by Emily Stooks | Dec 6, 2021 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Holidays, Lifestyle
Hi hi, we’re glad you’re here! But first, CLICK HERE FOR THE UPDATED 2023 LIST OF THINGS TO DO THIS CHRISTMAS IN KNOXVILLE 🎄 Now back to our regularly scheduled Christmas in Knoxville programming… 😉
Christmas is a magical time of year when calories don’t count and strangers are welcomed into our chimneys just as long as they leave presents. And while we’re convinced Christmas would be magical anywhere, we believe it’s particularly wonderful in Knoxville, TN 🤩
Here are some of our absolute favorite things to do in Knoxville throughout Christmas!
1. The Lights!
The Holiday Festival of Lights sets up shop every year at The Cove at Concord Park out in west Knoxville and it is absolutely delightful. The show is an illuminated three-quarter-mile greenway trail you can walk through with coordinating music. Oh and SOMETIMES SANTA COMES. If you’re into that. Which we are.
Since you’re already out west, pop over Honeybee for hot chocolate and then to Founders Park in Farragut for another walkable display of Christmas lights and holiday joy. Then head down the street to warm up around a fire pit at 35 North!
Don’t want to leave the car? We get it. The weather outside is frightful and all that. Grab that cocoa to-go-co and drive by this house in West Hills or this house in Fountain City.
2.) The Markets!
There’s no denying we’ll all end up spending too much money this month – so why not make our inevitable shopping trips festive and local? Knoxville has a ton of holiday markets where you can shop small, chat with the makers themselves, and come away with unique gifts for your loved ones.
Some of our favorite markets to hit up each year are the Market Square Holiday Market every Saturday leading up to Christmas, the Old Sevier Holiday Market in South Knoxville, and the Retropolitan Craft Fair (this one has passed, but keep her in mind for next year!).
3.) The Theat-ah!
If there’s one thing we love about Christmas (although there are actually a zillion things we love about Christmas), it’s all the excuses to feel fancy. Enter: The Theater.
Catch a classic in December like “The Unusual Tale of Mary and Joseph’s Baby” put on by River & Rail Theatre Company or “A Christmas Carol” put on annually at Clarence Brown Theatre. Finally, it may go without saying but if you can spend an evening at the Tennessee Theatre, omg do it.
Whatever you choose, we think you’re very classy for supporting the arts and by golly, you deserve a drink.
4.) The Christmas Cocktails!
Which brings us to our next point! A few bars in Knoxville understood the assignment and have decked their halls with all kinds of Christmas cheer.
The Christmas pop-up bar “Miracle on Gay Street” has returned this year with a twist. She’s back as “Miracle in the Old City”, set up in Brother Wolf with all the nostalgic, tacky, over-the-top holiday decor of your dreams. (The menu of exclusively seasonal cocktails ain’t bad either!)
Around the corner, down the street, and up a few floors is the Five Thirty Lounge rooftop bar. This classy bar did not hold back this year and pulled out all the stops with igloos, a fire pit, seasonal cocktails, and Christmas decor complete with fake snow.
Over on the north side, Schulz Brau Brewing Co. is bringing the holiday cheer in their charming German biergarten with their own igloo and fake snow situation. Germany is somehow a whole Christmas vibe on its own – so add in our favorite lil scruffy city and some delicious dunkel? We’re cold sold.
5.) The Shopping!
If you can’t make it to a market this year, you’re not out of luck. While markets are obviously adorable, plenty of local stores are holding their own when it comes to Christmas cheer and local makers. Step inside these spots and you might as well be whisked away to the gosh darn North Pole.
Glitterville is an actual Christmas dream. Just trust us on this one. Step inside to a magical fairy land of holiday wonder and whimsical ornaments galore.
Jack’s has two locations (one on the 100 Block and one on N. Central) and they both boast cool Christmas vibes. For extra cheer, order a Christmas coffee from the bar before browsing!
Finally, Bradley’s out in Cedar Bluff is known for going all out for holiday cheer. Come for the multiple Christmas trees, stay for the Knoxville Chocolates 😍
6.) The Train Rides!
Full Disclosure: We haven’t done this one before! But goshdarnit if this doesn’t seem like the perfect December evening🥲 The Christmas Lantern Express is a two hour festive train ride on the Three Rivers Rambler. Their website says to enjoy “festive decorations, holiday treats, storytime with celebrity readers and a special visit with Santa.” We give that description a resounding jingle “BELL YES.”
