Road trip from Knoxville to Lexington
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Food & Drink
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Museums
Food & Drink
Shopping
Nightlife
Sights & Landmarks
Nature & Parks
Concerts & Shows
Fun & Games
Outdoor Activities
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ITINERARY
3h 11m170 miles33 stops
1
Knoxville National Cemetery
2
The Mill and Mine
3
PostModern Spirits
PostModern Spirits in the heart of Knoxville's Old City open 7 days a week produces mindfully crafted spirits for the modern drinker. Visitors can savor PostModern's various offerings in the comfortable cocktail/tasting room or Thursday-Sunday join one of the fun distillery tours and tastings. Now producing several distinct varieties of gin, vodka, liqueurs like chamomile, cacao, elderberry, and bitter orange amaro arancia. Along with our American Single Malt Whiskey developed in collaboration with a local brewery!
4
Peter Kern Library
Hidden inside the historic Kern Building, behind The Oliver Hotel lobby, is Knoxville’s one and only speakeasy, The Peter Kern Library. Once a well-kept secret, the bar is now a beloved institution. The dark wood, fireplace, rows of books, and cocktails named after literary characters create a warm and cozy atmosphere where time seems to stop.
5
Krutch Park
6
Tennessee Theatre
Located in the heart of downtown Knoxville, the Tennessee Theatre opened in 1928 as a movie palace. The Tennessee Theatre is the Official State Theatre of Tennessee and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Tennessee Theatre is the region's leading performing arts facility with advanced technology, staging and lighting that draws top entertainment to the Knoxville area.
7
Blount Mansion
8
Hi Wire Brewing - Knoxville
9
High Ground Park & River Bluff Wildlife Area
Scenic birds eye view of Tennessee river, UT Knoxville, and Knoxville City. Short 0.42 miles hiking (both way less than 1 mile).
10
Knoxville Botanical Garden
11
Muse Knoxville
Muse Knoxville is a children’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math (STEAM) museum located in Chilhowee Park. Our programs in the museum, in schools across East Tennessee, & throughout Knoxville bring STEM, the arts, health & wellness, & emergent literacy to life in the minds of children. We inspire & empower ALL children through transformative learning experiences through a variety of hands-on and inquiry-based, exhibits and Outreach programs for children aged 6 mos. to 10 y/o. *Museum Play - Indoor educational learning & play spaces, a full-dome planetarium, outdoor learning spaces & a playground! *Field Trips - Bring your class, homeschool, daycare or youth group for a day of fun! *Parties/Events - Choose from a variety of packages to celebrate your special day with us. *Planetarium - We house East Tennessee's only public-access planetarium with shows that rotate every hour!
12
Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
13
McKay's Knoxville
McKay's is a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. People bring us their previously loved books, movies, video games, music, etc., and we offer them cash or store credit in return. Everything you find on our shelves was brought to us by other customers like you! And because of that, you truly never know what you're going to find. Every visit to McKay's is a unique adventure.
14
Ijams Nature Center
Ijams Nature Center is a 315-acre member- and visitor-supported nonprofit organization, where people of all ages can hike, bike, paddle, climb, learn, explore, or simply enjoy nature in Knoxville, TN. The grounds and trails are open every day from 8:00am until dusk. The Visitor Center, including exhibits, gift shop, offices, and restrooms are open during regular business hours. Admission to the park is free, and we gladly accept donations. Fees for programs and special events vary. Established in 1910 by the Ijams (pronounced "EYE-ams") family for bird-watchers and nature-lovers, Ijams Nature Center has been ranked one of Knoxville's top three attractions by TripAdvisor, winning their 2016 Certificate of Excellence . Your generous support is needed to continue the ongoing legacy for generations to come!
15
Radius Rooftop Lounge
16
Smart Toys and Books
17
THE CUTTING EDGE CLASSROOM
Educating East Tennessee in culinary skills and introducing fun into the kitchen! We provide safe and exciting classes for all skill levels from beginner to advanced! You will learn from the best Chefs in the area, meet new friends, cook like a pro, and enjoy what you have created! We also offer a variety of private group classes perfect for team building or other needs.
18
Farragut Folklife Museum
19
Waveland State Historic Site
Experience 19th century plantation life at this historic compound where you can tour the mansion or "big house," see quarters where slaves lived, visit a smokehouse and other elements of daily life in the Old South.
20
Fayette Mall
Fayette Mall is located at the intersection of Nicholasville Road and Reynolds Road. The mall is central Kentucky’s premier shopping destination with over 170 retailer and dining options including The Disney Store, H&M, Michael Kors, Sephora and The Cheesecake Factory. Fayette Mall also features a children’s play area located in Center Court. Mobile device charging stations can be found in the Food Court. WiFi is available at Starbucks, Dillard’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Customer Service Center is located inside the front entrance next to P.F. Chang’s. Visit shopfayette-mall.com for more information including a complete list of retailers, restaurants, entertainment options and a mall map.
