Indagare’s Knoxville Cheat Sheet

Knoxville is a compact American city in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, which are home to a national park as well as the Indagare-adored properties Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain—making Knoxville the perfect gateway to combine with a rural retreat. Easily navigable both on foot and by car, Knoxville is host to the University of Tennessee, so it offers a distinctly younger, lively vibe—a sort of “scruffy soul.” Still, the city has historical significance and some great family-friendly attractions, too. Get my recommendations for the essential Indagare-recommended places to stay, eat, explore and more in Knoxville, Tennessee, below.

The boutique 28-room Oliver Hotel is our top pick in Knoxville given its convenient location in a historic building right on Market Square. The decor is contemporary, the bathrooms are spacious and we recommend booking the suites for the most spacious layout. The standout of my stay was the incredibly warm and helpful team, which we found impressive for a boutique property.

A Dopo serves up fresh salads, sourdough pizzas that rival those you’d get in Italy and creative gelato flavors. The atmosphere is convivial and the service very friendly. We recommend making reservations in advance.

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar is a top spot for classic, fresh southern food. Don’t miss the fried green tomatoes over cheddar grits appetizer.

Potchke Deli is an order-at-the-counter and seat-yourself spot full of character that specializes in all of your favorite delicatessen staples (think blintzes, babka, bialys, matzo ball soup, pastrami sandwiches and more).

For Knoxville culture: Spend some time just walking around Knoxville—you can’t miss Market Square and the Old City. There is also a producer-only (meaning vendors can sell only what they have grown or made) Farmer’s Market in Market Square on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from May through November.

For art: The Knoxville Museum of Art's permanent exhibitions focus on regional creativity.

For book lovers: Union Ave Books is a cute bookshop off Market Square with a nicely curated variety, including a destination-focused children’s section (we came home with a book called Southern Baby) and specialty paper goods. For rare and old books, check out Addison's Bookstore, the passion project of the lovely owner Brian Worley. He specializes in antiquarian books, first editions and rare, vintage volumes—so you never know what you might find in there.

For menswear: Contra offers a wide range of vintage clothing, shoes and streetwear.

For kids and families: The Knoxville Zoo is a fairly impressive, well-done zoo, home to one of the most successful red panda breeding programs in the world. Muse Knoxville is a children’s science museum with lots of hands-on, STEM-based learning experiences. Ijams Nature Center is a 350-acre nature preserve great for hiking, walking, biking, climbing and more. If you’re looking to keep the kids active on a rainy day, you can revert to Sky Zone Trampoline Park, a popular indoor trampoline park.

The Indagare-adored countryside retreats Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain are an easy 30-minute drive away from central Knoxville. The city is a prime connecting point, as most travelers to these hotels will fly into the McGhee Tyson Airport, which is just a 20-minute drive from Knoxville; if time allows, visitors to either should plan to spend a night in Knoxville to experience the city's gentle charms.

Learn more about these celebrated properties here—plus, three more to know:

• Do not overlook the off-season (December to March) at Blackberry Farm & Mountain. The weather is generally mild in the winter (though a bit unpredictable). Consider upgrading to one of the cottage accommodations for a cozy stay with some time spent at the spa (and, of course, ample focus on the food). In early February, the weather was in the 50s and 60s Fahrenheit and felt a world away from New York's frigid cold. Lambing season also coincides with this period—and about 180 lambs are born at the farm each year; if you are lucky, you may have the chance to bottle-feed them. (Plus—the rates for your stay will be ever-so-slightly lower.)
• Blackberry Farm is truly family-friendly. We brought our one-year-old along and were welcomed with open arms. Our Hill Cottage was perfectly situated for us, and for families with more than one child or older children, there are various multi-bedroom accommodations as well. One of the two restaurants on-property, Dogwood, welcomes children of all ages, and there are babysitting services available for when parents want to experience the renowned formal dining option, The Barn (which does allow children aged 10 and up). For sunny days on the farm, activities—from visiting the animals and sweet Lagotto Romagnolo dogs to experiencing Camp Blackberry—abound.
• Blackberry Farm is also a must-visit destination for oenophiles. It has the second-largest wine collection in the United States, estimated at 130,000 to 160,000 bottles. The breadth and depth of its cellar is especially impressive for a property of its size. At dinner at The Barn, there are over 6,000 different bottles to choose from on the (iPad) wine list.