Free in Knoxville: the Knoxville Museum of Art, McClung Museum, Sunsphere deck, Botanical Garden, Ijams grounds, the Blue Plate Special and 125 miles of greenways.
Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Hours and admission come from each place’s own website, linked below. Hours change on holidays and UT home game days; check before you go.
A lot of Knoxville costs nothing. Two museums are free every day they are open, the Sunsphere’s observation deck is free, the Botanical Garden and the Ijams grounds are free from morning to dusk, and a live radio show puts on free music at lunchtime six days a week.
Free at a glance
- Museums: Knoxville Museum of Art; McClung Museum
- Views: Sunsphere observation deck
- Outdoors: Knoxville Botanical Garden, Ijams Nature Center grounds, 125-plus miles of greenways, 15 dog parks
- Music: WDVX Blue Plate Special; Concerts on the Square in summer
- Downtown parking: city garages free after 6 p.m. weekdays and on weekends (Market Square Garage $3 on weekends)
Museums
| Museum | Address | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville Museum of Art | 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday | Free admission; closed Monday |
| McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture | 1327 Circle Park Drive, UT campus | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday | Free admission and parking; closed during UT home football games |
Views and landmarks
- Sunsphere observation deck, World’s Fair Park. The gold globe from the 1982 World’s Fair has a free fourth-level deck with a 360-degree view of the fair site, downtown, the Tennessee River, UT and the Smoky Mountains. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, closed 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. World’s Fair Park
- East Tennessee Veterans Memorial, World’s Fair Park: 32 granite pylons with more than 6,300 names from 35 counties. ETVMA
- Market Square: the city’s market since 1854. See our Market Square guide.
Gardens and nature
- Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, 2743 Wimpole Ave.: 44 acres, free and open every day from dawn to dusk, with trails, display gardens and more than two miles of historic stone walls. Knoxville Botanical Garden
- Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave.: grounds open every day from 8 a.m. until dusk, with the River Boardwalk and 12.9 miles of trails. Ijams
- Greenways: the city counts more than 125 miles of greenways and natural trails. See our walking and biking trails guide.
- Dog parks: 15 in Knoxville and Knox County. See dog-friendly Knoxville.
Free music and events
- WDVX Blue Plate Special: a live radio show at noon Monday to Thursday and Saturday at Visit Knoxville, 301 S. Gay St., and Fridays at Barley’s Taproom, 200 E. Jackson Ave. Always free; bring your lunch. WDVX
- Concerts on the Square: jazz on Tuesdays in May, June and July and a variety night on third Thursdays May to September, 7 to 9 p.m. on Market Square. City of Knoxville
- First Friday ArtWalk: Downtown Knoxville’s arts night on the first Friday of every month. Downtown Knoxville
- Seasonal: the tree lighting, Christmas at Chilhowee and Tour de Lights are free; see holiday lights and Christmas events.
For kids
- Play fountains on Market Square, at World’s Fair Park and in the Krutch Park Extension, typically May to mid-October. City of Knoxville
- Library story times and Storybook Trails. See our kids’ activities guide.
- Read City Explorer Pass: library cardholders can book free or reduced museum admission. Knox County Public Library
Related: things to do this month, things to do and date night.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Knoxville Museum of Art free?
Yes. Admission is free. The museum, at 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, and closed Monday.
Is the Sunsphere free to go up?
Yes. The fourth-level observation deck is free. It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, closed 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
Is the Knoxville Botanical Garden free?
Yes. The garden at 2743 Wimpole Ave. is free and open every day from dawn to dusk.
What is the WDVX Blue Plate Special?
A free live music radio show at noon Monday to Thursday and Saturday at Visit Knoxville, 301 S. Gay St., and on Fridays at Barley’s Taproom in the Old City.
Is the McClung Museum free?
Yes. Admission and parking are free at the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, 1327 Circle Park Drive on the UT campus. It closes during UT home football games.
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