Clip In or Kick Back - Urban Meets Mountain Adventure: This tour blends urban exploration with heart-pumping outdoor thrills in East Tennessee. Guests will discover the best of Knoxville and the Peaceful Side of the Smokies in nearby Maryville and Townsend, where culture and adventure go hand in hand. Get to know Knoxville-a “nature-loving, adventure-seeking, artsy-kinda town." Cyclists can hit the Urban Wilderness for epic downhill riding at Baker Creek, or take a more laid-back path and experience the city's vibrant arts scene. Then it’s off to the Smokies, where Vee Hollow’s trails deliver serious flow and Cades Cove offers a slower-paced scenic reset. The experience rounds out with treetop ziplines, sunset paddles, craft distilleries and mountain-made meals.
Location: Knoxville, TN
Minimum Participants: 3
Maximum Participants: 5
Primary Contact: - Amanda Murphy, TN Tourism, 615-948-6573
- Kristen Combs, Visit Knoxville, 865.306.4341
Who can attend & Cost: - Active OWAA members (media) - $0
- Supporting group members (non-media, partners, speakers) - Not Eligible
- Spouses/partners - Not Eligible
Transportation: - Self driving? Meet in-market where shuttles will be provided for all itinerary stops.
- Flying? Shuttles available to transport from Chattanooga to destination.
- Closest Airport: McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville. Shuttles will transport from destination to airport at conclusion of FAM.
ITINERARY (subject to change)Day 1 - Friday, Aug. 22- 9:00 AM Depart Chattanooga
- 11:00 AM Welcome to Knoxville: a nature-loving-adventure-seeking-artsy-kinda-town!
Check in to your hotel and relax before a day of exploring. - 12:00 PM Guided Downtown Knoxville Walking Tour
• Pretentious Beer Company, possibly the only place in the world where you can enjoy a hand-crafted beverage in a hand-crafted glass and see both made on site (and it’s one of more than 25 local breweries on Knoxville’s Ale Trail)
• Photo ops outside the Tennessee Theatre, Charles Krutch Park, and Strong Alley (also known as Artist Alley)
• East Tennessee History Center for insight into the people and places that make this region unique - Lunch along the way
Yassin’s Falafel House which won the title of “Nicest Place in America” in 2018 via a national contest sponsored by Reader’s Digest. - Afternoon Free time, refresh in hotel, explore on own
- 6:00 PM Dinner at Vida
- 8:00 PM (optional) Navitat at Night
Situated on a wooded bluff overlooking the Tennessee River adjacent to Ijams Nature Center, the Treetop Zipline Adventure Park offers 6 adventure trails ranging from easy to extreme. Each adventure trail consists of 8-12 elements including zip lines, bridges, swings, nets, climbs, and more. The adventure park is certain to delight first-time trekkers (as young as 7 years old) and to challenge even the most ardent adventure seeker. - Evening After Dinner Drinks on Own
Day 2 - Saturday, Aug. 23- 9:00 AM Breakfast + Market Square Farmers Market
Grab something from the Market Square Farmers Market - you'll find food trucks on Union Ave. or wander the stalls and pick up coffee and some breakfast pastries. Everything at the Market Square Farmers Market is grown, raised, and/or made by our vendors within a 150-mile radius of Knoxville, Tennessee. Products vary by season and include fresh fruits & vegetables, eggs, honey, pasture-raised meats, edible & ornamental plants, cut flowers, bread & baked goods, jams & jellies, coffee, artisan crafts, and more! - 10:00 AM Drive to Fort Dickerson on the way to Ijams
Fort Dickerson, one of the best-preserved earthen forts from the Civil War era, is nestled in a spectacular city park featuring a pristine quarry lake and more than four miles of multi-use natural trails. There are two shelters for enjoying a picnic after walking the interactive trail around the fort, which includes three authentic replica cannons. - Ijams Nature Center
Hike Mead's Quarry Loop to see the Keyhole - 12:00 PM Lunch at 71 South 71
71 South is nestled within the heart of Knoxville's Urban Wilderness. Our home, the Baker Creek Preserve, boasts a nearly century-old church that has been transformed into a vibrant dining destination. - 1:00 PMT our Baker Creek Preserve
Boasting two paved pump tracks and a paved jump line the Baker Creek Bike Park, Baker Creek Preserve is a favorite for riders of all ages, and can be ridden when other trails are too wet. This park has 3 Downhill Mountain Bike trails along with 5 multiuse trails. The park hosts 8 miles of trail, and connects to the other 52 miles of trails in the network. - 2:00-5:00 PM Option 1: Grab a Mountain Bike and test the tracks
- 2:00 PM Option 2: Tour Knoxville Museum of Art
The Knoxville Museum of Art’s collection includes more than 1500 objects-works on paper, paintings, mixed media works, and sculpture—with particular focus on the art history of East Tennessee from the mid-19th century to the present, and on recent developments in international contemporary art. - 3:00 PM Sunsphere
The 4th Floor Observation Deck offers a breathtaking 360-degree view stretching from downtown to the Great Smoky Mountains including World’s Fair Park, the Tennessee River, and the University of Tennessee Campus. A 1982 World’s Fair timeline, gallery, memorabilia, and gift shop await visitors. - 3:30 PM Free time, refresh in hotel, explore on own
- 6:00 PM Dinner at Maple Room
- 7:00 PM Sunset Paddle with Knoxville Adventure Collective
Join us at The Knoxville Adventure Collective headquarters for a night paddle on the Tennessee River as the sun sets behind the downtown Knoxville skyline. The night lights from the city create unique paddling experience only offered at the Adventure Collective. Each renter is provided with a LED light to keep you safe on the water. Night paddles launch each Saturday Night from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.
Day 3 - Sunday, Aug. 24- 9:00 AM Breakfast - pick up sandwiches at French Market
- 9:30 AM Slow Bike Ride to UT Gardens - (2.5 mi each way)
- 12:00 PM Depart Knoxville
- 1:00 PM Lunch/Brunch - Bella in Downtown Maryville
- 3:00 PM Tasting and Bottle Pour- Company Distilling, Townsend, TN
- 4:30 PM Cabin Check-in- Little Arrow Resort
- 6:30 PM Dinner- Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro
Day 4 - Monday, Aug. 25- 8:00 AM Breakfast at Little Arrow
- 9:00AM Tour of Cades Cove and hike- Smoky Mountain Guides
- 12:30PM Lunch- The Townsend Abbey
- 2:00PM Vee Hollow Mountain Biking/Greenway Biking/Heritage Center
- 4:30PM Return to cabin to refresh
- 6:00PM Dinner- Peaceful Side Social
Day 5 - Tuesday, Aug 26- 9:00 AM Breakfast Apple Valley Cafe
- 10:00 AM Tour of Tuckaleechee Caverns
- 12:00 PM Depart (roughly 45 min drive to airport)
Deadline to Register: July 15, 2025
