Weird & Unusual Attractions in Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

All Topics about Knoxville All Cities in United States

1. Sunsphere

A tower with a golden globe on top, built for the 1982 World's Fair. Offers panoramic views of Knoxville.

Historic Structure: Originates from the 1982 World's Fair, a significant event in Knoxville's history.
Panoramic Views: Offers a unique bird's-eye view of the city.
Unique Architecture: Features an iconic golden globe at its peak, making it easily recognizable.

An outdoor museum showcasing the history and culture of Appalachia. Includes historic buildings, artifacts, and animals.

Outdoor Museum: One of the largest outdoor museums in the U.S., featuring over 30 historic buildings.
Cultural Preservation: Dedicated to preserving the rich history and culture of the Appalachian region.
Animal Encounters: Provides opportunities for close encounters with various farm animals.

A replica of the Liberty Bell, gifted by South Korea to celebrate friendship between the two countries. Rings on special occasions.

Symbolic Representation: Represents the strong bond between South Korea and the U.S.
Replica of the Liberty Bell: Shares similarities with the original Liberty Bell, but was crafted in South Korea.
Special Occasions Ringing: Rings on special occasions to celebrate friendship and unity.

A unique park with a large sundial, offering waterfront views and event spaces.

Waterfront Location: Situated along the Tennessee River, providing beautiful waterfront views.
Large Sundial: Features one of the largest sundials in North America.
Event Spaces: Offers various event spaces for concerts, festivals, and other community gatherings.

A futuristic glass building with an observatory offering stunning views of the city.

Futuristic Architecture: Features sleek, modern design that stands out among other buildings.
Observatory: Offers breathtaking panoramic views of Knoxville from the top floor.
Stargazing Opportunities: Provides opportunities for stargazing and learning about astronomy.

A picturesque valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with historic buildings and abundant wildlife.

Historic Buildings: Includes a number of well-preserved 19th-century log structures.
Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: Provides opportunities to spot white-tailed deer, black bears, and other wildlife.
Scenic Drive: Offers a scenic, 11-mile loop drive through the valley.

A gorilla named Nobby known for his mischievous behavior and love for selfies.

Mischievous Gorilla: Famous for his playful and sometimes naughty behavior.
Love for Selfies: Loves taking selfies with visitors, making it a unique experience at the zoo.
Endangered Species Ambassador: Serves as an ambassador for his endangered species, Western Lowland Gorillas.

An upside-down building featuring over 100 interactive exhibits focused on science and art.

Upside-Down Building: One of Knoxville's most recognizable landmarks due to its unique design.
Interactive Exhibits: Offers over 100 interactive exhibits for visitors to enjoy and learn from.
Weather Room: Features a simulated tornado, giving visitors an educational experience of extreme weather conditions.

A movie theater specializing in horror and science-fiction films, complete with a rooftop bar.

Horror & Sci-Fi Films: Screens only horror and science-fiction movies, creating a unique cinema experience.
Rooftop Bar: Features a rooftop bar where visitors can enjoy drinks before or after the movie.
Themed Events: Hosts themed events, such as costume parties and trivia nights, for horror and sci-fi fans.

A haunted house attraction offering a terrifying experience for thrill-seekers.

Haunted House Attraction: Offers a terrifying, immersive experience designed to scare visitors.
Live Actors: Features live actors playing the roles of ghosts and other supernatural creatures.
Dark Maze: Includes a dark maze designed to disorient visitors, adding to the haunting experience.

A small cave beneath the University of Tennessee campus, popular among students and locals.

Natural Wonder: A hidden gem located beneath the bustling city.
Student & Local Favorite: Serves as a popular gathering spot for students and locals alike.
Historical Significance: Appears in Cormac McCarthy's novel, Suttree, adding to its local significance.

A guided tour of the Tennessee Theatre, focusing on its ghostly inhabitants.

Ghostly Inhabitants: Highlights the theater's reported ghost sightings and paranormal activity.
Historic Theater: Takes place at the historic Tennessee Theatre, a Knoxville landmark.
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Connection: Offered by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, adding an educational aspect to the tour.

Guided tours of Oak Ridge, the city built secretly during World War II for the Manhattan Project.

Historic Significance: Provides insight into the historic significance of Oak Ridge during WWII.
Guided Tours: Offers guided tours to help visitors better understand the area's history.
Secrets of the Manhattan Project: Reveals secrets and stories from the Manhattan Project, a key event in U.S. history.

A vintage steam train ride offering scenic views of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Vintage Steam Train: Rides on a vintage steam train, offering a unique and nostalgic experience.
Scenic Views: Provides stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains during the ride.
Historic Locomotives: Features historic locomotives and rolling stock, adding to the nostalgic atmosphere.

A shop selling unusual items, curiosities, and strange antiques.

Unique Items: Sells a wide variety of unique, bizarre, and intriguing items.
Curiosities & Antiques: Specializes in oddities, curiosities, and antiques from around the world.
One-of-a-Kind Finds: Allows visitors to find one-of-a-kind items that cannot be found elsewhere.