5 Spots for Self-Care in the Scruffy City

by Emily Stooks | May 11, 2026 | All Articles, Lifestyle

Are you… tired? Oh gosh, no, you LOOK great. Refreshed, even! But May wasn’t nick-named May-hem on accident. Calendars are over-scheduled. Screentime is… well, frankly mine is embarrassing. And our blood has been replaced by coffee & matcha. It’s time for some self-care, babyyyy! And if you live in Knoxville, you’re in luck. It’s time to breathe in, babe, because here are five of our favorite spots for self-care in Knoxville!

Didn’t even know what ASMR massage was 6 months ago & now we’re obsessed LOL

WEST KNOXVILLE: Starting out strooong with an internet ✨sensation✨ right in our backyard. Seriously, Zenheads has over ONE MILLION fans across social media platforms. Hello? WHAT?! (Do a lil Instagram cyber-stalkin’ here if you’re curious.) People travel from ACROSS THE COUNTRY to experience this but lucky for usss, their dreamy, nervous system-soothing services are litttterally right in West Knoxville.

The Zenhead gals focus on light touch — think “crack an egg on your head & let the yolk drip down” from playground days but add in a gallery wall of tools to choose from, an airy, sunlit studio space, and a classic Swedish massage to wrap things up & send you on your way feeling oh-so-zen. We 👏 Are 👏 Obsessed👏

WEST KNOXVILLE: Fix Head Spa is in a strip mall in Cedar Bluff. We came in with very level-headed expectations & left… unwell?? It was an absolute dream. In short, our heads were fixed 🤪

But seriously, we did the 60 min Carl’s Crown Revival with a Neck & Shoulder Massage added on and I still think about the experience at least once a week. Treat yourself to Potchke Bagel afterward (they’re in the same strip mall) and thank us later 😉

NORTH KNOXVILLE: Sooo we have become just a touch obsessed with sauna-ing over the past couple years. Imaaagine our excitement, when Sauna House finally opened up in Downtown North Knoxville! (We even get to partner with them on our New2Knox Active Hop which is a TREAT.)

The space itself is airy & dreamy & unlike anything else in Knoxville. The hot sauna paired with the cold plunge is relaxing & refreshing & invigorating. But the best part? You have to put your phone in a locker. Phones simply cannot withstand the heat of the sauna, PRAISE, YES, SWEET RELIEF 😂🙌

DOWNTOWN KNOXVILLE: Tucked in Lox Salon’s previous space in the Old City neighborhood, Amulet Parlor quite literally calls itself a “sacred space for self-care.” They value your time & experience to the absolute highest degree. Expect space to slow down, drink tea, put your feet up, chit chat or be absolutely still. (Summer is the owner & we loved chit-chatting with her when we went!)

From hair cuts & manicures to finding your colors & dipping into the more Appalachian mystique, Amulet Parlor is a super unique space for self-care in Knoxville.

ALL OVER KNOXVILLE: NOTHING CAN BEAT TOUCHING GRASS. Literally. Plus it’s free. Add some sunshineeee?! Geez, stop flirting with me 😉

Our favorite ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Knoxville, Tennessee are as follows: floating in a quarry, walking around Lakeshore Park, picnic-ing at Island Home Park & watching the planes fly overhead, and birdwatching (VERY casually lol) at Seven Island State Park.

Well, we hope those are some helpful places to start when it comes to self-care in Knoxville! Obviously, there are way more where these came from — from good ole fashioned massages to catching up with a friend. Either way, we hope you get some time today to breathe, rest, and feel some sunshine on your face ☺️ Cheers!

Pour-fect Brunch: Best Spots for Mimosas in Knoxville!

by Emily Stooks | May 6, 2026 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Food & Drink, Our Writers

When the weekend finally rolls around, we prefer our pancakes with a side of friendship & fizz. ENTER: brunch with mimosas, obviously 😉 Knoxville has pleeeenty of spots for mimosas and it’s a pretty hard drink to mess up (simply juice & champagne? Just call us ✨minimalists✨) BUT we’ve scouted out some of the spots that make mimosa-sippin’ the most fun AND who give you the most mimosa for your hard-earned buck. YOU DESERVE IT, BABE. Without further ado, here are some of the best spots for mimosas in Knoxville!

