Things to Do While in Knoxville
Looking for something to do before, after, or during the evening hours of ELUNA? Here's a list of possibilities. Every one (except for the Great Smoky Mountains) is within walking distance from the Convention Center.
OK, we know that checking your email is probably on your "Things to Do" list also.
Come see the flagship campus of the University of Tennessee! There are two easy ways to access campus. Weekdays only - you can take the "Orange line" trolley from Clinch Ave at the Convention Center as it heads west towards campus (the orange line trolley is the old-fashioned red bus with a large orange dot on the front). This will take you along Cumberland Ave., also known as "The Strip." Perhaps the best place to get off is the University Center (16th St. and Cumberland).
Also, you can walk into campus. From the Convention Center walk west on Cumberland Ave about two blocks where you will begin seeing the university's trademark red brick buildings. On the right you'll pass Hoskins Library which houses Special Collections, Archives, and Maps. Across the street and cater-corner to the right of Hoskins is the University Center.
Tours of the main John C Hodges Library will be offered on Sunday at 1:15 and Wed. at 1:15. To get to Hodges Library, continue walking west on Cumberland Ave one block past the University Center. Turn left onto Volunteer Blvd and walk another block, where you will see Hodges Library on the right. For the tours, take the stairs up from the ground floor to the 1st floor, and meet Rita Smith in the Reference Room on your left.
Located in the heart of downtown Knoxville, Market Square Mall contains eclectic shops and restaurants along with Krutch Park, a pleasant outdoor park with trees and benches. For great pizza and Italian food try Tomato Head (voted Knoxville's best 2006 restaurant by the Metro Pulse).
From the Knoxville Convention Center walk east on Clinch Avenue a few blocks to Market St. Turn left on Market. Krutch Park is on your right and Market Square Mall is straight in front of you.
This free outdoor blues festival is located on Market Square Mall, and takes place Saturday June 3 from 2:00-10:00pm, with music starting around 5:00.
Each spring on Thursday evening several thousand people gather in Market Square Mall for this free outdoor concert series. If you're still in town on June 8, Umphrey's Mcghee is the headline performer. The event begins at 6:00pm, with the music usually starting around 7:00pm.
This hometown, grassroots radio station began its humble roots broadcasting from a trailer in Clinton, Tennessee. Over the years word spread about the excellent mix of Americana, Bluegrass, Alternative Country, Mountain, Folk, and Celtic musical offerings - and the station has since exploded in popularity.
If you have time be sure to check out the "Blue Plate Special," where each weekday at noon you can grab a bite to eat and enjoy live music at their new downtown studio (301 S. Gay Street). From the Knoxville Convention Center walk east on Clinch Avenue 4 blocks to Gay Street. Turn left and walk another 3 blocks. WDVX studios are in One Vision Plaza, on the left at the corner of Summit Hill and Gay Streets.
Are you a women's basketball fan? If so, then this is the place for you! The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame is a 32,000 square foot facility devoted to honoring the legends and traditions of women's basketball. It is open M-F from 10:00 - 5:00, Sa from 10:00 - 6:00, and Su from 1:00 - 5:00. Tickets cost $7.95 for adults.
This walk is approximately 20 - 25 minutes. From the Convention Center go east 4 blocks on Clinch Avenue to Gay Street. Turn right on Gay and go 1 block to Church Ave. Go left on Church and walk 4 blocks to Hall of Fame Drive. Turn right here and walk another block, looking for the large replica basketball and the court of flags in front of the Hall of Fame.
The Knoxville Museum of Art is located just across the World's Fair Park from the Convention Center, and is a wonderful way to spend the evening. Admission is free on Tuesdays from 5:00 - 8:00pm, and $5.00 for adults all other times.
For chocolate lovers, it can't get any better than this! Since 1889, this independently owned and operated company has produced some of the most delicious treats for chocolate aficionados. What else is there to say?
From the Convention Center, walk west on Clinch Ave., crossing the bridge over the World's Fair Park. Turn right onto World's Fair Park Dr. The Chocolate Factory is in the large red brick building on the right.
