KNOX ROCKS
VISIT KNOXVILLE INVITES YOU AND YOUR PET TO DISCOVER THE SCRUFFY CITY
Knoxville has gone to the dogs – literally! There’s no better place to bring your furry best friend than to the up and coming place known as Scruffy City. Knoxville is known for its southern hospitality to human folk, but Knoxville loves and caters to your four-legged friends as well.
Throughout Knoxville you will find welcoming signs for your dog like fresh bowls of water just waiting to be lapped, dog-friendly events, and plenty of area parks for your pooch to roam free. Knoxville is most definitely the perfect playground for your furry family member to explore mountaintops, trails and enjoy splashing in the area “watering holes.”
They can sniff out delicious unique cuisine or local craft breweries with dog-friendly patios for you and your pal to enjoy together. In one, unique location, mountains meet music… art meets adventure… culture meets cuisine… and no one meets a stranger. Your companion will get plenty of exercise too, exploring the very walkable downtown that allows people to explore and discover vibrant murals, local music, historic sites, art museums, parks, greenways and more. With its sophisticated mix of culture and cuisine, served up with genuine hospitality, visiting Knoxville with your pooch has never been easier or more fun!
Our adventure begins for outdoor loving dogs and their families at Knoxville’s unique Urban Wilderness that is 1000 acres of outdoor fun, including the Navitat Canopy Adventure. Check out the Ijams Nature Center, 315 acres consisting of 12 miles of trails for biking and hiking plus the Tennessee River for paddling and kayaking, all pet friendly.
Did we say paddling? You and your pooch can enjoy tandem SUP (Stand Up Paddle) at iconic Billy Lush, a one-of-a-kind experience featuring a unique indoor bar and an awesome adventure with your furry friend paddling on the Tennessee River.
If foot-power is more your speed, there are more than 50 miles of hiking and biking trails through rolling hills and along the river, plus 85 miles of greenway, and tons of parks, including SEVEN Pet Safe Dog Parks! Even the grounds of Knoxville’s exquisite Botanical Gardens are dog friendly.
No trip to Knoxville would be complete without a stop at the War Dog Memorial where you and your furry family can pay homage to the dogs that served and lost their lives in World War II. This exact replica of the official memorial in Guam was donated to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and honors not only the war dogs but symbolizes the special connection people share with dogs.
Ready for a great brew and burger? Head for Balter Beer works where tasty craft beer flows like the Tennessee River itself. Balter and its pet friendly patio is one of many breweries and hot spots in and near downtown. And, if you journey to Knoxville on the first Friday of the month, you’ll experience a long-on-going art, food and fun event known as First Friday. Dogs are welcome to stroll down historic Gay Street with their people to enjoy art, live music, doggie delicacies and special water bowls placed outside just for them.
Of course, the Scruffy City has many pet friendly hotels. One that is especially welcoming to furry guests is the pet friendly Holiday Inn World’s Fair Park, next to the iconic Sunsphere. Dogs are welcome in the spacious lobby, the park and surrounding trails and there’s a special dog park/comfort area that is attached to the hotel.
Want to know more about pet friendly Knoxville? Check out VisitKnoxville at www.visitknoxville.com and ask them for their curated list of pet friendly hotels, restaurants, shops and adventures.