitor center, where you can pick up a trail map, grab a snack and use the restroom. In addition, the exhibit hall at the center is home to a number of non-releasable animals, including a variety of owls and snakes. You can learn more about some of the animals who live in the ecosystems in the area and learn how to spot them throughout the nature center.

Recent visitors said the nature center is a great place to bring kids, but all ages will enjoy the beauty of the region. Patrons particularly enjoyed the River Boardwalk, which overlooks the Tennessee River.

Popular Tours

Knoxville River Cruise Aboard the Volunteer Princess

from $ 32.25

Knoxville Ghosts Tour

(24 reviews)

from $ 22.50

Knoxville’s Country Music Heritage: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

from $ 7.99

Muse Knoxville Muse Knoxville

Muse Knoxville, the city's children's museum, offers a variety of exhibits that focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math). Along with a planetarium, the museum features interactive exhibits that teach kids about science of sound, the body's circulatory system and gardening, among other subjects.

Recent visitors said this is a great place for kids, with lots of hands-on activities and exhibits to keep them occupied for hours.

Zoo Knoxville Zoo Knoxville

More than 700 animals live at this 53-acre zoo, which is a delightful spot to take kids and animal lovers alike. A major highlight of the zoo is its red pandas; more than 100 red pandas have been born at the zoo, which is more than any other location in the world. Other popular activities at the zoo include feeding giraffes, riding the Zoo Choo Train and going on camel rides, all of which do have extra fees.

Recent zoogoers praise the staff and facility's cleanliness, saying the animals look well-cared for and happy.

James White's Fort James White's Fort

This museum is named after James White, the American pioneer and soldier who founded Knoxville. In 1783, he led an expedition into the upper Tennessee Valley and established what would become the future site of Knoxville. In 1790, the fort was chosen as the capital of the Southwest Territory. The very next year, White sold the land and donated lots to establish a permanent city.

Today, visitors can see the original 1786 home of White. In the main house, highlights include White's desk as well as a map of the original layout of Knoxville. Other spaces to see include the kitchen, the outhouse, the blacksmith shop and the weaving house. The fort is one of the most visited historical sites in Knoxville and recent visitors said it offers a fascinating and authentic glimpse into the past.

Knoxville Museum of Art Knoxville Museum of Art free

The Knoxville Museum of Art highlights the art and artists of East Tennessee with both permanent and temporary exhibits. "Higher Ground: A Century of the Visual Arts in East Tennessee" is the museum's permanent exhibit. It aims to highlight artists who spent the majority of their careers in the eastern Tennessee area and it features objects from the museum's own collection, along with works borrowed from public and private collections. Another popular permanent exhibit is the "Thorne Rooms," a set of intricate miniature dioramas created by Narcissa Niblack Thorne. Rooms depicted include a 19th-century Victorian parlor and a late 18th-century English dining room.

A major draw of the museum is the enormous sculpture called the "Cycle of Life: Within the Power of Dreams and the Wonder of Infinity" by Knoxville resident and internationally known artist Richard Jolley. The work is one of the largest figurative glass and steel sculptures in the world.

McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture free

Located on the campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, this museum offers exhibits on everything from the native peoples of Tennessee to "Monty," a 2,400-pound, 24-foot-long bronze skeleton of a hadrosaur (duck-billed dinosaur), which once roamed the coastal plains of Tennessee.

Recent travelers said the museum is small, but fascinating, and well worth visiting for its interesting exhibits, especially "Ancient Egypt: The Eternal Voice." This exhibit features a collection of objects, most manufactured more than 2,000 years ago, including everday items like shoes and hair combs to ceremonial pieces, such as a coffin and animal mummies.

Downtown Knoxville Hidden Tour w/ Ice Cream, Coffee & Tennessee River Gems

(12 reviews)

from $ 79.99

Clear Creek Falls Hike

(8 reviews)

from $ 99.00

Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Knoxville's Perfect Blend

(4 reviews)

from $ 12.31

Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum free

This 47-acre property dates back to 1786 when it was a private family-owned horticultural business. In 2001, it was founded as the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum. Today, visitors will encounter eight display gardens, including a butterfly meadow, walking trails and 2 miles of distinctive stone walls.

Recent travelers said the garden is a tranquil and beautiful place to visit. Others praised the knowledgable staff.