7.) The Downtown!
If you want your life to look more like a Hallmark movie, just head to Downtown Knoxville in December. Throughout Christmas, the middle of Market Square transforms into a colorful winter wonderland, complete with an ice skating rink. $12 gets you unlimited time on the ice ($9 for kiddos) and we think that’s a small price to pay for utter Christmas magic.
Afterward, keep an eye out for the “Peppermint Trail” as you stroll the city. Those little sidewalk peppermints make it simple to figure out who is serving up Christmas treats. While there are plenty of worthy pepperminty candidates, we suggest hot chocolate from Cruze Farm. (They add whipped cream AND marshmallows, so… you get it.) With cocoa in hand, you can walk by the Christmas tree on Gay St., through the beautiful lit up trees in Krutch Park, and all the way down to the candycane striped streetlights of the Old City.
However you celebrate, we hope your holiday season is full of hope, joy, and wonder! We think these things may help make that happen. If you have any other questions about Christmas in Knoxville, let us know! Merry Christmas!
CLICK HERE FOR THE UPDATED 2023 LIST OF THINGS TO DO THIS CHRISTMAS IN KNOXVILLE 🎄
by Emily Stooks | Nov 16, 2021 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Shopping
Stephen Brown is a rather unassuming name for one of the most vibrant human beings on the planet.
Like many other Stephens, this one was born in East Tennessee and went to school at the University of Tennessee. But this is where the similarities end. See, from there, Stephen Brown moved to New York to be a costume designer, became friends with Mariah Carey, did work with Oprah, welcomed home a fluffy white Silkie chicken named Dolly, and so much more.
Literally, so much more.
Because, according to Stephen Brown, “more is more.”
Speaking of more, Stephen also makes things.
But not just “things” – he creates whimsical and spectacular ornaments and decorations that can transform any occasion into a fairytale. These sparkly, wacky, and wonderful creations are part of his world called “Glitterville.”
What does this have to do with you? Well, do you like living in real life fairytales?
Because if you’re a visitor or resident of Knoxville, TN this can be your reality.
In 2018, Stephen Brown came back to Knoxville to open Glitterville’s very first retail location on the outskirts of downtown. Knoxville now gets to experience the magic and whimsy of Glitterville any ole day we want. We can walk through the store full of larger than life sassy geese, say hey to a sparkly unicorn, and take home a couple llamas balancing on watermelons. Trust us: after experiencing Glitterville, your Christmas, Halloween, and everyday parties will never be the same.
So grab a bite at Balter Beerworks and then cross the street to peruse the magic of Glitterville.
Knoxville’s always been scruffy… but we’re not going to lie – she’s also had a bit of a sparkle. Thanks for helping it shine, Stephen✨
by Emily Stooks | Aug 18, 2021 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Entertainment
When we sat down with Bailee Bridwell to learn more about The Star of Knoxville riverboat, we figured this thing you’re reading now would be about said boat. After all, it is one of only four authentic paddlewheel riverboats in the USA, right on the Tennessee River in good ole downtown Knoxville. Cool, right?
Very cool, yes. BUT y’all, >this family. They are precious. Settle in for the cutest story. (And then, once you’ve fallen in love with the Cheek/Bridwell fam, we promise we’ll tell you all about how you can bring your very own pizza and wine to deck of the boat. Cross our hearts.)
THE (ADORABLE) STORY:
Let’s start with the parents. Bailee Bridwell’s father, Mike Cheek, started working on riverboats in Nashville at the geriatric age of fifteen years old. (We assume he liked it okay, because he’s now been in the riverboat business for a mere 43 years.) After spending a few summers as a deckhand, in walked a new boat photographer: Tammy.
Because this is the cutest story ever, Mike and Tammy obviously fell in love, got married, and started a little family. (*sob*🥺💛)
Awhile later, this little family moved to Knoxville from Nashville so Mike could be the General Manager of, you guessed it, the Star of Knoxville. Mike made the trip in 1988, but get this: When the owners decided to move the riverboat in 1994, Mike offered to buy her so she could stay in our sweet Knoxville. Tennessee. (We could hardly contain ourselves when we heard this tidbit of information. Is this not a Hallmark movie waiting to happen?? Romance, risk, rivers – this story has it all!)
Okay, back to the story.
