by New2Knox Ghost Writer | Jul 17, 2024 | All Articles, Katie Williams, Neighborhoods, Outdoors, South Knoxville
Buckle up, folks. Your Insta feeds are about to be littered with pics of bright, sunny faces as far as the eye can see. Nope, we arenât referencing those sweet first-day-of-school pictures. Weâre talking about the sunflower fields in South Knoxville – specifically, the 70-plus acres of sunflowers at Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area.
TBH, these sunflowers are a bit mysterious. Theyâre here, bursting through the âgram one weekend, and pretty much gone the next (okay, itâs a little longer than that, but weâll talk more about it below). One year you can see them from the parking lot, and the next you need knee-high boots and a sixth sense to find a single field of them. Thereâs almost no detailed information about them in any media outlet or website, including the stateâs Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area site and the cityâs Urban Wilderness site for Fork of the River. Whatâs up, sunflowers?! Good news: we’re here to tell you exactly what’s up with the South Knoxville sunflowers.
When the Sunflowers Bloom:
Youâve got about 3 weeks to get into the sunflower fields at Forks of the River, starting in early July. Of course, heat, rain and all those mother nature things affect how long the sunflowers last – but if you wait until August to see them, youâre going to be out of luck.
And hereâs the big catch: Forks of the River only plants the 70 acres of wildflowers every other year. So, if itâs an odd numbered year, you get to frolic in fields and fields of them; but if itâs an even numbered year, there might only be a few acres here and there throughout the 650-acre preserve.
How to Get There:
Google can navigate you pretty easily to the McClure Lane Parking Lot at the start of the greenway that runs through Forks of the River in South Knoxville. Some reference points: Drive past Ijams Nature Center and Meadâs Quarry on Island Home Ave. McClure is about the first left after the railroad tracks. To give you some confidence: There isnât any signage marking Forks on the River Wildlife Preserve from Island Home Ave. Once you turn onto McClure, youâre going to pass some kind of industrial site on your left. Then itâs going to look like youâre in somebodyâs neighborhood for a minute. Youâll pass some signage on your right, and the road gets pretty narrow. For a brief moment, you’ll think New2Knox is plotting to lead you to your death… but when you see the gravel turn on your left, youâre golden.
Finding the Sunflowers
The Forks of the River Management team rotates the sunflowers every year, so theyâre almost never in the same spot as you last saw them. Theyâre not doing this to be tricky. Itâs part of managing soil health and making sure that they donât deplete the nutrients in each field with over planting. This is the reason they only plant the sunflowers every other year as well.
Things to Know About Visiting Forks of the River
We hate to break it to you, but the sunflowers arenât there for the people. Theyâre planted to help feed mourning doves and song birds. But are you going to bother them by taking beautiful pictures surrounded by a sea of yellow petals? No! If you were, Forks of the River wouldnât be open to the public. Just rememberâif you take a sunflower home, youâre cutting a doveâs lunch.
PRO-TIP: Forks of the River isnât actually a public park. As the name says, itâs a Wildlife Management Area. Itâs only open to the public June through August each year, and it’s home to a LOT of wildlife. Personally, Iâve never been when I havenât seen at least one snake and been covered in bug bites afterwards. BIG BUT: Donât let that keep you from going, unless youâre the type to write a hilariously bad review of a natural space đ
by New2Knox Ghost Writer | Apr 1, 2024 | All Articles, Food & Drink, Nena Potter
The Knoxville bar scene has expanded by leaps and bounds in just the last couple of years. From breweries and taprooms to CBD-infused beer bars, speakeasies and kitschy rum cocktail joints, Knoxville isn’t short on fun places to go when you want to wet your whistle. However, when it comes to sipping spirits while sitting sky high overlooking the scenic sites of our Scruffy City (say that 5 times fast?), these rooftop bars TOP my list. (See what I did there?) Keep reading for a birdâs eye view of all the places in Knox that will give you⌠well, a birdâs eye view.
