The best arts & culture spots in Knoxville

“Sam Houston Historic Schoolhouse brings 1812 to life in a single-room log cabin where Houston once taught, with costumed interpreters, colonial games, and honest-to-goodness chores like candle-making and corn grinding.”

From the Maryville newsletter, September 12, 2026

“Blount County Historical Museum is a low-key gem where you can wander engaging exhibits on our county's past, check out America 250 projects, and get involved with the First Families of Blount County initiative...”

From the Knoxville newsletter, September 11, 2026

“Cozy log home showcasing pioneer family relics & furnishings, plus an on-site cemetery.”

“Go wander Westwood, the 1890 Queen Anne stunner that housed painter Adelia Armstrong Lutz and her studio, thoughtfully restored by Knox Heritage. It is Tennessee’s only site in the National Trust’s Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios program, which basically means your art-nerd heart will be very happy.”

From the Knoxville newsletter, August 5, 2026

“Trade screen time for frontier time at Marble Springs State Historic Site, the preserved farmstead of Tennessee's first governor tucked into over 30 acres of woodland. Stroll the wooded grounds, take a guided or audio tour, and soak up stories that make our local roots feel close enough to touch.”

From the Knoxville newsletter, August 7, 2026

“Whether you’re chasing your family’s rabbit hole lore or want to wander centuries of stories, East Tennessee History Center blends a museum with research chops. This week, explore exhibits, the Calvin M.”

From the Knoxville newsletter, August 8, 2026

“From identity told through fashion to contemporary Native artistry, McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture has Fashioning Ourselves and Homelands: Connecting to Mounds through Native Art on view. Slip in for an hour and leave with your next great Knoxville conversation starter.”

From the Knoxville newsletter, August 27, 2026

“Part relaxed B&B, part wedding-ready landmark, Boyd-Harvey House gives Knoxville folks a private, two-acre escape with a pool, fire pit, and an event-friendly barn.”

From the Knoxville newsletter, September 2, 2026

“The guided tours at Mabry-Hazen House walk you through Knoxville’s past inside a preserved historic home packed with artifacts, plus occasional Porch Time and Movies at the Museums. It’s a smart, low-key afternoon that somehow feels like cheating on chores.”

From the Knoxville newsletter, September 17, 2026

“Tennessee Theatre is Knoxville’s meticulously restored show palace where Broadway at the Tennessee, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra nights, opera, touring comics, Summer Movie Magic, and big-name concerts all rotate through.”

From the Knoxville newsletter, September 5, 2026

“Knoxville Museum of Art spotlights the region with ongoing shows like Higher Ground, the mesmerizing Cycle of Life installation, contemporary glass, and the historic Thorne Rooms, plus rotating exhibitions like No-Man’s-Land and easygoing events for adults and families. A low-pressure way to recharge between errands.”

From the Knoxville newsletter, September 3, 2026

“Head up to the Sunsphere for 360-degree panoramic views of downtown, World's Fair Park, the University of Tennessee, and the Smokies, then check out interactive exhibits and a bite-size 1982 World's Fair timeline on the observation deck.”

From the Knoxville newsletter, August 25, 2026

“Nonprofit museum features a range of local & national African-American history exhibits & artifacts.”

“S. Constitution signer William Blount and the place where Tennessee first took shape. Stroll through the historic rooms and gardens, catch a specialty tour or lecture, and leave feeling smugly smarter than your group chat.”

From the Knoxville newsletter, August 17, 2026

“Rediscover the clack and charm of the 70s, 80s, and 90s at Vintage Geek Museum, a hands-on haven where IBM, Apple, Commodore, Radio Shack and rarities actually boot up. Preview tours are happening, members even get time on a machine of choice, so claim some Knoxville nostalgia this week.”

From the Knoxville newsletter, August 21, 2026

“Swap your streaming queue for pink marble and blue limestone, then let the guides at Historic Ramsey House walk you through Knoxville’s frontier roots, from the University of Tennessee’s earliest sparks to family drama and Civil War scars.”

From the Knoxville newsletter, August 20, 2026

“For Oak Ridge folks curious about what really powers our world, American Museum of Science and Energy turns big ideas into hands-on fun. Expect interactive exhibits on energy, a healthy dose of nuclear history from the Manhattan Project to today, and STEAM programs that actually spark curiosity.”

From the Oak Ridge newsletter, September 19, 2026

“This week, East Tennessee Historical Society and Museum is a solid bet for brain fuel, with exhibits like Voices of the Land, Lines Were Drawn, and The Weather Kiosk that make local history feel alive. If you’re nosy in a good way, their genealogy resources and workshops can help untangle your family story.”

From the Knoxville newsletter, August 30, 2026

“Muse Knoxville is a hands-on children’s science museum with ever-changing STEAM exhibits, creative play spaces, and Knoxville’s only public-access planetarium. Great for rainy afternoons or brainy weekend fun, with family nights, camps, and outreach that keep local kids learning without realizing it.”

From the Knoxville newsletter, September 1, 2026