KNOXVILLE FESTIVALS: 8 Festivals to Attend This Spring!

by Emily Stooks | Apr 8, 2026 | All Articles, Entertainment, Nena Potter, Our Writers

5 of the Best Patios in Knoxville

by Emily Stooks | Apr 7, 2026 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Lifestyle

When it comes to late summer/early fall in East Tennessee, you can count on two things. First, University of Tennessee football will let you down. Second, the weather will lift you right back up🙌 We’re talkin’ temps in the mid-70s, refreshing breezes, even *a little less humidity.* You may find yourself asking, “Am I in California?” No, my friend. You have, in fact, stepped into prime patio season in East Tennessee. Don’t you dare go inside to drink your celebratory “I-Don’t-Watch-Football-So-This-Doesn’t-Affect-Me” beer. In no particular order, we’re here to share five of the best outdoor patios in Knoxville, Tennessee. (This will obviously be a multi-part series. How could we possibly narrow it down to five??)

Patio #1: Merchants of Beer

Neighborhood: Old City A couple years back, we heard Merchants of Beer (otherwise known as “MoB”) was going to renovate their parking lot into a back patio. We were distressed. We love an easy parking situation. WE WERE WRONG. This patio is 100% worth giving up parking (and yes, there is literally a parking lot across the street. We never claimed to be fitness buffs😂) From a permanent food truck to ping pong and other yard games to an ACTUAL BUBBLE MACHINE, this patio easily makes the “best patios in Knoxville” list for plenty of locals. Check, check, check.

Patio #2: Schulz Brau

Neighborhood: North Knox Schulz Brau is hands down the top biergarten in East Tennessee. The German decor gives us Oktoberfest vibes all year long. Just listen to this line-up: fire pits, big screen TVs, a stage for live music (or stein-holding contests if you come at the right time), and an outdoor bar so you literally never have to step foot inside. This German dream is a no-brainer.

Patio #3: Public House

Neighborhood: Old City-ish Tucked off the beaten path and just north of the Old City, Public House feels more like a secret garden than a downtown bar. The ingredients may seem standard – picnic tables, string lights, and vines – but trust us when we say, these things come together to make some patio magic. We recommend this experience with a Bee’s Knees and a good camera because your most-popular-Instagram-post-ever is just itching to be shot in that coveted vine-covered nook.

What to Do for Valentines Day in Knoxville, TN

by Emily Stooks | Jan 31, 2026 | All Articles, Downtown, Emilie Stooksbury, Holidays

WHEN THE SCRUFFY CITY IS YOUR VALENTINE…

The Scruffy City is our Valentine 😍 And we mean that, but we also doooo still have a soft spot for our, you know, human Valentines as well 😂 So if you feel similarly, we’re here to help you celebrate both your human AND city loves! Without further ado, here are a bunch of fun ways to celebrate Valentines Day in the Scruffy City:

EAT STUFF ON VALENTINES DAY IN KNOXVILLE:

Sure, sure, we’ll give you plenty more ideas of things to do on Valentines Day but we all know the main event: DINNER. However you feel about Valentines Day, we will never be mad about an excuse to have a bougie meal out on the town 😂 Here are some spots pulling out all the stops for V-Day!

SOUTH KNOXVILLE: Simpl on Sevier is holding down the fort on the south side with a 5-course dinner. Come for the food but stay for the freaking festive pink walls. Instagram-boyfriends, prepare yourselves. Snag your tickets here!

DOWNTOWN KNOXVILLE: Feeling Mediterranean? Head to Kopita for 6-courses for $50. Want to avoid the crowds? Check out the 5-course “Caymus Wine Dinner” at The Press Room on February 15th. Want to check out a newer spot downtown? Frothy Monkey is offering a 3 course “Frothy Love Valentines Dinner” for two for $65/couple on the 13th & 14th!