Bailee and her brother were just babies when the Cheeks moved to the Scruffy City, so they basically grew up on The Star of Knoxville. They went on all the cruises. They knew all the crew. They even ended up being on the crew as teenagers. (As a little kid, the “Boomsday Cruise” was her favorite. The boat would be so close to the fireworks, they’d all end the night covered in ashes. KNOXVILLE FREAKING GOALS.)
After college, Bailee left for a few years to gain experience on other boats (one of the biggest riverboats in the country in Savannah, to be exact), and when she finally came back to Knoxville in 2019, her parents handed her the keys.
This family affair has come full circle now. Bailee’s dad, brother, and husband are all captains – but it gets even cuter. You know how Bailee and her brother grew up on the boat? Well, if you see a stroller in the corner or some precious babies being passed around by the crew, you’re more than likely on a cruise with Bailee’s own sweet twins who are all set to grow up on the same boat as their mom and uncle. Some members of the crew have literally seen two generations of kiddos grow up on the boat. (*pause to sob from cuteness*)
Image by @tennesseeriverboat
by Emily Stooks | May 27, 2021 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Entertainment, Outdoors
When you walk through the doors of Knoxville Adventure Collective, there’s a good chance you’ll meet the goodest of good boys: Japhy. Japhy is not just the KAC shop dog. His wagging tail and sweet demeanor are sure to dispel any lingering fears of things like “exercise” or “being outdoorsy.” (Just me? Well, okay then.)
If you meet Japhy, there’s a good chance you’ll also meet the owner of KAC – Jon. You know that phenomenon where dogs and their people give off the same energy? That’s Japhy and Jon. They’ll both welcome you in with their laidback positive vibes, get you set up, launch you off the dock, even hand you a beer when your adventure comes to a close. (Okay, Japhy may not do all of that but he’s still the very best boy.)
Jon Terry only landed in Knoxville from North Carolina a couple years ago, but you’d never guess it by walking into KAC. In fact, there may not be another business in Knoxville who captures the Scruffy City’s essence so completely.
The owner of Knoxville Adventure Collective, Jon
That’s a bold claim, so allow us to explain. Knoxville Adventure Collective is located right downtown, tucked on the far edge of Volunteer Landing. You can easily find your way there after a Babalu brunch, a K Brew coffee date, or a Knox Brew Hub hang. (As more “brunch people” than “outdoorsy people,” this detail is important to us 😉)
However, once you meander down to the edge of Volunteer Landing, downtown feels like a lifetime away. East Tennessee is about to completely open up to you. Friend, Jon is about to. Hook. You. Up.
You can hop on a paddle board right then & there and enjoy downtown views from the river. If you’re lookin’ for a little more, the folks at KAC can drop you off at the Holston River launch for a longer adventure. Over the river life? They can set you up with a mountain bike and transport you to Baker Creek Preserve for a day in the forest playground. OR you can rent equipment all dang day and take your adventure vessels anywhere you want. AND THEN you can come back for a moonlit paddle adventure sponsored by Albright Brew Co.
Are you exhausted or exhilarated after reading that? If you’re exhausted, we have good news: all adventures can end with a brew back at the KAC headquarters (you may even get to hang with Japhy again! No you’re obsessed) all the way til 10pm.
Being downtown and a launchpad for outdoor adventuring, Knoxville Adventure Collective truly is the best of both worlds. (*pause for Hannah Montana dance party*) And according to Jon, it’s only going to get better. “Knoxville is hitting its stride. What they’ve done with the Urban Wilderness and things like that leaves a lot of room for outdoor growth – theres just a lot going on.”
And while we’re absolutely satisfied with downtown paddle boarding, Jon sees more on the horizon: everything from personalized guided trips to backpacking in the Smokies.
So many of us move to Knoxville for her access to all things outdoors. Jon and the folks at Knoxville Adventure Collective can legitimately help you start experiencing and exploring it. And after a year like we’ve had (KAC opened deep in the heart of the pandemic – ow), a summer spent on bikes with pals, or in canoes with friends, or *fill in the outdoor adventure blank*, is just what the doctor ordered.
Or you can just rent a kayak for an hour as an excuse to hang out with Japhy. We get it. No judgement here.
Japhy, the Knoxville Adventure Dog
Do you want to experience more of Knoxville’s outdoor scene? Click here to start exploring everything from hikes to local quarries!
by Emily Stooks | Apr 22, 2021 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Food & Drink
If there’s one thing you can count on with the old geezers in your life, it’s that they can tell a good story. Friends, true to form, Geezers Brewery is so full of good stories, it’s honestly hard to know where to start.
