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Key Info for Visitors
- Currency: USD
- Languages: English, Spanish
- Climate: Humid subtropical
- Timezone: America/New_York
- Population: Approximately 192,000
- Best Time to Visit:
- Visa Requirements Visitors to Knoxville must comply with U.S. visa regulations. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries (including most EU nations, UK, Australia, Japan, and others) can enter for up to 90 days without a visa if they have an approved ESTA. Others generally need to apply for a visa in advance. Always check current requirements before travel.
About Knoxville
Knoxville, nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is a vibrant city that blends Southern charm with outdoor adventure and cultural richness. As the third-largest city in Tennessee, it offers a welcoming atmosphere, a thriving arts scene, and a deep connection to American music history, particularly bluegrass and country. Visitors are drawn to its walkable downtown, lined with historic buildings, local shops, and a lively culinary scene. The city’s proximity to the Smokies makes it a prime base for hiking, biking, and exploring one of America’s most beloved national parks. Knoxville’s calendar is packed with festivals, from the famous Dogwood Arts Festival to the lively Big Ears Music Festival, showcasing its creative spirit. Whether you’re seeking outdoor thrills, cultural experiences, or simply a taste of authentic Southern hospitality, Knoxville delivers a memorable and distinctly American travel experience.
Top Attractions
Market Square: A bustling downtown plaza surrounded by restaurants, shops, and frequent live music, serving as the social heart of the city. Sunsphere: An iconic 266-foot tower built for the 1982 World’s Fair, offering panoramic views of the city and mountains. Knoxville Museum of Art: Showcases regional art and hosts rotating exhibitions in a striking modern building. Ijams Nature Center: A 315-acre urban greenspace with trails, rock formations, and access to the Tennessee River, ideal for hiking and paddling. Tennessee Theatre: A historic 1920s movie palace restored to its original grandeur, now hosting concerts, films, and Broadway shows.
Popular Activities
Explore the Urban Wilderness, a network of trails for hiking and mountain biking just minutes from downtown. Paddle or kayak on the Tennessee River, with rental options available along the riverfront. Attend a live music performance, especially bluegrass or country, at venues like the Bijou Theatre. Visit during a festival to experience local culture, food, and arts. Take a day trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for world-class hiking and scenic drives.
Knoxville Tours & Experiences
- Top Attractions: Highlights of Tennessee
- Duration Range: Explore the Urban Wilderness, a network of trails for hiking and mountain biking just minutes from downtown. Paddle or kayak on the Tennessee River, with rental options available along the riverfront. Attend a live music performance, especially bluegrass or country, at venues like the Bijou Theatre. Visit during a festival to experience local culture, food, and arts. Take a day trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for world-class hiking and scenic drives.
- Group Size: Small groups (up to 15 people)
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
- Recommended For: Visit in spring or fall for the best weather and festivals. Pack comfortable shoes for walking and layers for variable mountain weather. Tipping is customary in restaurants and for services. Knoxville is generally safe, but exercise normal urban precautions. Credit cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for smaller vendors. Respect local customs and engage with the friendly community for an authentic experience.
Average Tour Price: $95
Lowest Price Tour: $45
Highest Price Tour: $220
19 Available Tour Excursions in Knoxville
Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park on a hike that takes you along a pristine mountain river, viewing a series of cascades and 2 waterfalls before returning. As you walk along a mountain trail, learn about the environment from a naturalist guide. This walk is considered moderate. This tour is lead by a highly trained and skilled professional naturalist guide who is passionate and knowledgeable about the Smokies. For your safety and peace of mind, your guides are certified as Wilderness First Responders and in non lethal bear aversion techniques. ***Please note: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park will require parking tags for any vehicle stopping longer than 15 minutes.
Price: $105.00
Duration: 4 hours
Let’s Roam is the #1 app-led adventure hunt company! Embark on a thrilling journey to discover the top landmarks and hidden gems, where you’ll tackle trivia questions and conquer exciting challenges. Whether you’re collaborating with your team or competing against them, you’ll uncover new facts and create unforgettable experiences. Let’s Roam Adventure Hunts are perfect for adding excitement to your everyday routine, celebrating bachelorette parties, birthdays, corporate team building events, and more! Each player selects an interactive role with challenges designed to keep the adventure lively and engaging. Get ready to dive into an adventure of a lifetime with Let’s Roam!
Price: $12.31
Duration: 2 hours
Crazy Dash of Knoxville is a great way to see the city! Use an app on your phone to submit photos of items you find around the city. Find them in any order you choose and submit a photo for points. You'll also complete challenges for points. See your score on the rankings compared to others who have played across the country when you are finished. All games have a remote host that will chat with you during the game. Crazy Dash is our most easy-going scavenger hunt. Come have some fun in Knoxville today!
Price: $10.00
Duration: 2 hours
I give you a version of the city that some locals don’t know exist. In just two hours you will get to see the Tennessee river, gorgeous insights not normally traveled, the beginnings of Tennessee, and even where sports all started! The last Worlds Fair in the USA was held in this scruffy city and you will be a part of the reason why! I will also give the best recommendations to explore the real Tennessee! So you can be a tourist and local simultaneously.
