Things to Do in Knoxville on a Tennessee College Visit

The best UT Knoxville college visit pairs the official admissions visit with time on The Strip, Fort Sanders and downtown Knoxville. Plan for a full day: the official visit in the morning, lunch on Cumberland Avenue, a student-led tour of campus and the college town in the afternoon, and dinner on Market Square. If you have a second day, the Great Smoky Mountains are under an hour away.

Here is how to plan it.

When to visit UT Knoxville

Spring of junior year is a popular time to start, and spring break works well if your schedule allows.
Fall home football weekends show you Tennessee at full volume. Book hotels early, because Knoxville fills up on game days.
Admitted students should visit before May 1. Seeing housing and the neighborhoods in person often settles the decision.
Weather: winters are mild and summers are hot and humid. In spring, pack layers and an umbrella.

How the official UT campus visit works

UT Admissions runs official campus visits for prospective first-year and transfer students. Here is what to know, and always confirm details when you register:

Visits start at the Visitors Center in the Student Union, Suite 282, 1502 Cumberland Avenue.
Expect a 30-minute information session followed by a 90-minute walking tour.
Weekday visits are offered at several times, morning and early afternoon.
Register in advance. Walk-ins may not be accommodated.
Park for free in the Vol Hall Garage at 1545 White Avenue and get your ticket validated.
UT also runs special events, like the Big Orange Preview open house in the fall, and admitted student visits through the GoVols portal.

A one-day UT college visit plan

Morning: the official visit

Check in at the Student Union and do the admissions information session and campus tour. This is where you get the academic picture: majors, admissions, and the university itself.

Lunch: The Strip

Walk out of the Student Union and you are on Cumberland Avenue. Sunspot has been a Strip favorite since the 1990s, and the newer Cumberland Food Hall has a little of everything. Grab coffee at Just Love Coffee Cafe.

Afternoon: campus and the college town with a student

This is where a private, student-led tour fits. A current UT student walks your family through the spots that matter most to you: the new residence halls, Circle Park and Ayres Hall, Neyland Stadium and The Rock, then The Strip, Fort Sanders and Greek housing. It is the other 75% of college, the places students actually spend their time.

Add a private, student-led tour to your UT visit. Private Tour: $150 per group, 60 to 90 minutes, campus plus The Strip and Fort Sanders. Can't make it to Knoxville yet? A Video Call with a current UT student is $50. Book here.

Evening: downtown Knoxville

Downtown is about 10 minutes from campus.

Market Square: the heart of downtown. Families like The Tomato Head, Café 4, Stock & Barrel and Ruby Sunshine for brunch.
Gay Street: the main downtown strip and home to the Tennessee Theatre.
The Old City: brick warehouse district with restaurants and coffee shops.
World's Fair Park: walk to the Sunsphere, built for the 1982 World's Fair, on your way between campus and downtown.

More things to do in Knoxville

If you have extra time, these give you a real feel for why students love living here:

Neyland Stadium and the riverfront: even on a non-game day, walk the Tennessee River along campus.
Ijams Nature Center and the Knoxville Urban Wilderness: trails, quarries and paddling in South Knoxville, minutes from campus.
The Great Smoky Mountains: under an hour away for a hike or a scenic drive. A lot of UT students make this a regular weekend trip.
Game day: if you visit on a home football weekend, watch the Vol Walk, see the Vol Navy boats on the river, and hear 100,000 people sing "Rocky Top."

Where to stay

Stay downtown, near World's Fair Park, or close to Cumberland Avenue so you can walk or take a short drive to campus. If you are flying, McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is south of Knoxville, about a 25-minute drive to campus.

Questions to ask on your UT visit

Where do most students live after freshman year, and when do they sign leases?
How big a part of the social scene is Greek life?
What do students do on weekends when there is no home game?
How do students get around: walking, bikes, buses, cars?
What surprised you most about Knoxville?

A current student will answer these differently than a brochure will, which is exactly why they are worth asking.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a UT Knoxville college visit be?

Plan on a full day: about two hours for the official visit, plus time for lunch, a tour of the college town and dinner downtown. Two days lets you add the Smokies or a game.

Where do UT campus tours start?

Official admissions visits start at the Visitors Center in the Student Union, Suite 282, at 1502 Cumberland Avenue. Our private tours meet at a public spot near campus that your guide confirms when you book.

Where should we park for a UT campus visit?

The Vol Hall Garage at 1545 White Avenue. Parking is free for official visits once your ticket is validated.

What is The Strip at UT?

The Strip is Cumberland Avenue along the edge of campus, UT's main street for restaurants, coffee and student apartments.

Can we tour UT with a current student?

Yes. Tour College Towns offers private, student-led tours of UT Knoxville for $150 per group, and 30-minute Video Calls with a current UT student for $50. We are independent and not affiliated with the university, so we recommend doing both the official visit and a student-led tour.

Is there a UT campus visit on Saturdays?

Regular official visits run on weekdays, with occasional Saturday events like the Big Orange Preview open house. Our private tours are flexible on time, including weekends.

Plan your UT visit

Reading about a campus is not the same as walking it. Add a current UT student to your visit and see campus, The Strip and Fort Sanders the way students live it.

Private Tour: $150 per group, 60 to 90 minutes
Video Call: $50 for 30 minutes with a current UT student

Book your UT tour