The Holston, The French Broad, and The Tennessee Rivers merge at this intersection, and the waters raged often, devastating this region until the Tennessee Valley Authority was formed and created the ways to control the flow and make the cheapest source of electricity in the United States. Gateway Visitor Center at Volunteer Landing is one of the most interesting I’ve ever seen, with fascinating interactives for adults and children presenting the Great Smoky Mountain National Park information, history through the Tennessee Valley Authority, and science through Oakridge Research Center. For information and brochures call 865-523-7263, or 800-727-8045.
While you’re in this area be sure to stop at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame at the corner of Hall of Fame Dr. and Hill Ave. It is the only museum in the world devoted entirely to Women’s sports. It is state-of-the-art and has many interactives children will enjoy, including demonstrations and participation in the skills with a wonderful indoor court children can actually practice on. You can’t miss it with the enormous basketball on the roof! For information call 865-633-9000
Volunteer Landing also has several very good restaurants which are locally owned. You’ll wonder at the many boat docks you see as you dine or walk by the river. They are used by the hundreds of fans who come by boat to the UT football games in the fall. The stadium is just across the highway. At the landing you’ll find an elevator and crosswalk to go over the highway. It offers a good view of the Tennessee River area.
Children and train lovers of all ages will not want to miss a ride on the Three Rivers Rambler at Volunteer Landing on the Riverfront. Pulled by “Lindy,” an old steam engine, The Rambler will take you along the Tennessee River to where the three rivers converge. The history lesson you’ll get along the way by the volunteer conductors is excellent. The ride is relaxing and fun. It is scheduled for week-ends at 2 and 5 p.m. The Rambler can also be chartered for parties. Call 865-524-9411
You’ll find blooms of every color and beautiful parks.
Each April and May Knoxville celebrates the breath-taking arrival of spring with the Dogwood Arts Festival. It began nearly a half-century ago when a newspaper reporter made unflattering remarks about the city’s appearance. Local women in some of the most fashionable neighborhoods took it upon themselves to change that look and began plantings of bulbs and flowering trees. Those have grown and multiplied, as has the spirit of pride in their city. Knoxville is a beautiful place to live or visit. Bring your camera because you’ll get wonderful opportunities of spring beauty. This year, twenty years after the World’s Fair was here, Knoxville held its forty-second Dogwood Arts Festival. Featured are photography and art and quilt contests and exhibits in the downtown area, Culinary Festival in the Market area, arts and crafts festival in the Jacobs Building, races, clowns, street entertainment, and much more. Click here for more information.
Knoxville in spring: a lovely place to be in all seasons. Plenty to see and do.
The Old Market Square is a fitting place for the Culinary Arts Festival with many excellent restaurants providing open air booths with terrific food! BEARFOOT in the City or the Park was the theme this year and many local artists participated in decorating bears for sale. These little critters are friendly, attractive welcomes to many visitors throughout the city.
There are several history centers and museums in Knoxville, and one that is especially lovely is the 1792 Blount Mansion, home of Gov. William Blount, signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Blount MansionKnoxville, TNAn especially unique small history museum is East Tennessee History Center at 600 Market St. It has fascinting displays of early Tennessee life, and it houses the Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection, one of the most comprehensive genealogical libraries in the country. If you have any relatives who were in Tennessee, you can probably trace your family history here. The museum and research are free. You can also call 865-215-8824.
The Cradle of Country Music Walking Tour, which begins at the East Tennessee History Center, is a good way to see Knoxville downtown area while tracing careers of some of your favorite stars who got their beginnings of fame here: Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, Everly Brothers, Roy Acuff, even Elvis Presley. It was here on Market Square that Sam Morrison of Bell Sales Company played Elvis’ “That’s All Right,Mama” on loud speakers to promote the singer, and a talent scout for RCA heard it. Several months later RCA bought Elvis’ contract!
If nature is what you want, you are in the right place in Knoxville. There are numerous lakes (and 25 golf courses!) in the area. And three great national parks are within an hour’s drive: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cumberland Gap National Hisotric Park, and Big South Park National River and Recreation Area. Many visitors choose to white-water raft or hike the mountains in the day and return to city life at night here.
The breeding program here is second only to Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands
And if you choose, you can enjoy nature right here in the city at the amazing Knoxville Zoo, off of I-40 near Rutledge Pike exit #392. This zoo is world renowned for its breeding program, and you’ll find baby animals of all kinds. The newly designed animal spaces closely mimic the species natural terrain while allowing the visitors to see the animals up close. Have you ever peered into a cave and seen a bear hibernating? Or seen a family of rhinos together? Or seen a mother elephant kiss her baby? Or seen the rare red panda? Make the zoo a must see on your family list! The gift shop is excellent with an unusual array of animal theme gifts.
Real Travel Adventures 