Knoxville, Tennessee

There are so many things to love about our city. Located on the Tennessee river and just one hour from the nation’s most visited national park, Knoxville is a city of great opportunity. From the sprawling suburbs to the lively and artistic downtown atmosphere, from the hiking trails and breweries, Knoxville has something for everyone. Here are a few of our favorite things about our Scruffy City.

DOwntown

There is always something to do in downtown Knoxville. Centrally-located Gay Street is home to centuries-old theaters, music venues, an upscale bowling alley and countless eateries. Just one street over, connected by a beautiful park full of sculptures from local artists, is Market Square. On the Square, musicians play music, kids play in water fountains in the summer and families skate on an ice rink in the winter. On Saturdays and Wednesdays in the summer, you’ll find yourself caught up in the wave of Farmer’s Market bustle, where local creators and farmers put their wares on display. A few blocks away, Knoxville’s Historic Old City hosts distilleries and concert venues, as well as beautiful apartment buildings and office spaces.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Knoxville is nestled in the valley of the Smoky Mountains, only an hour’s drive away from some of the best views and hiking in the South. The park is home to gorgeous and unique wildlife, and offers all visitors beautiful sights and outdoor experiences. The best place to experience the changing of the leaves in the fall is no doubt in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. In addition, living only about 45 minutes away from Dollywood and an hour from Gatlinburg provides the perfect opportunity for spontaneous day trips for all Knoxvillians.

Other things we lovE

Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee, which makes the atmosphere lively, young, and competitive when football season is in full swing. The fall is full of tailgates with friends and good ol’ SEC and Volunteer pride.

If the short drive to the Smoky Mountain National Park is still too far for you, Ijams Nature Center provides locals the opportunity to explore the outdoors, and is conveniently located in North Knoxville. Our city is compact enough that you can go from downtown to a hiking trail in less than 15 minutes.

We love our little big little city: Knoxville’s small size is encouraging to entrepreneurship because it is a small city with big opportunities to network. The cost of living stays affordable and Knoxville maintains a small town feel, even amidst booming growth as more and more young people realize the great things that Knoxville has to offer.