East Tennessee, particularly Knoxville, was a means to an end. I found myself there because it is the closest airport to Arrowmont School of Crafts in nearby Gatlinburg, where I was going to take a five-day workshop.
Before finalizing my plans, I texted a good friend of mine local to Nashville, asking if Knoxville was worth spending time in. She had visited many times for work, but never for fun, so we took this as an opportunity to meet up.
Hyper-local hot spots, minus the pressure and chaos of a bigger city make Knoxville perfect for a weekend getaway (and, lucky for me, a direct flight from New York). By the end of the weekend, I found myself wishing I had just one more afternoon to browse through the vintage shops and boutiques around town.
Such secondary cities (for lack for a better term) have often been the setting for some of my favorite weekends away. Choices are limited in a good way – you can enjoy yourself without feeling the need to sprint through a bucket list.
Knoxville may not be the first place you think of when planning a trip to Tennessee, but it showed us a good time. Here’s how to make the most of a weekend in the Maker City.
- Knoxville Itinerary At-A-Glance
- Where To Stay in Knoxville
- Where To Eat
- Where To Drink
- Things To Do
- Where To Shop
Knoxville Itinerary At-A-Glance
- Day 0.5 (Thursday): Dinner at A Dopo Sourdough Pizza, Drink at Brother Wolf.
- Day 1 (Friday): Coffee and Pastries at Wildlove, House Mountain Hike, Lunch at Sticky Rice Cafe, Ice Cream at Cruze Farms, Happy Hour at The Brass Pearl (Market Square), Tennessee Smokies Baseball Game.
- Day 2 (Saturday): Morning Yoga at Renegade Yoga, South Knox/Sevierville Brewery Crawl, Dinner at J.C. Holdway, Nightcap at Tern Club.
- Day 3 (Sunday): The Sunsphere, World’s Fair Park, and UT Campus, Brunch at Potchke’s Deli, Shopping around Old City, Knoxville Museum of Art.
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Where To Stay in Knoxville
Hyatt Place Knoxville Downtown. For convenience, it’s hard to beat the Hyatt Place Knoxville/Downtown. Located right on South Gay Street, the hotel puts you within easy walking distance of Market Square and the Old City, ideal if you want to explore without relying on a car.
The property itself is modern and functional. Our double queen room was spacious, with comfy beds and a city view (though don’t expect a dramatic skyline – Knoxville doesn’t really have one). Amenities included a ground-level Starbucks, a rooftop bar with sweeping views, and a basement gym equipped with a Peloton. Coffee and tea are also available each morning in the lobby.
Housekeeping wasn’t consistent during our stay, and while the rooftop bar is roomy, it didn’t feel especially lively, at least when we popped up for a peek. However, if you’re after prime location and ease, the Hyatt Place Knoxville Downtown is a solid pick.
Where To Eat
A Dopo (Pizza). Yes, I flew in from New York and my first meal in Tennessee was pizza (no regrets). A Dopo was a short walk from our hotel, sitting in an unassuming spot (just off I-40 on Williams St.) that belies its popularity. We had a 7:30 p.m. reservation on a busy evening, and every table was occupied, with quite a few large parties.
We started with the Insalata di Rucchetta which featured arugula, pistachios, wide ribbons of parmesan cheese (the best!), dressed in a lemon vinaigrette. For pizza (they specialize in sourdough crusts), we shared a Pizza Rossa (red sauce) with soppressata and a Pizza Bianca (white sauce) topped with ‘nduja sausage and mushrooms. Both were excellent, but I was partial to the white pie.
A mezzo bottle of house rosé rounded out our meal ($20), and while the house-made gelato was enticing, we reserved room for a nightcap at Brother Wolf.
Angry Dumplings Tea (Asian Fusion). After a leisurely Sunday morning yoga session and a few beers in South Knox, we stopped by Angry Dumpling, a casual Vietnamese-owned restaurant, for a snack.
I the signature Angry Dumplings (pork, three to an order). Even to-go, these guys came fully dressed with chili oil and a generous sprinkle of fried shallots and sliced scallions. Vicki got the veggie dumplings, and we shared a dessert bun trio featuring red bean, taro, and black sesame. (The black sesame was my personal favorite.)
Though beer and boba may not mix, I was determined to try. Angry Dumpling’s classic boba is sweet with perfectly cooked tapioca pearls, just $5 for a generously-sized cup.
The Brass Pearl (Oysters & Seafood). For happy hour on Market Square, we popped into Brass Pearl. The extensive happy hour menu features discounted drinks and small plates like lobster fries, calamari fries, oyster sliders, and tacos.
