Knoxville TN is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. With so many amazing places to choose from, it can be hard to know where to go. To help make your decision easier, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to visit in Knoxville TN based on traveler ratings and reviews. So whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway spot or an adventure playground, there’s something for everyone in this metropolis!
The Best Place to Visit in Knoxville TN
Zoo Knoxville
- Address: 3500 Knoxville Zoo Dr, Knoxville, TN 37914, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (9606)
- Phone: +1 865-637-5331
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMTuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMWednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMThursday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMFriday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMSaturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMSunday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
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Top 15 Tourist Attractions in Knoxville TN
World’s Fair Park
- Address: 525 Henley St, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (2789)
- Phone: +1 865-215-1158
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AMTuesday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AMWednesday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AMThursday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AMFriday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AMSaturday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AMSunday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Reviews:
Nice park with a water feature across the street. Great “free” family outing, the kids will definitely enjoy. The water feature is really nice, and it has great seating area.
?I think the playground is for ages 5-12. If you have toddlers that visit, just be mindful that the items of park are geared for older children.
I love how the park offer sunscreen dispensers, that’s be very thoughtful!
Free parking is a 3-4 minute walk away, and the max time is 4 hours, which is plenty to enjoy.
Overall it’s a great place to come to bring kids for a little fun on a hot day.
By Ebony Renee (4 months ago)This is a beautiful park, there’s a water feature. And, the Sunsphere observation deck gives you a 360 view of the city. This is really fun little excursion if you happen to be downtown Knoxville. You will need a reservation to go up to the observation deck. It costs $5 and you purchase tickets online. They have a few souvenirs once you get up there and the tickets are in 30 minutes blocks… although, you do not have to leave at the end of your 30 minutes… just know that another group is coming up and it will be crowdedBy Regina Osborne (4 months ago)This is the World’s Fair Park in Knoxville, Tennessee. I first came here in 1982 when they were having the World’s Fair. I was 8 years old at the time. They have since turned in into a splash pad and added a play ground. Not to mention many other activities go on year around here. I used to bring my kids here every chance I could when I lived in Knoxville. Now my daughter brings my grandson’s. I love it here!❤️By Carolyn Smith (6 months ago)A nice beautiful place downtown Knoxville, where lots of festivals and a bunch of other different live fun entertainment are hosted here all year round, especially more so during the summertime. It has nice water fountains, picnic areas, etc. It’s also near the campus University of Tennessee, near the famous Marker Square and tons of activities and places that you can explore.By 匕工êれ丹れムモㄥ (3 months ago)Beautiful Park in Downtown Knoxville… A must visit although the entry into it isn’t easy it is worth the effort. Great place for relaxing; they feature various community events so check on what’s happening in Knoxville.By cmilton111 (6 months ago)
Ijams Nature Center
- Address: 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (2157)
- Phone: +1 865-577-4717
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMTuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMWednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMThursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Reviews:
I love my visit to this site! There is so much to see and do at this location. There’s no way I think anyone could hike it all in one day. Is you like to hike and be in nature, this is a great place to do it. The only reason I am not giving this place 5 stars is because of how hard it is to navigate around the center and on the hiking trails. All the different trails are not clearly marked, and it can get easy to get turned around. I definitely recommend buying a guide map for $1 in the visitor’s center and keeping it with you, because even the map can be a little confusing. As long as you keep your wits and have a good sense of direction you’ll be fine. It’s well worth the visit!By Amy Justine (2 months ago)Very nice place for a nature hike. They have added so much to this place over the years it’s amazing. Tons of trails. Amazing play structures. Kayak rental, treetop rope course, and so much more. Beautiful views, if you are a nature lover or looking to teach your kids more about the great outdoors it’s a wonderful place to visit. Very helpful staff also and if you are just looking to hike it’s free but they do accept donations to help run the place. They also have a nice little gift shop here.By Amber Turner (2 weeks ago)First time here today and had a great visit with the front desk, she directed me around the trails. An owl was on the arm of a volunteer out front, and I took the Tower Trail to the River trail.
