Knoxville, Tennessee
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Situated in Eastern Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and home to the University of Tennessee. Knoxville is not quite the big city that Atlanta and Memphis are, but is definitely not a small town. Knoxville is the fourth largest city in the state of Tennessee, except during home games of the University of Tennessee football team, when the crowds converging on Neyland Stadium turn it into the third largest city in the state.
Coming into Knoxville by car (the Knoxville airport is in fact located a forty minute drive from the downtown area) one immediately spots a huge gold ball on the skyline. That is the infamous Sunsphere, immortalized in an episode of "The Simpsons" where Bart knocks it down. Contrary to the show, it still stands in the midst of the site of the 1982 World's Fair.
"But what," murmurs the traveler, "is its purpose?" Admittedly, the observation deck gives a wonderful view of the city, but the restaurant once at the top has long since been shut down. Truthfully: there really isn't one, except to be the one distinctive part of the skyline.
One of the most annoying features of Knoxville is that there is hardly any parking downtown. You find a place three miles from where you want to go and hoof it from there. And don't even think anything goes on downtown on Sundays - except church services.
On the other hand, restaurants abound in the Knoxville area. Knoxville has the most restaurants per capita of any American city. Italian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Indian, Middle Eastern, American - even Hungarian cuisine. Unfortunately, public transportation in Knoxville rarely takes you exactly where you need to go, which is a problem, as most good restaurants are in rather obscure corners of the city. It is a nightmare of transfers, waiting, more transfers, and finally, "To hell with it, I'll WALK." Furthermore, it does not run on after 7:00 pm or on Sundays - except on four corridor routes, and if you don't live along these routes - forget it.
If you come by car, remember several things: Knoxville lies at the intersection of two major interstates. Road construction is a fact of life around here. Traffic jams are nothing new even along secondary routes - because only so many people can be squeezed on the interstate. Knoxville drivers tend to regard the speed limit as something decorating the side of the road - or, at most, a suggestion.
The Cumberland Avenue strip on a Saturday night is heavily populated by University of Tennessee students in various stages of drunkenness. And beware the Sunday driver, who has a constant speed of thirty miles per hour on Sunday mornings.
However, Knoxville can be pleasant, with its proximity to the breathtaking beauty of the Appalachian mountains. People tend to be friendly. And you can always find something to eat.
Coming into Knoxville by car (the Knoxville airport is in fact located a forty minute drive from the downtown area) one immediately spots a huge gold ball on the skyline. That is the infamous Sunsphere, immortalized in an episode of "The Simpsons" where Bart knocks it down. Contrary to the show, it still stands in the midst of the site of the 1982 World's Fair.
"But what," murmurs the traveler, "is its purpose?" Admittedly, the observation deck gives a wonderful view of the city, but the restaurant once at the top has long since been shut down. Truthfully: there really isn't one, except to be the one distinctive part of the skyline.
One of the most annoying features of Knoxville is that there is hardly any parking downtown. You find a place three miles from where you want to go and hoof it from there. And don't even think anything goes on downtown on Sundays - except church services.
On the other hand, restaurants abound in the Knoxville area. Knoxville has the most restaurants per capita of any American city. Italian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Indian, Middle Eastern, American - even Hungarian cuisine. Unfortunately, public transportation in Knoxville rarely takes you exactly where you need to go, which is a problem, as most good restaurants are in rather obscure corners of the city. It is a nightmare of transfers, waiting, more transfers, and finally, "To hell with it, I'll WALK." Furthermore, it does not run on after 7:00 pm or on Sundays - except on four corridor routes, and if you don't live along these routes - forget it.
If you come by car, remember several things: Knoxville lies at the intersection of two major interstates. Road construction is a fact of life around here. Traffic jams are nothing new even along secondary routes - because only so many people can be squeezed on the interstate. Knoxville drivers tend to regard the speed limit as something decorating the side of the road - or, at most, a suggestion.
The Cumberland Avenue strip on a Saturday night is heavily populated by University of Tennessee students in various stages of drunkenness. And beware the Sunday driver, who has a constant speed of thirty miles per hour on Sunday mornings.
However, Knoxville can be pleasant, with its proximity to the breathtaking beauty of the Appalachian mountains. People tend to be friendly. And you can always find something to eat.
