COVID-Friendly Activities in Knoxville

Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is slowing in momentum and the vaccines are becoming readily available, hope for a new normal is on the rise. More and more people are ready to venture outside of their homes—cautiously, of course!

If you’re ready to travel but you want to avoid packed tourist destinations, places like Knoxville are smart choices. There’s a lot of COVID-friendly activities to keep you busy and away from crowds.

As you dip your toes into the pool of post-pandemic traveling, be sure to check out these socially distance-friendly activities in Knoxville, Tennessee.

1. Check Out a Park

Tennessee is known for its majestic, scenic vistas. If you’re searching for a perfect picnic place alongside a waterfall or you want to hike a mountainous trail, Knoxville has what you’re looking for.

Fort Dickerson Park is just one of the many public parks you can visit, but it’s by far the most popular. The area is made up of over 90 acres of unpaved trails.

Dating back to the Civil War, this park tells the history of its time housing soldiers. Although it’s right across the river from downtown Knoxville, it’s like stepping back in history.

Miles of trails take you to a gorgeous view of the Smoky Mountains that branded Tennessee as one of the most breathtaking states in the country. Bring a lunch to enjoy at the covered shelters and spend the day immersed in history and nature!

2. Visit The Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum

Looking for something to do that’s COVID-friendly and free? Be sure to visit the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum.

Walking trails, gardens, horticulture, and classic architecture encompass 47 acres of privately-owned land. The gardens are supported through membership and donations, which gives them the ability to allow you to visit for free.

At any given time, you might run into artists using this venue as inspiration for their masterpieces. Educators teaching the next generation about the importance of horticulture are common here, too. You could even be a witness to a wedding or other ceremony on the grounds!

3. Visit Zoo Knoxville

A visit to Knoxville isn’t complete without a trip to the zoo! Zoo Knoxville is taking social distancing precautions seriously. Guests are limited and care must be taken by those who want to visit the animals.

Families can still enjoy the incredible experiences of a night safari or an up-close-and-personal giraffe adventure. These are small group activities that are COVID-friendly.

Some of the activities are temporarily closed for everyone’s safety. But you can still enjoy the animal encounters throughout the rest of the zoo!

4. Explore the Knoxville Museum of Art

Whether you’re an art aficionado or someone who enjoys checking out classic and contemporary artwork, the Knoxville Museum of Art is for you. Currently open to the public on a limited, socially distant schedule, the museum admission is free!

Some exhibits are permanent and others are circulated throughout multiple museums. But KnoxArt, as it’s known locally, likes to focus on artists with a tie to the state.

Check out their website for a complete list of exhibits and when the museum is open so you can plan your itinerary.

5. Tour the World’s Fair Park

Knoxville has the designation of being one of the only U.S. cities to host a World’s Fair. These were internationally attended by people all over the globe. Exhibits included achievements from every nation that participated. As you can imagine, they were quite popular!

But the last World’s Fair in America was in New Orleans in 1984. It was a bust, and the event—now called a World Expo—has been held in other countries ever since.

Visitors to the World’s Fair Park can get a glimpse of what one of these major events would have been like. Some of the exhibits are still closed to the public for safety precautions. However, you can still check out the Sunsphere Tower and the observation deck that displays a panoramic view of the whole city.

While you’re there, be sure to take a stroll along the nature trail and check out the local ecosystem. There are COVID-friendly events scheduled regularly on the website’s calendar.

Conclusion

It may not be back to post-pandemic levels of safety, but if you’re ready to explore the outside world safely, start with Knoxville. These five COVID-friendly activities (plus a few additional ideas from Quarry Trail) offer you the socially distant fun you've been missing!