Location: Knoxville
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The 10 Best Museums in Knoxville, Tennessee (TN)
During the Civil War, Knoxville's Mabry-Hazen House served as headquarters for both the Confederate and Union armies. Today you can visit the house and other historic homes in this eastern Tennessee city. Among Knoxville's other attractions are museums, a zoo and World's Fair Park, site of the 1982 World's Fair. University of Tennessee sports draw lots of fans, as does the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. To see Knoxville from the water, take a leisurely riverboat ride down the Tennessee River.
Restaurants in Knoxville
1. UT Downtown Gallery
2. East Tennesse Historical Society
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 340 reviews
Reviewed By philyfanstukinmi - Ann Arbor, United States
After a short film about East Tennessee, you wonder through rooms full of information beginning with the native americans and the long hunters that settled in the valley (Daniel Boone). Through the civil war to modern day industry. Special sections for the music of the area and the invention of Mountain Dew (especially entertaining. Great place to visit and the price is right.
3. Fountain City Art Center
4. Art Market Gallery
5. Historic Westwood
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
A visit to Historic Westwood is a connection to the rich, artistic history of Knoxville. The residence was built in 1890 for John Lutz and his wife, Ann Adelia Armstrong Lutz, a prominent Tennessee artist from one of Knoxville’s founding families. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the residence is a rare example of Queen Anne and Richardsonian Romanesque architectural styles. Rare still, the home was designed with a beautiful, grand studio space in which Adelia could pursue and display her art. Today, visitors can enjoy tours of the main rooms led by trained volunteer docents. Experience the grand Gilded Age architecture and interiors, a large collection of art by Adelia Lutz, several works by other local female artists (including Cynthia Markert and Eugenia Dulin), a stunning collection of antique slag glass lamps from the Coates collection, and beautiful gardens. Please visit our website for hours.
6. Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
From the 10-ton, 30-foot-high basketball that sits on top of the building to the life-like animatronic figure of Senda Berenson, "the mother of women's basketball," this will not be your typical hall of fame visit.
Reviewed By cobyb490
This is a great place to visit and learn about the rich history of the Lady Vols, especially during the many years they were led by UT's legendary coach and beloved community member, Pat Summit. Enjoyable by all ages; something "a bit different" to bring your family and guests to for an interesting outing.
7. Knoxville Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 333 reviews
Reviewed By Kate9099 - Chicago, United States
Given that Knoxville is a smaller city, I wasn't sure what to expect from the museum, I was pleasantly suprised. The bottom level has a commissioned piece that at first seems odd, but watch the film and it will make sense. The glass blowing exhibit was beautiful. At the time we were there, the museum had "traded" some of their permanent collection with a museum in Ashville, NC and we enjoyed that exhibit. The Contemporary exhibit on the 3rd floor was very good, since that is more my style. The traditional Tennesee pieces were not my favorite but a good perspective for the museum to present. Overall an excellent experience. BTW- another guest had brought a dog into the museum, I love dogs but really... a dog in the art museum?
8. McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 170 reviews
The McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture is a general museum with collections in anthropology, archaeology, decorative arts, local history, and natural history. We are a free museum with free parking available. Simply ask for your free 2-hour parking pass at the parking kiosk at the head of Circle Park Drive. More details and directions on the museum website.
Reviewed By MikeCutaliRealtor - Knoxville, United States
Parking can be a bit confusing, but this is a must see with kids etc! Free museum who can beat that!
9. Historic Ramsey House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Last tour begins at 3 pm. Historic Ramsey House was built in 1797 by Knoxville's first builder, Thomas Hope, for Francis Alexander Ramsey. It was known at that time as the finest home in Tennessee. The house, constructed of Tennessee pink marble, is significant for its original interior and exterior architectural features and its period decorative art collection. Ramsey House was bought in 1952 by the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities, along with one acre of land. Today, the site consists of 101.5 acres, a historic house restored and furnished to the period of Francis A. Ramsey's occupancy, and a Visitor Center located in a beautiful country setting.
Reviewed By devils22db - Easley, United States
Although the house is fairly small, the tour was very good and offered plenty of facts about life in the Knoxville area since the late 1700's. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the house, the different time periods, the family, and the Knoxville area. Well kept grounds are easy to navigate along with the tour of the inside of the house. You can view a short film about the house before the tour that will set the tone for the rest of your visit. Although most of the furnishings, decor, and personal items are not from the Ramsey family, everything is of the time period that is discussed on the tour. It was good to hear that the people who run the house and tour are planning for expansion of the historic sites around the property. A convenient and quick drive off of I 40 to get to the house for the tour that lasts less than an hour. Plenty of eating options right off the interstate make this a nice little stop for a history lesson about the early days of Knoxville.
10. Old Smoky Railway Museum
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