Such a beautiful spot, looking forward to returning, especially for events!By Andy J Kennedy (6 months ago)Ijams is the perfect little outdoors escape from the city. There are miles of little hiking and biking trails. You can find a lot of cool hidden little spots if you take the time to explore. If you just want to chill it’s a great place to set up and eno by the water. I’m a photographer and I take a lot of family photos here as well. They put on a lot of cool events like movies on the lawn and kayaking clinics, which I intend to take advantage of when I have the time. Can’t recommend this place enough!By Katie Mae Williams (a month ago)my fiancé and i had an absolute blast taking our fur baby with us to hike with us! so beautiful and so much to see! gives you the kind of feeling you had as a child exploring the woods during the summer ? to share that with my little family was beautiful! here’s to more visits! (hopefully looking for mushrooms!??)By Memphyd00dle Dandy (5 months ago)
Sunsphere
- Address: 810 Clinch Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (1562)
- Phone: +1 865-314-0660
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: ClosedTuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
- Reviews:
A great stop in Knoxville, currently priced at $5 a person the observation deck offers wide ranging views of downtown and some of the rolling hills and mountains in the distance as well as a good chunk of the University of Tennessee campus. The best views are definitely in the summer when the surrounding trees and park below are most lively. Pictures can be hard to capture as the tint on the exterior glass gives the area a green glow inside. The observation deck itself isn’t massive but offers enough room. There’s a good detailed explanation of the structures history inside as well. Also inside is a limited selection of merchandise and a restroom. The deck is accessed by an elevator only which can be a little tight at times.By Fountain Channel (8 months ago)This just reopened after a long closure due to covid and some updates. The employees and director were friendly, helpful and enthusiastic. The view is good and they are planning to continue improving the experience. I am told it used to be free and locals are unhappy that it’s now $5 a person to go to the top. I for one am OK with paying a nominal fee to support a historic structure for continued maintenance and improvements. Other places charge four times as much or more. Right now you need to book online and call a phone number to have the attendant bring you up. You can walk up some stairs to view from the 2nd story observation deck for free. The parking is a good distance from here and I didn’t see any handicapped parking either. I think in time this will become more of a destination. I hope to see more photos, memorabilia and stats about the construction and the world’s fair included. It was still worth the visit!By Bridget H (9 months ago)It’s a must see if you come to Knoxville. The Sunsphere offers great views of the Knoxville area and the mountains. The observatory has a little timeline and picture of the world’s fair, and gives you a complete 360 degree view. Tickets are timed for every half hour (and only cost $5/person) which is more than enough time to explore.By Dan Reamer (2 months ago)First must do buy tickets online before arriving you have reserved time and wait by bottom of elevator for employee to come down call your name and take you up. 10.00 per adult. Well worth the great views so many great things to see. A small gift shop.By Amanda Johnson (6 months ago)Definitely a cool thing to see and definitely worth the $5 to enter ( free for kids 12 and under). You have to pay in advance by either scanning the barcode downstairs or just do it online days in advance, that’s what we did. If you paid to enter wait downstairs by the elevator and someone will come get you at your assigned time. Easy process. The views from upstairs are great. There’s some information upstairs and the history of the sunsphere. You walk around quickly but it’s definitely worth it because where else can you find a building like that. We stayed upstairs for about 25min. My kids (6, 8) enjoyed it too.