Blount Mansion Blount Mansion

Built in 1792, Blount Mansion, designated a National Historic Landmark, was the home of the first and only governor of the Southwest Territory, William Blount. The building was also considered the territory's capitol. Blount was a signer of the U.S. Constitution and played an important role in Tennessee becoming America's 16th state.

The mansion is surprisingly interesting and fun to peruse, according to recent visitors, who also said the guides are knowledgeable and friendly. Unlike most homes built at the time, Blount's home was made of timber rather than of rough logs or hand-hewn beams. The original "mansion" was just a hall and parlor house with two rooms downstairs and a half-story loft for sleeping. Over time, two wings were added, enlarging the property. The detached kitchen is modeled after a common 18th-century kitchen and the Governor's Office was a typical law office of the 1790s.

UT Gardens, Knoxville UT Gardens, Knoxville free

The official botanical gardens of the state of Tennessee boasts more than 4,000 annuals, perennials, herbs, tropical plants, trees, shrubs, vegetables and ornamental grasses, and are part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. Scenic walking trails weave throughout the various gardens and greenhouses.

Recent visitors said the gardens are pretty, well-kept, and equipped with informative signage for the curious. Art exhibits, seasonal events, lectures, plant sales and more are offered at the gardens throughout the year.

Museum of East Tennessee History Museum of East Tennessee History

This downtown museum boasts more than 13,000 artifacts in its permanent collection. Items range from decorative arts to textiles (especially quilts) to Civil War relics from the Union and Confederate armies. One of the museum's main exhibits, "Voices of the Land: The People of East Tennessee," features interactive displays and first-person accounts from locals. There are also a variety of temporary exhibits.

Recent visitors called the museum a great place to learn about the region thanks to a range of informative exhibits.

Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, dedicated to all levels of women's basketball, is a great place to learn about the game's history and key players over the years. Spanning 35,000 square feet, the facility features the Hall of Honors, which displays the names of noted players inducted into the Hall of Fame. In addition, visitors can test their own basketball skills on three different courts and enjoy a fun photo area where they can pretend to be different players. What's more, the museum is home to the world's largest basketball, measuring 30 feet in height and weighing 10 tons.

Recent travelers said this is a must-visit for basketball fans, with great exhibits, and lots to see and learn.

Sunsphere Sunsphere free

Constructed for the 1982 World's Fair, the 266-foot-tall Sunsphere offers a great view of the city from its observation deck on the fourth floor. It's one of the last remaining relics of the 1982 World's Fair and features information and images about the historic event. What's more, it offers a 360-degree view of the original 1982 World's Fair site (now World's Fair Park), downtown Knoxville, the Tennessee River, the University of Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains. It's worth stopping in to take photos, according to visitors. However, a few complain that the venue could use some updating and cleaning.

The Sunsphere, located in World's Fair Park , is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is free to visit. World's Fair Park is best accessed via the Knoxville Trolley's orange line. For more information, visit the observatory's official website .

Tennessee Theatre Tennessee Theatre

When the Tennessee Theatre opened in 1928, it was considered the "South's most beautiful theatre." Now on the National Register of Historic Places and honored as the Official State Theatre of Tennessee, the venue hosts classical music performances, vintage film screenings, dance performances and touring Broadway shows. Local organzations, such as the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and the Knoxville Opera, also regularly use the theater for shows. 

Recent theatergoers raved about the gorgeous architecture and history of the venue and say it is like stepping back in time. The building was designed by Chicago architectural firm Graven & Mayger and features globally inspired motifs. It boasts a Spanish-Moorish style interior with French-style chandeliers and Italian terrazzo flooring in the lobby. What's more, it was one of the first public places in Knoxville to have air conditioning.