1.) Five Thirty Lounge
First off, letâs talk about the newest addition/expansion to Knoxvilleâs rooftop bar scene, the Five Thirty Lounge, located above the Hyatt Place Downtown Knoxville on Gay Street. If youâre looking for a stylish, elevated experience, this place is it. The Five Thirty Lounge offers indoor and outdoor rooftop bar areas, delicious signature cocktails (the prickly pear margarita is my go-to) and an upscale bar menu of snacks and small plates. Comfy seating areas to get lost in conversation? Check. Stylish design and a glittering gold bar? Check and check. String lights and a fire pit outside to keep you warm on cool summer nights? 100%.
However, my favorite thing about this bar is the view from their Mountain Terrace outdoor bar area. Even if youâre sitting inside, you can still take in views of the Smoky Mountains as the indoor bar is surrounded by 15ft glass windows. It. Is. A. Vibe.
Pro-Tip: This place gets busy so make a reservation and you can choose which area you would like to experience.
2.) Radius Rooftop Lounge
The next rooftop bar on my list is just a short walk from Five Thirty Lounge across Gay Street to Radius Rooftop Lounge. Similar to the FTL, it is located above a hotel (Embassy Suites by Hilton) and also offers indoor and outdoor rooftop areas. However, the vibe at Radius is a 180Âş turn from Five Thirty Lounge. On the weekends that I have ventured here with friends, I was glad I was wearing my party pants as the patrons do skew a bit younger and this place can get LITTY (am I using that right? Yeet?) and loud. The 360Âş circular bar is fun and aesthetically pleasing and hanging out next to a rooftop pool makes me feel bougie AF.
They also host live music in the lounge on certain weeknights and another Pro-Tip: you can nom on some of Knoxvilleâs best tacos as they serve CJâs Tacos on the roof! Music and tacos on a rooftop?! Does it get any better? Yes, yes it does. Because in addition to all that, you get a lovely view of the structure that defines the downtown Knoxville skyline, the Sunsphere. *chefâs kiss*
Now, letâs say fancy schmancy hotel rooftop bars arenât your scene. No worries. Knoxville, in true âscruffyâ fashion, has got you.
3&4.) Pres Pub & Bernadette’s
A 3-minute walk to Market Square from Gay Street will take you to the next rooftop bar on my list: Preservation Pub and the adjacent Bernadetteâs Crystal Gardens. Preservation Pub (known to locals as either Pres Pub or P-Pub) is Knoxvilleâs longest running rooftop bar owned by locals Scott and Bernadette West. These two have a fun and infamous story that Iâll save for another day, but they definitely know a thing or two when it comes to creating a rooftop ambiance. A large tree with sprawling limbs (dubbed the Magic Beer Tree) greets you once you get to the third-floor rooftop in the âMoonshine Roof Gardenâ on the Pres Pub side. Bernadetteâs has a 4th floor lounge as well and there is something that will catch your eye in every inch of this space whether itâs the bar tops, hand painted bathrooms or all the gemstones that adorn everything. My favorite thing at both of these places is just how quirky and truly unique they are; you never really know what will be in store for your time spent here (except that it will include shenanigans).
There are several Pro-Tips I could offer up about these spots but hereâs one specifically for the rooftop: This is the one you will want to be on when the temps go up this summer due to their misting fans and large triangle sun shades. Also – the $5 cover at the door gets you into Pres Pub, Bernadette’s AND Scruffy City Hall!
5.) Scruffy City Hall
Right next door to Pres Pub and Bernadetteâs is a third rooftop option in Market Square: Scruffy City Hall. While this rooftop may not have fire pits or beer trees, it still sports something truly unique. Friends, you must experience the âCinePub Under the Stars on the Scroofâ where a projector plays movies and other various kinds of entertainment on the side of the building next door. Scruffyâs âScrooftopâ is a perfect place to watch an old timey black and white film or a sports game, and there is ample seating to bring a crowd.
