Ready or not, spring break is here! We decided to put together a list of family friendly things to do here in the Knoxville area! Be sure to check your school coupon book and online for any available coupons/promotions to maximize your fun-budget this spring break! Groupon also has a lot of great local deals on everything from entertainment to food!
[All Park Information provided by KnoxCounty.Org]
“The Knox County Parks and Recreation Department oversees roughly 2,700 acres of parkland, including more than 40 parks; some 25 miles of greenways and unpaved bike trails; dozens and dozens of sports fields and a number of splash pads, golf courses, beaches and dog parks.” (Knox County Parks and Rec, 2018)
You are sure to find somewhere near you for the kids to get outdoors and play! Here are some of our favorites!
Carl Cowan
Park Size: 30 acres
Paved Trail: 0.3 mile loop
Natural Trail: 0.4 miles one-way
Difficulty: easy
Hours: dawn till dusk
Entrance: 10058 Northshore Drive
Website: www.outdoorknoxville.com/places/parks/west/carl-cowan-park
Lake Shore
Park Size: 185 acres
Paved Trail: 4 mile loop
Hours: dawn till dusk
Entrances: Greenway: 5908 Lyons View Dr
Park: 6410 S. Northshore Drive
Website: http://www.outdoorknoxville.com/places/parks/west/lakeshore-park
New Harvest Park
Park Size: 43 acres
Paved Trails: 2 – 0.25 mile loops
Natural Trail: 0.5 mile loop
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Hours: dawn till dusk
Entrance: 4775 New Harvest Lane
Website: http://www.outdoorknoxville.com/places/parks/north/new-harvest-park
315 acres of nature make it easy for people of all ages and abilities to get out and explore! Whether you want to take a hike, get out on Meads Quarry in a kayak, canoe, or on a SUP, coast on 9 miles of beginner level bike trails, walk or jog on 12 miles of natural surface trails, or take in the beauty of the ponds, meadows, and everything in between, a trip to Ijams will not disappoint! If you want to add a little extra fun into the equation, check out Navitat Knoxville’s tree-based adventure park at Ijams Nature Center!
[photos provided courtesy of Ijams and Aimee Rayfield]
Ijams Hours: https://goo.gl/v7J1yb
Let your imagination blast off in the U.S.S. Muse Planetary Explorer, visit the STEM Station, explore musical talents, go outdoors and visit the Science Garden or the playground, lear about airflow and the circulatory system in A-Mazing Airways, or challenge yourselves to tinker and create in the “Make Space” room with the always changing materials that are provided! A trip to The Muse will prove that learning can be fun!
[photos provided courtesy of The Muse Knoxville and Jaclyn St. John]
The Muse Knoxville Hours and Pricing : https://goo.gl/fw7QFC
Need a really good belly laugh? Grab some skates and hit the ice at the Ice Chalet!
[photos provided courtesy of The Ice Chalet]
Ice Chalet Hours & Pricing https://goo.gl/ERWUkm
Parents of teenagers rejoice! The Spring FunPass, which starts $14.95, lets your kids can play all day at the Main Event! All-you-can-play bowling, billiards, laser tag, gravity ropes and more! You can also add an hour of arcade time for an additional $10! Come to think about it, the adults just might enjoy this one just as much as the kids!
[photos provided courtesy of The Main Event]
The Main Event Hours and Pricing https://goo.gl/4Fc83e
Wall to wall trampolines, black light mini-golf, and extended Spring Break 2019 Hours!
Monday: closed
Tuesday: 4pm-9pm
Wednesday: 1pm-9pm
Thursday: 1pm-9pm
Friday: 1pm-11pm
Saturday: 10am -11pm
Sunday: 12pm-7pm
[photos provided courtesy of Max Air]
Max Air Regular Hours and Pricing https://goo.gl/jGxnN5
“The new Healthy Living exhibit is great fun and is our newest exhibit” says Executive Director Beth Shea, it opened in 2017 and features a Farmer’s Market and an exercise area to encourage children to make good choices in eating and staying active. Every Friday from 11 -1, the museum hosts Fitness Friday in the exhibit with some special exercise options like yoga! In addition to the Healthy Living exhibit, you can visit the model train exhibit “World of Trains”, learn about birds in “The Bird Room”, see how toys have changed over the years at the “Century of Toys” exhibit, take a nature walk, play in a life-sized dollhouse, and so much more!
[photos provided courtesy of CMOR]
ORCM Hours and Pricing: https://goo.gl/VSRSNY
Home to over 800 animals, Zoo Knoxville offers a day full of fun! From learning about the animals, feeding giraffes, to petting goats and sheep in Kids Cove, riding the carousel or a real life camel, to watching a bird shows, playing in one of the indoor play areas, or taking a ride on the Zoo Choo, the kids are sure to have a fun and memorable day!
[photos provided courtesy of Aimee Rayfield]
Zoo Hours & Pricing : https://goo.gl/qrBiwW
Take a short drive to the outskirts of town and visit The Lost Sea Adventure in Sweetwater! Tour the caverns and take a boat ride on America’s largest underground lake! While you’re there, visit the shops in Lost Sea Village or enjoy a nature walk!
[ photos provided courtesy of The Lost Sea ]
Lost Sea Prices & Hours https://goo.gl/qTzEtz
Dollywood is opening back up for the 2019 Season this weekend so pick a day to pack up the kids and make a day of it! There are so many options for kids of all ages, from shows, rides, and games!
(Please note that Dollywood will be closed on Tuesday, March 19th)
Dollywood Hours and Pricing: https://goo.gl/q348X4
If you want to get out of town and are up for a day trip this spring break, we highly recommend the Virginia Creeper! It’s about a 2 and a half hour drive from Knoxville but we promise you that it is sooooo worth it! Here’s a link to FAQs + most of what you need to know to plan your trip!! https://goo.gl/T2wsSe