ATTRACTIONS & MUSEUMS
Arts & Culture Music in Knoxville Enjoy these Knoxville area attractions and museums.
Alex Haley Statue Magnificent statue honoring Alex Haley, author of “Roots,” who made Knoxville his home. Designed for interaction, the statue is located next to a playground and is surrounded by a scenic city park. Morningside Park 1600 Dandridge Avenue 800-727-8045 American Museum of Science & Energy One of the world's largest energy exhibitions. Hands-on exhibits, displays, models, films, games, and live demonstrations. 300 S. Tulane Avenue, Oak Ridge 865-576-3200 Armstrong-Lockett House (Crescent Bend) Built in 1834. Contains exquisite collection of 18th century English and American furniture and art. Three-acre formal Italian-terraced garden overlooking the Tennessee River. Crescent Bend was constructed as a residence for Drury P. Armstrong -- a merchant, farmer, and county official -- in 1834. It is also called the "Armstrong-Lockett House" for the first and last families to use it as a residence. 2728 Kingston Pike 865-637-3163 Beck Cultural Exchange Center One of the oldest museums and historical reservoirs of African-American heritage and achievement in the Southeastern United States, this museum depicts the history of African-Americans through its extensive collection of photographs, newspapers, audio and video recordings, biographies, books, and artwork. 1927 Dandridge Avenue 865-524-8461 Blount Mansion See the 1792 Blount Mansion, home and Capitol of Gov. William Blount, signer of the U.S. Constitution. Guided tours of this National Historic Landmark show 18th century antiques and the workings of frontier government. 200 West Hill Avenue 865-525-2375 Candy Factory & Victorian Houses This 19th century building used to be a Candy Factory, but now is home to The Chocolate Factory candy and gift shop. Fort Kid (kids playground) is right across the street. 1060 World’s Fair Park Drive 865-546-5707 Children's Museum of Oak Ridge A unique educational resource, the museum provides children with the opportunity to learn while playing - to create, discover, solve, and experience, within non-traditional, interactive exhibit galleries. 461 W. Outer Drive Oak Ridge, TN 37830 865-482-1074 Civil War Sites Tour This tour covers significant Knoxville Civil War sites. Prepared by the Knoxville Civil War Roundtable. Confederate Memorial Hall (Bleak House) Confederate Memorial Hall, originally named Bleak House, has a rich and interesting past. Completed in 1858 for Robert & Louise Franklin Armstrong, it served as headquarters of General James Longstreet, C.S.A., during the “siege of Knoxville” in 1863. Visible reminders of the war and a Confederate museum. 3148 Kingston Pike, S.W. 865-522-2371 Cradle of Country Music Tour A downtown walking tour highlighting the early development of country music in Knoxville. 601 S. Gay Street 865-215-8824 East Tennessee Discovery Center Hands-on science center offers educational fun for children of all ages. 516 N. Beaman Knoxville, TN 37914 865-594-1494 East Tennessee Historical Center For nearly 170 years, the East Tennessee Historical Society has been helping East Tennesseeans hold on to their unique heritage, recording the events, collecting the artifacts, and saving the stories that comprise the history we all share. 601 S. Gay Street 865-215-8824 Emporium Center for Arts & Culture In the heart of downtown Knoxville and one block from the Visitors Center, the Emporium includes an expansive gallery and numerous artist studios. Its spaces celebrate East Tennessee’s unique world-view with regular openings, poetry slams, and eclectic performances. 100 S. Gay Street 865-523-7543 Frank H. McClung Museum A general museum with collections in anthropology, archaeology, decorative arts, medicine, local history and natural history. The exhibits document ways of life, cultural trends, and technologies from prehistoric times to the present day, and showcase much of Tennessee's past -- its geology, history, art, and culture. 1327 Circle Park Drive 865-974-2144 Great Smoky Mountains National Park 520,000 acres encompass more than 850 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding; 735 miles of streams for fishing; many developed and backcountry campsites; spectacular scenery and views from peaks over 6,000 feet; several visitors centers with interpretive exhibits and artifacts. The most visited National Park in the U.S. Approx. 40 miles southeast of Knoxville 865-436-1200 Ijams Nature Center A 150-acre park with mulched and paved trails, a waterfront boardwalk and wildlife viewing areas. Seasonal events include music concerts, owl prowls, canoe trips, plant sales and guided nature walks. 