Honorable Mentions:
Sunspot on the Strip and Hi-Wire Brewing in South Knox. While these two establishments definitely have options for getting above ground level to a rooftop area, they are not especially known for being ârooftop bars.â However, since both are great spots for so many other reasons, the fact that they have rooftop access in addition to their other offerings is basically just a bonus. Sunspot is a great choice if you are near UT, have a vegetarian in your squad, or are just looking for a delightful little brunch spot. Meanwhile, Hi-Wire is one of my favorite breweries here in Knoxville. They have two soccer pool tables, table tennis, shuffleboard, pint nights, yoga, trivia and oh yeah⌠a delicious selection of craft beer. AND they are in a perfect walkable location to hit up all your other fav spots in SoKno. Need I go on?
Image by @hiwirebrewing_knox
In conclusion, rooftop bars and summer make a perfect match. And while rooftops that are 60 floors high with infinity pools and swim up bars make for some magical vacations – weâve got some pretty cute places to elevate your cocktail experience, take in the serene setting of East Tennessee, and get your staycation on right here in Knoxville. Cheers!
Nenaâs Fun Fast (and Tall!) Facts:Â
- The Sunsphere, built for the 1982 Worldâs Fair, is 266 feet tall.
- The First Tennessee Plaza is the tallest building in Knoxville at 327 feet with 27 floors.Â
- Downtown Knoxville is 936 feet above sea level.Â
by New2Knox Ghost Writer | Nov 9, 2023 | All Articles, Lifestyle, Nena Potter, Outdoors
by New2Knox Ghost Writer | Oct 22, 2023 | All Articles, Downtown, Emilie Stooksbury, Food & Drink
It’s obvious Knoxville has plenty of street-level fun – and you know we love a bar in the sky – but did you know there are people living their best lives underground while you stroll above them on Gay Street? We know, we know – nothing cues red flag alerts like “come hang out with me in a basement.” But we’re here to share five legitimately cool basement bars to check out in downtown Knoxville. It’s highly unlikely you’ll get killed in them – and you may even have a lot of fun!đ
1.) Maple Hall Bowling
Maple Hall is definitely the trendiest bowling alley in Knoxville – but it may just be the trendiest basement as well. When you head inside, you’re greeted by someone at street level – presumably there to make you feel a little less uncomfortable about boldly heading into a basement. However, once inside, you’ll be greeted with gorgeous exposed brick walls, leather couches, a full bar, and some of the best fried pickles we’ve had to date. Oh, and definitely go bowling đ
2.) Knox Box Karaoke
Once you’re done bowling, you’ll want to head to Knox Box Karaoke for the after-party. There’s no greeting area or entry way to this basement bar – once you open the door, you head down the stairs to a night of shout-singing your favorite tunes in the company of the friendliest strangers. (We actually have all the details on the magic that is Knox Box Karaoke right here.)
3.) La Cueva del Chango
La Cueva del Chango (which translates to “The Monkey Cave”) is the name of Soccer Taco’s downstairs bar in Market Square. With the same menu and offerings, it’s more a fun way to mix up your Soccer Taco experience than it is a bar to actively seek out. On the other hand, any bar named “The Monkey Cave” is worth checking out đ
4.) The Vault
On the flip side of the basement bar vibe spectrum (didn’t know that was a thing, did ya?đ), there’s The Vault. As you walk into the entrance they share with Vida, you’ll encounter a chandelier hanging over stairs that lead you to a basement bar just dripping with class. You can sip your cocktail in an actual bank vault or cozy up in one of their many dark and elegant nooks. Either way, this is unlike any basement experience you’ve had before.
5.) Mirage
Last but not least, Mirage is a vibey hookah bar tucked beneath Skybox Sports Bar. If you’re not into hookah, fear not! They also have a full bar, Turkish coffee, and “actually really good” food. (This detailed food review comes from my husbandđ) If you do enjoy smoking hookah, they have over thirty flavors to choose from. While you can totally just come and chill, events range from catching a football game on the television to catching a belly dancing show live!
