Dating back more than two centuries, the University of Tennessee in Knoxville (UTK) today has nearly 26,000 students and 400 academic programs. The university's sports teams, nicknamed the "Volunteers" or "Vols," are extremely popular in the community, oftentimes selling out football games at Neyland Stadium – quite a feat considering it seats more than 100,000 fans. UTK is also home to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Frank H. McClung Museum.

Discover more than 800 animals at the Knoxville Zoo, featuring unique habitats such as Black Bear Falls, Chimp Ridge and Grasslands Africa. Pint-sized guests will enjoy the zoo’s Clayton Family Kids Cove, where you can learn how to milk a cow, dress up like a zookeeper, interact with the Kids Zoo animals and go for a ride on the Fuzzy-go-Round carousel.

The Old City historic district in Knoxville, TN is a restored warehouse district with eclectic shops, antiques stores, trendy restaurants, cafés and nightclubs. After dark the area really starts jumping with lots of live music including jazz, blues, and rock and roll. Also known as the Jackson Avenue Warehouse District, Old City is home to several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Knoxville Museum of Art boasts five unique galleries showcasing more than 700 pieces of work. In addition to its comprehensive collection, the museum also provides tours of the facility, lectures, workshops, concerts and family activities. On select Friday nights the museum hosts the popular “Alive After Five” gathering, with live music, beverages and finger foods. This is a great gathering for everyone from families to first dates.

The Knoxville Convention Center hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including major conventions, conferences, charity functions, formal banquets, live entertainment and sporting events. The center is located in downtown Knoxville, TN, adjacent to the beautifully landscaped World’s Fair Park and its landmark Sunsphere tower.

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame is easily identifiable upon your arrival, featuring the world’s largest basketball, standing 30-feet high and weighing in at 10 tons. A tour of the hall begins at the State Farm Tip-Off theater, where a short video details the history of women’s basketball. Additional exhibits include the Ring of Honor, a locker room experience and the Hall of Honor, recognizing the individuals who have been inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Whether vacationing with the family or simply enjoying a weekend getaway, beautiful East Tennessee offers something for visitors of all ages. Make reservations at a Knoxville Choice Hotels location today, and soon you can explore this great city for yourself.   << Hide