Attractions Nearby Knoxville, Day Trips and Excursions

(Knoxville, Tennessee - TN, USA)

In line with Knoxville's city center attractions, the nearby attractions of the surrounding area are largely historical. Those with a taste for history and tracing the past will have a field day here, with attractions nearby Knoxville including the Sam Houston Schoolhouse and Farragut Folklife Museum.

If you are seeking a different kind of thrill, ThunderWorld USA and Foothills Paintball Games are extremely popular attractions within easy reach of Knoxville and likely to get your adrenaline flowing, while the Palace Theater offers a more sedate way to pass an evening.

Dollywood

Address: 2700 Dollywood Parks Boulevard, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee TN, 37863-4101, USA
Tel: +1 865 428 9488
Dollywood is a vast theme park, standing around 35 miles / 56 km to the southeast of Knoxville, in nearby Pigeon Forge. Close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood is co-owned by famous country and western signer Dolly Parton, who makes regular appearances at the park during the summer months, with occasional concerts. Other Dollywood attractions include fun rides, rollercoasters, museums, restaurants, shops, festivals and the Dollywood Express, a steam train which travels around the surrounding countryside.
Open hours: April to December, seasonal variations
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

Allegheny Springs Retreat Center

Address: 4501 Gribble Road, 17 miles / 27 km from Maryville, Maryville, Tennessee TN, 37803-1827, USA
Tel: +1 406 251 5965
A popular place among campers, hikers, fishermen and nature lovers, Allegheny Springs is a popular excursion from Knoxville and is situated in a beautiful area at the base of Chilhowee Mountain. Stretching across 33 acres / 13 hectares of peaceful forest, visitors can come and stay here for a hard-to-beat relaxing retreat from the urban jungle. Accommodation options include a century-old farmhouse, a cabin and two camping areas. Facilities include a meeting lodge, natural spring, fishing pond and walking trails.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Farragut Folklife Museum

Address: 11408 Municipal Center Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee TN, 37922-2830, USA
Tel: +1 865 966 7057
Within easy driving distance of Knoxville, this museum is home to a wide collection of East Tennessee artifacts and attractions, ranging from the personal belongings of Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, the first Admiral of the United States Navy, to items relating to local history. Frequently changing community exhibits can also be viewed here as well as some interesting railroad artifacts.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 16:30
Admission: free

Foothills Paintball Games

Address: 2725 Highway 411 South, Located in the Mall, Maryville, Tennessee TN, 37801, USA
Tel: +1 865 983 2189
Open throughout the year, Foothills Paintball Games in Maryville is the ideal venue for paintball games. Featuring on-site air smith work, indoor and outdoor fields, high quality paintballs, equipment rentals and a shop, the establishment will not disappoint in meeting your paintball requirements. Also featured here are regular local tournaments.
Open hours: seasonal variations
Admission: charge

Palace Theater and The Espresso Bar

Address: 113 West Broadway, Maryville, Tennessee TN, 37801-4703, USA
Tel: +1 865 983 3330
This one-of-a-kind theater showcases regular acoustic concerts, movies and children's shows. Other attractions include the Espresso Bar, sitting adjacent and serving creamy cappuccinos, rich espressos and other coffees, as well as bagel sandwiches, salads and deli-style dishes.
Open hours: daily, hours vary
Admission: charge

Sam Houston Schoolhouse

Address: 3650 Old Sam Houston School Road, Maryville, Tennessee TN, 37804-5644, USA
Tel: +1 865 983 1550
Situated just over 10 miles / 16 km from Knoxville in Maryville, Sam Houston Schoolhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Built only two years before Tennessee received statehood, the school was named after a former Tennessee Governor. Visitors to the schoolhouse can access the single log classroom, with its period benches, 19th-century reading material and teacher's desk, among other items. This attraction is complete with a gift shop and beautiful gardens boasting an impressive collection of native wildflowers.
Open hours: February to December, Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, children under 10 free

ThunderWorld USA

Address: 1551 Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, Tennessee TN, 37801-3730, USA
Tel: +1 865 981 3399
A family-orientated attraction in nearby Maryville, ThunderWorld USA will bowl you over with its 24 lanes of 'Lunar Lighting' bowling. Here you can experience bowling in an altogether different environment, with glow-in-the-dark pins and special effects. Additional attractions include three go-kart tracks, six batting cages, children's rides and a huge video arcade, while a café provides refreshments and snacks.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge