10 Free, Family Friendly Things To Do in Knoxville, Tennessee
Finding fun things to do when traveling is something everyone is interested in. As a single dad it’s even more important that I find family friendly things to do that are FREE!!! Here we looked right in our own back yard and came up with a list of 10 (maybe 11) things to do in Knoxville, Tennessee.
WORLD’S FAIR PARK
Right in the middle of downtown Knoxville lies World’s Fair Park. This park came to be as Knoxville hosted the 1982 World’s Fair. Today many of the buildings and structures still remain and the city has added additional features for family use. The park features an amphitheater, water features, the Sunsphere, a kids splash pad and plenty of areas for the kids to run and play. During the Spring and Summer months there are often events going on in the park and the city has music nights at times.
KNOXVILLE MUSEUM OF ART
Located in the World’s Fair Park area is the Knoxville Museum of Art. This free museum has something for everyone spread across three levels and two outdoor spaces. There is a traveling display at times, glass features, stone art and a kids area. In the kids area you will find many activities for the little ones to express their creativity.
WDVX BLUE PLATE SPECIAL
At the corner of Gay Street and Summit Hill in downtown Knoxville you will find the Visit Knoxville Center (301 S. Gay St). Inside the visitor center you will see seating an a radio station called WDVX. This station broadcasts live from the center Monday-Thursday and Saturday at 12:00pm and the public is in on the gig. At the Blue Plate Special you never know what you’re going to get but rest assured you will hear great music and get to be involved in the show. Additionally on the second Saturday of every month WDVX hosts a kids show live here.
MARBLE SPRINGS
Marble Springs, located in South Knoxville, is the last home of Tennessee’s first Governor (John Sevier). The site is free for self guided tours but they also offer a paid tour option if you choose. The property holds several buildings to explore including the home place, a tavern and a trading post. The property also has a pavillion for picnics and several hiking trails that allow you to explore the wildlife. Marble Springs is a certified wildlife habitat and on the National Register of Historic Places.
IJAMS NATURE CENTER
IJams (pronounced eye-yams) Nature Center in South Knoxville is the perfect place to escape for an entire day. The property has something for everyone no matter what you’re into. The actual center houses an array of animals to view including birds in outdoor enclosures. There are miles and miles of hiking trails through the woods and along the river connecting several different areas of the park. Additionally at the nature center area you will find the Navitat center. This is a tree top zip lining activity that you can choose to do for a fee.
At the River Boardwalk area you will find a really nice kayak launch and a long boardwalk spanning along the rock cliffs above the river. This is the perfect place to sit and relax while watching nature and the wildlife on the river.
Across from the boardwalk area are two quarries providing all the water recreation you can imagine. Swimming is allowed at your own risk and people often SCUBA dive in the quarries. During the warmer months you can also rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboards on site.
McCLUNG MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
On the campus of the University of Tennessee you will find the McClung Museum of Natural History in Circle Park. You can’t miss the museum due to the large metal dinosaur out front! Inside the museum you will find two floors of exhibits that are constantly changing. You will see loads of items from Native American history along with various traveling exhibits. It is worth noting that this museum is best visited on weekends (NOT GAME DAYS)! If you visit during the week you will need to stop at the parking kiosk nearby and obtain a 2 hour permit for parking.
THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
Who doesn’t want to be a Vol? Regardless of where your sports heart lies The University of Tennessee has something for you to see. The school was founded in 1794 meaning the history of the campus runs DEEP!! You read that right! The school was founded 2 years before Tennessee became a state!
The best place to start is right on The Hill at Ayers Hall which was build in 1921. This is the centerpiece of campus and holds the clock tower while being guarded by Gargoyles on the corners! Next to Ayers Hall sits the South College building which holds the title of the oldest building on campus. South College was built in 1872 using gas lighting.
The link above for The University of Tennessee provides a map and guidance for a historic walking tour of the campus.
SHARP’S RIDGE VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
Sharp’s Ridge Veterans Memorial Park is located off North Broadway in North Knoxville. This city park is known for its views and hiking trails. The park sits high above the city and provides views like none other across downtown Knoxville and into the Great Smoky Mountains. The viewing platform provides signage identifying mountain peaks and other points of interest. Also if you’re into bird watching the area will not disappoint!
FORT DICKERSON PARK
Just South of downtown Knoxville lies Fort Dickerson Park and Augusta Quarry. Fort Dickerson itself is a wonderfully preserved Civil War earthen fort that you can explore. The kids will love the cannons sitting around while you take in the story boards explaining the history of the area. There are pavillions for picnics and rest along with hiking trails throughout the park.
Augusta Quarry is also within the park boundaries and provides tons of water activites. Swimming is permitted here but again it is at your own risk. Also like IJams, there are watercraft for rent during the Summer months. Keep in mind the hours posted because once the gates at locked for the night you’re stuck!
UNIVERSITY GARDENS
The University of Tennessee University Gardens is an amazing place to visit during the warmer months. The gardens are beautifully planted and decorated to the point that it has become a highly sought after location for engagement and wedding photography. The gardens not only feature various flowers but also works of art placed throughout. From old trucks and gas pumps to butterfly stained glass benches you’re sure to find your time enjoyable here.
THE SUNSPHERE (Honorable Mention)
Although it’s no longer a free attraction we couldn’t finish this list without highlighting the Sunsphere. This has become the defacto logo for the City of Knoxville and catches the eye of everyone who visits. The Sunsphere is that “big gold ball” hovering over the downtown skyline and is truly one of a kind. The Sunsphere was built as the centerpiece for the 1982 World’s Fair and today serves multiple purposes. There are event spaces and offices for rent but one level is dedicated to the history of the landmark and the World’s Fair.
The Sunsphere stands among company such as the Eiffel Tower and the Seattle Space Needle as they are all one of a kind structures built for a World’s Fair. Today you can visit the observation deck for $5.00 for adults while kids 12 and under remain free. This fee was instituted to help save and preserve the structure for future generations.
These are just our 10 picks for things to do with the family in Knoxville, Tennessee. There are many other places to visit and things to do depending on the season you visit. Be sure to stop by the Visit Knoxville center to get all the information!!! Until next time…..