My sister’s best friend, and a good friend of mine as well, moved to Knoxville, Tennessee back in 2014. We made the trip up to see her and went back for her wedding last February. The only thing I knew about the town was its association with the University of Tennessee and that creamsicle shade of orange. But with each visit, I discovered a new part of the college town.
On a recent press trip through the Smokies, located less than an hour from Knoxville, I stopped by to have brunch with Liza and do a bit of exploring on my way home. So we met at an Old City eatery and caught up after her shift at the local hospital. OliBea is a cute cafe, covered in plants and bathed in light. We ordered quickly and got coffee, but the food took a while to arrive. In the meantime, we conferenced in Sammi so she wouldn’t miss a thing.
After she headed home, I took some time to explore the Old City, Knoxville’s hippest neighborhood. Here you’ll find coffee shops like Remedy Coffee as well as restaurants and wine bars. Former brick warehouses, with their arching windows, are now loft apartments.
Best of all, it’s not far from the downtown landmarks of the city like the Sunsphere and Market Square. While waiting for a store to open, which never did, I tucked into the alley to see what new street art had turned up.
One last stop before driving the two hours back to Atlanta was the Ijams Nature Center. The urban trail system is a favorite of hikers and mountain bikers. But I was looking for a place called The Keyhole in the former quarry. Tucked into the woods, this spot where rocks were placed carefully reminded me of the temples of Cambodia, apart from the family taking their Christmas card pictures there. It was a great way to stretch my legs mid-drive. Knoxville always surprises me.
Just got around to reading this. So glad I made the post – can’t wait to explore more of Knoxville with you soon!