Point me in the right direction Volnation!

#27
#27
It would be fun to vist during the leaf change. But, I'd bet the the increase in tourists would be terrible!
 
#29
#29
From my years in KnoxVegas, the Mouse's Ear and Katch One were always MUST SEE entertainment. Are they even still around? Asking for a friend. 🥸
 
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#32
#32
Holys#!tVol1979 said:
I'm planning a trip this fall and I've always wanted to come up to Knoxville early in the week before the game! I really want this trip to be special so please point me in the right direction. What's fun to do in the city? Where do they do Vol calls? What is a must see outside the city(in the country)? Thanks and GBO!!!
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Cades Cove drive. Mid week. Go early.
 
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#35
#35
LargeOrange1 said:
WOW.......I had my Bachelor's Party there over 30 years ago....LOL
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Well let me say the building and sign are still there. I haven’t actually been there to see if it’s still in business. The Katch building and signs are still there but place has long been closed.
 
#38
#38
Brave Volunteer said:
Honestly, I would drive a few extra miles and spend your time at Pidgeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Knoxville isn't exactly what I'd call a "tourist" city. The university IS kind of the epicenter of the community so unless you're coming up specifically for a football/basketball/baseball game, there's not exactly a ton to do.
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If you are bringing children along with you, you really need to get to Pigeon Forge. There is an abundance of activities for the kiddies as well as the adults. Gatlinburg is more of a shopping type place. They do have mini golf and mountain coasters around the area though. My recommendation is try to visit both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
 
#40
#40
Holys#!tVol1979 said:
I'm planning a trip this fall and I've always wanted to come up to Knoxville early in the week before the game! I really want this trip to be special so please point me in the right direction. What's fun to do in the city? Where do they do Vol calls? What is a must see outside the city(in the country)? Thanks and GBO!!!
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The fall colors are beautiful here. If you have time you could check out the Cheraholla Skyway. It goes over the mountains to around 6000 ft up. Starts south of Knoxville near Tellico Plains. You can hit Hwy 129, the Tail of the Dragon, and come back through Maryville. Beautiful trip.
 
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#41
#41
Holys#!tVol1979 said:
I'm planning a trip this fall and I've always wanted to come up to Knoxville early in the week before the game! I really want this trip to be special so please point me in the right direction. What's fun to do in the city? Where do they do Vol calls? What is a must see outside the city(in the country)? Thanks and GBO!!!
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The fall colors are beautiful here. If you have time you could check out the Cheraholla Skyway. It goes over the mountains to around 6000 ft up. Starts south of Knoxville near Tellico Plains. You can hit Hwy 129, and drive the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap ,318 curves in 11 miles , and come back through Maryville. Beautiful trip.
 
#42
#42
If you are driving then check out Tellico to see Bald River Falls and Baby Falls.

I can’t help you with things to do in Knoxville. But east Tennessee is famous for the views, and nature as a whole.

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg make for a great mix of shopping, activities, and access to nature.

Trout Fishing is famous as well.
 
#43
#43
If you enjoy hikes ... wow ... you got tons of choices ... my favorite is Chimney Tops. It is a very tough climb, but spectacular with or without the leaves in color. Throw in the picnic area at the bottom and after the hike toss some burgers and dogs on the grills and a few shallow streams fed by mountain streams and that water is chilly!!!
 
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#46
#46
Holys#!tVol1979 said:
I'm planning a trip this fall and I've always wanted to come up to Knoxville early in the week before the game! I really want this trip to be special so please point me in the right direction. What's fun to do in the city? Where do they do Vol calls? What is a must see outside the city(in the country)? Thanks and GBO!!!
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The mountains are great. There’s the Cades Cove loop but it gets pretty crowded. There’s great hiking in both the National Park and the Cherokee National Forest. I’d recommend making the drive up to Newfound Gap and Clingman’s Dome. The Dome is the highest point in TN and second highest east of the Mississippi I believe. It’s almost surreal up there, especially at dawn. The climate is the same as the Hudson Bay area in Canada because of the elevation.

In K-Town, I’m a filthy hipster so I like the Old City a lot. It’s a nice alternative to Market Square that lives up to Knoxville’s “scruffy” reputation more, plus easier parking. Barley’s for beer/pizza. Jig and Reel if you like live music, Scotch Whisky, and British food. A little further north in the Fourth and Gill neighborhood there’s a fantastic coffee shop (one of my favorites in the country, and I’ve lived in Denver) K Brew. Over a ways off the Woodland/Oldham exit of 275 there’s a great bakery, Wildlove, right across from Emerald Ave UMC. Not the ritziest area but I’d walk through fire for one of those croissants.

Other Knoxville area restaurants: Nama and Anaba for Japanese, Smoky Mtn Brewery for burgers and wings, Tomato Head has good pizza and sandwiches (the Oh Boy is the king of sandwiches). Calhoun’s and Ye Olde Steakhouse for steak. Litton’s in Fountain City is famous for it’s burgers and desserts. Holly’s Corner is a great brunch/lunch spot.

If you like browsing cheap books/records, check out McKay at the end of Northshore.

Dollywood is fun as well, good balance of theme-iness and rides, somewhere between Disney World and Six Flags.
 
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#47
#47
bigdaddy said:
There is plenty to do in town. Ijams nature center and the ropes course is pretty cool. Tons of south Knox biking trails that are top notch. Downtown is full of restaurants and bars for nightlife and a few neat rooftops. Take a river cruise on either of the two boats that run all weekend. The three rivers rambler is a steam train that runs from campus up the Holston and is a nice ride. Pigeon forge is a wasteland. Just skip it all together. Unless you want traffic t shirt shops and putt putt. G burg is about the same but it does have a decent aquarium.
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Second the Pigeon Forge avoidance advice. That town is a blight on the face of the Earth. Panama City Beach in the Mountains.
 
#48
#48
Vol in Buckeye Land said:
Second the Pigeon Forge avoidance advice. That town is a blight on the face of the Earth. Panama City Beach in the Mountains.
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I will respectfully disagree on Pigeon Forge ... well it definitely is a tourist trap!!!! .... but it does have a few things that I like and my daughter loves ... go cart racing... a couple of alpine coasters that are really fun at night ... they have the Apple Barn ... breakfast ...YUM ... If you just like shopping outlets ... it will be hog heaven ... that's NOT me, but my wife and daughter love it. On the other side of Sevierville is Bud's Gun Shop and Range ... my whole family has our carry permit in TN so .... we like it. And Dollywood ... not my favorite thing, but I do enjoy the shows. My favorite thing is the golf course in Sevierville ... 36 holes ....
 
#49
#49
jackaro said:
If you like the outdoors you could visit Smokey Mountains National Park. It does get really crowded so maybe make a google search for the less crowded areas. If you like to gamble there is Cherokee Casino, it is all video gambling there though. Knoxville has a Space Bar, which is very cool. A friend of mine went there and loved it, you will, however, need to make an appointment as it is not a walk in establishment. As far as restaurants Calhoons is good (of course) but I would also recommend Littons in Fountain City.

If you are interested in Appalachian history I highly recommend the Museum of Appalachia, you can spend the entire day there. Oak Ridge has the Museum of Science and Energy, if you have kids they would enjoy that.
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And, for a less heavily congested alternative to the Smokies, Roan Mountain State Park is a good option. See https://tnstateparks.com/parks/roan-mountain.
 
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