Best Things to Do in Knoxville, TN: Events, Concerts & Local Favorites

Start at Market Square

Market Square is a handy place to meet up, find lunch and browse downtown shops. Decide whether you want a quick stop or time to sit outside. Check individual business hours if you have an early arrival or a particular restaurant in mind.

Use the square as a starting point for a Gay Street walk. If a performance is the main reason for your visit, work out the walk from dinner to the theatre first. That gives you a better idea of when to book a table and how much browsing time you have.

Pick a music stop in the Old City

The Old City combines historic storefronts, restaurants and music. Visit Boyd’s Jig & Reel for its pub setting or check The Mill & Mine for a scheduled concert. Each is a different kind of outing, so look up the program, admission and age policy before settling on one.

If your group has different ideas about music, choose a meal near the room you want to try and let people opt into the show. A separate concert ticket, cover or seating arrangement depends on the event.

A Brutally Honest Travel Guide to DOWNTOWN KNOXVILLE, Tennessee

See how Market Square, Gay Street and the Sunsphere fit into a walk downtown.

A Brutally Honest Travel Guide to DOWNTOWN KNOXVILLE, Tennessee

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Hear a radio show at noon

WDVX’s free Blue Plate Special brings a live radio performance to Visit Knoxville on Gay Street at noon Monday through Thursday and Saturday. The Friday noon program, The Big Plate, takes place at Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria. The station publishes the performers and location in its schedule.

If you want to hear the whole broadcast, make noon the fixed point in your day and plan lunch around it. For a Friday outing, use the Old City address from WDVX’s schedule.

Choose a room for the evening

The Bijou Theatre and Tennessee Theatre both offer seated performances on Gay Street. Compare what is on the calendar, then use the chart for your show to choose the section. If stairs are a concern, check the venue’s access information before selecting a level.

A touring concert, comedy show and theatre production can have different door times and entry policies. Open the specific event details to see what applies and plan your arrival around the performance time.

Leave room for an indoor stop

If the weather changes, the Knoxville Museum of Art at World’s Fair Park is a free gallery option during published hours. Check the museum calendar for closures and separate admission arrangements for special events.

If your evening event is fixed, choose a daytime stop you can shorten. A gallery visit, a stroll through the square or a meal in the Old City can fit the time you have before doors.

Before you head out

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