Free Attractions Lead to Family Fun in Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee is brimming with attractions that are not only fun, but also easy on the wallet! Did you know that East Tennessee offers a variety of free attractions that are sure to spell family fun in Knoxville?

My family recently headed to the Volunteer State to experience some of the fun in Knoxville and this is what we found:

World’s Fair Park                                                                                      1060 World’s Fair Park Drive 

The World’s Fair Park, once the site of  the 1982 World’s Fair, continues to brim with fun and excitement. Not only is this park home to the iconic Sunsphere,

the sprawling lawn and amphitheater are perfect for festivals and concerts,

and the flowing fountains are perfect for cooling young and old alike as the temperatures climb.    

The park is a must stop for anyone driving through Knoxville, and offers a fun look at the city.

The Knoxville Museum of Art                                                                1050 Worlds Fair Park Drive

Located right on the edge of the World’s Fair Park, the art museum offers more free fun in Knoxville. The exhibits offer a range of media, style and technique with a permanent collection and temporary traveling exhibits. Don’t miss a stop in the gift shop where you’ll find a few fun and unique items. Outdoors you can stroll through the courtyard to view the sculpture garden which also offers a peek at the park below.

After exploring the park and art museum you can jump abroad the free trolley to add to your family’s fun in Knoxville where you can hop on and off about anywhere you’d like. Sure beats finding a parking spot!

9-11 Memorial                                                                                                                                     400 Main St.

More solemn than fun, this black granite obelisk stands as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack that shocked our nation on September 11, 2001. The names of those lost on that day are forever etched into the stone.  The memorial is housed under a large wind chime that softly rings as the wind blows. After visiting the memorial, you can travel up the street to so view some historical markers and around the corner on Gay St. to continue your family fun in Knoxville artsy style!

The Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum         2743 Wimpole Avenue

Another stop for fun in Knoxville, the Botanical Garden and Arboretum offer the perfect backdrop for family pictures and apparently weddings.  We didn’t stick around long here because there happened to be a private wedding taking place along the stone terrace. But if you’re in the area and looking for a place to stretch your legs, this could be just the place.

If you find yourself near Knoxville you’ll also want to check out Ijams Nature Center, a 275 acre wildlife sanctuary that has an impressive Visitor Center with museum like exhibits and several biking and hiking trails. My family especially enjoys the trail that runs along the Tennessee River. Ijams is celebrating their 100th Anniversary this year and have some fun events planned throughout the year.

Have you visited any of these attractions? Please share your experience and fee free to add any free attractions that you’re aware of in Knoxville.

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal~ Week 17

 

In my life this week…

I invested hours and hours of time making some changes to my only to loose it all when Blogger went haywire. Ugghhh…I only hope that it comes back up this weekend so I don’t have to redo all the html. My eyes are still crossed.  

In our homeschool this week…

Well, I told you what I was up to. My kids were basically on their own. That’s okay – they’re teenagers, remember? We did get together for some bible time and to continue reading God’s Smuggler, a story told by Brother Andrew.  If we were consistent about our family read aloud time we’d have it finished by now and have already moved on but we’re savoring this book. We all love it (even if my daughter would rather read it herself).    

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We’re heading somewhere very special this weekend! Tomorrow is GAME DAY! Yep, my boys’ are going to play their first football game near Atlanta. They’re really excited. They are also excited that the Jamboree wraps up the spring football clinic. They’ll have a bit of time off until they begin summer football, then fall football. Sigh…I dream of football.  

My favorite thing this week was…

Mother’s Day! My kids were so wonderful! They each spent their own money to buy me bouquets of flowers, a scented candle, and decorative keepsake box. I was really surprised. After church my family wanted to take me out to eat but since it was my choice we got carryout from Zaxby’s.  We were going to watch a movie but on our way to the theater I got sick. SICK, can you believe that? The kids didn’t even act disappointed, they grabbed a movie from Redbox and some snacks from Walmart and had our movie night at home.  I just love my family.

