Here are Tennessee spring break vacations you can take with your family in Knoxville!
As the Tennessee snow melts away Spring Break is on the way! If you are looking for a quick getaway or a change to explore around home here are some of our favorite spots for the perfect Tennessee staycation.
Knoxville, Tennessee is right down the road for my family and is one of our favorite staycation spots! With average April temperatures ranging from 48°F to 71°F, the city provides comfortable weather perfect for outdoor fun. Nestled near the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville offers your family a unique blend of urban charm and natural wonder. The spring season brings longer daylight hours, averaging around 13.1 hours per day, which means more time for creating memorable experiences together.
1. Zoo Knoxville
Why You Should Go: My family never skips a zoo! We have been proud Knoxville Zoo members, and I can’t say enough good things about the experience you will have.
What to Expect: You will explore over 800 animals representing 200 species, with unique experiences like interactive animal encounters featuring river otters, red pandas, and great apes. My kids must be dragged out of the playground and sand dig area. You will appreciate the indoor exhibit play spaces, which will keep your little ones corralled in one place while you take a breather.
Parent Tip: There is a $5 parking fee and there are additional add-on experiences and activities. Check-out the website to budget ahead.
2. The Sunsphere
Why You Should Go: You can’t visit Knoxville without gawking at the giant Sunsphere. The Sunsphere in Knoxville offers your family an incredible opportunity to explore the city from a breathtaking perspective.
What to Expect: This iconic structure provides a 360-degree panoramic view of Knoxville, allowing your kids to see landmarks like House Mountain, the Tennessee River, the Urban Wilderness, and the University of Tennessee campus. With affordable admission prices ($5 for adults and just $1 for children 12 and under), you will enjoy an educational experience that transforms geography and city exploration into an exciting visual journey.
Parent Tip: The observation deck was redone in 2022 and is open for visitors! You don’t want to miss out on this view.
3. Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness
Why You Should Go: Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness is the perfect destination for your family in the beautiful spring weather. Spanning an impressive 1,500 acres just minutes from downtown, this incredible outdoor playground offers something for everyone in your family.
What to Expect: Your kids can explore over 50 miles of multi-use trails, discover nine different parks, and enjoy activities ranging from mountain biking and hiking to rock climbing and paddling. A huge highlight is the Ijams Nature Center, which features a fantastic nature playscape called Jo’s Grove, where your children can jump on logs, explore stick houses, and play near a large frog pond. If your family is up for an adventure, Baker Creek Preserve offers a dedicated play area with a kids-only mountain bike loop and adventure play structures.
Parent Tip: This is a huge natural area! It can be difficult to know where to begin, so map to Ijams Nature Center.
4. The Muse Knoxville
Why You Should Go: This is literally one of my kiddos favorite places to visit! The Muse has something for everyone. Bigger kids will love the hands-on science and technology areas and littles will love the make-believe play spaces.
What to Expect: All ages will beg to spend hours in the creative space, where they provide every craft supply you can dream of! The Muse looks small on the outside, but is packed full with fun and learning opportunities. My boys adore using the tools to build and hammer, in a safe space!
Parent Tip: This is very close to Zoo Knoxville and we often do both in one day! If you are short on time during your vacation a half day at each location is doable. Also, don’t forget The Muse is a part of the ASTC reciprocal program.
5. Cool Sports – Home of the Icearium
Why You Should Go: Rainy day in Knoxville or just looking for some indoor fun? Cool Sports – Home of the Icearium is a great choice.
What to Expect: This incredible 90,000-square-foot indoor sports facility offers ice skating for the whole family. It may be warm out, but its cool in the Icearium. Your kids will love the open skate time, where they can perfect their skills!
Parent Tip: We don’t often think of bringing gloves and hats on Spring Break, but if you are visiting the Icearium it’s best to plan for chilly temperatures before you hop in the car.
6. Main Event Entertainment
Why You Should Go: This is another favorite of my family! Main Event Entertainment in Knoxville is a massive 49,000 square foot entertainment center provides a wide array of activities that will keep you and you kids entertained.
What to Expect: You’ll enjoy 22 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, a multi-level laser tag arena, gravity ropes, over 100 arcade games, and even virtual reality experiences. You can choose from options like cosmic bowling, VR games, billiards, and arcade games. There’s literally something for your whole family.
Parent Tip: Be sure to budget with your kids before you arrive. You could fill an entire day at Main Event, but plan ahead for each activity to have a separate price.
7. The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge
Why You Should Go: I love to find lesser-known wins for families and The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is definitely one! Located just 30 minutes from downtown Knoxville, this museum offers your family an incredible array of interactive exhibits that make learning an adventure.
What to Expect: Your children can explore fascinating spaces like the two-story Dollhouse for imaginative play, the exciting Waterworks Exhibit that teaches river navigation, and the World of Trains room featuring a full-size Norfolk Southern caboose. The museum is housed in a historic elementary school with rooms dedicated to everything from Appalachian life to space exploration, ensuring that the whole family will find something to spark curiosity. With over 20,000 objects and exhibits that emphasize science, art, and history through hands-on learning you don’t want to miss this one.
Parent Tip: The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is part of the museum reciprocal program!
8. The Cove at Concord Park
Why You Should Go:
The Cove at Concord Park is a great choice for families with children in multiple ages and stages.
What to Expect: The Cove at Concord Park in Knoxville is a spectacular 500-acre outdoor playground. This incredible park offers an amazing array of activities, from water sports to land adventures. Your family can enjoy paddling and fishing on Fort Loudoun Lake, rent kayaks and standup paddleboards from River Sports Outfitters, or splash around at the swimming beach. The water may be chilly in the spring, but the air should be nice and warm! Your kids will love the playground, sand volleyball courts, and 0.9-mile paved greenway, while you relax in picnic areas or explore the natural trails.
Parent Tip: The water will be chilly, but that’s never stopped a kid before! Plan with a change of clothes and dry towels.
9. Navitat Knoxville
Why You Should Go: Located in the beautiful Ijams Nature Center, this aerial adventure park features six unique adventure trails with 40 unique challenge elements, including 20 exhilarating ziplines that will have the whole family soaring through the treetops.
What to Expect: Whether you’re a first-time adventurer or an experienced thrill-seeker, Navitat has trails for all skill levels, with options ranging from easy, low-altitude paths to more extreme courses. Your family can challenge each other on bridges, swings, nets, and ziplines while enjoying breathtaking views of the Tennessee River and Smoky Mountains.
Parent Tip: If some of your family members are more excited to watch than participate, that’s fine! They can walk along the trails and watch and capture pictures from below.
10. The Knoxville Museum of Art
Why You Should Go: On Spring Break is anything better than FREE? The Knoxville Museum of Art is just that!
What to Expect: The museum features a fantastic Creative Corner, an interactive play area where your children can unleash their creativity through drawing easels, a giant 4ft x 8ft Lite-Brite wall, and hands-on art activities. Your kids will be captivated by unique highlight exhibits like the Thorne Miniature Rooms and the Higher Ground exhibit showcasing local East Tennessee artists, including fascinating works by Beauford and Joseph Delaney.
Parent Tip: There is a free Scavenger Hunt, which guides your family through 10 different art pieces!