There are no bathrooms upstairs.By Pia Boje (a month ago)
Knoxville Museum of Art
- Address: 1050 Worlds Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (1289)
- Phone: +1 865-525-6101
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: ClosedTuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 1:00 – 5:00 PM
- Reviews:
Knoxville Museum of Art is free and an absolutely wonderful experience. We took our 5 month old and 3 year old. They were very accommodating with our stroller. They have an elevator for this purpose. They have a fantastic collection of many diffrent styles of art. The staff is knowledge and friendly. The girls loved the interactive art room on the first floor. They have a massive light bright like you had when you was a kid. They have sketch pads and diffrent mediums for children to use. The gift shop is really nice and the lady gave the girls stickers. It’s a wonderful place to spend the afternoon. If it’s not to hot they have outdoor features as well. Things are expensive so this much culture for free is amazing. We’re lucky to have this museum and I highly recommend a visit. You can make reservations in advance on the website. You wont be disappointed.By John Green (4 months ago)It was a very nice experience. I loved the miniature Thorne rooms in the bottom floor! They were so detailed and intricate. I can’t imagine how long it must have taken. The temporary galleries were phenominal. A diverse set of artists with different styles and a lot of cool new stuff to look at. Overall a great place to go. Also it’s free!By Stephen Hyde (9 months ago)Fantastic displays of modern and traditional art all for free! Sleek architecture and comfortable seating as well. A wonderful sculpture garden and nice gift shop with fairly priced items. Don’t miss it!By Bridget H (9 months ago)I usually always love smaller regional local museums and this one did not disappoint. There was a high school exhibit this day covering the first floor and these younger adults are just plain talented. The upper floor covers Tennessee artists where on one side a span of some years back and another more recent. Well curated and fun. Bonus is its free to all !By Vee Volpe (12 months ago)First time in the art museum. I enjoyed taking the tour and viewing all the art from the local artists. Highly recommend visiting the little gift shop also. Lots of goodies to purchase from the local artists. Will definitely revisit the next time we’re in town.By Sherry Hartley (4 months ago)
Muse Knoxville
- Address: 516 N Beaman St, Knoxville, TN 37914, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (1019)
UT Gardens Knoxville
- Address: 2518 Jacob Dr, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (944)
Fort Dickerson Park
- Address: 3000 Fort Dickerson Rd SW, Knoxville, TN 37920, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (943)
Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum
- Address: 2743 Wimpole Ave B, Knoxville, TN 37914, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (941)
Charles Krutch Park
- Address: 504 Market St, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (564)
McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture
- Address: 1327 Cir Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (490)
East Tennessee Historical Society and Museum
- Address: 601 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (477)
Three Rivers Rambler
- Address: 2560 University Commons Way, Knoxville, TN 37919, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (232)
James White Fort Association
- Address: 205 E Hill Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (201)
Blount Mansion
- Address: 200 W Hill Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (129)
Mabry-Hazen House
- Address: 1711 Dandridge Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (126)
Knoxville TN is a world-famous tourist destination, and it’s no wonder why. Here is our list of the top 15 best place to visit in Knoxville TN – based on expert opinions and customer reviews. Did your favorite spot make the cut? Let us know in the comments above!
We love Zoo Knoxville! My daughter adores all her animal friends who live at the zoo. She is a big fan of monkeys, red pandas, ghiraffes, otters, and tigers. The zoo is well arranged for ease of visiting. This zoo’s trails run in loops and the animals have reasonably large well appropriated paddocks. There is plenty of shade for the animals and humans that are at the zoo. The zoo has sunscreen and hand sanitizer dispensers throughout their facilities for sanitizing and preventing children from getting sun burnt. There is also a splash pad for children and parents to cool down during the hot of the Summer. This zoo is definitely a world class Zoological Park.
I have been coming here since 2000 with my family. We are proud members! One of our favorite zoos. Not as big as the Nashville zoo, but they just seem to have better Layout /Exhibits / Lot of places to stop and rest with benches, Picnic tables. Not to meet you boo with the zoo but Halloween is our favorite thing every year. I don’t like the fact to expose you have to go through the gift shop to exit the zoo. Now that usually causes a little problem with the kids. That really the only thing I hate about this zoo. Should be an option to exit without going through the gift shop.
This is a great zoo to go to if you’re in the area. It’s not too big or overcrowded (at least on the weekdays), and they had a nice variety of animals to learn about and observe. The Mexican food was pretty good too! Very kid and family friendly, with a water park and several play areas. Highly recommend getting a membership for free tickets.
One of the best zoos I’ve been to. The animals seem happy and active, and not only are the exhibits top notch with multiple view points, some of which are inside (with A/C!), but the walking paths are engaging with thoughtfully placed water misters and shade! So much care for the animals and guests. Plenty of attractions to keep kids happy, the food is actually good and reasonably priced. Definitely worth a trip!! 10/10
We love this zoo! The staff is so friendly, and very knowledgeable. We had the opportunity to go to a party hosted privately after hours, and to have the zoo to ourselves was such a wonderful experience. The guided tours, refreshments along the way, feeding the giraffe and a catered dinner, just wow! They pull out all the stops!