Knoxville is a city I did not have on my radar. Knoxville is 3 1/2 hours from Atlanta which makes it ideal for a weekend getaway. I’ve only driven through it once before in my life when my parents thought I could play softball there one day. Little did I know 10 years later I would come back to this city twice within 6 months and enjoy all the activities it has to offer.

When in Knoxville I stayed with friends which made my lodging free. There are many affordable hotel accommodations right outside the city limits that offer free parking. AirBnB is looking like the best option cost-wise and I put some options below!

• Hampton Inn & Suites North Knoxville
• Craftsman AirBnB
• Affordable Downtown Studio AirBnb
• Quaint Updated Studio Near UT AirBnB

Friday Night:

Dinner at Stock & Barrel:

After you drive into the city and after getting settled into your lodging, it is time to grab a bite to eat, if you didn’t get a chance on the road. Stock & Barrel is worth the wait! I ordered the Black Betty to drink and split an order of the duck fat fries. Many of my friends ordered burgers and they are filling and appetizing.

Drinks at Maple Hall:

There are a lot of great bars downtown since it is a college town, but I loved Maple Hall. The downstairs has a great bar area perfect for large groups and even has a bowling alley. It is first-come, first-serve for the bowling with $35 per hour per lane. That is affordable if you have a large group. My favorite part of the bar was actually upstairs. The upstairs of Maple Hall has comfortable seating with lifesize board games and a patio.

Saturday:

Breakfast/Brunch at Balter Beerworks:

A great way to start off a Saturday is with mimosas and biscuits and gravy. Thank goodness Balter Beerworks offers both of them! Since I visited in the heart of football season it was also the perfect spot to watch College Gameday as well. Very affordable brunch with a large variety of options!

Scavenger with LetsRoam:

My friend really wanted us to get the full tour of Knoxville so we chose to walk and complete a scavenger hunt! This scavenger hunt is through an app on your phone called LetsRoam. It asks you a series of questions and guides you through downtown while learning about it at the same time. It costs $12.99 per person. If you have a large group I recommend only 2 people buy it and create teams to split the cost! Great way to learn about Knoxville history and get in a brisk walk to burn off brunch!

Drinks on Hyatt Place Rooftop (Five Thirty Lounge):

After our scavenger hunt (well actually halfway through) we decided to stop for drinks since it was such a beautiful day out! The Five Thirty Lounge at the top of the Hyatt Place hotel is a hidden gem. If offers stunning views of the city paired with cozy seating and cocktails on draft makes this a great afternoon stop!

Ice Cream at Cruze Farm:

Towards the end of our scavenger hunt, we stopped for another treat at well. It was a hot day and Knoxville is a hilly city. Cruze Farm has regular ice cream, shakes, floats, and churns (like blizzards). I of course chose the cookies and cream churn to fill me up.

Strong Alley Graffiti Gallery:

Part of the scavenger hunt took us to this eclectic street. Strong Alley Graffiti Gallery is a must-visit while downtown. Local artists have created stunning murals all along the street that show lots of creativity. It really reminded me of the murals I saw in Melbourne! Knoxville has tons of murals around the city and this is just a highlight!

Dinner at Farmacy:

Tonight’s dinner is a little bit outside the city, but it 100% worth the drive for the flavors. Everything at Farmacy is prepared fresh and all sourced from local farms. Farmacy takes reservations so make one early! We were so excited about everything they had to offer that we ordered a lot of food and split it between people. We ordered the red pepper and tomato bisque, Brussel sprouts, enlightened bowl, cornbread, and a farmacy burger. A great spot for delightful food!

Blue Slip Winery:

After an early dinner hop over to Blue Slip Winery before it closes at 8 pm. Blue Slip has very affordable tastings for as low as $5 and a variety of red and white wines. The perfect way to end a busy day!

Right now during COVID, they are only open from 2-6 and require reservations. Best to contact them through phone or Instagram.

Preservation Pub:

If you are wanting a more immersive experience, head back downtown to this local pub. Preservation Pub is in the heart of the city and a great local spot. The pub has three floors all with a different experience including a rooftop. Tons of drink options and late-night snacks if you get hungry again later on.

Sunday:

Breakfast/Brunch at Olibea:

After a busy Saturday in the city, nothing beats an amazing breakfast spot. Olibea is located right on the edge of downtown and reminds me of a quaint European cafe. It isn’t very large inside but I think that’s what makes it special. Make sure you get there early to get a table or call ahead! I started off with a glass of horchata which isn’t offered at many restaurants! For my meal, I ordered the Olibea Plate that comes with two eggs any style, potatoes (get them smashed life-changing!), bread (I chose the most mouth-watering biscuit), and a choice of protein (I chose their fried chicken which was unreal!). Everyone at my table got something different and unique and they loved it! Great last food spot to end your stay!

Visit Worlds Fair Park/Sunsphere:

You can’t leave your weekend visit to Knoxville without visiting one of the most iconic parts of the skyline, the Sunsphere. It was created for the 1982 world fair in Knoxville but sat dormant for many years! The city revitalized it back in 2007 with renovations and now it is free to visit! It talks about the history of the world fair, how it impacted Knoxville, and of course stunning views of the city. I also recommend walking about the Worlds Fair Park and the amphitheater to take it all in. Completely free activity and a great way to soak up the last bits of the city! The park is open right now but currently, the Sunsphere is closed due to COVID protocols.

Overall Knoxville Thoughts

My weekend escape to Knoxville combined delicious food with some small city charm. I felt like I accomplished a lot of activities while in the city but there are still a few more I’d love to add when I go back! Places like the Knoxville Museum of Art and Tennessee Theatre could be added to your list as well! Also, right outside of Knoxville there are many outdoor places to explore and hike! The William Hastie Nature Area, I.C King Park, and a little further out Frozen Head State Park. Can’t wait for you to explore this great city and let me know your thoughts when you do!

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