21
Comedy Off Broadway
22
Activate - Lexington
Activate offers high-tech games that test your team’s physical and mental agility across a wide variety of real-life challenges. Once inside, you and your team choose from hundreds of combinations of games and difficulty levels, each lasting one to three minutes. Your electronic wristband tracks your score and progress throughout your experience.
23
Fresh Bourbon Distillery
We make bourbon for the way you drink. Brining a fresh take on a classic, we want your next --or first--bourbon experience to be exactly the way you like it. Because the best bourbon doesn't need instructions. As the first African Americans to make Kentucky bourbon since slavery, we approach things a little differently. Fresh Bourbon is meant to be enjoyed. Drink it neat or let it shine in a cocktail. Whether you're a first-taster or a tastemaker, we believe bourbon is for everyone.
24
Trust Lounge
25
Failte Irish Imports
Bringing Ireland to Lexington since 2001. Wonderful unique gifts for the whole family!
26
Centro
27
Lexington Convention Center
28
St. Paul Catholic Church
29
Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.
The first era of the Lexington Brewing Co. began in the 1890s and came to a halt during Prohibition, changing ownership several times in the decades that followed. By the time Pearse Lyons and his son, Mark, explored the brewery in 1999, it was a dilapidated shell of what it had once been. However, Pearse was a visionary and entrepreneur and saw only what it could be. Spurred by a passion for brewing and distilling that courses through the Lyons family lineage of Irish coopers, Pearse revived Lexington Brewing Co. and restored a craft beer tradition that dates back to the 1700s. Pearse continued to dream big as he set his sights on distilling — a natural progression given his background in fermentation, his family’s heritage and Kentucky’s bourbon tradition. Two copper pot stills that were commissioned from Scotland arrived at Lexington Brewing Co. in 2008. In 2012, Town Branch Distillery opened, first new distillery to be built in Lexington, Kentucky, in more than 100 yrs.
30
Mary Todd Lincoln House
Discover one of America's most fascinating first ladies during a visit to her girlhood home. The wife of President Abraham Lincoln grew up in this house. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln visited her family here. Today the home contains period furniture, portraits, and furnishings. The museum offers self-guided and guided tours. After your visit, guests are welcome to visit the Museum Store and the small garden. The property is located in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. Convenient walking distance to local hotels and restaurants. Free parking is located directly behind the house. Guests may park in the museum’s designated parking or in the neighboring lot behind Main Street Baptist Church. Metered parking also available on Main Street. Holiday schedule varies. Open seasonally March 15th - November 30th.
31
Kentucky Scenic Byway
32
Legacy Trail
33
Gainesway Farm
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
1
Start:Knoxville National Cemetery
Knoxville, Tennessee·
5.0
(9) review
939 Tyson St, Knoxville, TN 37917-7143
2
Start:The Mill and Mine
Knoxville, Tennessee·
5.0
(9) review
227 W Depot Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917-7521
3
Start:PostModern Spirits
Knoxville, Tennessee·
5.0
(9) review
PostModern Spirits in the heart of Knoxville's Old City open 7 days a week produces mindfully crafted spirits for the modern drinker. Visitors can savor PostModern's various offerings in the comfortable cocktail/tasting room or Thursday-Sunday join one of the fun distillery tours and tastings. Now producing several distinct varieties of gin, vodka, liqueurs like chamomile, cacao, elderberry, and bitter orange amaro arancia. Along with our American Single Malt Whiskey developed in collaboration with a local brewery!
4
Start:Peter Kern Library
Knoxville, Tennessee·
4.0
(99) review
Hidden inside the historic Kern Building, behind The Oliver Hotel lobby, is Knoxville’s one and only speakeasy, The Peter Kern Library. Once a well-kept secret, the bar is now a beloved institution. The dark wood, fireplace, rows of books, and cocktails named after literary characters create a warm and cozy atmosphere where time seems to stop.
5
Start:Krutch Park
Knoxville, Tennessee·
4.5
(90) review
504 Market St, Knoxville, TN 37902-2107
6
Start:Tennessee Theatre
Knoxville, Tennessee·
5.0
(716) review
Located in the heart of downtown Knoxville, the Tennessee Theatre opened in 1928 as a movie palace. The Tennessee Theatre is the Official State Theatre of Tennessee and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Tennessee Theatre is the region's leading performing arts facility with advanced technology, staging and lighting that draws top entertainment to the Knoxville area.
