Steph Young Photo

The kids will love learning about flowers, plants and all the other natural wonders that inhabit the Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum. This 44-acre garden features an historic landscape that is adorned with foliage and plants that are not only indigenous to the area, but also combine to create a natural oasis that is as relaxing as it is beautiful. There is also a plant nursery on site that houses even more picturesque greenery.

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.

Clearly, Knoxville loves its football, and even though the Tennessee Titans are based in Nashville, there is still a devoted and rather enthusiastic following for the state's own football team. Whenever there's a game on, you can feel the excitement of hard-hitting sports action no matter what part of the state you may be in. NFL fever runs high every time the Titans take the field!

A truly compelling cross-section of history is collected at the Frank H. McClung Museum. You'll want to set aside a whole afternoon to take in the various exhibits that range from extensive collections in archeology, natural history, anthropology, medicine, art, and local history. See special presentations and pieces that focus on the area's prehistoric times all the way to the present. The incredibly well-thought out exhibits and pieces make this far-reaching history lesson one that you will never forget.