When you think about taking a weekend trip to Tennessee, Nashville probably comes to mind first. And while I love a good Nashville getaway, I recently discovered another Tennessee city that completely surprised me with its charm, creativity, and surprisingly sophisticated food and cocktail scene.
I’m talking about Knoxville, Tennessee!
Located near the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville is one of those destinations that manages to offer a little bit of everything without feeling overwhelmingly touristy. There are beautiful boutique hotels, fantastic restaurants, unique shopping experiences, craft breweries, and even a Nordic-inspired bathhouse where you can spend an afternoon relaxing.
What I loved most about Knoxville was how easy it was to explore. I spent the weekend wandering through historic neighborhoods, discovering locally owned businesses, enjoying incredible bourbon experiences, and finding little hidden gems along the way.
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a girls’ weekend, or simply somewhere new to explore, here’s how I recommend spending a weekend in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Where to Stay in Knoxville: The Tennessean Hotel
If you’re planning a weekend getaway to Knoxville, I cannot recommend The Tennessean Hotel enough.
Located in downtown Knoxville beside World’s Fair Park, The Tennessean is a beautiful luxury boutique hotel that combines elegant accommodations with the kind of personalized hospitality that makes a stay feel extra special.
One of my favorite things about this hotel is that it offers so much more than simply a beautiful place to sleep. The Tennessean has created an entire guest experience centered around thoughtful little touches, local culture, and unique amenities.
The rooms themselves are incredibly relaxing. After a full day of exploring Knoxville, I loved returning to such a peaceful and inviting space. The beds are exceptionally comfortable, with plush bedding that makes it tempting to sleep in a little longer each morning. Between the elegant furnishings, calming atmosphere, and luxurious details, the rooms have a residential feel that makes you want to settle in and stay awhile.
Unique Experiences at The Tennessean Hotel
What really sets The Tennessean apart is its collection of experiences that guests can enjoy without ever leaving the property.
Golden Hour Cocktail Gathering: The hotel hosts a daily cocktail gathering featuring a signature Old Fashioned made with local whiskey. It’s a lovely way to kick off an evening in Knoxville.
Last Light Nightly Tea Table: In the evenings, guests can enjoy a complimentary tea experience in the lobby. I love this idea because it adds a peaceful little ritual to the end of a busy day.
Local Art and Entertainment: The hotel also celebrates Knoxville’s creative community through rotating art, workshops, and special events. Depending on when you visit, you may find comedy nights, live DJs, or opportunities to connect with local artists.
Private Proof Bourbon Experience: One of my favorite offerings is the hotel’s Private Proof in-room bourbon experience, which I’ll share more about below.
The Tennessean also offers complimentary e-bikes for guests to explore the city, making it easy to discover downtown Knoxville and the nearby Old City without needing to drive everywhere.
For me, The Tennessean was the perfect home base for a weekend that combined relaxation, exploration, and a little indulgence.
Friday Night in Knoxville: Bourbon, Dinner, and a Hidden Speakeasy
One thing Knoxville does particularly well is bourbon and craft cocktails, so naturally, that’s exactly how we kicked off the weekend.
Enjoy the Long Pour Bourbon Dinner at The Drawing Room
My first evening began at The Drawing Room, the elegant restaurant and cocktail lounge located inside The Tennessean Hotel. I enjoyed the Long Pour Bourbon Dinner, a curated dining experience that pairs a multi-course meal with carefully selected bourbons.
I love experiences that go beyond simply ordering dinner, and this was a wonderful way to learn more about bourbon while enjoying thoughtfully prepared dishes.
Each course was paired with a bourbon selected to complement the flavors of the food, making the evening feel like a culinary experience rather than just another restaurant reservation.
The Drawing Room also has a beautiful atmosphere, making it a lovely spot for a romantic dinner or an intimate evening with friends.
Travel tip: Long Pour is a special scheduled experience, so check availability before planning your visit around it.
End the Evening at Peter Kern Library Speakeasy
After dinner, I headed to one of Knoxville’s most intriguing cocktail destinations: Peter Kern Library. Hidden inside The Oliver Hotel, this intimate speakeasy feels like stepping into another era.
Think dim lighting, rich wood details, bookshelves, and a cozy atmosphere that practically invites you to settle into a corner with a beautifully crafted cocktail.
