Top 5 Must Do / Must See / Must Experience

• Kris Kristofferson at the Tennessee Theatre
• Tour the Blount Mansion
• Westwood Antique & Design Market
• Knoxville Opera presents Donizetti's riveting opera "Lucia di Lammermoor"
• Visit Knoxville Zoo!

Good times and good friends await you in Knoxville, a modern Appalachian city with great dining, nightlife, museums, shopping, family fun and championship sports. From blues to bluegrass or ballet to Boomsday, there's something always happening in Knoxville. Discover a rich history of musical milestones and military masterminds, literary lights and ghoulish ghost stories. The beauty and natural resources surrounding Knoxville mean limitless opportunities for fun and adventure. Whatever you seek, you'll find it here. Find History! Find Art! Find Drama! Find yourself in Knoxville!

www.knoxville.org

Knoxville Market Square District

Conceived in 1853 as a canny real-estate scheme by two young investors expecting to get rich off the idea, Market Square came to be Knoxville’s most public spot, a marketplace familiar to everyone in the area. By the 1860s, it was the busiest place in a burgeoning city, a place to shop, work, play, eat, drink, and live. Today, the Square has been revitalized with shops and restaurants offering recreational space for the whole family. Visit the Farmers' Market: Every Wednesday and Saturday throughout the season the Square is filled with local farmers, gardeners, bakers, and artisans, as well as performers and musicians. The MSFM is producer-only, meaning that everything at the market is grown or made in East Tennessee. More about the Knoxville Market Square District

Kris Kristofferson at the Tennessee Theatre

Kris Kristofferson returns to the essentials of his finely honed craft on his New West album, Closer to the Bone. Like the master singer-songwriter's 2006 New West bow, This Old Road, the new album is produced by Grammy Award winner Don Was. Kristofferson's New West albums mark the culmination of a distinguished career that has encompassed the authorship of such classic American songs as "Me and Bobby McGee"; stardom in such feature films as Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid and A Star is Born. His honors including three Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe Award and years of outspoken political and social activism. Don't miss this concert and get your tickets today! More about Kris Kristofferson at the Tennessee Theatre

Tour the Blount Mansion

Nestled in the center of Downtown Knoxville's government district, Blount Mansion offers history that is hard to miss. Known by the Cherokee Indians as "the house with many eyes," Blount Mansion has watched American history parade through its rooms and on the streets outside. William Blount chose to build his mansion in Knoxville after signing the Treaty of the Holston just a few yards away from the Mansion's location. Blount's Knoxville mansion would serve as the territorial capitol, as well as a family home. Tours start at the top of every hour. The Blount Mansion Visitors Center features exhibits and a shop. Come to Knoxville, step inside the Blount Mansion and experience "The Birthplace of Tennessee." More about the Blount Mansion

Big Ears Festival

The Big Ears Festival is proud to announce another weekend of visionary music, exploratory art, and southern hospitality. This time, Big Ears is especially proud to host the legendary American composer Terry Riley as Artist in Residence for the weekend with a series of concerts throughout the weekend celebrating Riley¹s 75th Birthday year. In addition, the weekend will feature an exciting array of artists and performers from the worlds of rock, jazz, classical, and avant garde music along with installations, exhibitions, interactive experiences, talks, and workshops. Festival mission is to offer an exciting and dynamic platform of musical and artistic discovery by artists possessed of unique visions that stand apart from the mainstream. More about the Big Ears Festival

Westwood Antique & Design Market

The market was founded in 1998 as a source of quality antiques of a wide variety and as a place where the emphasis on good design and style is equal to the emphasis on antique. Over 60 dealers offer a constantly changing selection of furniture, glassware, china, silver, pewter , quilts, art, rugs, contemporary folk art, designer fabric to order, and much more. The 16000 square foot building is clean, well-lighted, and filled with the best that the hosted dealers can provide. If the market does not happen to have what you are looking for, they will cheerfully try to find it for you. The most important thing is unparalleled customer satisfaction. If you loves antiques make sure to stop by for a delightful shopping experience! More about the Westwood Antique & Design Market

Downtown Grill & Brewery

The Downtown Grill & Brewery is located on historic Gay Street, about one block north of the Tennessee Theatre. The Brewery has a rich history, told not only by its well-worn hardwood floors, but through its pictures of Knoxville gone by that dress the walls. With its copper and mahogany bar, tempting menu, and fine craft-brewed beers, it’s a relaxing setting to explore Knoxville’s flavorful past. Their focus is on uniting excellent beers with the exquisite flavors of open-flame mesquite grilled steak, seafood, and chicken. With a menu ranging from pastas to Mexican cuisine to seafood, Downtown Grill & Brewery is guaranteed to please. Open 7 days a week, Downtown Grill & Brewery is one of downtown Knoxville's favorite gathering places. More about the Downtown Grill & Brewery

Knoxville Opera presents Donizetti's riveting opera "Lucia di Lammermoor"

The young, innocent Lucia falls in love with her family's enemy, Edgardo. After Lucia's brother forces her into an arranged marriage to save them from financial ruin, the distraught girl murders her husband on their wedding night. Famous musical highlights include the glorious Sextet and opera's greatest Mad Scene, which has made sopranos into legends. Playing Friday February 12th at 8:00 pm and Sunday February 14th at 2:30 pm. Maestro Salesky's onstage opera preview begins 45 minutes prior to each performance. Don't miss this energetic and engaging music event! Get your tickets today for just $15, discounts for groups and students. More about "Lucia di Lammermoor"

Visit Knoxville Zoo!

Knoxville Zoo is one of the top zoological parks in the Southeast with internationally renowned preservation and breeding program. The zoo features more than 230 species and 800 animals in natural habitats including black bears, tigers, giraffes and elephants. There are special exhibits just for children, such as "Kids Cove," which explores life in the early 1900s with a play cabin, vegetable gardens, animals and play spaces with an East Tennessee theme. Your are searching for a venue to host your next special event? Knoxville Zoo offers facilities that can accommodate up to 2,000 people. The scenic landscape provides a wonderful backdrop for elegant weddings and company picnics; Knoxville Zoo offers truly unique settings. More about Knoxville Zoo!

Volunteer Princess

Take the finest gourmet food and service, place it on the finest luxury yacht in the heart of Downtown Knoxville, and you'll begin to understand the magic of Volunteer Princess Cruises. Located at Volunteer Landing Marina, the Volunteer Princess offers the best in Location, the best in Convenience, and the best in Affordability. The 2007, 96' Luxury Yacht the Volunteer Princess, is climate controlled on all decks and is United States Coast Guard certified for up to 149 guests. If you are searching for a special event venue, a meticulously planned event aboard this yacht is certain to make a memorable experience that cannot be matched by any Banquet Facility. Go on a public cruise to experience Knoxville like never before! More about the Volunteer Princess

Knoxville Visitor Center
301 South Gay Street
Knoxville, Tennessee 37902
Tel.: (865) 523 7263
Toll Free: (800) 727 8045
Fax: (865) 522 3974
Internet: www.Knoxville.org

Teresa Hall
Director of Sales & Marketing Administration
E-mail: thall@Knoxville.org