Located minutes from downtown Knoxville, the Knoxville Zoological Gardens houses many species of wild animal for the purposes of education, conservation, exhibition, research and recreation. One of the premier zoos along the Appalachian Range, a visit to the Knoxville Zoo can make for an educational and exciting family outing.

Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee and the hot-bed of woman's basketball for the United States. As part of the SEC, the Volunteers compete against many other talented athletic programs across the south.

Of course, you can't come to Knoxville without visiting some of its cultural attractions. Market Square, located in the heart of downtown, has a variety of botiques and restaurants, in addition to a stage often used by local bands and performers Bluegrass music is very popular here, and a local radio station, WDVX, provides free daily bluegrass concerts in its lobby next to Market Square--definitely a must see if you want to get the bluegrass experience. The Old City, a five minute drive north, is home to many of Knoxville's best bars and clubs.

About 30 minutes northwest of Knoxville is Oak Ridge, the Atomic City. This is where the first atomic bomb was built during WWII, and home to Oak Ridge National Lab. While the labs and most of the building used during the making of the bomb are still in use and thus off limits to the public, the American Museum of Science and Energy is a great place to learn about the work done in Oak Ridge.