Kat's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Go up to the top level of the Sunsphere to see a Birdseye view of Knoxville. Best part: it’s free!
125 locals recommend
Sunsphere
810 Clinch AveGo up to the top level of the Sunsphere to see a Birdseye view of Knoxville. Best part: it’s free!
Walk along the Tennessee River to see the historic Gay Street Bridge, the Vol Navy Sailgaters, and waterfowl.
15 locals recommend
Volunteer Landing Park
400 Neyland DriveWalk along the Tennessee River to see the historic Gay Street Bridge, the Vol Navy Sailgaters, and waterfowl.
Women’s basketball is part of the Knoxville culture, rooted in the legacy of the late couch, Pat Summit. You’ll know you’re there when you see the building with the giant basketball on top.
Womens Basketball Hall of Fame Drive
Womens Basketball Hall of Fame DriveWomen’s basketball is part of the Knoxville culture, rooted in the legacy of the late couch, Pat Summit. You’ll know you’re there when you see the building with the giant basketball on top.
Music and Theater
See Broadway musicals and performances from famous individuals.
112 locals recommend
Tennessee Theatre
604 S Gay StSee Broadway musicals and performances from famous individuals.
This theater featured performances by musicians, comedians, and other famous and local entertainers.
54 locals recommend
Bijou Theater
803 S Gay StThis theater featured performances by musicians, comedians, and other famous and local entertainers.
Listen to traditional Irish and Scottish music Live while you enjoy a drink and a meal.
44 locals recommend
Boyd’s Jig and Reel
101 S Central StListen to traditional Irish and Scottish music Live while you enjoy a drink and a meal.
This music venue hosts local and world-famous musicians to the stage.
15 locals recommend
The Mill & Mine
227 W Depot AveThis music venue hosts local and world-famous musicians to the stage.
Food scene
Stock & Barrel
35 Market SquareBest burgers in town. The Bernie is my personal favorite.
Chivo Taqueria
314 S Gay StThe queso dip is incredible!
Knox Mason
131 S Gay StThis is a high end restaurant with delicious cocktails.
It’s pricey, but it’s the best food and drink in town with a lovely southern ambiance.
34 locals recommend
Lonesome Dove Knoxville
100 N Central StIt’s pricey, but it’s the best food and drink in town with a lovely southern ambiance.
The shrimp and grits is one of the best in town and the beer is brewed locally.
18 locals recommend
Blackhorse Pub & Brewery
430 S Gay StThe shrimp and grits is one of the best in town and the beer is brewed locally.
I’m a huge dessert fan and this adorable spot has ice cream sundaes and old-timey fountain sodas. Step back through time at this spot!
15 locals recommend
The Phoenix Pharmacy and Fountain
418 S Gay StI’m a huge dessert fan and this adorable spot has ice cream sundaes and old-timey fountain sodas. Step back through time at this spot!
This is a restaurant that I always recommend to those who don’t know what they want to eat. It has a little bit of everything, it’s family-friendly, and the chicken and waffles dish is my favorite.
19 locals recommend
Not Watson's Kitchen + Bar
15 Market SquareThis is a restaurant that I always recommend to those who don’t know what they want to eat. It has a little bit of everything, it’s family-friendly, and the chicken and waffles dish is my favorite.
Get some authentic southern chicken at this place. I personally love the Frank and Maple chicken sandwich.
Myrtle's Chicken and Beer
13 Market SquareGet some authentic southern chicken at this place. I personally love the Frank and Maple chicken sandwich.
Museum
Knoxville has many museums around town.
Learn about East Tennessee’s history of moonshiners, pioneers, famous country musicians, and much more.
38 locals recommend
East Tennessee History Center
601 S Gay StLearn about East Tennessee’s history of moonshiners, pioneers, famous country musicians, and much more.
Bars and Clubs
The downtown bars always have live music in a variety of genres.
Themed after an old church with a twist, this 3-story spot has great views of Market Square and Live music almost every night. This bar is non-smoking.
23 locals recommend
Scruffy City Hall
32 Market SquareThemed after an old church with a twist, this 3-story spot has great views of Market Square and Live music almost every night. This bar is non-smoking.
They have Live music every night! Note that this is a smoking bar so non-smokers should go next door to Scruffy City Hall, the non-smoking alternative.
40 locals recommend
Preservation Pub
28 Market SquareThey have Live music every night! Note that this is a smoking bar so non-smokers should go next door to Scruffy City Hall, the non-smoking alternative.
This is one of the best kept secrets in Knoxville. It’s a speakeasy bar located in the alleyway beside the Oliver Hotel. The room is cost and small and the drinks are the absolute best.
48 locals recommend
Peter Kern Library
407 Union AveThis is one of the best kept secrets in Knoxville. It’s a speakeasy bar located in the alleyway beside the Oliver Hotel. The room is cost and small and the drinks are the absolute best.