House Mountain State Natural Area House Mountain State Natural Area free

Read More »

Navitat Navitat

Knoxville Food Tours Knoxville Food Tours

Explore More of Knoxville

Best Hotels

When To Visit

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Recommended

The 28 Best Water Parks in the U.S. for 2024

Holly Johnson|Timothy J. Forster May 8, 2024

The 18 Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Sharael Kolberg April 23, 2024

The 25 Best Beaches on the East Coast for 2024

Timothy J. Forster|Sharael Kolberg April 19, 2024

The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2024

Christina Maggitas February 6, 2024

The 32 Most Famous Landmarks in the World

Gwen Pratesi|Timothy J. Forster February 1, 2024

9 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida for 2024

Gwen Pratesi|Amanda Norcross January 5, 2024

24 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S. for 2024

Erin Evans January 4, 2024

26 Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts for 2024

Zach Watson December 28, 2023

Solo Vacations: The 36 Best Places to Travel Alone in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Erin Vasta December 22, 2023

26 Cheap Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget

Kyle McCarthy|Sharael Kolberg December 4, 2023

We offer Lunch Cruises, Dinner Cruises, Private Charters, Specialty Cruises and Sightseeing tickets on the Star of Knoxville.

How to organize a Wedding Event on Cruise

Say “I Do” on the Water: Weddings are magical on the Star of Knoxville!

Our riverboat wedding packages provide a unique and captivating setting for your special day.  Our dedicated team ensures that every detail reflects your unique love story. Whether you choose a sunset ceremony or a moonlit affair, our wedding packages offer versatility, ensuring your special day is as magical as the love you share. Want an outdoor event?  Our top deck is perfect for your ceremony and our main cabin is fully air-conditioned and heated for the perfect experience any time of year.

Our dedicated team will help you plan every detail of your event, from flowers to decorations, to music and food, even length of your event – the entire boat is at your disposal!  From the most elegant affairs to a small intimate event, we’ve got you covered.

Reserve Your Spot on a Cruise Today

The historic tennessee river.

Our family shows you Knoxville like no one else can, and we treat you like no one else will!

Meet Your Tennessee Riverboat Crew

Join the star club.

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

2024 Official Knoxville Visitors Guide

In this one, unique location, mountains meet music… art meets adventure… culture meets cuisine… and no one meets a stranger. The 2024 guide features original content, beautiful photography and layouts, maps and neighborhood profiles – with an emphasis on pet-friendly places to go. Outdoor adventure, live music and local makers are also included along with Knoxville’s incredible dining and brewery scene... everything you need to know to start planning your visit.

Request a 2024 Visitors Guide

Want a hard copy to plan your perfect trip to Knoxville? Fill out the form below to request a FREE Official Knoxville Visitors Guide — your best resource for navigating Knoxville. Get maps, photos, event listings and details on the best hotels, restaurants, must-see attractions and more! We look forward to welcoming you! 

Fields marked with a red asterisk ( * ) are required

Visitors Guide

Sign Up For Our

E-newsletter.

45 Great Things to Do in Knoxville Tennessee

Top things to do in knoxville tennessee.

If you are planning a trip to Knoxville Tennessee and looking for the best things to do, see and eat while visiting, you are in the right place.  Knoxville is located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains next to the Tennessee River. It is referred to as the City of Artists and is the birthplace of Mountain Dew. Knoxville is full of brick buildings, street art, country music, Civil War history, outdoor adventures, scenic drives, barbecues, craft beer, and sweet tea.

Browse the following list of must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path experiences, outdoor activities, and museums to create your personal Knoxville Tennessee bucket list. Then, plan the itinerary for your Knoxville Tennessee trip with these top things to do, see, and eat. Enjoy your time out of the office!

Read  Great Smoky Mountains Travel Guide

Things to Do in and Around Knoxville Tennessee

Explore the city on the free trolley

Have lunch and people-watch at Historic Market Square

Check out the panoramic view from the observation deck of The Sunsphere

Photograph the city from the World’s Fair Park

Listen to the daily Blue Plate Special (WDVX-FM radio live show) at the Knoxville Visitors Center

Shop for souvenirs at Mast General Store

Take the self-guided Cradle of Country Music Walking Tour

Stop by Knoxville Chocolate Company and buy a few souvenir Sunsphere Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Bars

Grab a coffee and take a walk along the Knoxville Riverfront

Have lunch next to the river at Calhoun’s

Check out the downtown mural walk and the graffiti at Strong Alley  

Eat a great Smokey Mountain sundae at the Phoenix Pharmacy

Say hello to the endangered red pandas at the Knoxville Zoo

Browse the vendors at the Knoxville Farmers Market

Take a riverboat cruise on the Tennessee River

Go for a ride on the Three Rivers Rambler steam train

Play chopsticks on one of the public pianos downtown

Tour the Knox Whiskey Works or enjoy a flight at Postmodern Spirits

Spend a night out in the Old City, Central St., and Jackson Avenue

Browse the galleries of the 100-Block Arts District

Enjoy a cocktail with a view on the rooftop of the Hyatt Place

Sample craft beer along the Knoxville Ale Trail https://knoxvillebrewers.com/ale-trail/

