The Volunteer State boasts bountiful, big city fun, and Knoxville, TN serves up some of the best experiences. Don’t miss these fantastically fun places in this region of East Tennessee. From the zoo, to the Smokies to a theater on Gay Street, there’s a lot of fun to be had in Knoxville!
4 Best Fun Places in Knoxville, TN
1. Nature on Display
It’s so beloved that an entire street bears its name. Venture onto 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, and you’ll find one of the state’s–and possibly the entire country’s–best zoos. Spanning 53 acres, this clean and pristine love letter to nature houses over 700 animals representing species around the world. But you won’t want to stop at just observing the wildlife wonders.
Plenty of fun interactive activities make your visit even more memorable, including camel rides, giraffe feedings, and a trip on the Zoo Choo Train. If you want a deeper connection with the region’s wildlife, head on over to 2915 Island Home Drive’s Ijams Nature Center. You’ll not only browse an amazing exhibit hall featuring owls, snakes, and more: you’ll also take on canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and rock-climbing adventures at this 300-acre expanse.
2. UT Sports Spectacles
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville flies the orange and white proudly for its world-class Volunteers athletic teams. Every fall, over 100,000 screaming fans root on the Vols football team, the former home base of football legends like Peyton Manning. When the crowd converges at Neyland Stadium for a classic rivalry with the Alabama Rolling Tide or Florida Gators, the raucous and spirited atmosphere is unmatched.
In the winter and spring, the basketball teams put on a show at Thompson-Boling Arena. The Lady Vols alone have netted an incredible eight NCAA Division I championships. This region’s so iconic for women’s hoops that it hosts the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame on 700 Hall of Fame Drive. Prep for your tailgating prior to the big game properly with the Toyota Sienna. This nimble SUV combines friendly features like a hands-free liftgate and a roomy, sporty design.
3. Community Congregations
Did you know Knoxville hosted the 1982 World’s Fair? The legacy of this magical event lives on today at World’s Fair Park. The park puts on concerts, festivals, and other fun events. But the star attraction literally takes you to the skies. The 26-story gold-and-glass bedazzled Sunsphere is topped off by an observation deck that gifts you breathtaking views from beautiful downtown to the majestic Great Smoky Mountains.
Find the view of a lifetime at 810 Clinch Avenue. And speaking of that alluring downtown, you can’t go wrong at renovated Market Square. It’s a paradise of culinary delights and shopaholics’ dreams. You can even find respite at a charming nearby park that includes a riverwalk of the Tennessee River waterfront.
4. South’s Most Beautiful Theatre
At nearly a century old, the Tennessee Theatre at 604 S. Gay Street has definitely earned its distinguished spot on the National Register of Historic Places. But you won’t merely be marveling at the stunning architecture and rich history that embodies this structure inside and out. You’ll be treated to unforgettable talents from the film, dance, symphony, opera, and Broadway worlds as well.
Tour Knoxville in your very own fun ride. Drop by Rick McGill’s Airport Toyota and test drive the Toyota perfect for you today.
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