Alex Haley Statue
Magnificent statue honoring Alex Haley, author of “Roots,” who made Knoxville his home. Designed for interaction, the statue is located next to a playground and is surrounded by a scenic city park.
Morningside Park
1600 Dandridge Avenue
800-727-8045
American Museum of Science & Energy
One of the world's largest energy exhibitions. Hands-on exhibits, displays, models, films, games, and live demonstrations.
300 S. Tulane Avenue, Oak Ridge
865-576-3200
Armstrong-Lockett House (Crescent Bend)
Built in 1834. Contains exquisite collection of 18th century English and American furniture and art. Three-acre formal Italian-terraced garden overlooking the Tennessee River. Crescent Bend was constructed as a residence for Drury P. Armstrong -- a merchant, farmer, and county official -- in 1834. It is also called the "Armstrong-Lockett House" for the first and last families to use it as a residence.
2728 Kingston Pike
865-637-3163
Beck Cultural Exchange Center
One of the oldest museums and historical reservoirs of African-American heritage and achievement in the Southeastern United States, this museum depicts the history of African-Americans through its extensive collection of photographs, newspapers, audio and video recordings, biographies, books, and artwork.
1927 Dandridge Avenue
865-524-8461
Blount Mansion
See the 1792 Blount Mansion, home and Capitol of Gov. William Blount, signer of the U.S. Constitution. Guided tours of this National Historic Landmark show 18th century antiques and the workings of frontier government.
200 West Hill Avenue
865-525-2375
Candy Factory & Victorian Houses
This 19th century building used to be a Candy Factory, but now is home to The Chocolate Factory candy and gift shop. Fort Kid (kids playground) is right across the street.
1060 World’s Fair Park Drive
865-546-5707
Children's Museum of Oak Ridge
A unique educational resource, the museum provides children with the opportunity to learn while playing - to create, discover, solve, and experience, within non-traditional, interactive exhibit galleries.
461 W. Outer Drive
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
865-482-1074
Civil War Sites Tour
This tour covers significant Knoxville Civil War sites. Prepared by the Knoxville Civil War Roundtable.
Confederate Memorial Hall (Bleak House)
Confederate Memorial Hall, originally named Bleak House, has a rich and interesting past. Completed in 1858 for Robert & Louise Franklin Armstrong, it served as headquarters of General James Longstreet, C.S.A., during the “siege of Knoxville” in 1863. Visible reminders of the war and a Confederate museum.
3148 Kingston Pike, S.W.
865-522-2371
Cradle of Country Music Tour
A downtown walking tour highlighting the early development of country music in Knoxville.
601 S. Gay Street
865-215-8824
East Tennessee Discovery Center
Hands-on science center offers educational fun for children of all ages.
516 N. Beaman
Knoxville, TN 37914
865-594-1494
East Tennessee Historical Center
For nearly 170 years, the East Tennessee Historical Society has been helping East Tennesseeans hold on to their unique heritage, recording the events, collecting the artifacts, and saving the stories that comprise the history we all share.
601 S. Gay Street
865-215-8824
Emporium Center for Arts & Culture
In the heart of downtown Knoxville and one block from the Visitors Center, the Emporium includes an expansive gallery and numerous artist studios. Its spaces celebrate East Tennessee’s unique world-view with regular openings, poetry slams, and eclectic performances.
100 S. Gay Street
865-523-7543
Frank H. McClung Museum
A general museum with collections in anthropology, archaeology, decorative arts, medicine, local history and natural history. The exhibits document ways of life, cultural trends, and technologies from prehistoric times to the present day, and showcase much of Tennessee's past -- its geology, history, art, and culture.
1327 Circle Park Drive
865-974-2144
Great Smoky Mountains National Park 520,000 acres encompass more than 850 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding; 735 miles of streams for fishing; many developed and backcountry campsites; spectacular scenery and views from peaks over 6,000 feet; several visitors centers with interpretive exhibits and artifacts. The most visited National Park in the U.S.
Approx. 40 miles southeast of Knoxville
865-436-1200
Ijams Nature Center
A 150-acre park with mulched and paved trails, a waterfront boardwalk and wildlife viewing areas. Seasonal events include music concerts, owl prowls, canoe trips, plant sales and guided nature walks.
2915 Island Home Avenue
865-577-4717
International Friendship Bell
The first monument between a U.S. Manhattan Project city and Japan. The bell serves as an expression of hope for everlasting peace.
