The 15 best things to do in Knoxville (2026)

The ranked list

1. 

   1. Downtown Knoxville Hidden Tour w/ Ice Cream, Coffee & Tennessee River Gems

   Outty Ranking65

   I give you a version of the city that some locals don’t know exist. In just two hours you will get to see the Tennessee river, gorgeous insights not normally traveled, the beginnings of Tennessee, and even where sports a. Solid Choice at 65/100, 4.9/5 from 24 traveler reviews, 2h from $20, free cancellation.

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2. 

   2. Knoxville River Cruise Aboard the Volunteer Princess

   Outty Ranking64

   Climb aboard the Volunteer Princess, and join us for a public cruise or private event along Knoxville, Tennessee’s beautiful riverfront! Our luxury yacht is designed with you and your guests in mind, so you’ll find both. Solid Choice at 64/100, 4.6/5 from 50 traveler reviews, 2h from $17.

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3. 

   3. Knoxville Sweet Treats Food Tour: Beignets, Chocolates, & More

   Outty Ranking64

   Savor the sweet side of Knoxville on this delightful tour, where you'll explore the vibrant Market Square while enjoying seasonal beignets and macarons. Stroll through Strong Alley, known for its colorful murals, and tak. Solid Choice at 64/100, 5.0/5 from 15 traveler reviews, 2h from $60, free cancellation.

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4. 

   4. Great Smoky Mountains Rare Synchronous Firefly Waterfalls Walk

   Outty Ranking62

   Discover the enchanting world of rare synchronous fireflies in the Great Smoky Mountains during a guided night hike. As twilight descends, witness the mesmerizing light show of these unique creatures as they synchronize. Solid Choice at 62/100, 5.0/5 from 21 traveler reviews, 3h from $70.

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5. 

   5. Knoxville After Dark Ghost Tours

   Outty Ranking60

   Ready to uncover Knoxville’s chilling secrets? Join us for a thrilling ghost tour through the city’s most haunted and historic spots! Led by expert local guides—Knoxville’s official haunted history gurus—you’ll hear real. Solid Choice at 60/100, 4.1/5 from 78 traveler reviews, 1h from $26, free cancellation.

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6. 

   6. Fun City Scavenger Hunt in Knoxville by Crazy Dash

   Outty Ranking54

   Crazy Dash of Knoxville is a great way to see the city! Use an app on your phone to submit photos of items you find around the city. Find them in any order you choose and submit a photo for points. You'll also complete c. Worth a Look at 54/100, 5.0/5 from 1 traveler reviews, 2h from $10, free cancellation.

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7. 

   7. Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Admission Ticket

   Outty Ranking54

   Visit the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee, a unique tribute to the history and achievements of women in basketball. Explore the 35,000-square-foot facility housing 206 Hall of Famers, and don’t mi. Worth a Look at 54/100, 4.7/5 from 3 traveler reviews, 1h from $17, free cancellation.

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8. 

   8. Knoxville’s Country Music Heritage: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

   Outty Ranking53

   Experience Knoxville in a new way on a self-guided audio tour that looks at the city’s deep and dynamic heritage in the development of American country music. Discover new stories about the talented musicians and songwr. Worth a Look at 53/100, 3.0/5 from 2 traveler reviews, 1h from $8, free cancellation.

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9. 

   9. Adventure Day Pass at Ancient Lore Village

   Outty Ranking52

   Explore the enchanting beauty of Ancient Lore Village in Knoxville, TN, where every corner reveals a new adventure. With an Adventure Day Pass, immerse yourself in whimsical gardens, hike scenic woodland trails, and join. Worth a Look at 52/100, 4.2/5 from 12 traveler reviews, 1h from $35, free cancellation.

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10. 

    10. Knoxville Tennessee River Sightseeing Cruise

    Outty Ranking52

    Discover the scenic beauty of Knoxville from the water aboard a Tennessee River Sightseeing Cruise. Relax on the covered top deck as Tennessee River views, city landmarks, and natural landscapes glide by. This leisurely. Worth a Look at 52/100, 4.3/5 from 3 traveler reviews, 1.5h from $25, free cancellation.

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11. 

    11. Knoxville Self Guided Mystery Quest and Puzzle Adventure

    Outty Ranking51

    Solve a self-guided murder mystery on a walk through the University of Tennessee campus and World's Fair Park. Your AI assistant gets hijacked by Director Zero, a rogue surveillance program that was shut down years ago. Worth a Look at 51/100, 1.5h from $5, free cancellation.

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12. 

    12. Knoxville City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Wacky Walks

    Outty Ranking51

    The Knoxville Wacky Walks scavenger hunt is a royal-themed experience that will use an app to give you a list of items around the city to find and challenges to complete. Along the way, compete in royal tournaments to de. Worth a Look at 51/100, 2h from $10, free cancellation.

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13. 

    13. An Epic Bar Crawl in Knoxville: Swell Times in Scruffy City

    Outty Ranking50

    Dive into adventure, your go-to for the ultimate app-led adventure hunts! Step into a world where every landmark and hidden gem is waiting to be discovered. Challenge yourself with trivia, tackle brain-teasing puzzles, a. Worth a Look at 50/100, 1.5h from $15, free cancellation.

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14. 

    14. Participate in a Fun Scavenger Hunt in Knoxville by Operation City Quest

    Outty Ranking49

    In this fun Knoxville scavenger hunt, players will use an app to find objects in the city, in any order they want, to collect points! They'll also complete challenges for points. Players can see their score on the app's. Worth a Look at 49/100, 2h from $10, free cancellation.

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15. 

    15. Sounds of Knoxville Self Guided Audio GPS/APP Walking Tour

    Outty Ranking49

    The city is famous for its deep musical roots, its role as Tennessee’s first capital, and its vibrant downtown filled with theaters, historic buildings, and stories of legendary performers. Your tour begins at 319 North. Worth a Look at 49/100, 0.8h from $10, free cancellation.

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Traveler ratings are provided by Viator and Tripadvisor. The Outty Ranking is our own independent evaluation. How the ranking works.

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