When Knox County Schools closes for one of the most beautiful weeks of the year, the best way to spend it is to stay right here in town! Take the kids out to enjoy the amazing weather and the hundreds of parks, trails and greenways Knoxville has to offer.
Here are five especially family-friendly places and activities to help get you started:
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- Kick off an amazing week of outdoors at the TuckahoeDown Nature Festival at Seven Islands State Birding Park today (Oct. 7) from 10 to 4. This first-ever event has everything from live music and nature talks to crafts, local food vendors, and paddling on the French Broad River. Just 20 minutes north of downtown, this scenic peninsula park is a great place to make a family favorite.
- Soak up the sun on the last warm days of the year at Melton Hill Park along the Clinch River. Kids and grown-ups will love this park’s fishing pier, sandy beach, playground and miles of trail.
- For the family with lots of interests, make it a multi-sport day at Mascot Park. Being only three acres, you can walk the paved, scenic loop around the park while older kids play on the basketball court or playground. Picnic facilities make it a great spot for a lunch break, too.
- Island Home Park is another great destination nestled into a quiet riverside neighborhood with a scenic waterfront recreational play area. Not only is there a playground for the kids, but there’s also a ball field, tennis court, picnic facilities and a connection to the Will Skelton Greenway which winds along the river to Ijams Nature Center and Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area.
- Give the kids a challenge to end the week strong and head to Victor Ashe Park northwest of downtown to let them run in a one-mile kids race next Saturday. This free event is geared to inspire them to practice physical fitness and realize their athletic potential. Snacks and water are provided and lots of entertaining and educational booths designed for children will keep the fun going.
Want to plan your own custom week of Knoxville exploration?
Check out Outdoor Knoxville’s full list of parks, piece together some more of the amazing community events offered, or search by the activity you enjoy the most. Wherever you end up this Fall Break, make sure to get out & play!