Knoxville had the honor of hosting the World's Fair in 1982. One of the most obvious reminders of that momentous event is the fact that the Sunsphere was built to complement the event and it still stands today as a great way for tourists to get a bird's eye view of the city. Visit the various levels and enjoy views of downtown, the University of Tennessee and the mountains in the distance. It's a truly breathtaking experience. Other attractions include The Candy Factory, a group of Victorian homes that house shops selling arts and crafts, and Fort Kid that is a playground featuring historically-themed rides and play areas. The celebration of the World's Fair clearly still echoes at this fun, family-friendly attraction in Knoxville.
Wild attractions await you and your family when you visit the Knoxville Zoo. Enjoy seeing the many animals in their natural habitats as you walk through this impressive venue. The designers of the animal living areas have taken great care to make sure that the creatures are quite visible from several vantage points. The zoo also features a great petting zoo where the kids can feed the llamas. And, don't miss the mesmerizing bird shows as well as kid favorites like lions, bears, penguins and monkeys.
The Tennessee Smokies are a minor league baseball team based in Knoxville. The team really values their fans as home games are transformed into big celebrations that not only encourage the players, but also offer something special for everyone in the stands in the way of promotions and giveaways that make attending a Smokies game something really memorable. Get your fill of sports action by watching the Smokies work on the baseball diamond.
The Hola Festival is held in Knoxville every September as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. The month-long celebration of all things Hispanic has been observed in the United States since 1968. This day-long event is a salute to the cultural diversity of East Tennessee. The Hola Festival's goal is to welcome visitors and familiarize them with new flavors of food as well as culturally diverse music, arts, crafts and much more. Hola means "hello" in Spanish, so come greet your new friends and have a great time!