Whatever your passion, you will find opportunities here. Our 910-acre campus is situated in the heart of Knoxville, a thriving modern city with small town charm, known for its access to outdoor adventure and a downtown with a diverse music scene and more than 90 restaurants within one square mile. It’s no wonder U.S. News and World Report lists Knoxville among the top 100 places to live.
Check out the official UT Visitor’s Guide or visitknoxville.com to help you plan your visit to Knoxville!
Opportunities
Our region is home to major businesses and innovators that offers opportunities to learn and work during college and after graduation. Nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the U.S. Department of Energy’s largest science and energy laboratory, is co-managed by UT and is just one of the many sources of opportunity for research, collaboration, and employment.
Entertainment
Our historic and revitalized downtown hosts events that bring in thousands of visitors each year. The region’s rich and progressive music scene features everything from local hip-hop concerts at shoebox-sized clubs to mainstream artists at the 700-seat Bijou Theatre and the historic 1,000-seat Tennessee Theatre. Restaurants, pubs, clubs, eclectic shopping, an outdoor farmers’ market, street festivals, the Sunsphere, art galleries, history collections, and museums like UT’s Downtown Gallery are all just a few short blocks from campus.
The Great Outdoors
Knoxville and the surrounding East Tennessee region are the perfect places to spend a day outdoors. The nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers more than 800 miles of maintained hiking trails and beautiful scenery. Lakes and rivers wind through Knoxville, and more than 100 miles of paved greenway trails cover the city, making it an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. It’s easy to plan a day hike or an afternoon of biking, kayaking, or boating.
Tennessee Pride
Volunteer pride runs deep throughout East Tennessee and beyond, and devoted Vols fans follow our teams in every part of the state. Saturday home football games can draw more than 100,000 fans from all over the nation to campus to cheer on the Vols at Neyland Stadium. With 18 men’s and women’s competitive team sports, you’ll almost always find a meet, match, or game to catch on campus, so check utsports.com for the latest information. You can also take advantage of Knoxville Ice Bears professional hockey games and Tennessee Smokies minor league baseball in venues just a short drive from campus.
Convenient Location
Many airlines offer low-cost flights from McGhee Tyson Airport to beaches in the Southeast and cities in the West.
Knoxville is located within a day’s drive of nearly half the US population. Your biggest challenge is picking a destination for those weekend trips and spring break getaways.
| Asheville, NC | 110 miles |
| Chattanooga, TN | 115 miles |
| Nashville, TN | 180 miles |
| Atlanta, GA | 200 miles |
| Charlotte, NC | 240 miles |
| Cincinnati, OH | 250 miles |
| Louisville, KY | 240 miles |
| Memphis, TN | 390 miles |
| Charleston, SC | 375 miles |
| St. Louis, MO | 500 miles |
| Washington, DC | 500 miles |
Nearby Hotels
Visitors to campus are eligible for special rates and packages with several nearby hotels. After you register for a campus tour you will receive a confirmation email with details on how to reserve a room at one of these hotels and receive the special visitors rate. Please be advised that rates are based on hotel availability and are unavailable during high-occupancy, sold-out, or blackout dates. All home Tennessee football weekends are considered blackout dates.
The Cumberland House Knoxville – Hilton Tapestry
1109 White Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee 37916
865-971-4663
We’re in downtown Knoxville, overlooking World’s Fair Park and a short walk from The Sunsphere. Market Square is less than a mile away, home to local restaurants, shops, and nightlife. The University of Tennessee is a short drive from our door. Enjoy our restaurant and bar, on-site bike rental, and the fitness center. WiFi’s on us and pets are welcome.
Graduate Knoxville
1706 Cumberland Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee 37916
865-437-5500
Located right on The Strip, Graduate Knoxville is just steps from the University of Tennessee and Neyland Stadium. Settle into spaces inspired by Rocky Top lore and bursting with Big Orange pride including Saloon 16, our high-end watering hole opening in partnership with Peyton Manning.
Hilton Knoxville
Hilton Knoxville
501 West Church Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37902
865-523-2300
Located right in the heart of Downtown Knoxville and less than a mile from Neyland Stadium and the University of Tennessee, this hotel has direct access to everything you’ll want to see and experience while visiting the University of Tennessee and the City of Knoxville.
Hampton Inn & Suites Knoxville-Downtown
Hampton Inn & Suites – Knoxville Downtown
618 W. Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
865-522-5400
We’re off I-40, 20 minutes from McGhee Tyson Airport. Knoxville Convention Center is across the street, and World’s Fair Park, historic Gay Street, and the University of Tennessee are within walking distance. Enjoy free WiFi, daily hot breakfast, and use of our pool and fitness center.
Hampton Inn & Suites Knoxville – Knoxville Downtown
Hyatt Place Knoxville/Downtown
530 South Gay Street
Knoxville, Tennessee 37902
865-544-9977
Stay just one mile from the university and explore Knoxville’s bustling downtown from this hotel on South Gay Street, a thoroughfare where the city’s historic sites rub shoulders with lively restaurants and shops. With modern rooms, a downtown location, free transportation on the Orange Line Trolley to UT, rooftop space, and an on-site Starbucks, you’ll fall in love with Hyatt Place.
Hyatt Place Downtown Knoxville
Embassy Suites by Hilton Knoxville Downtown
507 S. Gay Street
Knoxville, Tennessee 37902
865-544-8502
Stay in suites right in the heart of downtown Knoxville, a 10-minute walk from Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum, and Knoxville Convention Center. The University of Tennessee and Neyland Stadium are less than a mile away. Enjoy the TopGolf Swing Suite off the lobby, a rooftop pool and bar, and a spa.
The City of Knoxville has many options for hotels throughout downtown Knoxville and in the surrounding areas. Depending on your needs, you can also search for other options for you and your family. More information can be found here. Please note: These hotels may not offer discounts specific to our campus visitors.