We have entered the “ber” months, there is a slight chill in the air, and pumpkin spice has appeared on menus – fall is (almost) here! Every year when fall arrives, I am reminded of just how lucky we are to live in East Tennessee. Knoxville comes alive this time of year with the fall colors and (of course) football.
To help you take advantage of all the great autumn fun our area has to offer, I have created a bucket list of some must-do Knoxville fall activities:
Go Hiking
With our proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this activity had to be at the top of the list. Check out our list of family-friendly hikes and tips for hiking with littles. Then, grab your family and hit the trail!
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
It wouldn’t be fall without a visit to the pumpkin patch. We have some great ones to choose from in our area. Most of them are basically an entire fall amusement park with giant slides, corn mazes, and more. You can see a whole list of pumpkin patches here.
Get Family Photos Made
Take advantage of how beautiful it is outside and book some family photos. Most photographers start offering mini sessions this time of year, so keep an eye out on social media. If you need a family photographer recommendation, be sure to read our list of area photographers to get started.
Head to Market Square Farmer’s Market
Fall is my favorite time to head to downtown Knoxville. I love a good Saturday morning at the Market Square Farmer’s Market. It’s especially exciting if it’s a game day and everyone is decked out in their Tennessee orange. If you can’t make it on a Saturday, they also have a market on Wednesdays. The season runs until November 22nd.
Go Cheer on the Vols
You can’t talk about fall in Knoxville without mentioning our fabulous football team. Going to a game at Neyland is an experience like no other. If you head to a game with your kids, we have a mom’s guide to Neyland to help you out.
Head to a One Knoxville Game
If football isn’t your thing or if you are looking for something different to try, you should go check out Knoxville’s very own soccer team. Tickets are available online and games are played at Covenant Health Park. They have a few home games coming up, so go check them out!
Eat ALL the Pumpkin Treats
Fall is my favorite time to check out all the local coffee shops, bakeries, and donut stores because pumpkin spice takes over. My current favorites are the pumpkin pie latte from K-Brew and pumpkin spice cheesecake donut from Parlor Doughnuts. You can check out an entire list of Knoxville pumpkin-flavored treats here.
Visit a Park
A playground where I am not melting from the heat?! Sign me up! Enjoy the cooler temps and head out to an area park. You can have some family fun and maybe even a picnic. Knoxville has several parks to choose from and many offer much more than just a playground, so grab your kids and go explore one.