2915 Island Home Avenue 865-577-4717 International Friendship Bell The first monument between a U.S. Manhattan Project city and Japan. The bell serves as an expression of hope for everlasting peace. Badger Ave., Oak Ridge 865-482-7821	James White's Fort The home of James White who settled here on a 1,000-acre grant. His first home, furnished with original tools and artifacts from the period, gives a glimpse into the daily existence of early settlers to this region Knoxville's most visited historic site. 205 East Hill Avenue 865-525-6514 Knoxville Zoo Discover a world of wonder at Knoxville Zoo. Grasslands Africa! brings the animals of Africa to one location. Enjoy elephants, giraffe, zebra, kudu, gazelles, waterbuck and several birds. Admission charge. Exit 392 off I-40 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive 865-637-5331 Mabry-Hazen House Museum and Civil War Bethel Cemetery The home, of the Victorian and Civil War periods, showcases original artifacts, including china, silver, crystal and antique furnishings. The house served as headquarters for Union and Confederate troops. More than 1,600 Civil War soldiers and 50 Union prisoners are buried in Bethel Cemetery 1711 Dandridge Avenue 865-522-8661 Marble Springs State Historic Homestead The original home of Gov. John Sevier, a loom house, tavern, smokehouse and half-cantilever barn are used to educate the public about the life and times of Gov. John Sevier. 1220 W. Governor John Sevier Hwy. 865-573-5508 Museum of Appalachia, TN The most authentic and complete replica of pioneer Appalachian life in the world. Hwy 61 Norris, TN 37828 865-494-7680 Old City Historic District Shops and boutiques offering unique gifts, crafts, antiques, art and clothing. Also home to popular coffee shops, restaurants and nightspots. Jackson Avenue and Central Street intersection in Downtown Knoxville Old Gray Cemetery This 13 acres of beauty and history, is over 150 years old. Although the land was purchased in 1850 the cemetery was not dedicated until 1852 when the first 40 lots were sold at public auction. Today Old Gray clearly depicts Knoxville's history as well as the Victorian era and provides an important example of cemetery planning and design during the rural-cemetery or garden movement. 939 Tyson Street 865-522-1424 Ramsey House Plantation Ramsey House Plantation is a 1797 historic house museum open to the public through guided tours. The site includes a Visitor Center that houses a museum shop, exhibits, and ticket sales. With over 100 acres, the site hosts picnic areas and heirloom gardens for guests to visit. 2614 Thorn Grove Pike 865-546-0745 Star of Knoxville Riverboat Enjoy the scenic Tennessee River aboard an authentic sternwheel riverboat which offers lunch, sightseeing, dinner and party cruises. The two-hour dinner cruise features live entertainment and different themes each night. 300 Neyland Drive 865-525-7827 Sunsphere A golden glass ball in downtown Knoxville, that was built as the signature structure for the 1982 World’s Fair. It is 266 feet tall and has 26 stories. The actual ball itself houses only five levels. World's Fair Park Three Rivers Rambler This vintage steam engine train takes guests on a 90-minute excursion to the Forks of the River and back, through some of Knoxville’s most historic and beautiful countryside. Volunteer Landing: Neyland Drive between Calhoun’s and the Boathouse 865-524-9411 University of Tennessee Football Hall of Fame It’s always Football Time in Tennessee at the UT Football Hall of Fame. The museum stands as a tribute to the student athletes who shaped 100 years of Volunteer Football. Neyland Thompson Sports Center 1704 Johnny Majors Drive on UT campus 865-974-5789 Volunteer Landing Beautiful and scenic one mile paved riverwalk that offers something for everyone with features including a regional visitor center, three restaurants, a full service marina, unique attractions, historical homes, waterfalls and fountains, and a premier hotel. Neyland Drive & Hill Avenue 800-727-8045 Volunteer State Veteran's Hall of Honor A tribute to Tennesseans who saw duty in combat, this Hall of Honor museum contains over 2,000 relics and exhibits that range from the Civil War through the Persian Gulf War. 4000 Chapman Highway 865-577-0757 Women's Basketball Hall of Fame The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame honors the past, celebrates the present and promotes the future of the women’s game. At 700 Hall of Fame Drive 865-633-9000 World's Fair Park Once the site of the 1982 World's Fair, this magnificent 52-acre park includes a large variety of attractions, shops, galleries, restaurants, and the Knoxville Convention Center. 1060 World's Fair Park Drive 865-215-1158 W.P. Toms Memorial Gardens Terraced 3-acre formal garden w/roses, thousand of blooming flowers, & 5 fountains overlooking TN River. 20,000 Tulips bloom each spring. Gardens embrace the Amstrong-Lockett House. 2728 Kingston Pike 865-637-3163