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Knoxville Things to Do and Knoxville Attractions

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Knoxville Places of Interest

Knoxville Zoo
The Knoxville Zoological Gardens serves as home to 800 exotic and domestic animals in addition to two of the best chimp and black bear exhibits in the nation. Six chimps reside at the Knoxville Zoo's Chimp Ridge, which offers an interactive sound wall where visitors can discover the sounds chimps make. The black bear exhibit is comprised of four tumbling waterfalls and a 40-foot-long observation tunnel where visitors can watch the furry animals at play. Another popular spot is the interactive Kid's Cove, where children can learn how to milk a cow, slide through a waterfall or climb into a giant bird's nest. The zoo also offers several event spaces capable of accommodating everything from hors d'oeuvres receptions "with the animals" to upscale plated dinners. For more information: 865-637-5331

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Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
Upon arrival at this unique museum, visitors are greeted by the world's largest basketball-30 feet wide and weighing 20,000 pounds, as well as a life-like animatronic figure of Senda Berenson. While visiting guests will have the opportunity to view a movie telling the story of 100 years of women's basketball from skirts to jerseys, and hear lectures from coaches in a modern-day locker room replica. Try out your game on an early and present-day hoop, and measure your vertical leap against basketball greats Cynthia Cooper and Lisa Leslie. The facility also provides meeting space, offering 190 seats in rounds in their Urban Playground and 100 seats in rounds in the Boardroom and lower-level South Rotunda. For more information: 865-633-9000

World's Fair Park & Sunsphere Tower

World's Fair Park & Sunsphere Tower
Once the site of the 1982 World's Fair, this incredible 52-acre park includes cascading waterfalls, placid streams, acres of flowers and a dancing fountain for kids to splash around in on hot days. The park is also the home of the Knoxville Convention CenterKnoxville Convention Center
Knoxville Convention Center. Numerous events take place on the park grounds including the Knoxville Brewers Jam, Animal Planet Expo, the Ugly Dog Contest and the East Tennesee Chili Cook Off. The observation deck of the 266-foot-high Sunsphere Tower is another popular park attraction. It can be visited free of charge. The Sunsphere also offers magnificent meeting space for approximately 260. Guests will enjoy sipping on cocktails while taking in the panoramic views of Knoxville and the surrounding mountains. For more information: 865-251-6861

James White's Fort
Visit the home of Knoxville founder James White. In addition to laying aside part of his land to become present-day Knoxville, White also negotiated several treaties with the Cherokee Indians. Built in 1786, the 2-story log house was restored and opened to the public in 1970. Hands-on demonstrations of spinning, blacksmithing, and open hearth cooking allow visitors to experience the frontier lifestyle. Annual events include Cherokee Heritage Days in August, the Hearthscares Ghost Tour in October and Christmas Past Tours in December. For more information: 865-525-6514

Other Knoxville Attractions and Activities

The Orangery
This elegant award-winning restaurant offers a varied menu with French fare and international fusion options. Delight in sumptuous specialties like buffalo with fresh foie gras, elk chop with port wine glaze and root vegetable purées or Chilean sea bass with red curry sauce. The winner of Wine Spectator's Best of Excellence Award, Orangery can provide the perfect pairing for any selection.

The Orangery offers eight separate areas for special events including the Ballroom, Back Dining Room, Library, Lobby, Lounge, Main Dining Room, Palm Court and Georgian Room. Banquet dinner menus offer a variety of options such as French, Italian, Asian/Pacific Rim and Regional American. There is also a prix fixe menu available. For more information: 865-588-2964

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Tomato Head
This Italian eatery is a local favorite. Located in downtown Market Square, it was repeatedly voted best restaurant by weekly newspaper Metro Pulse. It offers pizzas, sandwiches, burritos, quesadillas, as well as many vegan and vegetarian options, all made with fresh ingredients. One popular option is the mile-high Kepner Melt sandwich with fresh spinach, organic baked tofu, Monterey jack cheese, herbed tomato, pineapple, roasted onion, walnut, pesto and mustard. Other favorites include smoked salmon and pesto pizza and the fluffy peanut butter pie. Tomato Head also provides delivery and catering in the Knoxville and Maryville area. For more information: 865-637-4067

Calhoun's
This Tennessee classic serves award-winning hickory smoked baby-back ribs voted "Best Ribs in America" at the National Rib Cook Off. Other favorites include Fried Green Tomatoes, Ale Steak, Southern-fried Catfish and Key Lime Pie. Microbrews are served at the popular Saloon-style bar. A semi-private loft for up to 85 seated guests is available in the original Calhoun's. The restaurant also offers catering in addition to a number of other event-ready facilities on the riverfront and throughout the local area. For more information: 865-673-3355

Puleo's Grille
Presenting a unique combination of Italian, southern and classic American fare, Puleo's has been voted "Best of" for Metro Pulse two years running. Italian options include Chicken Picatta, Shrimp Scampi and Nona's Lasagna. The grille also features southern comfort foods like Country Fried Chicken, Roasted Pork Loin and Shrimp and Grits. Desserts are a nice mix of American and Italian fare with Chocolate Lasagna, Key Lime Pie and Cannolis. For more information: 865-691-1960

University of Tennessee Volunteers
Catch a Volunteers football game at the University of Tennessee's Neyland Stadium, ranked the #1 college football stadium by Sporting News. Since its inception in 1946, more than 25 million fans have attended games at Neyland Stadium, the largest football stadium in the South and third largest in the U.S. The Vols fans are known for their loyalty, spirit and attendance with a school record-setting average of 107,595 fans in the 2000 game. For more information: 865-656-1200

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Established in 1934, this park hosts more visitors than almost any other national park with 9 million visitors per year. The park's 800 square miles provide a home to 130 trees, 65 mammals, 4,000 species of plants, 230 birds and more species of salamanders than are found anywhere else on earth. Outdoor activities in the park include fishing, bicycling, camping, golf, horseback riding, hiking and whitewater rafting. During the winter months, skiers and snow lovers enjoy vacationing at the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort. The Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway provides over 2.1 miles of panoramic views of Gatlinburg and the Smokies. For more information: 865-436-1220

Alex Haley Statue & McClung Genealogical Collection
Have your photo taken with this magnificent 13-foot statue which honors Pulitzer Prize-winning African-American author Alex Haley who wrote "Roots." Then take a trip to the McClung Genealogical Collection at the East Tennessee History Center, where you can learn about your own roots with free genealogy classes and workshops. For more information: 865-215-8824