If you’re moving to Knoxville, you need to know the lay of the land. Whether you’re moving your business or your family, or you’ve been accepted to the University of Tennessee, then we’d like to welcome you to our city!
Knoxville offers a lot to its locals and visitors. The city has great Southern food, a beautiful renovated downtown and some of the most die-hard sports fans you’ll ever meet. It is also the Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, so you’re only a brief road trip away from all the Smoky Mountains have to offer.
What is Knoxville known for? Let’s start with the most obvious answer…
What is Knoxville Known For? The University of Tennessee Volunteers
Knoxville is the home of the University of Tennessee. If you ask a random stranger what they think of when they hear the word Knoxville, you’ll likely hear “the Vols” as the most common answer. Once you notice how much orange there is in Knoxville, you’ll understand how important UT is to the community.
UT currently enrolls nearly 30,000 students, and the university has a $1.7 billion impact on the state’s economy. So, you can see why the university is such a big part of Knoxville’s identity. Academics and revenue are great, but you can’t talk about UT or Knoxville without talking about the impact of the athletics program. If you’re really asking what is Knoxville known for, then that’s the top answer.
If you aren’t familiar with Knoxville yet, you will soon discover that UT fans are among the most devoted football fans in the nation. The Tennessee Volunteers claim six national titles, the most recent of which was in 1998. Even more successful than the football team is the women’s basketball program, which has won eight national titles. The legendary Pat Summitt coached the Lady Vols until 2012 and led her team to all eight of UT’s women’s basketball titles. Her impressive record remains the all-time winningest women’s basketball coaching record in NCAA history.
It’s Also the Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is only a 45-minute drive from Knoxville, which is why the city can be referred to as the Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains. The Smoky Mountains are part of the Appalachian Mountains, and the park itself is home to nearly 1,500 black bears and one of the largest concentrations of salamanders outside of the tropics.
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is free to all visitors. The park hosts 150 official hiking trails, totaling approximately 800 miles that visitors can enjoy. Within an hour or so of Knoxville, you can enjoy camping, kayaking, white-water rafting and walking the Appalachian Trail.
Knoxville is Becoming a Food Destination
Knoxville’s reputation as a food city will surprise many visitors, but it is becoming a major destination for some very talented chefs. For example, James Beard Award-winning chef Joseph Lenn leads J.C. Holdway, a restaurant that offers wood-fired cuisine rivaling any in the U.S. The Plaid Apron, Knox Mason, Kaizen and Northshore Brasserie have also boosted Knoxville’s reputation as a budding food city.
If you aren’t as interested in finer dining, you will still love the meat and threes, barbecue joints and steamed sandwiches. Knoxville has several spots that locals love, including Nick & J’s Cafe, Sweet P’s Barbecue, Connors Steak & Seafood and Calhoun’s On the River.
Moving to Knoxville? Here’s Some Advice from the Locals
At Fox Moving and Storage Knoxville, we know what this city is all about. We can tell you that there are few cities as welcoming and laid back as Knoxville. It is one of the few places you can find a Southern vibe mixed with elements of mountain culture and college life. Its central location makes it a true cultural crossroad.
We suggest you take in the mountains whenever possible, try all the amazing food options, avoid praising the Alabama Crimson Tide too loudly and, if you are prone to allergies, prepare yourself for the spring season. Most of all, enjoy your new home. It has so much to offer.
What is Knoxville Known For? Find Out When You Arrive!
If you’ve never considered Knoxville a fun place to live, you’ll soon find out otherwise. Hopefully, we have convinced you that there are a ton of things to do in Knoxville. We also hope you can take advantage of all of them.
If you are considering moving to Knoxville, or if you need help relocating from one part of the city to another, Fox Moving and Storage Knoxville is here to help. We make moving easy. Our team offers many moving services in Knoxville, including residential and commercial moving, warehousing, loading, unloading and both short- and long-term storage.
Fox Moving and Storage Knoxville helps businesses, residents and students relocate to their new homes. If you’re looking for a little help getting started, download our free moving checklist. Contact our team today to get a quote and learn more about our many services.