There are many places to see and things to do in Knoxville. The city is located on the Tennessee River in eastern Tennessee and is home to several historical sites. Explore the Market Square district, which is filled with 19th-century buildings. You can also visit the Museum of East Tennessee History, where you can see artifacts of the Civil War and regional history. The Revolutionary War-era James White’s Fort is another great attraction, with a reconstructed log cabin from 1786.
Will Skelton Greenway
You can take a bike ride through the Will Skelton Greenway, a scenic biking trail just a few miles outside of Knoxville. The path, which begins at Island Home Park and ends at the Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area, is a great place to see wildlife and enjoy the scenery. It’s also near Ijams Nature Center and Forks of the River.
If you love running, you can head to the Melton Lake Greenway, a six-mile asphalt trail that runs alongside the Melton Hill Lake. The lake is home to collegiate crew teams, and the trail is a great way to see the lake up close. It’s also a great spot to enjoy picnics or play sand volleyball. Mountain bikers can also head to Haw Ridge Park, a bike-friendly park that is geared toward mountain bikers.
You can also take a bike ride or walk on the Will Skelton Greenway, which runs through the Island Home Park and the Ijams Nature Center. The Greenway’s Perimeter Trails are marked by a red blaze and hiker/bike symbols. This trail is just 4 miles away from your home and is a great way to get some exercise while admiring the view.
There are numerous places to go in Knoxville. There are paved trails in downtown Knoxville and along the Tennessee River. The Will Skelton Greenway is one of the most popular places to visit during the summer months. And the Ijams Recreation Area is also located along the river. It features an old Civil War fort and a quarry lake.
The city is also home to the Blount Mansion, which is five minutes from downtown Knoxville. The Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy walking trails, display gardens, and unique horticulture. The city is also home to Fort Dickerson, the best-preserved earthen fort from the Civil War era. It was built to protect Knoxville and was crucial to its defense during the Civil War battle.
Mabry-Hazen House Museum
The Mabry-Hazen House is a historic home located on an eight-acre site in Knoxville, Tennessee. The house was constructed in 1858 and was also known as the Evelyn Hazen House and the Joseph Alexander Mabry Jr. House. It was built for Joseph Alexander Mabry II, who named it Pine Hill Cottage and made it his residence.
This museum is one of the places to go in Knox County that focuses on the history of the city. It is home to one of the largest collections of original family artifacts in the country. The collection includes over 2,000 original artifacts from the Hazen and Mabry families. The exhibits and displays showcase the families’ rich history and colorful lifestyles.
The museum is open for tours and events. Its hours of operation depend on the day. You can go on a Saturday between 10 AM and 3 PM. There are a number of special events during the year that will make this museum a must-visit.
Aside from the Mabry-Hazen House Museum, you can also check out the surrounding historic areas. The Blount Mansion has a twenty-minute virtual tour. You can also check out the displays at the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture. Of course, there is still a cost to see these places, so make sure you have the budget for them.
Mabry-Hazen House Museum: The Mabry-Hazen House Museum has a rich history and is a must-visit if you’re in Knoxville. This 1858 brick mansion was built for Robert and Louise Franklin Armstrong and later served as General James Longstreet’s headquarters during the “siege of Knoxville.” This museum and library is part of a downtown walking tour that also includes other sites of interest.
Knoxville Museum of Art
The Knoxville Museum of Art is a Tennessee art museum that specializes in East Tennessee art. The Knoxville Museum of Art offers a wide variety of fine art and other cultural experiences to visitors. The Knoxville Museum of Art is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The museum is free to enter and features a permanent collection of contemporary art.
The museum features a lively schedule of exhibitions focused on the rich visual traditions of East Tennessee. The museum has also recently installed a permanent exhibition titled Higher Ground: A Century of the Visual Arts in East Tennessee. This exhibition brings together works from the KMA’s permanent collection, loans from public and private institutions, and works from individual artists. The exhibit marks a significant milestone in the KMA’s history and reflects a growing sense of pride in the region’s culture and art.
The Knoxville Museum of Art has 12,700 square feet of exhibition space and five galleries. It also includes a 150-seat auditorium, reception hall, and staff offices. It is also home to a museum gift shop. Its building is clad in Tennessee pink marble and has undergone several restorations. In 1996, it received AMA accreditation.
The Knoxville Museum of Art was originally known as the Dulin Gallery of Art. It was originally housed in a mansion designed by noted American architect John Russell Pope. However, the museum eventually outgrew the Dulin mansion and needed to move to a larger building. The new museum, which opened in March 1990, was designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes. The building is 53,200 square feet and is faced with Tennessee pink marble.
Seven Islands State Birding Park
The Seven Islands State Birding Park is a state park located in Knox County, Tennessee. Located east of Knoxville near Kodak along the French Broad River, this park is a haven for birdwatchers. The park features a rich variety of grassland landscapes and offers habitat for 180 species of birds.
The park has a boat launch and scenic views of pastoral farmlands and islands, shoals, and other areas that make for great birdwatching. The park also has canoe and kayak rentals available during weekends. The park is an excellent location for birdwatching all year long.
The park is a prime location for avian watching, with over 200 bird species documented since 2002. The area is also home to hundreds of breeding pairs. Common species at the park include Northern Bobwhites, Wild Turkeys, Indigo Buntings, Common Yellowthroat, and Yellow-breasted Chats. The park is also home to many other birds, including Geese, ducks, and herons.
The park has many different trails, including the Upland Trail Inner Loop and Seclusion Bend Trail. These trails are ideal for bird watching and running. The park has picnic tables at the main parking lot. Its trails are also great for hiking. And if you’re not into bird watching, the hiking trails are a great option.
The park is located on the French Broad River, one of the oldest rivers in the world. There are many whitewater sections along this river, but the park also has a class I-II section, which is perfect for flat water paddling.
Zoo Knoxville
Formerly known as Knoxville Zoo and Knoxville Zoological Gardens, Zoo Knoxville is located on 53 acres just east of downtown Knoxville, near Exit 392 of Interstate 40. With over 1,200 animals, this wildlife preserve and museum welcomes more than 585,000 visitors a year. Whether you’re an animal lover or just looking for a fun day out, Zoo Knoxville is sure to delight.
Zoo Knoxville is one of the premier zoological experiences in the Southeast. The zoo’s mission is to share the ‘wonders of nature’ with its guests. Its creative habitats and animal-friendly programs inspire an appreciation for wildlife and the importance of conservation. Visitors can also learn about the local, regional, and global resources through its programs.
In 1966, the Knoxville Zoo received a donation from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to help save the zoo’s bull elephant, Old Diamond. However, Old Diamond tore up some of the early enclosures and gained a reputation as Louie. Despite these setbacks, the Metropolitan Planning Commission announced revitalization and modernization plans for the zoo. In the early 1970s, the zoo’s CEO, Guy Lincoln Smith III, purchased a lion cub to keep Old Diamond company. With help from Dr. Bill Patterson, Zoo Knoxville has become an educational zoo.
The giraffe population in the wild has been decreasing significantly over the past few years. They face threats including habitat loss, competition with growing human populations, and bushmeat hunting. The Zoo Knoxville zoo hopes the new baby will help keep the population healthy and strong.