Sarah’s guidebook
Food scene
The ACTUAL best BBQ in the south. Old gas station retrofitted with smoke house and food shack. Outdoor seating only, food runs $8 - 15, locals spot.
It is on the way to/from the national park if you plan to go to the Smokies
12 locals recommend
Full Service BBQ
113 S Washington StThe ACTUAL best BBQ in the south. Old gas station retrofitted with smoke house and food shack. Outdoor seating only, food runs $8 - 15, locals spot.
It is on the way to/from the national park if you plan to go to the Smokies
High end southern fare. When you want wild game, but have it served as if you were in a fancy New York establishment, this is the place for you. Last time I went there they had venison, rattlesnake, rabbit (among more tame meats like chicken, beef and fish).
Meat based dishes, almost exclusively.
34 locals recommend
Lonesome Dove Knoxville
100 N Central StHigh end southern fare. When you want wild game, but have it served as if you were in a fancy New York establishment, this is the place for you. Last time I went there they had venison, rattlesnake, rabbit (among more tame meats like chicken, beef and fish).
Meat based dishes, almost exclusively.
Best breakfast in the city by a mile. Well priced, especially considering the quality (under $20 for REALLY good breakfast including coffee and tip). An eclectic mix of diner foods, fresh produce, and fusion vibes.
Local spot, some out of town visitors
51 locals recommend
OliBea
211 S Central StBest breakfast in the city by a mile. Well priced, especially considering the quality (under $20 for REALLY good breakfast including coffee and tip). An eclectic mix of diner foods, fresh produce, and fusion vibes.
Local spot, some out of town visitors
Asian fusion, good prices, quality meals. Located near old city nightlife - good for a dinner before bars.
28 locals recommend
Kaizen
127 S Central StAsian fusion, good prices, quality meals. Located near old city nightlife - good for a dinner before bars.
I am from NYC, this is the best pizza in town. Try the Korean bbq, trust me
26 locals recommend
South Coast Pizza
1103 Sevier AveI am from NYC, this is the best pizza in town. Try the Korean bbq, trust me
Food truck park - great food, people watching, and sunsets
EXCELLENT spot for families. Lots of kid friendly food, children's games all over, plenty of families for some socialization
36 locals recommend
Central Filling Station
900 N Central StFood truck park - great food, people watching, and sunsets
EXCELLENT spot for families. Lots of kid friendly food, children's games all over, plenty of families for some socialization
Good morning coffee! Get a cup on your way to Suttree's Landing park
54 locals recommend
Honeybee Coffee
700 Sevier AveGood morning coffee! Get a cup on your way to Suttree's Landing park
Sightseeing
There is an entrance to the western side of the park here. Best entrance because you can skip the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge traffic. Full service BBQ is on the way if you use this entrance
90 locals recommend
Townsend
There is an entrance to the western side of the park here. Best entrance because you can skip the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge traffic. Full service BBQ is on the way if you use this entrance
Most visited National Park in the nation, and for good reason. For first time visitors, I recommend Cades Cove driving loop - Abrams Falls hike starts at the half way point on the loop.
LEAVE EARLY. Traffic can be really bad, especially on holiday weekends. Highly recommend leaving Knoxville by 6 or 7 am
761 locals recommend
Cades Cove
Most visited National Park in the nation, and for good reason. For first time visitors, I recommend Cades Cove driving loop - Abrams Falls hike starts at the half way point on the loop.
LEAVE EARLY. Traffic can be really bad, especially on holiday weekends. Highly recommend leaving Knoxville by 6 or 7 am
Beat the Smoky Mountain crowds at this day hike. Really nice trail that goes through some meadows and up a small mountain.
36 locals recommend
House Mountain
Beat the Smoky Mountain crowds at this day hike. Really nice trail that goes through some meadows and up a small mountain.
Knoxville doesn't really use public pools, we use the quarries. Fort Dickerson is the day drinking spot where you run into all of your friends. Generally for the 20's and 30's crowd who want to have a few seltzers in the sun.
32 locals recommend
Fort Dickerson Quarry
550 Augusta AveKnoxville doesn't really use public pools, we use the quarries. Fort Dickerson is the day drinking spot where you run into all of your friends. Generally for the 20's and 30's crowd who want to have a few seltzers in the sun.
Knoxville doesn't really use public pools, we use the quarries. Mead's quarry connects to the urban wilderness, a former industrial site that has been reclaimed by nature and turned into amazing hiking. This quarry is full of locals swimming, floating, reading, paddle boarding, etc. Family friendly, paddle board rentals on site.
I personally prefer this one because I like to read in my floatie.
