Page 11 - Conf 2017 Vol35 No4

Cumberland Avenue Restaurants and Shops 11

Are you a Tennessee VOL? Does your blood run orange? Then you’ll have to wander up and
down Cumberland Avenue. A lot of construction has created a new median to beautify the
area. You are right in the heart of campus and you’ll find plenty of UT gear to take home.

Market Square, Gay Street, Old City Restaurants and Shops

In front of the Convention Center, use the pedestrian bridge to cross over Henley Street and
then it’s just a few blocks to Market Square, and beyond to Gay Street and the Old City.
This area is the hub of downtown. This is a very safe and well-lit area. No matter what day
of the week, there is always activity downtown. People are walking on the Square, coming
and going from the theaters on Gay Street, and eating at all of the restaurants. If you get
the chance, stop by the WDVX Blue Plate Special around lunch time at the Visit Knoxville
Visitor Center. Stroll through Krutch Park, stop and see the public art on display and enjoy
the river fountain in the heart of the city.

Ijams Nature Center and Navitat

Just across Henley Bridge, turn left on Blount Avenue and follow the signs to Ijams Nature
Center (about 3 miles). Admission is free, parking is easy and restrooms are available.
Besides the welcome center exhibits, there are several trails that are part of Ijams and
Mead’s Quarry. If you only have time for one hike, then you can’t beat the River Boardwalk
Trail’s view. If you are feeling even more adventurous, for a fee, you can zipline through the
tree tops with Navitat and challenge yourself on the ropes course.

Local Brews

No trip to Knoxville would be complete without an excursion to sample the rapidly growing
craft beer scene. More than a dozen breweries have set up shop in Knoxville over the past
few years, offering up some of the best brews you’ve ever had. The selection is as varied as
you could hope for. You’re sure to find something that suits your tastes.

You can check out some of the latest creations at Trailhead Beer Market and Alliance
Brewing in South Knoxville near the Urban Wilderness spots. Grab a meal and a local beer
at Downtown Grill and Brewery on Gay Street. Balter Beerworks, an easy walk from the
Convention Center, serves exceptionally good beer and a nice range of food. Stop by The
Casual Pint just off Market Square for a wide range of local, regional, and all-around great
beer. Suttree’s High Gravity Tavern, located on Gay Street, is named for the title character
in Cormac McCarthy’s novel Suttree. There you can get a little local cultural flavor in
addition to some unusual beer. Over in the Old City, the Pretentious Beer Company pours
some great brews, and you can grab a unique glass made next door at the Pretentious Beer
Glass Company. Or stop by Merchants of Beer, where the name says it all.

These places only scratch the surface. If you have time, you can always take a Knox Brew
Tour and get a sampling of several breweries in one trip. And someone else does the driving.

SHOPPING

Market Square and Old City

Quirky, locally-owned shops line Market Square and the peripheral streets. With nearly
three dozen shops, downtown is the place to find a special Knoxville souvenir, home décor
and specialty items you didn’t know you couldn’t live without.

Funky Finds

Are you a collector? A string of about a dozen second hand shops line the Chapman
Highway corridor. Just cross Henley Bridge and within the first 3 to 4 miles, you will find
plenty of places to stop and shop. Bargain Hunters, at the corner of Chapman Highway and
Moody Avenue, is the crown jewel with the largest square footage and biggest selection of
vendors. You never know what treasure you’ll find!

One Stop Shopping

West Town Mall is a great option if you are looking for everything under one roof, but Turkey
Creek is the mecca of shopping in West Knoxville – every chain, every store, every brand
and a few small, unique stores thrown in the mix.

View online at tnpublicworks.com