Knoxville is a city filled with endless fun and family friendly things to do. If you’re anything like me and the slightest bit of nice weather has you itching to get outside, then I have the perfect thing for you to add to your family-fun-to-do-list: an around town mural scavenger hunt! All over the city, you can stumble upon hidden art masterpieces that are just waiting for you to find them. From the sides of restaurants, shops, the ever-changing and popular Market Square graffiti, to the charming, smaller surrounding towns, you are sure to find walls with stories to tell and colors that captivate.
If you need a fun last minute family photo, want to show off our town to the visiting family this holiday season, or just need a day of entertainment for the kids, then head on out the door with this mural list in mind. Nothing beats a day of free family entertainment that involves anticipation and excitement around every turn. This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means; so buckle those kiddos in the car, tell them you’re going on a scavenger hunt and that they need to keep their eyes wide open!
Weaving Rainbow Mountain
You’ll find these colorful stairs between the UT campus and World’s Fair Park.
Dolly
Who doesn’t love Dolly? Even though you’ll find her in Art Alley, I just love her so much I thought she needed her own recognition!
Jerry’s Artarama
You’ll find these swirling swimming fish off Homberg Drive in Knox.
Knox Dough
I’m not one to turn down some angel wings. These can be found in Farragut.
DW Designs
Not even the tiniest people can turn down a photo-op here on Kingston Pike! I mean, come on, can you blame them?
BIG
How adorable would this be for a new big sibling announcement?? It’s over at 798 Irwin Street. These are the lovely ladies that painted it!
Lego Man
I don’t know a little boy that would turn down anything Lego related, especially decked out in UT gear! He’s over at Java on Central.
Art Alley
When I was crowdsourcing for cute kid photos for this article, I had SO many for Market Square/Art Alley I couldn’t include them all. The backdrop there is always changing and what you see today may not be there the next time you visit, so be sure to take the photo!
Clinton
Outside of Knox, in the sweet town of Clinton, you’ll find this hometown mural at Spindle Tree.
Superheroes
Also outside of Knoxville, over in Maryville, you’ll find a mural both your little and big superheroes will LOVE! It’s by the courthouse at the intersection of Court Street and High Street.
Butterflies
South of Knoxville, you’ll see beautiful butterfly wings fit for people both big and small. To the left of these big wings, you’ll find another pair small enough for all the littles in the family, including the dog! These are in the heart of downtown Maryville off Broadway.
Knoxville Winter Mural
This one is new around town and another Market Square find. Look for it near the ice rink that’s open for the winter season.
Doors of The Standard
This one isn’t your typical wall-painted-mural, but who can turn down such a beauty of a backdrop?
Inside the Sunsphere
The Sunsphere is a staple of the downtown Knoxville skyline. Did you know you can go inside it?
The Muse
The downtown Chilhowee Park location of The Muse has this adorable mural outside for little minds. They also have colorful steps leading up to the front doors of the building that would make a great photo spot!
K Brew
What better way to show off the town than this postcard-esque mural? You’ll find it off North Broadway at K Brew!
If you have a mural to add to our list, please comment below and let us know where it is. Let’s get our local art seen and heard! If you know the artist or story behind the painting, please share it with us.
A BIG thank you to all those who submitted photos for this article when I reached out. It wouldn’t have been possible without all of y’all! The Knoxville Moms community continually amazes me. #momsrule
Where are the wings in Farragut located?
They can be found at the Farragut Knox Dough location!