Knoxvillegateway to the smokies

Knoxville is made up of many distinct neighborhoods, but locals typically refer to locations by side of town (north, south, east, west and downtown). Downtown houses most of the museums, art galleries, restaurants, hotels and shopping areas, although some of the chicest boutique streets are in residential neighborhoods, particularly West Knoxville. The area around the University of Tennessee campus has all the student-centered businesses and the shops and restaurants that cater to a younger crowd. In recent years, Knoxville’s growth has centered on the west end of town, although there has also been considerable renovation downtown, in the old warehouse district and along the riverfront. The riverfront is now one of the most popular areas to stroll and people-watch, with lots of trendy shops, restaurants and bars and a lovely paved walkway along the river that’s particularly pretty in the evenings and at night.