J.C. Holdway

Once described as a “Scruffy City” on the banks of the Tennessee River, Knoxville is far and away Tennessee’s most low key urban center. Situated just west of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the city holds space for a surprisingly diverse array of Appalachian voices andn perspectives and is quickly becoming a destination for makers, artists and musicians from around the world. If you get a chance to stop by or decide to make the pilgrimmage for the Big Ears festival post pandemic, check out a few of these foodie (and brewie?) staples to hold you down during your stay.

Welcome to my completely unorganized but oh-so-helpful map of Knoxville! An absolute smorgasbord of my own travels and research, suggestions from friends and strangers, and many treasures found along the way, this is where I compile all things Knoxville for my future trips and yours. Things I particularly love that you’ll find a lot of: ☕️ Coffee shops & bakeries 🌮 Local cuisine 🏛️ Museums of all kinds 🌳 Gardens & parks 🛏️ Boutique hotels 🍕 Small regional chains with good reputations All my guides in this category are $5 per 100 places included, but since I add to these constantly, you can lock down the lowest price today and gain a lifetime access!