After Hot Springs, Arkansas, we drove to Knoxville, Tennessee. It was about an 8.5-hour drive and we picked it as our second stop because it also seemed to have a great outdoor vibe. Hermy wasn’t happy with a day in the car, but it was worth it when we got to our very own house for the next two weeks. We were here from April 17–May 1.
Hiking (and Walking) in Knoxville
Ijams Nature Center: Pronounced “eye-ams,” the Ijams Nature Center was only 15 minutes away from our Airbnb in Old North Knoxville and boasts 318 acres of preserved land. It’s an educational facility but there are also hiking trails throughout the area. We parked near the “beer garden” (a few picnic tables near a closed shack that presumably sells beer sometimes) at the trail head for the Imerys and Flow trails. We walked down Imerys and the Hickory Trail and then swung up the Ross Marble Quarry Loop before heading back to the car. It was about 3 miles and a nice, quiet hike.
Knoxville Greenways and Trails: Knoxville has walking and biking trails running all through the city and we tried to take advantage of them while we were in town. We didn’t rent bikes, but we did walk on the greenway near our house every day and partially used trails to walk about 45 minutes downtown. The network of trails was one of our favorite parts of the city.
Baxter Gardens: These gardens are part of someone’s private home, but they open them up to the public for free every April. We didn’t know about them when we planned our trip to Knoxville, and it was lucky timing that they were open. I went on a weekday and absolutely loved it. It has about a dozen separate, themed garden spaces that visitors can meander through at their own pace and direction. There are ponds, streams, sculptures, various seating areas scattered around, and paths that wind through all the flowers, trees, and greenery. It was peaceful and beautiful and my favorite thing about Knoxville. If you happen to be there in April, it’s definitely worth a visit.
