Where to eat, stay, and play in Knoxville, East Tennessee's gateway to the Smokies

Nashville may be known as the “Music City,” but it was Knoxville where several artists, including a young Dolly Parton, actually cut their teeth. The city has a self-guided tour to give you important intel on the music industry and a lay of the land for your trip. It’s just one of many surprises you’ll find here, both the base for exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the college campus covered in that particular shade of orange.

Knoxville was settled in 1786 and served as a territorial capital before Tennessee gained statehood and joined the union. It’s made history ever since as an important location for the Women’s Suffrage Movement, a source for scientists for the “Manhattan Project,” and the site of Civil Rights Movement sit-ins. Today, you’ll find an abundant urban wilderness with kayaking, hiking, and cycling, plus a rich tradition of Appalachian music, food, and crafts.

You can also use Knoxville as a hub for day trips. Oak Ridge has a fascinating history connected to the Manhattan Project, nicknamed the “Secret City,” and has an excellent science museum for kids. Loudon, part of the “Lakeway to the Smokies,” has a Hallmark movie-esque downtown filled with antique stores and cafés, and Roane is the site of Fort Southwest Point, once the Tennessee frontier.

Whether it’s your first visit or your 100th, you’ll always find something to keep you returning to Knoxville. After all, this gem of the Volunteer State is one of the main reasons we named East Tennessee one of our best places to go in 2026.

The best things to do in Knoxville

The city doesn’t have much in the way of a traditional skyline, but one landmark you’ll immediately notice is the Sunsphere, a futuristic tower built for the 1982 World's Fair that resembles a golden disco ball. The fourth floor houses an observation deck for 360-degree views of Knoxville and the Smokies beyond.

Listen to the bluegrass and Americana tunes that made Knoxville famous at Blue Plate Special, a live radio show recording hosting regional acts. It’s at the Visit Knoxville visitors center and is completely free to attend. Past acts include Chris Stapleton and The Avett Brothers, so you never know who might turn up.

Highlights of the East TN History Center's collection include an early ensemble worn by Dolly Parton, pennants from Tennessee’s women’s suffrage movement, and World’s Fair memorabilia.

The best place to learn about the region’s history is at the East Tennessee Historical Society and Museum, which has exhibits on the music, crafts, cuisine, and culture. Among the highlights are an early ensemble worn by the aforementioned Parton, pennants from Tennessee’s women’s suffrage movement, and World’s Fair memorabilia.

The Great Smoky Mountains are a short drive away, but if you’re staying in the city, there are plenty of outdoor experiences, including kayaking the Tennessee River and hitting the trails at the Ijams Nature Center, a former quarry with hiking, biking, a high ropes course, and seasonal swimming.

Knoxville also has an incredible community of makers and artists. One of the most interesting examples is the Pretentious Glass Company, an Old City glassblowing studio and craft brewery that serves beer out of the glassware they make on-site.

For the real local experience, check out the weekly farmers market, where local farmers bring fresh produce and prepared foods. If it’s a rainy day visit, head to the Central Cinema, a beloved local arthouse movie theater.

Where to eat in Knoxville

The culinary scene of Knoxville pulls heavily from the Appalachian traditions of the region. The city is home to several award-winning restaurants, with a sort of pipeline for chefs who trained at Blackberry Farm, the acclaimed luxury resort in the nearby Smoky Mountains. Other restaurants focus on the many international cuisines now found in modern Tennessee. You’ll find a range of options from college student favorites to fine dining you’ll need a reservation for.

JC Holdway is a regional pioneer of farm-to-table dining.

If you have plenty of time to plan your trip, make sure a reservation at JC Holdway is on your itinerary. The James Beard award winner is a pioneer of regional farm-to-table fare, working closely with provisioners from East Tennessee and beyond. Splurge on the chef’s tasting menu or order items à la carte, like the Benton’s bacon bolognese, and grab a cocktail that incorporates one of the abundant and hard-to-find bottles of bourbon on deck.

Another favorite is Potchke Deli, a trendy Eastern European deli, which recently opened a second location specializing in bagels. Both offer creative spins on the classics like borscht, matzoh ball soup, and babka. The team has also just opened Potchke Bagel across town, where a potential wait is rewarded a hand-rolled bagel piled high with pastrami. It’s worth it!

The team behind the award-winning Italian aperitivo bar Brother Wolf did it again with Lilou, a charming French bistro channeling the Belle Epoque with artwork in gilded frames and a grand glass chandelier. The menu includes breakfast offerings like croissants and crepes, but later on, browse the robust wine list and share several dishes like the escargot, duck confit, and cheeses hand-selected by the “maitre fromager.”

For a laidback bite in Market Square, The Tomato Head is a longtime local favorite for good reason. The family-friendly eatery started in 1990, making food to make you feel good, something it continues to do with pizzas, salads, and sandwiches using the best ingredients. The restaurant can also accommodate to a variety of allergies and diets.

When it’s time for a sweet treat, join the perennial queue at Cruze Farm, a beloved ice cream shop that sources its dairy products straight from the namesake farm. The employees wear retro-style striped outfits while serving up rotating flavors as well as milkshakes and floats.

And you can’t go to Tennessee without visiting a stop on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, in which case you'll have your pick as Knoxville is home to several.

Where to stay in Knoxville

There are plenty of places to stay in Knoxville, but the majority of the offerings are big chains that you’ll find in every American city. But the boutique hotel scene is starting to grow, with accommodations that embrace their surroundings.

Peter Kern Library, the only speakeasy in the city, is best known for its literary-themed cocktails.

One of the first to open was The Oliver Hotel in Market Square, set in a circa 1876 bakery building. The chic art-filled lobby has a shop of local gifts and coffee available all day. Borrow a bike to explore the city before a meal at Oliver Royale, the on-site restaurant. Don’t miss a nightcap at Peter Kern Library, a speakeasy where guests get VIP admission.

The “pied-à-terre” style Hotel Cleo sits above Lilou with 16 residential-style rooms, each designed in a different style. With high ceilings and comfortable furnishings, you’ll feel like you’re staying in your own Parisian apartment.

At the Graduate Knoxville, it’s all about Rocky Top, from the boat check-in desk, a nod to the school’s riverside “tailgating,” to Saloon 16, the Peyton Manning-approved bar. Cozy guest rooms are inspired by the region, and family rooms have rustic bunk beds to resemble a retro mountain lodge.

The RT Lodge is a historic East Tennessee residence-turned-inn.

To help ply guests out of their beds, the lodge offers complimentary breakfast every morning.

A 30-minute drive south to Maryville, near the Knoxville airport, is RT Lodge, a historic home-turned-inn. The mountain vibes are strong in the guest rooms, and the daily breakfast will make it tough to leave. Lounge in the Lodge House over a game of chess or enjoy a cocktail at the bar, The Morningside Room.