Badger Ave., Oak Ridge
865-482-7821
James White's Fort
The home of James White who settled here on a 1,000-acre grant. His first home, furnished with original tools and artifacts from the period, gives a glimpse into the daily existence of early settlers to this region Knoxville's most visited historic site.
205 East Hill Avenue
865-525-6514
Knoxville Zoo
Discover a world of wonder at Knoxville Zoo. Grasslands Africa! brings the animals of Africa to one location. Enjoy elephants, giraffe, zebra, kudu, gazelles, waterbuck and several birds. Admission charge.
Exit 392 off I-40
3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive
865-637-5331
Mabry-Hazen House Museum and Civil War Bethel Cemetery
The home, of the Victorian and Civil War periods, showcases original artifacts, including china, silver, crystal and antique furnishings. The house served as headquarters for Union and Confederate troops. More than 1,600 Civil War soldiers and 50 Union prisoners are buried in Bethel Cemetery
1711 Dandridge Avenue
865-522-8661
Marble Springs State Historic Homestead
The original home of Gov. John Sevier, a loom house, tavern, smokehouse and half-cantilever barn are used to educate the public about the life and times of Gov. John Sevier.
1220 W. Governor John Sevier Hwy.
865-573-5508
Museum of Appalachia, TN
The most authentic and complete replica of pioneer Appalachian life in the world.
Hwy 61
Norris, TN 37828
865-494-7680
Old City Historic District
Shops and boutiques offering unique gifts, crafts, antiques, art and clothing. Also home to popular coffee shops, restaurants and nightspots.
Jackson Avenue and Central Street intersection in Downtown Knoxville
Old Gray Cemetery
This 13 acres of beauty and history, is over 150 years old. Although the land was purchased in 1850 the cemetery was not dedicated until 1852 when the first 40 lots were sold at public auction. Today Old Gray clearly depicts Knoxville's history as well as the Victorian era and provides an important example of cemetery planning and design during the rural-cemetery or garden movement.
939 Tyson Street
865-522-1424
Ramsey House Plantation
Ramsey House Plantation is a 1797 historic house museum open to the public through guided tours. The site includes a Visitor Center that houses a museum shop, exhibits, and ticket sales. With over 100 acres, the site hosts picnic areas and heirloom gardens for guests to visit.
2614 Thorn Grove Pike
865-546-0745
Star of Knoxville Riverboat
Enjoy the scenic Tennessee River aboard an authentic sternwheel riverboat which offers lunch, sightseeing, dinner and party cruises. The two-hour dinner cruise features live entertainment and different themes each night.
300 Neyland Drive
865-525-7827
Sunsphere
A golden glass ball in downtown Knoxville, that was built as the signature structure for the 1982 World’s Fair. It is 266 feet tall and has 26 stories. The actual ball itself houses only five levels.
World's Fair Park
Three Rivers Rambler
This vintage steam engine train takes guests on a 90-minute excursion to the Forks of the River and back, through some of Knoxville’s most historic and beautiful countryside.
Volunteer Landing: Neyland Drive between Calhoun’s and the Boathouse
865-524-9411
University of Tennessee Football Hall of Fame
It’s always Football Time in Tennessee at the UT Football Hall of Fame. The museum stands as a tribute to the student athletes who shaped 100 years of Volunteer Football.
Neyland Thompson Sports Center
1704 Johnny Majors Drive on UT campus
865-974-5789
Volunteer Landing
Beautiful and scenic one mile paved riverwalk that offers something for everyone with features including a regional visitor center, three restaurants, a full service marina, unique attractions, historical homes, waterfalls and fountains, and a premier hotel.
Neyland Drive & Hill Avenue
800-727-8045
Volunteer State Veteran's Hall of Honor
A tribute to Tennesseans who saw duty in combat, this Hall of Honor museum contains over 2,000 relics and exhibits that range from the Civil War through the Persian Gulf War.
4000 Chapman Highway
865-577-0757
Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame honors the past, celebrates the present and promotes the future of the women’s game.
At 700 Hall of Fame Drive
865-633-9000
World's Fair Park
Once the site of the 1982 World's Fair, this magnificent 52-acre park includes a large variety of attractions, shops, galleries, restaurants, and the Knoxville Convention Center.
1060 World's Fair Park Drive
865-215-1158
W.P. Toms Memorial Gardens
Terraced 3-acre formal garden w/roses, thousand of blooming flowers, & 5 fountains overlooking TN River. 20,000 Tulips bloom each spring. Gardens embrace the Amstrong-Lockett House.
2728 Kingston Pike
865-637-3163