See a show at the gorgeous Tennessee Theatre

Enjoy a concert at the Tennessee Amphitheater

Spend a rainy day bowling at Maple Hall Bowling

Pay respect at the Tennessee Woman Suffrage Memorial

Learn about Knoxville’s black history and culture at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center

Check out the retro uniforms and badges at the Girl Scout Museum

Get your history fix at the East Tennessee History Center

Browse the figural glass installation at the Knoxville Museum of Art

Check out the heirlooms at the Mabry-Hazen House

Take a selfie with Monty the dinosaur at the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture

Explore the monuments at the Old Gray Cemetery

Tour Blount Mansion, “the house with many eyes”

Learn about the Civil War at Farragut Museum, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

Experience frontier life at James White’s Fort, the birthplace of Knoxville

Tour the Ramsey House, built-in 1797

Learn about the Battle of Knoxville at Bleak House

Check out the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

Go hydro-biking on the Tennessee River from Volunteer Landing

Check out the Forks Of The River sunflower fields in bloom (July)

Walk the Tennessee River boardwalk at the Ijams Nature Center

Go for a swim at Mead’s Quarry or Fort Dickerson Quarry

Check out the ropes course at the Navitat Canopy Experience

Be sure to check the  Knoxville Tennessee Office of Tourism  for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.

Bookmark and Pin Things to do in Knoxville Tennessee

Plan Your Trip to Knoxville Tennessee

Tennessee travel guide.

Pick up a Tennessee Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.

Book Your Accommodation in Knoxville Tennessee Now

Spending the night? Search Booking.com and VRBO in one place to find the perfect property!

Knoxville Tennessee Attractions and Day Tours

The best attractions sell out! Don’t chance it, get your tickets now and relax when you arrive.

Travel Essentials

Need a universal travel adaptor, power bank charger, or packing cubes? Save time at my Amazon shop and have travel essentials delivered to your home.

Have a great vacation!

Wow such an exhaustive list to choose from. Art, food, history, museum visits would feature in my list of things to do. Going hydrobiking would be exciting. Tennessee looks a city I would fall in love with.

With this list, it seems like there are endless possibilities for adventure and fun right in this city. The Riverboat cruise on the river, the tour at the Knox Whiskey Works and getting a view at the Hyatt Place, all peak my interest. I’d be happy to explore if given the chance!

To be honest – I would not have thought that there are so many things to do in Knoxvilee. I have heard the name before and knew, that it was in Tennessee, but assumed that it is another small town. But now I know, that I was wrong. I would definitely visit the Museum for Black History.

Great post on Knoxville Tennessee, the birthplace of country music. We crossed the city long back while visiting Smoky mountains. I haven’t visited Konxville since.l would love to play chopsticks , eat smokey mountain Sundae and take a riverboat cruise and watch a concert at the amphitheater.It’s in my bucket list.

These are some great things to do in Knoxville. My top picks would be to visit the arts district to some galleries, graffiti alley to be followed from a great meal and maybe cocktail at the hotel bar.

Having spent no time in Tennessee, it was good to take a look at the fun and iconic things to do in Knoxville. The free trolley would be a great way to get my bearings before I stopped and explored. We would absolutely not be passing the Knoxville Chocolate Company for those sea salt bars! A riverboat cruise would be awesome to see the city from a different perspective.

Knoxville sounds like a wonderful city to visit! I’m unfamiliar with it, but I’m sold with the number of activities there are to do here. The sundae sounds wonderful as do all of the music-themed tours and attractions.

I don’t realize there are so many things to do and see in Knoxville. We spent a night there to visit the Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Oak Ridge. I think we will have to revisit the city. My son will be thrilled to hear about Mountain Dew, his favorite soda.

Perfect timing for an article about Knoxville. I’m headed to Gatlinburg and Knoxville in March to meet up with family and explore the Great Smoky Mountains! Since we fly out of Knoxville, this list will come in handy rounding out our itinerary. Had no idea Knoxville was the home of Mountain Dew!

Comments are closed.