We kept it simple, sharing a half dozen Chesapeake oysters and each ordering the special tiki ($8), made with coconut-washed blue curaçao and cucumber. The happy hour is perfect for a casual afternoon bite or drink, especially if you’re looking to enjoy Market Square without committing to a full sit-down meal. We would have indulged more, but a buffet awaited us at the Tennessee Smokies game.
J.C. Holdway (Modern Southern Comfort Food). I selected J.C. Holdway for our “fancy” Saturday night out. This elegant, modern restaurant sits on a quaint corner just off of Market Square. I made reservations well in advance of our visit. While we’d heard great things about the tasting menu, we opted to create our own a la carte experience – which stretched into a leisurely three-hour dinner.
The menu showcases the creativity of a former Blackberry Farm chef. Highlights included scallion hushpuppies to start, followed by Tuna Crudo and the Chef’s Harvest Lettuce Salad with pickled ramps, buttermilk ranch and dill, with Benton’s Bacon adding a smoky, gourmet crunch.
The Campanelle pasta was simple but impressive: the soft noodles with fresh corn, local mushrooms, and basil were summery, yet rich and buttery. For the main, we shared the roasted chicken – generously portioned for two – with a side of chilled harissa roasted carrots.
While we’d normally go for the chocolate dessert, the PB & J Tart called to us. Served with blueberry compote and mirror glaze, and paired with house-made “toast” ice cream, it had a pleasant marshmallow-y flavor and was served atop a schmear of finely ground crumbs.
I tried the Fire Tiger cocktail, featuring Corazón Tequila, cucumber, jalapeño, lime, and a chili rim. The ladies’ restroom featured apothecary jars holding conveniences like safety pins, gold-plated bobby pins, and mint Lifesavers. David Chang’s Eat a Peach audiobook played through the speakers.
The atmosphere is contemporary and refined without being fussy, and the service was courteous and perfectly paced. If you spend just one day/night in Knoxville, J.C. Holdway may be the closest you’ll get to a Blackberry Farm–style culinary experience without leaving the city. In September 2025, J.C. Holdway was ranked by The New York Times among America’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Potchke Deli. Potchke Deli, located in the Regas Building downtown, delivers a lively, city-brunch vibe. We arrived around 11 a.m. on a Sunday and waited at least 20 minutes to place our order – a rare “line” experience in Knoxville. The wait gave us time to soak in the bustling brunch atmosphere and peruse the pastry case.
We’d set our sights on the cinnamon babka as a starter until the last one was sold to the party just ahead of us. It was a blessing in disguise, though. The Everything babka was bigger and served with a delicious dollop of labne drizzled with chili oil.
We split two sandwiches: the Green Goddess frittata on a garlic bialy, with sweet pepper relish and perfectly soft, fluffy eggs, and the classic lox sandwich. Each was accompanied by a generous pickle spear.
Sticky Rice Cafe (Laotian). For a change of pace from Western flavors, we planned for lunch at Sticky Rice Café, a bustling Laotian eatery that’s a 13-minute drive west from downtown Knoxville. We arrived around 1:00 p.m. after a more challenging-than-expected hike ravenous, and after a short wait were seated at the bar.
We started with the chuenh nang gai – deep fried chicken skins served with a Thai Chili tamarind sauce. Next came all the carbs – pad kee mao rice noodles with beef and Chinese broccoli and the crispy rice appetizer, which, to our surprise, was an entree-sized dish of rice seasoned with curry, coconut and herbs, studded with crispy bits and chunks of cured Laotian sausage.
The standout dish, however, was the freshly-ground chicken laab. Its freshness and acidity (thanks to mint, cilantro, and lime juice) was the perfect foil the heavier noodle and rice dishes we’d ordered.
Re: Papaya salad – if you’re expecting the Thai version – don’t. The Laotian version is more pungent and fish-forward. Popular items included noodle and broth soups, as well as the deep fried chicken wings. The restaurant was hopping the entire time we were there, a testament to its local popularity.
Bakeries and Sweets
Wildlove Bakehouse (North Knoxville). Wildlove Bakery is a must. We arrived around 9 a.m. on a Friday for a pre-hike breakfast, and got in line before a bunch of others. As we approached the order counter – we felt pressure. We did not want to hold up the regulars! Luckily, the woman behind us helped guided us, suggesting a hand pie to eat on our hike and giving us permission to indulge in as many croissants as we liked.
