If you’re looking for more of an historic stay, the Oliver Hotel provides a wonderful experience. The hotel is mere steps from Market Square and offers large rooms with queen and king beds. Book the Market Suite for a view of Market Square with a separate living room, mid-century furniture, Royal Luxury bath amenities, deluxe snacks, and drinks. Stop in Knoxville’s only speakeasy, Peter Kern Library for cocktails named after literary characters and a warm atmosphere.

Knoxville's Urban Wilderness gives you easy access to hiking and biking trails, kayaking, bouldering, mountain biking adventure and more than 85 miles of Greenway. It's a short jaunt from Knoxville's downtown area. Take in history while on the trail at Fort Dickerson Park. See beautiful city views at River Bluff Wildlife Area. Catch some air at Baker Creek Preserve, which has five multi-use trails and three downhill mountain bike trails.

Knoxville is an artsy kind of town, so what better way to take in some art than strolling downtown on a mural tour? Find them in alleyways, stairwells and on the sides of buildings. Local artists are showcased and all of them make great photo-ops.

Take time in the sunlight space of the Knoxville Museum viewing artistic works by Beauford Delaney and James Baldwin, modern and contemporary glass works and current art from East Tennessee. The art installation by Richard Jolley “Cycle of Life: Within the Power of Dreams and the Wonder of Infinity” will make you gaze in wonder at the engineering marvel. Consult the museum’s calendar for temporary exhibitions containing works from national, regional, and local artists.

Want to do some shopping in Knoxville? Go to Glitterville, the boutique that screams fun with its bright colors and fantastical decorations. Lauded by Oprah Winfrey as one of her favorite things, Stephen Brown’s Glitterville Studio brings whimsy and fun to everyone through brightly colored kitchen and dining pieces, ornaments, candles, party supplies and even tiaras. You’ll quickly want everything you see as soon as you step inside.

Animal encounters abound at Zoo Knoxville, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and instrumental in preserving the populations of endangered animals. Stroll the grounds to see African elephants, African lions, Hamadryas baboons, giraffes, Malayan tigers and many more. Take advantage of the daily Animal Encounters programs where guests can see these wild creatures up close and learn all about their status in the wild, their habitat and diet.

WDVX Blue Plate Special celebrates all music from folk to funk, local and international noon every day but Sunday at the Knoxville Visitor Center. The show is always free and you're welcome to bring your lunch. Past performers include Jim Lauderdale, Marty Stewart, Blackberry Smoke, Old Crow Medicine Show, Sturgill Simpson and more.

You’ll find handmade bagels, coffee and espresso drinks made with local, organic dairy, organic syrups and organic chocolate at K Brew’s locations on North Broadway, Kingston Pike, and Gay Street. Locals love this coffee shop for the laid-back vibe, accented by the hammocks available. Order a blueberry, jalapeno cheddar, Asiago or cinnamon rain bagel and a honey lavender latte, berries n’ cream cold blue, cinnamon vanilla latte or blackberry sage tea, African rose tea and hot chocolate.

Walk into the bright, energetic Preservation Pub for local brews, music and food that hits the spot. Journey up to the rooftop where you can sit among the "electric forest," drink and be merry with downtown Knoxville spread out before you. Pair your drink of choice with one of their specialty pizzas (the dough is made with Guinness Stout), panini served on Italian focaccia bread made in-house, nachos, subs and more.

Have an elegant dining experience surrounded by exposed brick walls and contemporary artwork. Oliver Royale serves a variety of dishes from confit pork belly with macaroni and cheese and Benton's bacon braised collard greens to barbecue spare ribs and, of course, a charcuterie board that is loaded with crostini’s, mustard, jam and an assortment of meats, cheeses and pickled items.