Knoxville, Tennessee, not only is the home of the University of Tennessee, but a lovely city that has diligently strived to increase accessibility for all disabled travelers and residents. From the massive 102,455-seat Neyland Stadium in Tennessee’s third-largest city to a number of outdoor adventures and a lively craft beer scene, there are plenty of options to fill a fun weekend getaway in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Downtown Scene
Despite a storied history, the walkable area features plenty of unique dining options, boutique stores like Glitterville Studios (stop in for unique ornaments and gifts) and the Pretentious Glass Co., as well as local artisan shops like RALA and Jack’s. These and many others have given Knoxville the moniker of “The Maker City”.
Several shops and restaurants in this pet-friendly city have dog bowls on the sidewalk, so bring your four-legged friend along as you explore the downtown mural walking tour. For another artistic treat, visit during Dogwood Arts Festival (April 23-25), when Knoxville plays host to a number of regional artists at World’s Fair Park.
Venture near the railroad, to check out Knoxville’s Historic Old City. This one-time home of saloons, a stockyard and red-light district is now known for a variety of shops, restaurants, coffee houses, art galleries and breweries. Plan a dinner at Lonesome Dove and enjoy the game-centric menu (think venison and quail) curated by celebrity chef and UT grad Tim Love.
Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
As you get closer to the banks of the Tennessee River, you will see the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. For all of the traditions surrounding Tennessee football, one of the most revered sports figures in university history is former University of Tennessee Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt, a Tennessee native who kept her team at the pinnacle of the sport for nearly four decades. Her legacy, and that of many other women’s hoops pioneers, is honored here.
Multiple City departments are working to make downtown and neighborhoods – as well as City parks and recreation programs – more accessible to people with disabilities. Stephanie Cook, the City’s ADA Coordinator, sees progress being made. She’s pleased the City is prioritizing walkable neighborhoods, and more paths are being opened for people using wheelchairs.
“The past few years have been good ones in terms of accessibility,” she said. “We’re definitely going in the right direction.”
The accessible picnic tables, overlooks and playground at Suttree Landing Park are “crown jewels,” Cook said.
Knoxville Zoo
The Stokley African Elephant Preserve offers visitors the chance to see Zoo Knoxville’s elephants, perhaps enjoying a dip in their pool or enjoying cooler temperatures in the barn from the indoor viewing area.
Zoo Knoxville works with other zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) on a collective Species Survival Plan for all animals that live in AZA-accredited zoos in North America. Working together, we can maintain a healthy, genetically diverse population in zoos to ensure we don’t lose animals to extinction when wild populations are in peril.
Zoo Knoxville is also involved with conservation work in the field, with award-winning recognition for our efforts to save East Tennessee’s endangered bog turtle and ongoing research with native hellbender and mudpuppy salamanders. Our staff members travel to far-flung places like the Komodo Islands, Madagascar and Indonesia to study animals in their native habitats.
Central Filling Station
While individual food trucks tend to be at various spots along the Ale Trail, there are also three food truck parks — Central Filling Station, Southside Garage and 35 North — where you can try a variety of cuisines in an outdoor setting, usually with some live music.
Head over to the Graduate Knoxville Hotel and grab a drink at Saloon 16 Bar, a partnership with UT great Peyton Manning. The menu items give a nod to Manning’s time at UT, with Rocky Top Pork Rinds, Helton’s Chili and Frito Pie and Cutcliffe’s Crinkle Cut Fries.
Thanks to an eclectic group of talented chefs, Knoxville’s food scene branches out from Southern favorites to international and alternative flavors mixing in. Vegan and vegetarian restaurants like KoPita and Tomato Head coexist with places like Vida, serving Pan-Latin cuisine (be sure to visit The Vault cocktail lounge below), and Yassin’s Falafel House. The latter, a Syrian refugee-owned restaurant, earned a nod as the “nicest place in America” from Reader’s Digest in 2018.
Knoxville Museum of Art
The Knoxville Museum of Art will reopen beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2020, with limited hours and extensive precautions to ensure the health and safety of visitors and museum staff.
The Knoxville Museum of Art celebrates the art and artists of East Tennessee.
Conveniently located near World’s Fair Park, Knoxville Museum of Art is definitely one of the things to do in Knoxville. The museum hosts concerts, painting events for kids, and much more. Whether you’re with a family or by yourself, Knoxville’s Museum of Art gives everyone the opportunity to have fun. Moreover, Knoxville’s iconic scenery gives artists the chance to create aspiring work without having to leave their own backyard.
Even though I am a University of Kentucky guy, a visit to Knoxville is on my list for spring. Why not join me? Overall, I give Knoxville a solid A Accessibility grade.