The Blueberry Apricot hand pie turned out to be one of my favorite pastries. We split three varieties of croissant on the sunny patio before hitting the trail: Prosciutto & Gruyère, Fig & Brie, and a classic Almond. My favorite was the Prosciutto & Gruyère, with crisp, melted cheese pockets, while Vicki gravitated toward the Fig & Brie. And wherever there’s a giant chocolate chip cookie, we must buy it. It did not disappoint.
Cruze Farm Dairy (Downtown). Across from our hotel was one of Cruze Farm Dairy’s scoop shops, a local creamery with several locations around Knoxville. The flavors rotate daily, and while none were overly adventurous, they’re classics worth indulging in.
I sampled the cherry Dole Whip, whose vivid hue intrigued me (it was very sweet) but ultimately, chose a classic twist waffle cone with sweet cream and (vegan) chocolate. The ice cream was thick and creamy, the cone was delightfully light and crisp. Portions are generous, and at around $6 for a waffle cone, certainly not a bad deal. (For a free take-home souvenir, grab one of the retro paper hats.)
Where To Drink
Brother Wolf (Old City). After dinner at A Dopo, we stopped by Brother Wolf for a nightcap. Brother Wolf is Knoxville’s first Italian Aperitivo bar focused on Negroni and spritzes. I had a Cocchi Negroni served in an elegant coupe.
The bar is located in the Old City next to its sister restaurant Osteria Stella, and has a casual, easygoing vibe. The crowd was young and lively but not cramped, making it a great spot to end our Friday night.
Tern Club. A tiki bar with pink and green tropical vibes and an upbeat, playful atmosphere. Upon our server’s recommendation, I ordered the Saturn (gin, falernum, passionfruit and almond orgeat) and we settled at a front table to sip slowly and watch the night unfold.
The music that night was 80s/90s retro and the lighting was a bit brighter than expected for a Saturday night, but fine for people-watching. The bills were delivered in romance novels. We watched the guests at the table seated outside amuse themselves with dramatic readings from the books.
South Knox Brewery Crawl
On Saturday, we decided to get out of downtown and explore South Knoxville (South Knox). A quick cab ride across the Tennessee River transported us to a completely different vibe. While downtown was buzzing with activity – especially with the weekend farmers market in Market Square – South Knox was decidedly more chill.
Alliance Brewing
Our first stop offered plenty of indoor and shaded outdoor seating. We sampled their taproom seltzer, though I ultimately went with a pilsner, enjoying the quiet Saturday afternoon. There were maybe only two other parties (including one couple with a very young child), which made for a very laid-back experience. The bartender was incredibly helpful, recommending a nearby microbrewery as our next stop.
Printshop Beer Co.
Just a short walk from Alliance (though be aware, the pavement isn’t perfect, and you’re walking along the roadside) is Printshop Brewing. Printshop has a spacious taproom with outdoor seating that offers a distant view of the Tennessee River. A colorful mural stretching along the outside of the building further brightens up the atmosphere.
En route to Printshop from Alliance along the riverside, you’ll pass Trailhead Beer Market. Though there wasn’t much going on when we cruised by (the bartender and a friend were just passing time), they do feature brews on tap from multiple local breweries, as well as cans to go.
Hi-Wire Brewing Knoxville
From Printshop, it was a five-minute walk to Hi-Wire (not including a few stops for a quick snack and some vintage shopping along the way). This outpost of an Asheville, NC brewery has a huge industrial space filled with video games, pinball machines, and, in addition to an extensive list of beer and beverages, also serves up boozy Capri Suns and offers a range of affordable merch.
Things To Do
Visit the Sunsphere
One of Knoxville’s most recognizable landmarks is the Sunsphere, a gleaming golden orb perched atop a blue steel tower. Built for the 1982 World’s Fair, it’s been called everything from a disco ball to a spaceship (I lean retro disco ball), and remains an icon of the city skyline.
We didn’t go up to the observation deck, though I did duck into the Visitor’s Center and Gift Shop to grab a Paris Woodhull tee with a retro Sunsphere design. World’s Fair Park itself is a lovely green space right in the middle of downtown, with walking paths, fountains, and lawns perfect for strolling or relaxing between sightseeing stops. It’s also a frequent host for outdoor concerts and community events.
Hike House Mountain: Knoxville’s Steep but Scenic Trail
Looking for a hike near Knoxville that’s short, steep, and surprisingly challenging? Head to House Mountain State Natural Area, about 20 minutes northeast of downtown. At just under 2,100 feet, it’s the highest point in Knox County, and the climb up will remind you that “moderate” can mean very different things on AllTrails.
