Knoxville, Tennessee—nicknamed “Scruffy City”—was Tennessee’s first capital, a frontier outpost turned river port and railroad town. Today, its restored brick warehouses in the Old City, Gilded Age theaters on Gay Street, and the gleaming Sunsphere from the 1982 World’s Fair tell the story of a place that reinvents itself without losing its roots.

Come for the food (James Beard–honored chefs and beloved mom-and-pops), stay for the music (from the grand Tennessee Theatre to intimate listening rooms), and fall for the outdoors at your doorstep. The Tennessee River edges downtown, Ijams Nature Center’s boardwalks weave through wetlands, and the Great Smoky Mountains sit just over an hour away.

Practical notes: McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is a quick drive to downtown. Knoxville is walkable around Market Square, Gay Street, and the Old City, with a free downtown trolley. Expect laid-back Southern hospitality, a thriving craft beer scene, and four seasons of festivals—Dogwood Arts in spring, Vols football in fall, and riverfront sunsets year-round.

Knoxville

Knoxville blends college-town energy with river city swagger. Start around Market Square for street music and patios, stroll Gay Street’s historic core, then cut over to the Old City for coffee, galleries, and nightlife. World’s Fair Park and the Sunsphere tie it all together with skyline views.

• Top sights: Market Square, Gay Street, Tennessee Theatre, Sunsphere at World’s Fair Park, Knoxville Museum of Art, Ijams Nature Center, UT Gardens, Zoo Knoxville, James White’s Fort, Blount Mansion.
• Food & drink: From wood-fired Appalachian plates at J.C. Holdway to tacos at Chivo Taqueria, Mediterranean small plates at Kefi, and scoops at Cruze Farm. Breweries include Pretentious Beer Co., Balter Beerworks, and Xül Beer Co.
• Fun facts: The Sunsphere’s golden panels contain real gold; Hank Williams played here; and the “Scruffy City” nickname dates to the 1982 World’s Fair era—now worn with pride.

Where to stay: Browse central stays near Market Square and the Old City on VRBO Knoxville and hotel options on Hotels.com Knoxville. Aim for Market Square/Gay Street for walkability; the Old City is great for nightlife; the riverfront offers views and parking.

Getting here: Fly into TYS (1–3 hours from major hubs). Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. Typical round-trip within the U.S. runs ~$150–$450. It’s a ~20–25 minute rideshare or rental car to downtown; budget $25–$40 each way.

Day 1: Arrival, Market Square, and a Taste of Downtown

Afternoon: Arrive in Knoxville and check in near Market Square or the Old City. Shake off travel at the Knoxville Museum of Art (free; 45–60 minutes) to see regional works and the monumental “Cycle of Life” glass installation. Walk over to World’s Fair Park and the lawn for your first Sunsphere view.

Evening: Dinner at Stock & Barrel (bourbon-and-burger temple; the Bernie burger with pimento cheese is beloved) or Emilia (handmade pastas; order the seasonal agnolotti and Brussels with Calabrian chili). Cap the night with a speakeasy cocktail at Peter Kern Library in the Oliver Hotel—ring the bell, ask for a menu bookmark, and try the smoky “Atticus Finch.”

Day 2: Historic Core, Hidden Corners, and the Sunsphere

Morning: Coffee and bagels at K Brew (hammocks and house-roasted beans) or sourdough toasts at Paysan Bread & Bagels. Join the two-hour Downtown Knoxville Hidden Tour w/ Ice Cream, Coffee & Tennessee River Gems to meet the river, early Tennessee history, and sweet treats along the way. Book here: Downtown Knoxville Hidden Tour.

Afternoon: Ride the elevator up the Sunsphere Observation Deck (small fee, ~$5) for 360° views. Stroll Gay Street past the Tennessee Theatre and Bijou Theatre; pop into East Tennessee History Center (allow 60–90 minutes; engaging exhibits on the frontier, Civil War, and music heritage). Lunch at Yassin’s Falafel House (national favorite for shawarma and falafel) or Kaizen (Asian small plates; don’t miss the mapo tofu potatoes).

Evening: Dinner at J.C. Holdway (chef Joseph Lenn’s wood-fired Appalachian cooking; trout with field peas or embered carrots are standouts). If you’re up for a nightcap, sip aperitivi at Brother Wolf in the Old City, then wander to Old City Wine Bar for a pour-your-own flight.

Day 3: Ijams Nature Center, Urban Wilderness, and a River Cruise

Morning: Fuel up with biscuits and seasonal plates at OliBea (try the benny on cornbread) or a sweet-and-savory crêpe at The French Market Crêperie. Head to Ijams Nature Center (10 minutes from downtown) for the River Boardwalk, Tower Trail overlook, and wildlife exhibits (2–3 hours). In warm months, rent kayaks or SUPs at Meads Quarry via River Sports Outfitters (seasonal; 2–3 hours).

Afternoon: Grab lunch at Sweet P’s Downtown Dive (smoked chicken plate and banana pudding) or CJ’s Tacos (griddled tacos; get the Korean BBQ). If energy allows, continue into the Knoxville Urban Wilderness for a short hike at Fort Dickerson Quarry (emerald waters and a bluff overlook; 45 minutes).