Price: $79.99
Duration: 2 hours
Climb aboard the Volunteer Princess, and join us for a public cruise or private event along Knoxville, Tennessee’s beautiful riverfront! Our luxury yacht is designed with you and your guests in mind, so you’ll find both modern luxury and classic design as you cruise with us and celebrate events both large and small along the Tennessee River. Our two fully enclosed and climate-controlled decks allow us to set sail year-round regardless of weather, so you can feel confident hosting a private event or joining us for one of our popular public cruises! Tailored to your food, drink, and entertainment needs, our offerings and unique setting ensure your gatherings on Knoxville’s finest riverboat are splendid. From sunset dinners and champagne brunches to birthday parties and company outings, our popular riverboat cruises are sure to impress both you and your guests. Celebrate on the Volunteer Princess, and you’ll see why the best events are on the water!
Price: $32.25
Duration: 2 hours
Ready to uncover Knoxville’s chilling secrets? Join us for a thrilling ghost tour through the city’s most haunted and historic spots! Led by expert local guides—Knoxville’s official haunted history gurus—you’ll hear real, hair-raising tales of the city’s dark past and the spirits that linger today. Experience spine-tingling tours offered nightly, year-round, delving into wicked history spanning centuries. Wander through haunted streets after dark, uncovering local legends from infamous witch trials to little-known tragedies. Discover why Knoxville is one of America’s most haunted cities! Your expert guide will bring these eerie stories to life as you visit legendary haunted locations like the Craighead-Jackson House and the Gay Street Bridge. Each step you take through Knoxville’s historic district is packed with spooky lore—feel the energy beneath your feet as you journey through this haunted city!
Price: $32.00
Duration: 1 hours
Have a blast outside as you see Knoxville and all its offerings: Charles Krutch Park, Civil War historic sites, Blount Mansion, Lawson McGhee Library, Knoxville’s Market Square, Grand Lodge of Tennessee and more. Enjoy solving fun puzzles and challenges as you experience Knoxville in a whole new way. You and your group of 1 to 6 people enjoy solving fun interactive puzzles along the way.
Price: $24.50
Duration: 2 hours
Get ready to turn every outing into an epic adventure with Let’s Roam—the absolute best in app-led scavenger hunts! Imagine strolling to the coolest landmarks and uncovering hidden gems, all while tackling brain-teasing trivia and conquering exhilarating challenges. Whether you're out with friends, celebrating a bachelorette bash, or igniting team spirit at a corporate event, Let’s Roam transforms every occasion into an unforgettable experience. Each player gets to dive into interactive roles, ensuring that every challenge is as unique and exciting as the next. So, lace up your shoes, download the app, and get ready to make memories that will have you laughing and learning all day long. Let’s Roam scavenger hunts aren’t just an activity—they’re a surefire way to create epic adventures and unforgettable moments, no matter the occasion. Let’s make today extraordinary!
Price: $12.31
Duration: 2 hours
Experience Knoxville in a new way on a self-guided audio tour that looks at the city’s deep and dynamic heritage in the development of American country music. Discover new stories about the talented musicians and songwriters who were born here or used the city as a springboard to fame, in Nashville and beyond. Some just came to play, while others left their mark in memorable ways. We’ll meet the truly famous, like Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, and Elvis Presley, but also the more obscure performers and songwriters such as Charlie Oaks and Arthur Q. Smith. Along the way, you'll hear interesting facts and tales from Knoxville’s history and culture along the way, too. Whether you’re a visitor or a resident curious about local history, which often connects to national history, this tour is the perfect primer to Knoxville’s Country Music roots. This walking tour can be enjoyed on location or even virtually at home with our Continuous Play function which disables the GPS playback.
Price: $8.99
Duration: 1-1 hours
Book your Private Departure Transfer from Knoxville hotel or any address to McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS). Don't go through all the hassle of waiting in a long taxi or shared shuttles queues and use our private, door to door airport transfer. Your driver will be waiting for you at a scheduled time and you will travel comfortably to your destination. • Meeting with a Nameplate • We track your Flight • Door-to-door Service • No Hidden Charges • Clean cars & Professional drivers
Price: $81.88
Duration: 0 hours
Join an interactive latte art workshop led by a skilled home barista. Learn step-by-step techniques from grinding to pouring to create stunning designs in your coffee. Discover the history and traditions behind latte art and coffee culture. You'll practice using professional handmade espresso machine and techniques, perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Non-dairy options are available—let us know your preferences in advance. Take home new skills to impress friends with your latte art creations.
Price: $40.00
Duration: 1 hours
The Knoxville Wacky Walks scavenger hunt is a royal-themed experience that will use an app to give you a list of items around the city to find and challenges to complete. Along the way, compete in royal tournaments to determine the King/Queen throughout the game. Gain points for your team by taking photos of the items you find and challenges you complete. The goal is to hold on to the King/Queen title the longest and gain as many points as you can. Play for as long as you want anywhere in the city you'd like. A remote host will be following along virtually and chatting with you if you need anything. Come reign in Knoxville today!