We followed the West Overlook Trail (0.8 miles), the common starting point for both the West Overlook and the Crest Trail routes. Don’t let the distance fool you – the ascent is steep, full of switchbacks, and definitely the toughest part of the hike. Once you reach the top, the Crest Trail carries you across the ridgeline to the East Overlook, which feels like a gentle stroll compared to the climb up.
Bring water and snacks (hand pies from Wildlove Bakehouse make an excellent trail treat). Wear sturdy footwear and sunscreen. And if you’re squeamish about spiders, don’t look down: the trail floor can be alive with daddy longlegs scurrying.
Plan for 2 to 3 hours round-trip with stops for photos and views (refer to this map for detail on House Mountain trails). By the time you descend via the Mountain Trail (1 mile), you’ll be more than ready for lunch.
See a Tennessee Smokies Baseball Game
If you’re looking for a sports night out, head to a Tennessee Smokies baseball game at the brand-new Covenant Health Park (opened April 2025). We went for Christmas in July Night after happy hour at The Brass Pearl and had a blast.
We were hooked up with the Club Level experience, which included first-row seats right behind home plate, complete with extra-comfy mesh chairs. The service was top-notch, from the friendly ushers in the stadium to the staff in the Club. Here’s what stood out:
Food & Drink: Free Coors Light on tap, a fridge full of Pepsi products and bottled water, plus a spread of eats. Sliced steak, shrimp scampi, hot dogs, artichoke dip, pretzel nuggets with beer cheese, fried pickles, and even a popcorn bar with toppings like ranch seasoning and chocolate chips were among the many things on the menu.
Christmas in July Fun: We missed the free plushies for the first 2,000 fans, but we did get photos with the Smokies mascot. And although the Smokies didn’t win, and a brief storm rolled in toward the end, the night wrapped up with a pretty decent fireworks show.
Easy Access to Downtown: The stadium is about a 20-minute walk from downtown Knoxville and our hotel, perfect for walking off the food and beer.
Visit the Knoxville Museum of Art
With a little time before heading out to Gatlinburg and after brunch at Potchke’s Deli, I strolled over to the Knoxville Museum of Art, located conveniently in World’s Fair Park. The museum spans three floors, features always-free admission, and offers a prime view of the Sunsphere from its balcony.
Housed in a striking Edward Larrabee Barnes–designed building clad in rosy Tennessee marble (the same architect that designed Haystack School in Maine), the museum showcases regional and modern art, spanning permanent exhibitions and rotating displays.
Where To Shop
The Back Pocket (Old City). Tucked below street level, The Back Pocket is a cozy, underground boutique offering a curated mix of vintage apparel and upcycled fashion.
The Back Pocket specializes in both vintage clothing and pieces crafted from repurposed fabrics. Find estate sale finds refashioned into modern garments, among timeless vintage pieces. Their offerings include gender-neutral clothing, boots, and accessories.
I was delighted to find a small rack of art prints and discovered the work of Sarah Shebaro, a Knoxville-based artist and educator known for her unique approach to printmaking and graphic design.
Mood Ring Vintage (South Knox). Rather than a dusty rack in a cavernous thrift store, Mood Ring Vintage is booth-style, with each vendor showcasing their best retro finds in a compact, well-organized space. Expect everything retro from clothing to home décor to VHS collections.
We visited during tax-free weekend, which locals say is a big draw. I scored a vintage white button-front dress with a brown fish-and-coral print for $35.
The boutique is compact but well-curated, so it’s easy to thumb through racks without feeling overwhelmed. It’s perfectly located for a South Knoxville brewery crawl, just a short walk from Hi-Wire Brewing.
Paris Woodhull (Old City). For locally designed, graphic-forward Knoxville souvenirs and gifts, Paris Woodhull is your store. The boutique features t-shirts, prints, mugs, magnets, and more, all showcasing playful and stylish takes on Knoxville landmarks, culture, and humor.
The $15 sale rack outside was filled with good stuff. If you can’t make it to the shop, some of her products are also available at the Knoxville Museum of Art store, including her magnets featuring illustrated Knoxville icons and other small keepsakes.
Knoxville may not be the first city that comes to mind for a weekend away, but if you ever find yourself in East Tennessee, there’s fun to be had.
I must admit, it was sweltering in summer! I’ve heard great things about visiting in the fall, when University of Tennessee football season kicks in, as does the full college town atmosphere.
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