Bar hopping is so last year. We can’t wait to hear all about your basement hopping experiences instead!đ
Want to go from the lowest depths of downtown Knoxville to the highest? Click Here to Discover Knoxville’s Rooftop Bars!
by New2Knox Ghost Writer | Sep 20, 2023 | All Articles, Lifestyle, Nena Potter
Figuring out how to get involved in the local going-ons in a community when youâre the new kid in town can be a fun (but sometimes daunting đł) mission. Maybe you just moved here for a job and are looking for some like-minded individuals to hang out with outside of work. Or maybe you arenât new to Knoxville at all but have been looking to grow your leadership skills and do some professional networking. Or maybe youâre just looking for a way to take on a more active role in your local neighborhood. If youâre reading this, youâre in the right place (obviously) – maybe youâre feelinâ good about the top places to eat, drink, and be merry. Maybe youâve even gone to some events or signed up for a New2Knox Hop… but now, how do you take your Knox involvement even further?
Have I got an organization for you! đ Let me introduce you to (drum roll, please) Young Professionals of Knoxville!
WHAT IS YPK?
Young Professionals of Knoxville (or YPK as the cool kids call it) is a membership-driven, non-profit organization with a mission to inspire Knoxvilleâs young professionals to connect, develop and serve to build leaders and improve our community. This association really does take an active interest in the Knoxville community and goes above and beyond just networking.
As a member to the organization myself, I sat down at a recent YPK Happy Hour with Grace Bennett, current YPK president, to find out more about it and their upcoming events. (psssst, if youâre looking for Happy Hours across the board we got you.) Grace was a transplant who moved to our Scruffy City in 2019 for a job and didnât know a single soul. She says the friends she has made through YPK, âhave truly been genuine and itâs made Knoxville feel like home.â
EVENTS & PERKS:
In addition to making real connections like the ones Grace has made, being a member of Young Professionals of Knoxville gives you the chance to get to know Knox on a deeper level. There are exclusive events, meet & greets with civic leaders in our city, private tours of local businesses and more. âWe pride ourselves on providing those behind-the-scenes and exclusives [to Knoxville],â says Grace.
Not only does YPK host several events throughout the year, they also have a variety of committees and affinity groups you can join and take an active role in to hone your leadership skills. If there is something you are passionate about but there isnât a specific committee for it, YPK will dive in to help and encourage you to take on a leadership role in said area of your interest. Bennett, being a leader herself in the organization said,âThe leadership opportunities that YPK provides helps you state on your resume the leadership skills you have that go beyond [your current job].â
SO WHERE DO I SIGN? đ
Now, I could go on about my own personal experience and involvement so far in YPK but the best way to find out more would be clearing your calendar for one of their YPK 101 events. Not only do they host them at some of the cutest event spaces in Knoxville, these fun little gatherings have drinks, hors dâoeuvres, and time for networking. They’re specifically designed to educate potential and existing YPK members on how to get the most out of their membership. During these events, YPK members will explain their three pillars: Connect, Develop and Serve by sharing what each committee does and how participation from members makes each committee more valuable and talking about upcoming events and affinity groups.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YPK:
đ You donât actually have to be that young. I know, I know⌠itâs in the name of the organization, Young Professionals of Knoxville – but there is no age restriction to how old you can be. Arenât we all young at heart anyway? đ But seriously, the only stipulations are that you are a young professional, over 21, and that you live, work, or play in Knoxville.
âď¸ Yes, there are membership dues ($200 for new members, and $100 for renewing members) BUT if you come to any of their free YPK 101 events, you can get 25% off your new member dues which is $50 buckaroos (and like, several coffees and bagels from K Brew)!
đ Just like most things in life, you will get out of it what you put into it. There are no mandatory meetings or required attendance to events but showing up and getting involved will make all the difference!
If none of this is up your alley but youâre still looking to find community locally, hop on over to this article to find a ton of different ideas on where to go and what to do to meet people and connect. Hope to see you on Tuesday and if you have questions, please reach out to me on the ole Instagram @knoxknena!Â
Cheers,
Nena
