Find cheap flights to Knoxville from $42

Nestled along the banks of the Tennessee River in eastern Tennessee, with the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains towering above, Knoxville offers visitors a generally mild climate and a wide range of year-round activities, both indoors and out. If you come during the summer, you can expect high temperatures of 88 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s not busy with tourists, so you can probably find cheap flights and accommodation. During the fall, Knoxville welcomes more visitors, with comfortable temperatures, and plenty of events like Boomsday and the Tennessee Fall Homecoming to entertain you. Book your travel arrangements in advance to avoid disappointment if you want to visit in the fall. Winter in Knoxville can be cool, with average highs ranging from 49 – 56 degrees Fahrenheit, but it’s a great time for outdoor activities like skiing and snowboarding at Ober Gatlinburg or Cataloochee ski areas in the Great Smoky Mountains. Knoxville is lovely in spring as well, and not too busy. You might plan your visit between March – May, when temperatures run from 56 – 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and the Dogwood trees bloom profusely.

You can easily walk around Downtown Knoxville, or ride the free trolley, but many of the area’s attractions are further out, so visitors commonly travel by car. Parking is easy in the city and traffic relatively light other than during rush hour periods; so don’t worry about bringing your rental car downtown. Here are some details about Knoxville TN transportation.

Public Transportation

The local bus system, KAT, serves the city and county, but buses run infrequently, making this a poor option. If you choose to ride the buses, the fare is $1.50 USD per ride or you can buy a day pass for $4.00 USD. You’ll find that the free Knoxville trolleys run more frequently, every 7-15 minutes along the three downtown routes.

Taxis

For quick trips, or if you prefer not to drive yourself, you can call for or hail a taxi. The regular rates are $2.00 USD to start, followed by $2.00 USD per mile, with a $12.00 USD waiting charge. Uber or Lyft services are also available, and likely a bit cheaper.

Things to do and places of interest in Knoxville, TN

Knoxville has much to offer visitors. Historians will enjoy the civil war sights, outdoor enthusiasts can participate in diverse activities in beautiful surrounds, and children will delight in visiting the zoo and the Muse. Put some of these on your ‘to do’ list.

• Picnic in the World’s Fair Park. This is one of Knoxville’s favorite places to relax or catch a live music event during holidays. The site of the World’s Fair in 1982, it features a water park to cool you off on a hot summer day.
• Zoo Knoxville is the perfect place to take your children. They have had great success with breeding endangered species like the Red Panda, and also care for a very rare Malay Tiger, Arya.
• Less than an hour’s drive from Knoxville, you’ll find the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where you can go fishing, horseback riding, or camping. You may also enjoy the ranger-led programs and wildlife viewing. If you’re lucky, you could see black bear, white-tailed deer, or elk in the park.
• Travel about 30 miles to Pigeon Forge and visit Dollywood. The country music superstar’s theme park offers all the rides and fun you can handle, and maybe you’ll even see Dolly Parton herself!
• If the weather is uncooperative, you can take your children to the Muse, a hands-on museum full of things for them to explore. There’s a space to create cars, tiles, and structures, science exhibits about wind tunnels and microscopes, and the “kid space,” with things to crawl on or climb. They can even take an imaginary flight.
• Enjoy a cruise on the scenic Tennessee River aboard the Star of Knoxville. This authentic stern-wheel riverboat offers lunch, sightseeing, dinner, and party cruises. There’s no better way to experience the river and relax.

Tips and tricks for visiting Knoxville, TN

Knoxville has more restaurants per capita than any city in the US, so you won’t have a hard time finding a great place to eat.

Each year in April, the city is inundated with music fans attending the annual Rhythm n’ Blooms Music Festival. It can be difficult to find accommodations during this popular event, so check your calendar and book early.