The sud studs

Sometimes you realize you have to get a gift for someone and you have no time to find one, let alone wrap it and make it look like you actually put some thought into it. That's where Earth to Old City comes to your rescue. They make gift-buying easy as they offer a free year-round gift wrapping service. But the gift that will eventually get wrapped is impressive, too, as the store features spectacular photographic art that can be custom framed on-site, as well. There's also a great selection of one-of-a-kind gift items that includes jewelry, books, toys, posters and items for the home and garden.

Knoxville's Bennett Galleries has been consistently voted the city's favorite art gallery. The enterprise was established in 1976 as a custom frame shop and it evolved into a place where artists could express themselves both on canvas as well as in the areas of interior design and even jewelry creation. All of these spheres are seamlessly combined, as Bennett Galleries not only secures some of the area's most impressive art, they also can turn a room in your house into a work of art, too.

The Mabry-Hazen House is an essential part of your visit to Knoxville, especially if you are a fan of history. The structure was once the headquarters for both Union and Confederate forces. This house museum features one of the largest collections of Civil War and Victorian antiques. The home is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, so make sure you take your camera along to capture images of this truly dramatic site.