3 Reasons to Visit Knoxville this Summer

So you may have seen this phrase floating about “Knoxville is nature-loving-adventure-seeking-artsy-kinda-town”. We’d like to loosely define it with 3 reasons you should visit Knoxville this summer!

Canoeing Together in the Quarry in Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness

Nature Loving

Knoxville is nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains and stretches across the Tennessee River. No need to drive for hours to get a taste of the outdoors – experience Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness just minutes from the heart of downtown. What is the Urban Wilderness you ask? It’s a spectacular outdoor adventure area where you can hike, bike, climb, paddle, or just wander in the woods. Over 50 miles of trails and greenways connect you to a beautiful nature center, pristine lakes, historic sites, dramatic quarries, adventure playgrounds, five city parks, and a 500-acre wildlife area. Get out and play!

Knoxville Gay Men’s Chorus

Adventure Seeking

Here’s where we go off the rails: try and answer the question “what does it mean to seek adventure?” Do you think nature, like the section above? Or can trying different foods be adventurous? Consider the wide variety of Knoxville’s cuisine, heavily focused on locally sourced foods. Knoxville’s unique culinary scene is on the rise thanks to a group of talented chefs. The city’s diverse culinary climate gives its Tennessee neighbors and fellow foodie cities a run for their money. What about hearing new music? Knoxville is one of America’s most vibrant cities for live music. From classical to bluegrass, country to rock, the city is like a jukebox full of options. We think any of these are the spirit of ‘adventure-seeking’. We invite you to come seek your own adventure!

Mural on Visit Knoxville Visitors Center

Artsy Kind of Town

Knoxville is home to a diverse community of artists, arts organizations and cultural institutions. We proudly showcase the official state theatre of Tennessee, the Tennessee Theatre. This stunning 1929 gem plays host to Broadway, concerts, and so much more. The Bijou Theatre, its neighbor across Gay Street, is another historic jewel. Speaking of history, Knoxville has seven Historic Homes waiting to be discovered. From log cabins to frame houses to stately stone mansions, these landmarks invite you to step back in time to learn firsthand the history of Knoxville and experience the times and events that shaped them and the families who occupied them. Most of them host events like Night at the Museum – a perfect date playing old-fashioned games on the lawn as fireflies light up the summer night sky.

Needless to say, we take quite a bit of pride about our city and we’re happy to get a chance to share it with you. Hope to see you in Knoxville this summer so you can experience our nature-loving-adventure-seeking-artsy-kinda-town for yourself!

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