7
Start:Blount Mansion
Knoxville, Tennessee·
4.5
(74) review
200 W Hill Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902-1812
8
Start:Hi Wire Brewing - Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee·
4.5
(9) review
906 Sevier Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920-1863
9
Start:High Ground Park & River Bluff Wildlife Area
Knoxville, Tennessee·
4.5
(8) review
Scenic birds eye view of Tennessee river, UT Knoxville, and Knoxville City. Short 0.42 miles hiking (both way less than 1 mile).
10
Start:Knoxville Botanical Garden
Knoxville, Tennessee·
3.5
(97) review
2743 Wimpole Ave, Knoxville, TN 37914-5958
11
Start:Muse Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee·
4.0
(91) review
Muse Knoxville is a children’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math (STEAM) museum located in Chilhowee Park. Our programs in the museum, in schools across East Tennessee, & throughout Knoxville bring STEM, the arts, health & wellness, & emergent literacy to life in the minds of children. We inspire & empower ALL children through transformative learning experiences through a variety of hands-on and inquiry-based, exhibits and Outreach programs for children aged 6 mos. to 10 y/o. *Museum Play - Indoor educational learning & play spaces, a full-dome planetarium, outdoor learning spaces & a playground! *Field Trips - Bring your class, homeschool, daycare or youth group for a day of fun! *Parties/Events - Choose from a variety of packages to celebrate your special day with us. *Planetarium - We house East Tennessee's only public-access planetarium with shows that rotate every hour!
12
Start:Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Knoxville, Tennessee·
4.5
(9) review
711 S Northshore Dr, Knoxville, TN 37919-7593
13
Start:McKay's Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee·
4.5
(79) review
McKay's is a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. People bring us their previously loved books, movies, video games, music, etc., and we offer them cash or store credit in return. Everything you find on our shelves was brought to us by other customers like you! And because of that, you truly never know what you're going to find. Every visit to McKay's is a unique adventure.
14
Start:Ijams Nature Center
Knoxville, Tennessee·
4.5
(871) review
Ijams Nature Center is a 315-acre member- and visitor-supported nonprofit organization, where people of all ages can hike, bike, paddle, climb, learn, explore, or simply enjoy nature in Knoxville, TN. The grounds and trails are open every day from 8:00am until dusk. The Visitor Center, including exhibits, gift shop, offices, and restrooms are open during regular business hours. Admission to the park is free, and we gladly accept donations. Fees for programs and special events vary. Established in 1910 by the Ijams (pronounced "EYE-ams") family for bird-watchers and nature-lovers, Ijams Nature Center has been ranked one of Knoxville's top three attractions by TripAdvisor, winning their 2016 Certificate of Excellence . Your generous support is needed to continue the ongoing legacy for generations to come!
15
Start:Radius Rooftop Lounge
Knoxville, Tennessee·
4.0
(9) review
Embassy Suites By Hilton 507 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
16
Start:Smart Toys and Books
Knoxville, Tennessee·
4.0
(8) review
9700 Kingston Pike Ste 12, Knoxville, TN 37922-3384
17
Start:THE CUTTING EDGE CLASSROOM
Knoxville, Tennessee·
2.5
(8) review
Educating East Tennessee in culinary skills and introducing fun into the kitchen! We provide safe and exciting classes for all skill levels from beginner to advanced! You will learn from the best Chefs in the area, meet new friends, cook like a pro, and enjoy what you have created! We also offer a variety of private group classes perfect for team building or other needs.
18
Start:Farragut Folklife Museum
Knoxville, Tennessee·
4.5
(9) review
11408 Municipal Center Dr, Knoxville, TN 37934-2830
19
Start:Waveland State Historic Site
Lexington, Kentucky·
4.5
(97) review
Experience 19th century plantation life at this historic compound where you can tour the mansion or "big house," see quarters where slaves lived, visit a smokehouse and other elements of daily life in the Old South.
20
Start:Fayette Mall
Lexington, Kentucky·
4.5
(91) review
Fayette Mall is located at the intersection of Nicholasville Road and Reynolds Road. The mall is central Kentucky’s premier shopping destination with over 170 retailer and dining options including The Disney Store, H&M, Michael Kors, Sephora and The Cheesecake Factory. Fayette Mall also features a children’s play area located in Center Court. Mobile device charging stations can be found in the Food Court. WiFi is available at Starbucks, Dillard’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Customer Service Center is located inside the front entrance next to P.F. Chang’s. Visit shopfayette-mall.com for more information including a complete list of retailers, restaurants, entertainment options and a mall map.
