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Knoxville, TN is a bustling city with plenty to do, including beautiful, exciting outdoor adventures, a wide variety of restaurants, and plenty of places to shop. It’s a great city to visit or live in. However, you sometimes need a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. Today, we’re looking at three of the most charming small towns near Knoxville that you can visit if you need to decompress.
1. Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is a quaint, little town just an hour southeast of Knoxville. However, there are still plenty of things to do in this town. One of the town’s most popular attractions is Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, at 88 River Road. This expansive aquarium features a glass bottom boat adventure, providing a great view of the 12-foot sharks and other aquatic life in Shark Lagoon. You can also reserve a sleepover with sharks or penguins.
Ober Mountain Adventure Park and Ski Area at 1339 Ski Mountain Rd is another attraction you won’t want to miss. There is plenty for the whole family to enjoy year-round, including ziplining, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and snowboarding.
2. Jonesborough
Jonesborough is a very charming town conveniently located just 1.5 hours northeast of Knoxville. One place worth visiting is Persimmon Ridge Park at 1523 Persimmon Ridge Road, just a mile from downtown Jonesborough. This expansive park spans over 130 acres and features plenty to do, including the Lost State Scenic Walkway, biking trails, and hiking trails.
Persimmon Ridge Park is also home to Wetlands Water Park, a family-friendly water park that features a lazy river, three flume slides up to 200 feet long, a sand volleyball court, and much more. After a long morning of playing in the water, you can pick up lunch at the full-service cafe and eat in the covered dining area. Alternatively, you could take your whole family comfortably in your 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Limited to lunch downtown.
3. Bristol
Bristol is a picturesque town that features lots of things to do, including spending the day at Bristol Motor Speedway at 151 Speedway Boulevard. This is one of the most fun-to-watch tracks, and it has been billed as the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile.” Bristol Motor Speedway also features year-round camping at the Medallion Campground.
Many charming towns in Tennessee are well worth making the drive to. Some of the best include Gatlinburg, Jonesborough, and Bristol. If you don’t think your vehicle is quite big enough to take your family on a comfortable road trip, come see us at Rick McGill’s Airport Toyota to browse our inventory and find a vehicle that will better suit your needs.
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