Interested in shopping for a gift, grabbing a cup of coffee, listening to live music, or quenching your thirst? The Old City is about 20-25 minutes walk from the Convention Center, or you can catch a trolley. Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria is a great place for dinner/live music, and Pasta Trio's is one of the best Italian restaurants around with excellent atmosphere and authentic, homemade pasta.
From the Convention Center walk east on Clinch Avenue 4 blocks to Gay Street. Turn left on Gay Street and walk 5 blocks to Jackson Avenue. Turn right on Jackson and walk 2 blocks to the main intersection in the Old City (Jackson and Central).
Looking for tasty vegetarian fare? This family-owned Middle Eastern restaurant is a long-time Knoxville favorite with treats such as falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, etc. and a good selection of desserts and bottled beer.
From the Convention Center walk west on Clinch Avenue, crossing over the World's Fair Park. Continue 4 blocks into the historic Fort Sanders district (one-time home of author James Agee) to the corner of 15th and Clinch. Falafel Hut is on this corner to the left.
Constructed in 1927, the Tennessee Theatre underwent renovation/restoration in 2003, with the work completing in January 2005. The theatre houses the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, musical and theatrical performances, and various yearly events, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On Saturday, June 3, the Smoky Mountain Harmony Chorus Annual Show is playing.
From the Convention Center walk east on Clinch Avenue 4 blocks to Gay Street. Turn right on Gay. The theatre is located across the street on the left.
The Bijou Theatre, nearly a century old and boasting such previous performers as The Marx Brothers and Dizzy Gillespie, is located on the south end of Gay Street. On Sunday, June 4 the Yard Dogs Road Show is performing at 8:00pm, and on Wednesday, June 7 Richard Thompson is performing at 8:00. Details of these events can be found on the website.
From the Convention Center walk east on Clinch Avenue 4 blocks to Gay Street. Turn right on Gay and walk 2 blocks to the Bijou, which is on the right.
For disc golf enthusiasts, Knoxville has three courses, one of which (Morningside Park) is located just east of Knoxville. This challenging 16-hole course features some nice holes primarily through a hilly wooded park. Keep careful watch on your disc at #3, as the drive includes a long sail through a narrow opening in the trees! The course layout is a bit tricky to follow, but just ask any of the locals for directions and they will likely be glad to help.
From the Convention Center walk east on Clinch Ave. for 4 blocks to Gay Street. Turn right on Gay and walk one block to Church Ave. Turn left on Church and walk one-half mile to E. Hill Ave. Cross this street and continue walking on Hazen St. The park is just on the right, and the number one hole is next to the street on the right.
No trip to east Tennessee would be complete without a visit to the Smoky Mountains! There are many ways to enjoy the Smokies - whether driving around historic Cades Cove, enjoying a quiet walk alongside a mountain stream, or taking in the view from one of many peaks about 5,000' elevation, the Great Smoky Mountains are an awesome place to visit and explore. Located about 45 minutes - 1 hour east of Knoxville, these mountains are well worth a trip.
Enjoy rail travel in an authentic steam engine locomotive. This ninety-minute excursion begins in Downtown Knoxville. Passengers enjoy beautiful views on the journey to the "Three Rivers Trestle" where the French Broad and Holston Rivers join to form the Tennessee River.
The train departs from the Riverwalk on Neyland Drive. From the Convention Center travel east on Clinch Avenue for two blocks to the intersection of Clinch and Walnut Streets. Turn right onto Walnut Street. Travel for approximately five blocks to the pedestrian bridge which crosses Neyland drive and terminates at the Riverwalk. Turn right on the Riverwalk and follow the signs to the Three River Rambler.
If you have your laptop with you, wireless access is provided at both conference hotels. The Convention Center is in the process of implementing fee-based wireless access in public areas. As soon as we know the details on this, we will let you know. Don't worry presenters, there will be Internet access in all the session rooms.
There are two locations with public access computers for you to use:
- The closest to the Convention Center is the downtown branch of the Knox County Public Library (marked as "Main Library" on the downtown Knoxville map). Bring a picture ID, get a free 30-day library card, and use the computer workstations.
- The Reference Room on the first floor of the UT Hodges Library also has public access computers available. Bring your ELUNA 2006 badge to the Reference Desk, and one of our friendly staff will point you in the right direction.