6 Best Sights in Knoxville, Tennessee

Part of the Urban Wilderness that includes the adjacent Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area, this 315-acre woodland is home to former marble quarries. Mead's Quarry Lake is where River Sports Outfitters rents paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes to explore the clear blue water. More than 12 miles of trails connect to adjacent public lands, allowing for extended hiking and mountain biking circuits, and Ijams Crag is popular with rock climbers. Navitat is also based here, offering six different aerial high-ropes challenge courses through the treetops.

Different eras of Knoxville's history are celebrated at this walled fort of rough-hewn log cabins on the perimeter of downtown, where the city's first home was built in 1786. Their survival over the centuries is remarkable, and exhibits inside include pioneer artifacts, authentic furnishings, and information about James White's role in the American Revolution.

About 10 minutes south of the city, this collection of log cabins was the summer home of John Sevier, Tennessee's first governor. Tours of the property are offered, as well as craft demonstrations. Hiking trails meander along the adjacent creek, which includes the namesake spring.

On the University of Tennessee campus, this museum has diverse collections of dinosaur fossils and exhibits on geology, archaeology of native peoples, the Civil War, and fine arts. Of special note is a room devoted to ancient Egyptian artifacts.

Knoxville hosted the World's Fair in 1982, and the legacy is a green space maintained in the heart of the city. The centerpiece is the Sunsphere, a gold-domed observation tower with 360-degree views of the city. Below, there's a splash pad that's popular with children during summer and a festival lawn and amphitheater that host events throughout the year.

Concise enough to see in a morning but big enough to fill a full day, this top-notch zoo is home to more than 800 animals, including elephants, giraffes, lions, and gorillas. A highlight is the sprawling gibbon exhibit with rope bridges that stretch over pedestrian paths. The petting zoo, miniature train, and splash pad are hits with kids. A permanent exhibit with 22 realistic dinosaurs opened in 2023.