Knoxville

Big city, small town feel

There’s something for everyone in Knoxville. From hiking to water sports, concerts to historic sites, and restaurants to coffee shops, you’ll find our city has a lot to offer!

students proudly wear orange while walking through the center of Market Square located in downtown Knoxville
a wide shot of downtown Knoxville lit up at night with an orange sunset glowing in the background

a single wakeboarder catches some air on the Tennessee River with the city visible in the distance

Explore Knoxville

Recreation

Outdoor adventure is easy to find in Knoxville! Whether you’re looking for biking or hiking trails, water sports, or something new to try, Knoxville has it all.

The Urban Wilderness boasts 1,500 forested acres, plus lake and river access. Knoxville also has 112 miles of paved greenways and natural trails. Less than an hour away is the most biodiverse of the country’s national parks: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

Discover outdoor activities

Downtown

You’ll never be bored in downtown Knoxville! Between restaurants, shopping, historic concert halls, art galleries, and more, downtown is full of entertainment and fun.

Market Square and Gay Street are home to some of the area’s favorite eateries and ice cream shops.

Annual festivals bring together musicians and performers of many genres, and Knoxville is home to several concert venues, including the historic Tennessee and Bijou theatres. Back on campus, Thompson-Boling Arena hosts some of the world’s most popular performers.

Explore downtown

a group of friends gather downtown outside the theater to explore the city's nightlife
Guard/Forward Sara Puckett #1 of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during the Sweet 16 round game of the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA

Sports

Sports fans can cheer on the Vols and Lady Vols, who compete in football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, and more! Not to mention, Neyland Stadium is one of the largest football stadiums in the nation with the capacity to hold close to 102,000 fans. Fans can also check out Knoxville’s Ice Bears, the Tennessee Smokies, and One Knoxville.

Learn more about local sports

two skateboarders hit the pump track at Baker Creek Reserve
The gold globe of World's Fair Park glistens in the sunshine in front of an aerial view of Knoxville

The perfect location

Whether you’re looking for a new place to live and work or a spot to add to your road trip itinerary—Knoxville is the perfect place! In just six hours, you can travel from Knoxville to Memphis or stop halfway to visit Nashville. Within a day’s drive you can get as far as Washington, DC or St. Louis, Missouri.

Road trip!

Chattanooga, TN
1.5 hours, 115 miles

Asheville, NC
2 hours, 110 miles

Nashville, TN
3 hours, 180 miles

Atlanta, GA
3.5 hours, 200 miles

Charlotte, NC
4 hours, 240 miles

Cincinnati, OH
4 hours, 250 miles

Louisville, KY
4 hours, 240 miles

Memphis, TN
6 hours, 390 miles

Charleston, SC
6.5 hours, 375 miles

St. Louis, MO
8 hours, 500 miles

Washington, DC
8 hours, 500 miles

a map showing relationship of Knoxville to large cities in the South East

Downtown Knoxville sits just behind campus framed by a view of the Smoky Mountains

Visit UT

Vols call Knoxville home, sweet home. It’s the city where our campus stands proudly beside the Tennessee River and amidst the excitement of downtown. In this place, on this campus, students become leaders, friends, professionals, change-makers—Volunteers.

Visit campus