I absolutely love finding hidden cocktail bars when I travel, and Peter Kern Library is exactly the kind of place that makes exploring a new city so much fun.It’s romantic, a little mysterious, and a perfect place to end your first evening in Knoxville.
Saturday Morning: Breakfast and Shopping in Knoxville’s Old City
Start With Breakfast at The Drawing Room
Saturday morning began with a leisurely breakfast at The Drawing Room inside The Tennessean.
One of my favorite things about staying at a luxury boutique hotel is having the opportunity to enjoy a slow morning before heading out to explore. After breakfast, we made our way to Knoxville’s historic Old City neighborhood, which quickly became one of my favorite areas of town.
Explore Knoxville’s Vintage and Independent Shops
If you love discovering unique boutiques and locally owned businesses when you travel, you’ll love shopping in Knoxville’s Old City.
Two shops in particular completely won me over.
Chic Vintage
I always try to find a good vintage shop when visiting a new city, and Chic Vintage is one worth adding to your itinerary. This thoughtfully curated boutique offers an elevated vintage shopping experience with unique clothing and accessories that you won’t find in traditional retail stores. Whether you’re searching for a statement piece or simply enjoy browsing beautiful vintage fashion, this is a fun stop.
Amulet
Now, let’s talk about one of my absolute favorite discoveries in Knoxville: Amulet! I’m not exaggerating when I say this is one of my all-time favorite shops. Amulet has such a unique personality, combining an Appalachian-inspired apothecary atmosphere with interesting beauty, wellness, and lifestyle offerings.
It’s the kind of shop where you walk inside thinking you’ll browse for a few minutes and suddenly realize you’ve been there much longer than planned. I especially love discovering businesses that feel deeply connected to the character of their city, and Amulet is exactly that.
If you’re visiting Knoxville, make sure you stop here!
Saturday Afternoon: Relax and Recharge at Sauna House Knoxville
After spending the morning shopping, we decided to slow things down with a visit to Sauna House Knoxville.
If you’ve been following my travels for a while, you know I love incorporating wellness experiences into my trips. Whether it’s a beautiful spa, a relaxing massage, or a unique wellness concept, I always appreciate destinations that offer opportunities to recharge.
Sauna House is a Nordic-inspired bathhouse centered around the traditional thermal cycle of heat, cold, and rest. The experience encourages guests to alternate between sauna sessions, cold plunges, and relaxation periods.
It’s a refreshing change from a traditional spa day, and the atmosphere is designed to help you disconnect from the busyness of everyday life. Sauna House also offers massage treatments, making it a wonderful option for anyone who wants to incorporate a little extra self-care into their Knoxville weekend.
I especially loved that we could spend the morning exploring the city and then dedicate part of the afternoon to relaxing. If you’re staying at The Tennessean, ask the concierge about any current Sauna House partnership perks or transportation options.
Visit Pretentious Glass Co. and Pretentious Beer Co.
One of the most unique experiences of our entire Knoxville weekend was visiting Pretentious Glass Co. in the Old City. This working glassblowing studio creates beautiful handcrafted glassware, and visitors can watch artisans transform molten glass into functional works of art.
Watching the glassblowing process up close is fascinating. It’s incredible to see how much skill, creativity, and precision go into creating each piece. What makes this experience even more interesting is that Pretentious Glass is connected to Pretentious Beer Co., a local craft brewery.
Yes, you can watch glass being made and then head next door to enjoy a locally brewed beer served in handcrafted glassware! I love this combination of art, craftsmanship, and local brewing. It’s such a creative concept and a perfect example of what makes Knoxville’s independent business scene so special.
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Knoxville beyond traditional sightseeing, this is one experience I highly recommend.
Saturday Evening: The Private Proof Bourbon Experience at The Tennessean
After an afternoon exploring Knoxville, I headed back to The Tennessean to get ready for dinner. But first, there was one more bourbon experience planned. The hotel’s Private Proof in-room bourbon experience is such a fun and luxurious way to begin an evening.
Rather than heading downstairs to the bar, this experience brings a beautifully presented Smoked Old Fashioned directly into the comfort of your guest room. The presentation includes locally handcrafted Pretentious Glass drinkware, creating a lovely connection between the hotel’s hospitality offerings and Knoxville’s creative community.