OLD CITY: Osteria Stella is offering a 6-course tasting menu on Valentines Day. You can tack on a wine pairing as well but weeee suggest saving some room for dessert – ie. an espresso martini next door at Brother Wolf. CHEF’S KISS, baby, CHEF’S KISS.

MARYVILLE: Get out of the city completely and take a lil jaunt to Maryville to experience Valentines Day in Diamondjack Wine Bar’s new space! They’ve got a 5-course dinner on the menu just for you.

WEST KNOXVILLE: The Plaid Apron has a dreeeamy 3-course farm-to-table menu for you tucked inside Sequoyah Hills.

Rom Com Trivia is happening at Xul Beer Co

LEARN STUFF ON VALENTINES DAY IN KNOXVILLE:

NORTH KNOXVILLE: Xul Beer Co is here for all Rom-Com fans! They’re hosting rom-com trivia on Valentine’s Day and anyone and everyone is invited to impress the masses with their rom-com knowledge. Not to brag but we’ve been preparing our whole lives for this…

THROW STUFF ON VALENTINES DAY IN KNOXVILLE:

NORTH KNOXVILLE: First up, throw some axes! Craft Axe Throwing has a cute lil date night planned for you and “the one” (or, you know, snag a pal and take the opportunity to let off some steam if “the one” turned out to be “the worst”). For $35, you get an hour of axe throwing for two, two beers, a gift, aaand a chance to win a giveaway if you book before 4PM on the 14th!

DOWNTOWN: Or throw some bowling balls in what is definitely Knoxville’s coolest bowling alley! Maple Hall is renting lanes for $45/hour, including shoe rentals and a sweet Valentines treat! (Or make it a double date and split that coooost, baby!)

DRINK STUFF ON VALENTINES DAY IN KNOXVILLE:

SOUTH KNOXVILLE: Alliance Brewing is back with a tradition we can get behind: Valentines Day Chocolate & Beer Pairing! Two of our favorite things in our favorite city 🥲 Each pairing includes four tastings of Alliance beers paired with four different chocolates from Lirio Chocolate. They’ll start at 3pm on Valentines Day and go until their sold out! Down the street and a few days before, Printshop Beer is hosting their own pairing with chocolate, beer, and cheese. It’s going down on Sunday, February 11th and you can get your tickets in advance right here.

MAKE STUFF ON VALENTINES DAY IN KNOXVILLE:

OLD CITY: What says love like making something super fragile and breakable? 😉😂 Pretentious Craft Co. is offering a Valentines Day special for ya! You’ll get 2 drink tickets, 2 workshops (total of 40 minutes), aaaand (of course) you get to take home whatever you choose to make – all for $225. You ALSO get a glass rose which is truly the perfect blend of Cinderella and Belle. We’re here for it. Email info@pretentiousglassco.com for details or to go ahead and book your spot!

BUY STUFF ON VALENTINES DAY IN KNOXVILLE:

Okay, okay these aren’t necessarily ON Valentines Day, but they are Valentines Day THEMED and thus… they’re makin’ the list.

WEST KNOXVILLE: On Sunday, February 11th, head to Hey Bear Cafe for their Valentines Market! As much as we love shopping, you definitely need to try some boba tea off their Valentines Day menu.

That’s all for now, ya lovebirds! What are YOU doing for Valentines Day in the Scruffy City? (PSSSST we’ve got even more date ideas right here.) And should we do a wrap up of Galentines Day tooooo? You know what, yes. We definitely should. K then, see you soon 😘😘

WEST KNOXVILLE: Or move some… pickleballs? The Pickleball Playground in Hardin Valley is hosting a Cupid & Couples Mixed Double Potluck Social on Friday, February 9th! Members AND non-members are invited, so learn more & snag your tickets here! Over in Bearden, Current Cycle will help you move your body on Valentines Day! They’re hosting “Bring Your Boo” rides all day where you can enjoy some treeeeats and fun theeeemes. Oh and EVERYONE WILL GET TO RIDE FOR FREE so that’s caaasual.

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