21
Start:Comedy Off Broadway
Lexington, Kentucky·
4.0
(75) review
161 Lexington Green Cir, Lexington, KY 40503-3325
22
Start:Activate - Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky·
5.0
(9) review
Activate offers high-tech games that test your team’s physical and mental agility across a wide variety of real-life challenges. Once inside, you and your team choose from hundreds of combinations of games and difficulty levels, each lasting one to three minutes. Your electronic wristband tracks your score and progress throughout your experience.
23
Start:Fresh Bourbon Distillery
Lexington, Kentucky·
5.0
(8) review
We make bourbon for the way you drink. Brining a fresh take on a classic, we want your next --or first--bourbon experience to be exactly the way you like it. Because the best bourbon doesn't need instructions. As the first African Americans to make Kentucky bourbon since slavery, we approach things a little differently. Fresh Bourbon is meant to be enjoyed. Drink it neat or let it shine in a cocktail. Whether you're a first-taster or a tastemaker, we believe bourbon is for everyone.
24
Start:Trust Lounge
Lexington, Kentucky·
3.0
(9) review
123 W Main St, Lexington, KY 40507-1320
25
Start:Failte Irish Imports
Lexington, Kentucky·
5.0
(9) review
Bringing Ireland to Lexington since 2001. Wonderful unique gifts for the whole family!
26
Start:Centro
Lexington, Kentucky·
4.0
(9) review
113 Cheapside, Lexington, KY 40507-1303
27
Start:Lexington Convention Center
Lexington, Kentucky·
4.0
(83) review
430 W. Vine St., Lexington, KY 40507
28
Start:St. Paul Catholic Church
Lexington, Kentucky·
4.5
(9) review
501 West Short Sreet., Lexington, KY 40507-1254
29
Start:Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.
Lexington, Kentucky·
4.5
(984) review
The first era of the Lexington Brewing Co. began in the 1890s and came to a halt during Prohibition, changing ownership several times in the decades that followed. By the time Pearse Lyons and his son, Mark, explored the brewery in 1999, it was a dilapidated shell of what it had once been. However, Pearse was a visionary and entrepreneur and saw only what it could be. Spurred by a passion for brewing and distilling that courses through the Lyons family lineage of Irish coopers, Pearse revived Lexington Brewing Co. and restored a craft beer tradition that dates back to the 1700s. Pearse continued to dream big as he set his sights on distilling — a natural progression given his background in fermentation, his family’s heritage and Kentucky’s bourbon tradition. Two copper pot stills that were commissioned from Scotland arrived at Lexington Brewing Co. in 2008. In 2012, Town Branch Distillery opened, first new distillery to be built in Lexington, Kentucky, in more than 100 yrs.
30
Start:Mary Todd Lincoln House
Lexington, Kentucky·
4.5
(763) review
Discover one of America's most fascinating first ladies during a visit to her girlhood home. The wife of President Abraham Lincoln grew up in this house. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln visited her family here. Today the home contains period furniture, portraits, and furnishings. The museum offers self-guided and guided tours. After your visit, guests are welcome to visit the Museum Store and the small garden. The property is located in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. Convenient walking distance to local hotels and restaurants. Free parking is located directly behind the house. Guests may park in the museum’s designated parking or in the neighboring lot behind Main Street Baptist Church. Metered parking also available on Main Street. Holiday schedule varies. Open seasonally March 15th - November 30th.
31
Start:Kentucky Scenic Byway
Lexington, Kentucky·
4.5
(86) review
Alexandra Drive, Lexington, KY
32
Start:Legacy Trail
Lexington, Kentucky·
4.5
(89) review
381 W Loudon Ave, Lexington, KY 40508-3730
33
Start:Gainesway Farm
Lexington, Kentucky·
5.0
(9) review
3750 Paris Pike, Lexington, KY 40511-9411
CHECKLIST
GPS device or app
Download Offline Map
Car charger and portable battery
Water bottles and snacks
Travel pillow and blanket
Sunglasses and sunscreen
First-aid kit
Trash bags
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Driver’s license and vehicle registration
Cash and cards
Camera or smartphone
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Knoxville and Lexington?
The distance is 170 miles
What's the travel time between Knoxville and Lexington?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 3h 11m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Knoxville and Lexington?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Lexington?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Lexington
What’s the weather like in Lexington?
The weather in Lexington is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Lexington in January
Weather in Lexington in February
Weather in Lexington in March
Weather in Lexington in April
Weather in Lexington in May
Weather in Lexington in June
Weather in Lexington in July
Weather in Lexington in August
Weather in Lexington in September
Weather in Lexington in October
Weather in Lexington in November
Weather in Lexington in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Lexington?
Plan your dream Lexington trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Lexington
A 2-day itinerary in Lexington
A 3-day itinerary in Lexington
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Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in Knoxville?
We have a lot of great trip options for Knoxville! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you