It’s beginning to feel and look a lot like fall – cooler temperatures, clearer skies, and pumpkins, lots of pumpkins. While it’s sad to see summer drawing to a close, it’s always exciting to see what fall has to offer. Here are a few ideas to help you Fall for Knoxville over the next several weeks. (Originally published in 2021, dates updated for 2022.)

One of the most beloved colors of fall is orange. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait for the leaves to change to see an abundance of it. With students back on campus and Neyland Stadium filling with fans, Big Orange is everywhere! And that brings us to one of the top experiences to enjoy in Knoxville – a University of Tennessee football game. Join 100,000 of your friends in a rousing chorus of Rocky Top. The Vols are home against the Florida Gators this weekend (Sept. 24), with remaining home games on Oct. 15 (Alabama), Oct. 22 (Tennessee Martin), Oct. 29 (Kentucky), and Nov. 12 (Missouri). Photo: Aerial photograph of Neyland Stadium at the University of Tennessee and the Tennessee River. The fans in different sections are wearing orange and white-colored shirts to emulate the endzone checkerboard pattern in the stands. Photo by Neomrbungle from Wikimedia Commons

No matter what your adventure, we recommend that you start off with a full stomach. For breakfast, dig into biscuits and gravy, eggs any way you like ‘em, country ham, pancakes, grits, hash browns, and did we say gravy (it’s or fav, so we had to mention it again). Pete’s Coffee Shop is a great little diner located just off Market Square and is a favorite of students, construction workers, and office nine-to-fivers. It’s only open for breakfast and lunch.  

Looking for something that’s a little out of the ordinary? Try The Tomato Head on Market Square for a fresh take on fresh food. Open for lunch and supper, their offerings feature sandwiches, pizzas, soups, and tasty sweets. Their food is good and their hearts are in the community – they partner with local farms, breweries, bakeries for ingredients and give back in support of numerous non-profits each year. 

It’s time to get away from all the hubbub and enjoy a little time with nature. Well, you don’t need to go far. Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness is practically next door no matter where you are in the city. Hiking, biking, ziplining, paddling, and swimming are just minutes away. Over 50 miles of trails and greenways connect these adventure jewels. Your adventure is up to you – most trails are easy to moderate, but you will find some that are challenging (but worth the effort). Start planning your hike/bike/paddle here. Oh, and bring your camera!  Photo from PxFuel.

Take in a show! The Bijou Theatre, which is located on Gay Street just a short walk from the Mast Store, is working on a full schedule of shows featuring nationally-known acts like the Gin Blossoms and Sam Bush Band, regional performers including the Earls of Leicester featuring Jerry Douglas, and local groups like the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. What a history the Bijou has – it could possibly be the oldest operating business in Tennessee! Check out the schedule and get tickets here. 

We can’t possibly share everything there is to do in Knoxville and the surrounding area here, but our friends at Visit Knoxville have a pretty good handle on it. You can flesh out your itinerary here. We hope you enjoy your fall adventure.