A quick visit (Knoxville: hotels, movies, restaurants)

[dawn4261]

My family will be visiting knoxville from nashville on the 24th thru the 26th to go to our favorite restaurant Sonny's BBQ. We've never been there so we'd like to do some sight seeing but on a tight budget. Is anything going on that weekend that our girls ages 5 & 9 might enjoy? They like all activities inside and out. Can someone suggest a place we should visit or a park. Does anyone know of a hotel near the restaurant that we can stay at that's safe but not too expensive? Possibly $50-75 a night? Thanks for the help, can't wait to come.
Dawn

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by dawn4261

My family will be visiting knoxville from nashville on the 24th thru the 26th to go to our favorite restaurant Sonny's BBQ. We've never been there so we'd like to do some sight seeing but on a tight budget. Is anything going on that weekend that our girls ages 5 & 9 might enjoy? They like all activities inside and out. Can someone suggest a place we should visit or a park. Does anyone know of a hotel near the restaurant that we can stay at that's safe but not too expensive? Possibly $50-75 a night? Thanks for the help, can't wait to come.
Dawn

Perfect timing! You'll be here during our fantastic Rossini Festival. It's downtown, free and there are kid's things to do. It's a not-miss activity.

The Knoxville Opera

[Tn405]

Lots of hotels right near Sonny's....one right acrossed the street is Microtel or Microhotel...something like that. There is also Holiday Inn Express at Cedar Bluff about 5 min away and right off the Interstate exit 378

[oldmanbob]

Zuma is a must, as your youngins will like that, and a reasonable place would be the Jamison Inn, and fairly reasoable prices, running around 79 per night. The Marriott, has 3 great places all close, and the Springhill suites, has an indoor pool.

[BRH]

I love Sonny's too. Also, I love Famous Dave's BBQ and both are located right next to each other at the Cedar Bluff exit. As far as hotels go, as already mentioned, there are several hotels off of the Cedar Bluff exit (where Sonny's is). Also, this is a main shopping area (near a Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods, Lowe's, etc.) so it is a safe and nice area. Of course anything can happen anywhere, but you shouldn't have any problems in that area. Right off the top of my head, as far as hotels off that exit go, I know there is Red Roof Inn, Country Inn and Suites, Holiday Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, La Quinta, Hampton Inns, and Hilton Garden Inn, so you should have no trouble locating a decent room. Also, if you like to shop, just a couple of miles down Parkside Dr. (where Sonny's is), is the huge Turkey Creek shopping complex (with tons of stores, restaurants, movies, etc.) You'll see it on your way into town off to the right of I-40.

Also, as far as activities go. Let me second the reccomendation by Hiknapster for the Rossini Festival. I went last year, and it's a lot of fun. They close down Gay Street downtown and have all kinds of vendors, shows, and fun for adults and kids. Also, it will give you the chance to walk around and see downtown Knoxville, Market Square, and World's Fair Park. The kids might also enjoy a trip to The Knoxville Zoo, or taking the elevator to the top of the Sunsphere while downtown for a beautiful view (and it's free). And as far as parks go, there are many in town. Fort Kid, is located right next to World's Fair Park and would be handy if you do visit downtown. But my personal favorite is Fountain City Park (it has a wonderful playground, walking trail, and is located next to the Duck Pond (aka Ftn. City Lake) that has ducks for the kids to feed (and a beautiful fountain, of course). If you are interested, it's off of the Broadway exit on I-640 on the north side of town. (take a left on Broadway and it's about a mile or so on the left).

Anyway, just a few ideas for you. Hope you enjoy your visit, and your meal at Sonny's.

[knoxgarden]

Kids Cove at the Knoxville Zoo will keep them active and busy. It's just east of downtown.
ZOO