14 locals recommend
Meads Quarry
Knoxville doesn't really use public pools, we use the quarries. Mead's quarry connects to the urban wilderness, a former industrial site that has been reclaimed by nature and turned into amazing hiking. This quarry is full of locals swimming, floating, reading, paddle boarding, etc. Family friendly, paddle board rentals on site.
I personally prefer this one because I like to read in my floatie.
This area of Tennessee is a biodiversity hotspot - specifically because of its meadows and grasslands. Amazing wildflowers, really phenomenal management practices by the staff. This meadow is burned once a year to keep it in early successional stages. It has a few hiking trails, some that go by a really beautiful view of the Tennessee river. Highly highly recommend
Dogs on-leash only
39 locals recommend
Seven Islands State Birding Park
2809 Kelly LnThis area of Tennessee is a biodiversity hotspot - specifically because of its meadows and grasslands. Amazing wildflowers, really phenomenal management practices by the staff. This meadow is burned once a year to keep it in early successional stages. It has a few hiking trails, some that go by a really beautiful view of the Tennessee river. Highly highly recommend
Dogs on-leash only
Other people like this a lot. I kinda don't get it. BUT people here love it, so it made its way into my guidebook. Good view of the city!
125 locals recommend
Sunsphere
810 Clinch AveOther people like this a lot. I kinda don't get it. BUT people here love it, so it made its way into my guidebook. Good view of the city!
Metro district hiking - but real hiking! This is a former quarry site, reclaimed by nature, reframed by the city. Now it is a regional destination for outdoor activity including hiking (from easy to moderate), paddle boarding, swimming, etc. You can see the places where dynamite cut sheer faces into the rock, where old train lines ran, and where the city is changing its narrative
273 locals recommend
Ijams Nature Center
2915 Island Home AveMetro district hiking - but real hiking! This is a former quarry site, reclaimed by nature, reframed by the city. Now it is a regional destination for outdoor activity including hiking (from easy to moderate), paddle boarding, swimming, etc. You can see the places where dynamite cut sheer faces into the rock, where old train lines ran, and where the city is changing its narrative
I go to this park almost everyday with my dog. Best sunset view in all of Knoxville. Walking distance from my house, maybe 15 minutes. Amazing spot for families or a picnic. Classic place for some beers and a pizza or picnic
16 locals recommend
Suttree Landing Park
1001 Waterfront Drive SEI go to this park almost everyday with my dog. Best sunset view in all of Knoxville. Walking distance from my house, maybe 15 minutes. Amazing spot for families or a picnic. Classic place for some beers and a pizza or picnic
Nightlife
Dance your heart out at this honky tonk line dancing spot. Group lessons are offered on the main floor at 7:30 (see website for confirmation). Complete with cheap beer, mechanical bull and a million disco balls.
10 locals recommend
Cotton Eyed Joe
11220 Outlet DrDance your heart out at this honky tonk line dancing spot. Group lessons are offered on the main floor at 7:30 (see website for confirmation). Complete with cheap beer, mechanical bull and a million disco balls.
Tour of local whiskey distillery. Tour is quick, then you get a sampler of some whiskey afterwards. Good spot for a quick something to do before going out to the bars
6 locals recommend
Knox Whiskey Works
516 W Jackson AveTour of local whiskey distillery. Tour is quick, then you get a sampler of some whiskey afterwards. Good spot for a quick something to do before going out to the bars
Down the road from my place. This is the old biker bar, now a south knoxville institution. Nice lighting, close to the river, cheap beer, good vibes
21 locals recommend
Trailhead Beer Market
1317 Island Home AveDown the road from my place. This is the old biker bar, now a south knoxville institution. Nice lighting, close to the river, cheap beer, good vibes
Hoppin spot on sevier ave, easy walking distance from my house. Great brews, super nice staff. Get a pizza at South Coast or a burger and Simple and bring it to the tables at Alliance. Ideal spot for early afternoon beers
45 locals recommend
Alliance Brewing Company
1130 Sevier AveHoppin spot on sevier ave, easy walking distance from my house. Great brews, super nice staff. Get a pizza at South Coast or a burger and Simple and bring it to the tables at Alliance. Ideal spot for early afternoon beers
Busy spot on sevier ave, easy walking distance from my house. Great beer and usually has a food truck outside. Recommend adding it to the bar hopping list in South Knox
22 locals recommend
Hi Wire Brewing - Knoxville
2020 Barber StBusy spot on sevier ave, easy walking distance from my house. Great beer and usually has a food truck outside. Recommend adding it to the bar hopping list in South Knox