Price: $10.00
Duration: 2 hours
Explore the enchanting beauty of Ancient Lore Village in Knoxville, TN, where every corner reveals a new adventure. With an Adventure Day Pass, immerse yourself in whimsical gardens, hike scenic woodland trails, and join a guided character tour filled with enchanting tales. Engage in the Unity Quest, an interactive scavenger hunt that brings the village's lore to life. Enjoy outdoor games in the Elven Grove Gameyard, and try your hand at axe throwing and archery under the guidance of expert instructors (included with pass). This is the perfect blend of fun, nature, and connection, all wrapped in a magical setting.
Price: $35.00
Duration: 1 hours
Holly Jolly Hunt is a scavenger hunt that is played using an app on your smartphone, that brings your entire family and friends together for holiday cheer. During the adventure you’ll be seeking out all the traditional, and even the non-traditional holiday items we all see this time of year around the city. You’ll get points for each item you find. The goal is to capture as many items as you can in order to score as many points as possible and get 1st place on the leaderboard. Along the way you’ll be asked to perform silly holiday themed tasks meant to bring laughter and smiles to everyone involved. Come play with us. Young or old, this is a scavenger hunt for everyone that enjoys this time of year. We promise you will create holiday memories that you will not forget! Holly Jolly Hunt can be played in any city!
Price: $20.00
Duration: 1 hours
Book your Private Round-Trip Transfer from McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) to Knoxville hotel or address and return. Don't go through all the hassle of waiting in a long taxi or shared shuttles queues and use our private, door to door airport transfer. Your driver will be waiting for you at a scheduled time and you will travel comfortably to your destination. • Meeting with a Nameplate • We track your Flight • Door-to-door Service • No Hidden Charges • Clean cars & Professional drivers
Price: $163.76
Duration: 0 hours
Book your Private Arrival Transfer from McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) to Knoxville hotel or address. Don't go through all the hassle of waiting in a long taxi or shared shuttles queues and use our private, door to door airport transfer. Your driver will be waiting for you at a scheduled time and you will travel comfortably to your destination. • Meeting with a Nameplate • We track your Flight • Door-to-door Service • No Hidden Charges • Clean cars & Professional drivers
Price: $81.88
Duration: 0 hours
Metro Livery offers reliable and comfortable transportation from Knoxville Airport (McGhee Tyson) to Nashville International Airport, providing a seamless travel experience across Tennessee. Whether you're traveling for business or leisure, Metro Livery ensures a smooth, timely ride with professional chauffeurs who prioritize safety and convenience. With a fleet of luxurious vehicles, passengers can enjoy a stress-free journey, perfect for those who want to relax or catch up on work during the drive. The service is ideal for individuals, families, or groups looking for a hassle-free and efficient airport transfer between Knoxville and Nashville.
Price: $550.00
Duration: 3 hours
Walk around Knoxville while trying to survive the zombie apocalypse with Zombie Scavengers! On an app, you'll be given a list of items to find (in any order you choose) to help you survive a zombie apocalypse. You'll get points for finding these items, as well as completing some zombie themed challenges. Figure out the best game plan to get the most points in order to survive. A remote host will chat with you during the game if you have any questions. Prove you can survive the zombie apocalypse in Knoxville for bragging rights with all your friends!
Price: $20.00
Duration: 1 hours
1. Choose Your Tour
Browse our curated selection of tours and select your perfect adventure.
2. Check Details
Review tour inclusions, duration, and meeting points carefully.
3. Book Online
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4. Enjoy Your Experience
Join the tour and create unforgettable memories in Knoxville.
Important Tour Information
- Bring comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing
- Check tour cancellation and refund policies
- Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes early
- Carry valid identification and tour booking confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions
Local Food & Cuisine
Knoxville’s food scene reflects its Southern roots, with barbecue, fried chicken, and biscuits as local staples. Must-try dishes include smoked ribs, hot chicken, and banana pudding. The city also boasts a growing craft beer scene and farm-to-table restaurants. Notable spots include Calhoun’s on the River for barbecue with a view and The Tomato Head for creative, locally sourced fare. Don’t miss the farmers’ market at Market Square for fresh, regional products.
Getting Around
Knoxville is served by McGhee Tyson Airport, with connections to major U.S. cities. The city has limited public transit; ride-sharing, taxis, and rental cars are the most convenient options for getting around. Downtown is walkable, but a car is recommended for exploring beyond the city center. Parking is generally available and affordable, especially in public garages.
Travel Tips
Visit in spring or fall for the best weather and festivals. Pack comfortable shoes for walking and layers for variable mountain weather. Tipping is customary in restaurants and for services. Knoxville is generally safe, but exercise normal urban precautions. Credit cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for smaller vendors. Respect local customs and engage with the friendly community for an authentic experience.
Culture & Customs
Knoxville’s culture is rooted in Southern hospitality, with an emphasis on friendliness and community. Music, especially bluegrass and country, plays a central role in local identity. Major events include the Dogwood Arts Festival, Boomsday fireworks, and the International Biscuit Festival. Casual dress is common, and politeness is valued. Visitors are encouraged to explore local history, support small businesses, and participate in community events.