What’s working/not working for us…

This really has nothing to do with homeschooling per se, but I’m going to throw it out there. Having two new drivers in the house is taking some getting used to. I was alright with them driving to the Y which is five minutes away on a clear, sunny day. I was kind of alright when they wanted to drive a bit further and go to the mall down the road. I was not okay when they wanted to drive to football practice by themselves on the Interstate. But I held my breath, said a pray and watched them drive away. I was not okay when they wanted to drop a friend off on the way home from football practice. But my husband reminded me that they’d been driving for almost a year before they got their license. They would make that step sometime. I was not okay when they wanted to go to the movies after football practice and I knew they’d be driving in the dark (even though they’ve done both WITH me in the car)! And I was certainly not okay when  they wanted to drive in the dark AND in the rain! Every step forward sent me reeling. And I thought it was hard to watch them ride their bike for the first time without training wheels! Driving is a whole new dynamic. In the midst of one of those moments, I opened my email and found a reassuring message from a dear friend reminding me of Psalm 91 and especially of the verses that she prays over her children- (who happen to be older than mine, some already  on their own)-  

⁹ If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
   and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm will overtake you,
   no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
   to guard you in all your ways;
¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
   so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 

Comforting words from an older sister in the Lord who’s already walked through the steps of loosening her grip that I’m now also facing.  

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…

I’m beginning to plan for next year. We aren’t quite where we should be in math. I wonder what the record is for how many programs a person could complete in one year. Anyone?

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Where we’re headed….

 

Don’t forget to stop by The Homeschool Chick to be encouraged by other journal entries or to add one of your own.

Until next week ~ Happy Homeschooling!

Visit Me at The Homeschool Classroom and Learn to Make a Cute Travel Craft

Okay, I have a secret to tell you. I’m working on an e-book. There I said it. Now maybe that will actually spur me on towards the finish line! You can expect the finished product around the middle of June. Hopefully sooner, but I’m trying to be realistic here—insert *smile*. 

Anyway, if you want to get a sneak peek, head on over to The Homeschool Classroom and you’ll see one of the cute travel crafts that will be in my e-book. Step- by-step directions to creating your own Travel Trivia Notebook. Enjoy!      

And the Winner Is……

Do you remember this post? The one where I begged for tips for free places to visit on our upcoming trip to Orlando?

Well, I have a WINNER!

Drum roll please….

Congratulations to Stef from Educating Layton! WooHoo! 

This is Stef’s tip:

Downtown Disney is FREE - AND you can go to the Lego store and build race cars w/ their legos for FREE to race other kids right outside under a covered area!

My family loved that tip because last time we visited Orlando, we skipped Downtown Disney so they aren’t about to miss out this time around! I’m not sure if the boys will build race cars, but you better believe we won’t miss a stop at the Lego Animation Store! 

Okay Stef, per the contest rules: 

You will have until Saturday, May 14th to email me a picture of your Flat Traveler (I only need a picture, I’ll even dress your traveler for the occasion).

Congratulations, Stef! You’re traveler will accompany us on the Star Tours ride before it’s even open to the public! How cool is that? Oh yeah, don’t forget that I’m going to pick up a little something for you there as well.  

Mark Your Calendars, You Won’t Want to Miss this Giveaway!

I was recently asked to offer a review of  Earn It, Learn It: Teach Your Child the Value of Money, Work, and Time Well Spent by Alisa T. Weinsteins’s. My first thought was no. I’m trying to integrate more travel topics to my blog and this book just didn’t fit the description. But I was intrigued, so I continued reading. The more I read, the more excited I became, so I emailed Alisa and told her that I’d love to receive a review copy. 

My copy arrived within days and I have to tell you that I’m LOVING it! But you’ll have to wait a bit to hear WHY I enjoy it so much. However, I did want to give you a heads up. Not only did I get a copy of this book, Alisha has graciously agreed to bless one of my blog readers with a copy too! How fun is that? So, stay tuned, you’ll see my review and here more about the giveaway next week. You won’t want to miss it!