Evening: Board the Knoxville River Cruise Aboard the Volunteer Princess for sunset on the Tennessee River—public dinner and sightseeing sails run on select evenings. It’s a relaxed way to see Neyland Stadium, bridges, and the skyline from the water. Book here: Volunteer Princess River Cruise.

Day 4: Founders’ History, UT Campus, and Theaters by Night

Morning: Espresso at Honeybee Coffee Co. then walk through Knoxville’s earliest chapter at James White’s Fort (log buildings and artifacts; ~60 minutes) and the nearby Blount Mansion (home of a U.S. Constitution signer; ~60 minutes). Together they frame Knoxville’s 1790s roots.

Afternoon: Lunch on Market Square at Tomato Head (from-scratch soups, salads, and pizzas) or The Brass Pearl (oysters, shrimp and grits). Stroll the leafy UT Gardens (free) and the University of Tennessee campus; peek at Neyland Stadium from the riverwalk if you’re a Vols fan.

Evening: Catch a show if schedules align—tour the opulent Tennessee Theatre or see who’s playing at the Bijou Theatre or The Mill & Mine. For dinner, choose Lonesome Dove Western Bistro (wild game and elevated steaks) or Mediterranean mezze at Kefi (grilled octopus, whipped feta, and lamb skewers). Late-night, roll a few frames at Maple Hall, the chic underground bowling alley with craft cocktails.

Day 5: Great Smoky Mountains Day Trip

Morning: Depart early (60–90 minutes via US-129/Alcoa Hwy and US-321) to Townsend and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Drive the Cades Cove Loop (11 miles; allow 2–3 hours with wildlife and cabin stops). Arrive near sunrise to avoid traffic; bring binoculars for deer and black bear sightings from a distance.

Afternoon: Picnic at one of the cove pull-offs or head back to Townsend for lunch at a riverside grill. If time permits, tour Tuckaleechee Caverns (seasonal; 1–1.5 hours) for cathedral-sized rooms and a subterranean waterfall.

Evening: Return to Knoxville for relaxed dinner and a pint at Balter Beerworks (brewpub burgers, Brussels, and seasonal IPAs) or a meze-and-cocktail spread at Kefi if you missed it. For dessert, try a swirl at Cruze Farm Ice Cream—the cookie dough or seasonal fruit soft serve hits the spot after a mountain day.

Day 6: Storybook Escapes, Science History, and Ghosts After Dark

Morning: Ten minutes south of downtown, spend a whimsical half-day with an Adventure Day Pass at Ancient Lore Village—wander themed gardens, hike wooded trails, test your aim at axe throwing, and linger over fairy-tale architecture. Book here: Ancient Lore Village Day Pass.

Afternoon: Head 30 minutes west to Oak Ridge for the American Museum of Science and Energy (hands-on exhibits on the Manhattan Project; allow 1.5–2 hours). If time allows, walk or bike a stretch of the Melton Lake Greenway—flat riverside paths favored by local rowers.

Evening: Back in Knoxville, grab dinner at Chivo Taqueria (street tacos, agave spirits; order the Hot Fries and a mezcal margarita). Then join the Knoxville After Dark Ghost Tours for haunted history woven through alleys and old theaters—equal parts lore and local storytelling. Book here: Knoxville After Dark Ghost Tours.

Day 7: Easy Mornings, Gardens, and Farewell

Morning: Brunch on Market Square at Not Watson’s (Southern staples and a Bloody Mary bar) or Tupelo Honey (fried chicken and biscuits). If you’re traveling with kids—or just love critters—stop at Zoo Knoxville (allow 2–3 hours; red pandas, giraffe feedings; adult tickets around $30). Alternatively, take a last quiet stroll through the UT Gardens or along the Tennessee Riverwalk.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping: Rala (local art and prints) and Earth to Old City (gifts) are reliable. Depart for TYS—plan to leave downtown 2 hours before flight time. For return flights, compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you rented a car, return is straightforward; rideshares to the airport average 20–25 minutes.

Insider dining hits to slot anywhere this week: Breakfast—Likewise Coffee’s lattes, Status Dough donuts. Lunch—The Orange Hat Brewing food truck rotation, Yassin’s Falafel House. Dinner—Oliver Royale (seasonal American), The Brass Pearl (seafood), Sweet P’s BBQ. Drinks—Pretentious Beer Co. (watch glassblowing next door), Merchants of Beer (self-pour taps and humidor), Xül Beer Co. (NEIPAs in a retro theater space).

Practical tips: The free downtown trolley loops Market Square, Gay Street, and Old City. Museums average $8–$12 admission; Sunsphere ~$5. River rentals at Meads Quarry are seasonal (spring–early fall). For Smokies wildlife, observe from a distance and never feed animals; Cades Cove can be slow—pack patience and snacks.

Seven days in Knoxville balances riverfront sunsets, neighborhood flavor, mountain air, and live music under historic marquees. You’ll leave with a camera roll of Sunsphere vistas, smoky barbecue memories, and a promise to return for football Saturdays or spring dogwoods in bloom.