Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Knoxville

"In 1982, the city of Knoxville hosted the World’s Fair, sloganed Energy Turns The World. The organizers worked together with architects local to the area to create an impressive structure that would thematically bring the sun – the greatest source of energy – down to earth and into what we now call World’s Fair Park. The result of this project was The Sunsphere, a huge round object fitted with reflexive glass pane panels, layered with dusted gold, balanced on a tower of hexagonal shape."

"This Knoxville landmark was built for the 1982 World’s Fair. It became a local favorite and stands to this day. After the World’s Fair ended, the Sunsphere closed its doors and remained vacant until 2007."

"As the founder of Knoxville, James White’s name is all around the city: the James White Parkway, the James White Greenway, and the James White Memorial Civic Coliseum. His house is a simple log structure surrounded by a stockade fence, which he built in the 1780s. He then donated the land around his home to create the city Knoxville, which then became the capital of the Southwest Territory and later briefly the capital of the state of Tennessee."

"The founder of Knoxville was a man named James White, so it’s no surprise that one of the best options for Tennessee attractions is the James White Fort itself, especially if you’re looking for historical stuff to do. The James White Fort is essentially the former home of James White. White earned a large grant of land after the Revolutionary War, which he used to lead an expedition to find a fort site."

"History buffs visiting Knoxville should make a stop at James White’s Fort. This historic museum portrays how frontier life was like in the late 1700s. This historic home was the living quarters of Knoxville’s founder, James White."

"If you’re up for a solid 12-mile (roundtrip) challenge, head to Sequoyah Park and back. Otherwise, enjoy the relative calm of the Tennessee at your own pace until you’re ready to shower up and ease into the evening with a hearty dinner before a night out on the town.7:00 pm"

"Here’s another place on the water, and it comes with some impressive views. This West Knoxville park is right on the water. It’s all about staying active at Sequoyah – they have an exercise area, and trails for running and biking."

"This unique store in Pigeon Forge sells gourmet specialty foods and offers over 150 products for sampling each day. Guests will have the chance to try free samples of jams, jellies, salsas, peanut butter, BBQ sauces, salad dressings, and many other dips and sauces. You’ll never be far from All Sauced Up, as the company boasts locations in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge."

"Are you preparing for holiday meals with the family or a backyard bbq with friends?. If you so, All Sauced Up has everything you need to add a dash of flavor and deliciousness to your culinary creations!. You’ll find them on both the main strip of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg."

"The Historic Ramsey House was built for one of the very first families to come to the city and settle. Colonel Francis Alexander Ramsey arrived as the house was finished in 1797 and his family was very much involved in the local community. Few other homes dating back to the 18th century are among the open tourist attractions in the region, so this is a real find."

"Along with James White’s Fort, the Ramsey House is one of the oldest buildings in Knoxville, dating back to the 1790s. The house is an excellent example of Late Georgian architecture, featuring significant ornamentation for the time period. Its owner, Francis Ramsey, was a surveyor and government official, and his son was one of the first mayors of Knoxville."

"The Atrium’s Smokies inspired breakfast and brunch menu will have you coming back for more!. From the Hungry Bear, Leconte Sunrise, Mountain Man Platter and Happy Hiker, you will be left with a full belly and plenty of energy to start your day in Gatlinburg. In addition to a variety of scramblers, pancakes, and omelettes, the Atrium also offers some delicious sweet treats."

"Atrium Pancakes is a charmingly quaint restaurant that offers superb food and plenty of Southern hospitality. Everything on the menu is great, but the standout dish is certainly the baked apple pancake. This enormous pancake is crispy on the outside with a warm and fluffy inside that is filled with baked apples."

"Anyone looking for a quick and satisfying meal will love Atrium Pancakes in Gatlinburg. Perfect for breakfast or lunch, Atrium is a Smoky Mountain staple with a loyal following. The star of Atrium’s menu is undisputedly the Baked Apple Pancake."

"Now that you’ve had enough pandemic sourdough batches to last maybe a lifetime, taste how the pros at A Dopo Sourdough Pizza do it for their chewy, Neapolitan-style pies. As its namesake suggests, A Dopo features sourdough crusts and scratch-made sauces, and you’ll also find an extensive Italian wine and beer list."

"Ok, I want to do more than just mention this sourdough pizza heaven. When A Dopo opened a few years ago, it filled Knoxville’s Neapolitan pizza void. Now, Knoxvillians can enjoy the bubbly, crispy goodness of wood-fired sourdough pizza."

"Everything here is so delicious and the staff is so friendly, fun and personable. We had a big group and ordered several pizzas family style."

"This extravagant house is sometimes called the Confederate Memorial Hall, and it’s one of the most visited historic sites in Knoxville. It was originally gifted as a wedding present to Congressman Robert Houston Armstrong and Louise Franklin. It also served as the Confederate army headquarters during the Siege of Knoxville; bullet holes in some of the walls are a vivid reminder of its wartime past."