Knoxville
The greater Knoxville area has won accolades for its livability, a combination of qualities that encompasses
such factors as economic outlook, climate, cost of living, education, transportation and the arts. Though the city
is the corporate hub of East Tennessee,
home to the Tennessee Valley Authority
(TVA) and the University of Tennessee
at Knoxville’s main campus, the city is
not yet among the South’s urban giants.
In the last several decades, however,
Knoxville has experienced impressive
gains, particularly in high-technology
industries and related firms.
Just 30 miles north of the country’s
most visited national park, Knoxville
has long been known as the gateway
to the Smokies. Over 9. 4 million tour-
ists were recorded in 2010, making The
Great Smoky Mountain Park the most
visited National Park in the nation.
The Smoky Mountains and the Cum-
berland Mountains provide beautiful
national and state parks that have an
abundance of recreational activities
from which to choose.
Initially, the TVA system was de-
signed for navigation, flood control,
generation of electricity and reforesting.
Now, a wide range of recreational activ-
ities have become an additional facet of
the system. Five of the “Great Lakes of
the South” are within 30 miles of Knox-
ville. Fort Loudon Lake is of particular
pride to Knoxville, with homes along
both the north and south shorelines.
Volunteer Landing, a waterfront de-
velopment located in downtown Knox-
ville along the Tennessee River, is home
to several historical sites, including
James White’s Fort and Blount Man-
sion. Visitors can also take a train ride
through some of Knoxville’s first settle-
ments aboard the Three Rivers Rambler,
or cruise down the Tennessee River on-
board the Star of Knoxville riverboat.
Home to a rich arts community,
Knoxville has many festivals throughout
the year. Its contributions to old-time,