I particularly enjoyed experiencing this after visiting Pretentious Glass earlier in the day. It made the whole experience feel even more personal. There’s something special about enjoying a beautifully crafted cocktail in your room while getting ready for an evening out.
It’s these thoughtful little experiences that make a boutique hotel stay feel so memorable.
More Great Places to Eat and Drink in Knoxville
While my weekend itinerary included plenty of bourbon and delicious food, Knoxville has several additional restaurants and cocktail destinations worth exploring.
Hotel Cleo and Lilou
Located along historic Gay Street, Hotel Cleo is a beautifully designed boutique hotel that’s home to Lilou, a French-inspired brasserie. If you appreciate gorgeous interiors and elevated dining experiences, this is a lovely place to consider for lunch or dinner.
Tavern at Maker Exchange
Tavern at Maker Exchange is another great option for dinner or cocktails in downtown Knoxville. What makes this restaurant especially interesting is its connection to the city’s creative community. The surrounding Maker Exchange celebrates local artists and craftsmanship, giving the dining experience a distinctive Knoxville personality.
Potchke Deli
If you’re looking for a delicious breakfast or lunch before leaving town, add Potchke Deli to your list. This Jewish deli-inspired restaurant is known for its bagels, baked goods, and creative comfort food. It’s the perfect casual stop before hitting the road.
More Fun Things to Do in Knoxville, Tennessee
If you have extra time during your weekend, there are several other attractions and experiences worth considering.
Explore Market Square
Market Square is one of Knoxville’s most popular gathering places, filled with restaurants, shops, and entertainment. Depending on the time of year, you may find outdoor concerts, seasonal festivals, or community events. It’s a great place to wander, grab a coffee, and soak up the atmosphere of downtown Knoxville.
Visit the Sunsphere and World’s Fair Park
One of Knoxville’s most recognizable landmarks is the Sunsphere, built for the 1982 World’s Fair. The observation deck offers beautiful views of Knoxville and the surrounding area. Since it’s located near The Tennessean, it’s an easy addition to your itinerary.
Take a Knoxville Ghost Tour
If you love haunted history and ghost stories as much as I do, consider adding a guided ghost tour to your weekend. Exploring a historic city after dark is always a fun way to learn about its legends, architecture, and more mysterious past. I love US Ghost Adventures for my historical city ghost tours all over the US.
Visit the Knoxville Museum of Art
Art lovers should consider spending some time at the Knoxville Museum of Art, which highlights the creative culture and artistic heritage of East Tennessee. It’s another great way to experience the city’s local personality.
Catch a Show at the Tennessee Theatre
If you’re looking for an evening activity beyond dinner and cocktails, check the schedule at the historic Tennessee Theatre. This beautifully restored venue hosts concerts, touring productions, and other performances throughout the year.
Is Knoxville, Tennessee, Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Before this trip, I knew Knoxville had a charming downtown and a rich history, but I wasn’t expecting such a wonderful combination of luxury hospitality, creative local businesses, wellness experiences, and impressive dining.
What really stood out to me was how authentic everything felt. Instead of spending the weekend rushing from one major tourist attraction to another, I was able to enjoy the city at our own pace. I discovered beautiful independent shops, watched local artisans at work, enjoyed thoughtfully curated bourbon experiences, and made time to relax.
And perhaps best of all, I was able to experience so much of Knoxville without constantly getting in and out of the car.
For anyone looking for a Tennessee weekend getaway that feels a little different from Nashville, Knoxville is absolutely worth considering.
My Final Thoughts on Spending a Weekend in Knoxville
Some of my favorite trips are the ones that surprise me, and Knoxville was definitely one of those destinations. I loved the combination of Southern hospitality, historic charm, and creative energy that seems to run throughout the city.
Staying at The Tennessean made the experience even more enjoyable, especially with its beautiful accommodations, thoughtful amenities, and unique bourbon experiences.
But what really made this weekend memorable were the local discoveries, from shopping at Amulet and Chic Vintage to watching glassblowing at Pretentious Glass and relaxing at Sauna House.
Knoxville has a personality all its own, and I think that’s exactly what makes it such a wonderful place to visit. If you’ve already visited Knoxville, I’d love to know: What are your favorite places to eat, shop, or explore?
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