Downtown Knoxville offers more than just activities for the nine to five set. There are a surprising number of options for families and that number is growing all the time!) You can find activities based on your child’s interests ranging from art to sports. Or you can play tourist and see the sights. Did we mention each season brings new events downtown? One of my family’s favorite parts of exploring downtown Knoxville is striking out on foot and seeing what we discover. You can park at one of the easily accessible parking garages. Parking is free there on nights and weekends. Then start walking! The downtown area is compact with Market Square at the center so it’s very easy to get around. Knoxville Moms has polled our families, friends and fellow contributors to get you started with this Downtown Knoxville activity guide. We hope this list will help you create fun memories in downtown Knoxville!
25+ Things to Do in Downtown Knoxville
Events
Downtown Knoxville hosts more festivals than you can probably count. Some of our favorites include Greekfest, the Rossini Festival, the Mardi Growl Dog Parade and the Children’s Festival of Reading.
Line Gay Street to watch some of the biggest and best parades in East Tennessee. You can celebrate the holidays with the WIVK Christmas Parade or the Knox St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Cel-O’bragh-tion. Salute our military men and women at the Veteran’s Day Parade and honor Martin Luther King and remember Juneteenth with the MLK Parade and Juneteenth Celebration.
No question the heart of downtown Knoxville is Market Square. It is the backdrop to lots of great events including Concerts on the Square, the Market Square Farmers Market and holiday fun like ice skating! But sometimes people-watching and splashing in the Market Square play fountain is all you need!
Now there are more kid-friendly scavenger hunts than ever in downtown Knoxville! You can search for Waldo, Elf on the Shelf and even some Halloween-inspired Wicked Cool Cats. Each takes you around and through downtown businesses. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as spotting one—for kids and adults! Be sure to check out Knoxville’s “newt-est” downtown scavenger hunt. There are 12 newt-sized bronze sculptures hidden throughout downtown. Unlike the other hunts, “Newts in Knoxville” is a permanent exhibit. For more information including where to pick up and download newt passports, click here.
Enjoy a First Friday at least once during the summer. You can enjoy local art galleries and live music while strolling and sipping your way through downtown.
Sports & Recreation
Shoot some hoops and then take a tour around the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Even if you don’t like bowling, you’ll still have a great time and a good meal at Maple Hall Bowling Alley. There’s even a separate parlor for board games.
Experience the hard-hitting, fast-paced action with Knoxville’s own Hard Knox Roller Derby!
This is one time it’s okay to throw a sharp object! Craft Axe Throwing gives anyone a chance to play (and win)!
Cheer on our hometown hockey team the Ice Bears! The games often have special themes like Disney princess and Star Wars nights that add to the fun on the ice.
Arts
Take advantage of free admission to the Knoxville Museum of Art! There is a fun scavenger hunt for kids which encourages them to explore the museum. Be sure to allow extra time for Aubrey Jaye’s Art Play. It’s an interactive hands-on play area for children of all ages. They can even create their own art to take home!
Watch a classic movie or take in a Broadway show at the Tennessee Theatre. There’s always something to see at this beautiful piece of history. You can also see performances at the Bijou Theatre also located in downtown Knoxville.
Pick up a paint brush and create your very own piece of art. Painting with a Twist provides the supplies and does the cleanup so you can find your inner artist.
Get your toes tapping at a real live radio show. WDVX 89.9fm broadcasts from the downtown Visitors Center. Popular shows include the Blue Plate Special and Kidstuff which broadcasts every Saturday.
Watch a blockbuster movie at the Regal Riviera or classics and cult favorites at Central Cinema.
See the Sights
There’s probably nothing more iconic in downtown Knoxville than the Sunsphere. It’s worth the trip to the top! You can purchase tickets here or plan to visit during “Free Local Sunsphere Days” when admission is–you guessed it–FREE!
It doesn’t have to be Halloween to get spooked on one of Knoxville’s haunted ghost tours! If getting scared isn’t for you (or your kids), there are plenty of other walking tours ranging from history to food.
Go on a self-guided walking tour of all the Insta-worthy murals in downtown and beyond.
Take a stroll through Krutch Park and marvel at the artwork and beautiful water feature. (Kids love to toss leaves in and watch them go downstream! Did we mention there is another water play fountain?) Everyone should attend the Regal Celebration of Lights Christmas tree lighting at the Krutch Park Extension at least once!
Splash in the World’s Fair Park fountain! Or enjoy a festival or concert on the lawn.
Enjoy a Frozen Treat! Some of the best can be found downtown, whether it’s Cruze Farm, Phoenix Pharmacy & Soda Fountain, or Kilwins.
Educational
Learn about the area we call home at the Museum of East Tennessee History. Award-winning and interactive displays make it interesting for all ages. The History Headquarters is designed with kids in mind allowing them to learn the skills of a historian through investigation, discovery and play.
Explore McGhee Lawson Library. It’s the largest library in our area with an impressive children’s section with lots for kids to do beyond books. Be sure to check out the various programs, including story times.
Admission AND parking are free at McClung Museum of Natural History, so Family Fun Days and Museum Sprouts are an absolute must.
Grab your bicycles and scooters and head over to Safety City Knoxville! Kids love peddling around this miniature town made just for them. Parents love that their kids are learning about safety at the same time! Did we mention it’s FREE?
Land & Boat Tours
Rent a paddleboard or kayak and see Knoxville from the water. Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center provides a variety of experiences launching from its private dock in downtown.
Train lovers who are young or young at heart will enjoy a ride on the Three Rivers Rambler. The tourist train is located in the heart of Knoxville at a charming depot.
Go for a cruise on the Volunteer Princess. You’ll see the beautiful Tennessee River and all the sights on these one and two-hour cruises. Special events are often held with families in mind like Princess Cruises and Cookies with Santa.
