Knoxville

Dubbed a 'scruffy little city' by the Wall Street Journal before the 1982 World's Fair, Knoxville is strutting its stuff these days as an increasingly prominent and polished destination for outdoor, gastronomy and craft-beer enthusiasts. Knoxville is also home to the University of Tennessee and its rabid college-football fan base.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Museum of East Tennessee History
Knoxville
This glossy museum spotlights key moments in the history of East Tennessee as well as regional cultural topics, from 'hillbilly' music to mountain tourism…
American Museum of Science & Energy
Knoxville
During WWII the US military began the Manhattan Project, a top-secret program to develop the atomic bomb. Oak Ridge was one of the key research and…
Museum of Appalachia
Knoxville
Sprawled across 65 acres dotted with cabins and livestock, this comprehensive museum spotlights the history and culture of the mountain communities in the…
Green McAdoo Cultural Center
Knoxville
In front of this small museum an eye-catching statue portrays the 12 African American high-school students who desegregated Clinton High School in 1956…
Knoxville Museum of Art
Knoxville
If you're planning to explore the region, the landscape paintings of mountains, forests and streams are a lovely source of inspiration at this small…
Beck Cultural Exchange Center
Knoxville
This center preserves and shares the history of African Americans in Knoxville. Key exhibits highlight urban renewal in the city and trace the interesting…
Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
Knoxville
You can't miss the massive orange basketball that marks the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, a nifty look at the sport from the time when women were…
Sunsphere
Knoxville
The city's visual centerpiece is the Sunsphere, a golden orb (disco ball!) atop a tower that's the main remnant of the 1982 World's Fair. You can take the…