Things To Do in Downtown Knoxville | Fall 2023

The heart of Downtown Knoxville is only about a mile from Neyland Stadium, so you can spend the day shopping for gameday gear, meeting visitors traveling through Market Square, or grabbing a bite to eat on Gay Street before or after the game. Knoxville was ranked as one of “College Football's Greatest College Towns” by Sports Illustrated, so you know this time of year is electric! Plan your day—or weekend—with some of our game day tips.

Downtown Knoxville is home to many weekly and seasonal markets you don't want to miss! The Market Square Farmers' Market continues throughout the fall every Wednesday (10 AM-1 PM) and Saturday (9 AM-1 PM). While the Old City Market happens on the second Sunday (11 AM-4 PM) and fourth Thursday (5 PM-9 PM) of every month. Outdoor markets in the fall! Could you ask for anything nicer?

Lots of new restaurants have recently opened in Downtown Knoxville. Check out SmashCity for delicious burgers, crispy hand-cut fries, and homemade sauces. Try STIR for craft cocktails (they're known for artisanal ice), oyster bar, and lunch, brunch, and dinner. Next, Fred Beans & Rice (the kitchen concept of Knox Brew Hub) is serving up Creole-style food. We can’t wait to try the soppin’ shrimp with a locally-brewed beer. Lastly, give DiCarlo's Pizza a try – Ohio Valley-style pizza topped with cheese after the bake!

If you're walking through Downtown Knoxville at night, you may notice a single red light down the alley beside The Oliver Hotel. That's the city's original speakeasy — Peter Kern Library. Once a well-kept secret, the bar is now a beloved institution with a warm ambiance of dark wood, a cozy fireplace, rows of books, and cocktails named after literary characters. Try one of their cozy cocktails, the Lamont Cranston with aged rum, milk, simple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon.

Experience a day exploring Downtown Knoxville's 60+ retail stores and local boutiques! Enjoy the best weather of the year as you walk from shop to shop, finding everything from new fall clothes and Vol Game Day gear to home décor, gifts, and unique finds. Make time for a coffee break, and have a relaxing day out.

The Great Smoky Mountains are just gorgeous from rooftop bars, and times that by ten when the leaves turn golden yellow, bright orange, and fiery red. Each of Downtown's rooftops offer unique atmospheres for different tastes. Radius Rooftop Lounge boasts a pool and lounge area perfect for a sunset cocktail, and after dark, the music turns up a notch. Five Thirty Lounge is a swanky indoor/outdoor bar with delightful cocktails and tasty small bites. And the rooftops of Market Square — Pres Pub and Bernadette's — are eclectic, colorful, and full of personality.

Mark your calendars to experience the spooky season during the whole month of October in Downtown Knox! You'll feel a chill in the air—is that just the weather or is it the ghosts around every corner? We'll have some good old-fashioned wicked fun, including a costume photo contest, a calendar full of weird and wonderful events, spooky cocktails and frightful foods, and more wicked cool surprises in store. It’s gonna be a Wicked Cool Halloween — we can feel it in our bones!

Now that you're ready for the season, come on down and share your experiences with #LoveDowntownKnox. Plus, get your picture with the seasonal Downtown Knoxville Mural!