10 Must-Do Activities in Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville surprises you in the best ways, blending mountain energy with creative grit and generous Southern charm. One minute you are sipping a craft coffee, the next you are gazing from a glittering tower across the Tennessee River and the Smokies beyond.

Neighborhoods hum with art, music, and makers, while parks and greenways invite you to slow down and breathe. If you crave hands on experiences, skyline views, and pastries worth a detour, this guide maps out the city’s can not miss moments so you can build a perfect day or a long weekend that feels like yours.

1. Visit the Knoxville Museum of Art

Step into the Knoxville Museum of Art and let free admission remove any hesitation. You will wander galleries that spotlight East Tennessee artists alongside rotating national shows, so every visit feels fresh. The collection ranges from luminous landscapes to bold contemporary pieces, revealing a regional story that is both rooted and forward looking.

Plan an unhurried afternoon. Pause at the Cycle of Life installation, then drift toward whatever color or texture pulls you next. Docents are friendly, benches are plentiful, and the building’s glassy design makes the light feel like part of the art.

Before you leave, browse the museum shop for thoughtful gifts. It is a gentle, inspiring reset right in the city’s heart.

2. Shop local at Maker Exchange

Maker Exchange is where Knoxville’s creative pulse beats loudest. Stroll through the bright hall lined with ceramics, jewelry, woodwork, and photography from regional makers who know how to blend craft and character. You can chat with artists, feel the weight of a mug, and imagine it warming your mornings back home.

The space invites lingering. Colors pop, displays change often, and you will spot pieces that feel personal rather than mass produced. Prices range, so whether you want a tiny keepsake or a statement bowl, there is a fit.

When your feet need a break, grab a coffee and people watch. You leave with something made by human hands and a story you will love telling.

3. Try a glassblowing workshop at Pretentious Glass Co.

Pretentious Glass Co. turns heat and breath into art, and you get to join the magic. Watch a live demo as molten glass spins into vases and pint glasses, then sign up for a workshop to shape your own. The furnace roars, the tools clink, and suddenly a glowing gather becomes something you created.

Afterward, step next door to sip a craft beer in a handblown glass. It is the most satisfying loop: make, admire, then toast to the moment. Staff keep things safe, supportive, and delightfully nerdy about technique.

You will leave with a tangible memory that catches light on your shelf. Every swirl and bubble tells the story of your hands.

4. Hang out at World’s Fair Park

World’s Fair Park is Knoxville’s backyard, spread across rolling lawns stitched with paths and playful fountains. Bring a blanket, kick off your shoes, and listen as concerts float over the grass. When festivals pop up, food trucks and crafts turn the green into a lively, colorful fairground.

You can chase kids through splash pads or settle into a shady spot and people watch. The Sunsphere glints above it all, a friendly landmark that keeps you oriented. On quieter days, it is perfect for reading, sketching, or just letting your plans soften around the edges.

Pack snacks, a frisbee, and time. The park reliably delivers simple, happy hours you will remember.

5. Walk or picnic at Volunteer Landing

Volunteer Landing gives you the river right at your feet. The breeze carries the smell of water and cut grass, and the greenway glides along for scenic walks, runs, or bike rides. You can cast a line, watch rowing shells glide past, or spread a picnic and settle into an easy afternoon.

Benches line the path for lazy daydreaming and quiet conversations. When the sun starts to lean, the reflections turn rosy and the city softens. It is the kind of place that makes you breathe deeper without trying.

Bring a camera, a book, or a friend. The Tennessee River does the rest, steady and generous, making Knoxville feel both urban and wild.

6. Go up to the Sunsphere observation deck

The Sunsphere is Knoxville’s glittering exclamation point, a gold orb that begs you to ride up and see for yourself. The observation deck unfolds the city in every direction: the river curving, stadium roaring in season, and the Smokies teasing the horizon. It is a simple elevator ride to a postcard moment.

Inside, displays share the 1982 World’s Fair story so you can anchor the views in history. Walk slowly, press your forehead to the glass, and pick out landmarks you will visit next. Photos here always sparkle.

Time your visit for sunset if you can. The light catches the gold panels and Knoxville glows like it knows it is special.

7. Shop at Mast General Store

Mast General Store feels like stepping into a memory without losing modern charm. Wooden floors creak, barrels brim with candy, and shelves stack high with cozy socks, pocketknives, and Southern staples. You browse for gifts and end up rediscovering childhood favorites you did not know you missed.

There is gear for weekend hikes and quirky gadgets you will swear someone invented just for you. Staff know the stock and offer honest tips, not pushy sales pitches. It is the rare shop where errands turn into a mini adventure.

Grab a scoop of candy, then wander the aisles with a grin. You will leave with something useful and something delightfully unnecessary.

8. Cheer at a University of Tennessee football game

Neyland Stadium on game day is pure electricity. You join a sea of orange, feel the bleachers vibrate, and yell Rocky Top until your voice gives. The pregame march, the Pride of the Southland Band, the T inside the Power T entrance it all swells into tradition you can feel in your ribs.

Even casual fans get swept up. Neighbors share snacks, high fives keep coming, and strangers become friends for four quarters. The river shimmers beyond the stands, and sunset games feel cinematic.

Plan ahead for parking and arrive early to soak up tailgates. Win or lose, the memory lands like a highlight reel you will replay all year.

9. Hike at Ijams Nature Center

Ijams Nature Center delivers wildness right inside the city. Trails twist through hardwood forest, boardwalks skim marsh edges, and a former quarry now hosts kayaks and swimming in summer. You can spot turtles, hear woodpeckers, and watch leaves ignite with color when fall arrives.

Pick an easy loop or push farther on the South Loop trails. Biking, paddling, and birding all fit the mood, and rentals make it simple to try something new. The visitor center sets you up with maps and friendly advice.

Pack water and curiosity. Ijams rewards slow steps and open eyes, turning a quick hike into a full reset that lingers long after you leave.

10. Treat yourself at Wild Love Bakehouse

Wild Love Bakehouse makes pastries that stop conversations. The case gleams with laminated croissants, seasonal fruit tarts, and savory hand pies that flake like a dream. Pair your pick with creative teas or a beautifully pulled espresso, then claim a sunlit table and let time slow.

Bakers work with care you can taste, balancing butter, salt, and seasonal brightness. You will debate a second round and probably say yes. Locals bring friends here like a secret they can not keep.

Arrive early for the best selection and savor every crumb. When you leave, tuck an extra cookie in your bag. Future you will be thrilled.