- Some of the best summertime fun to be had on Memorial Day in the Knoxville area can be found at beautiful Cherokee Lake. Enjoy live music, food vendors, swimming, fishing, and watercraft rentals.
- Knoxville is home to over 30 museums and art galleries.
- Spend a day at the Dogwood Arts Festival for food and cultural experiences in Knoxville on Memorial Day weekend.
- Lock in your watercraft rental with Roscoe & Hooch before the Memorial Day weekend sells out.
Looking for fun things to do in Knoxville on Memorial Day weekend? We’ve put together a list of family-friendly activities that will make your weekend trip amazing. Start planning now with these exciting ideas for the Knoxville area.
Live Music Near Black Oak Marina
For the past few years, Mossy Creek Music has planned and hosted live music, delicious BBQ, and fun for the public near Black Oak Marina on Memorial Day Weekend. The Mossy Creek Music Facebook page has announced the event will continue this year on Sunday, May 25, with local musicians Abby & Steve. Check their Facebook page for times and additional artists to be announced.
Camping
Knoxville is just a short drive away from beautiful campgrounds that include lake access and hiking trails to gorgeous vistas. You can go primitive and tent camp or opt for a luxury glamping experience by renting a cabin or bringing your own RV. Camping lakeside is also a great way to see fireworks shows on the lake at night. Here is a list of the campgrounds found around Lake Cherokee:
- Cherokee Dam Campground
- Cherokee Lake Campground
- Everhart Campground
- Greenlee Campground
- Lawson Campground
- May Springs Recreation Area
- Panther Creek Campground
- Park Place Lakeside
Here is a list of resorts and cabin rentals on Lake Cherokee:
Fishing on Cherokee Lake
Cherokee Lake is a huge hot spot for fishing near Knoxville. Fish from the shore, piers at local parks, or rent a boat and find the big one in the lake’s depths or hiding in stream inlets. Cherokee Lake is home to popular game fish like striped, largemouth, smallmouth, black, and spotted bass, as well as walleye, crappie, and channel catfish. You could book a charter fishing trip or become a fishing captain for a day with a boat rental from Roscoe & Hooch.
Rent a Watercraft
Memorial Day in Knoxville often marks the start of the boating and swimming season. It’s getting hot, and everyone wants to cool off in the nearby Cherokee Lake. Popular public beaches can be found at Cherokee Dam Reservation and Indian Boundary Recreation Area. However, if you want to beat the crowds and enjoy swimming, fishing, or waterskiing, you’ll want to rent a watercraft for the day. Roscoe & Hooch is located at Black Oak Marina, which makes it simple to rent a pontoon, tritoon, WaveRunner, kayak, or other watercraft and get right out on the water for the day.
If you’re looking for some great food, drinks, and live music with a view after your day of boating, check out Off the Hook Lakeside Bar & Grille located next to Black Oak Marina.
Dogwood Arts Festival
This art festival will be held Memorial Day weekend in Knoxville at the World’s Fair Park. It is a celebrated cultural event with hundreds of fine art vendors, live music, children’s activities, food and beverage vendors, entertainment, and more.
Visit a Museum
Looking for educational things to do in Knoxville on Memorial Day weekend? Knoxville is home to over 30 museums that range in subject matter. Take your kids to the children’s museum for some hands-on learning and fun. Visit one of the many historical societies and art museums for a look into the past and a glimpse of culture.
Riverboat Cruises
A lovely way to tour Knoxville is by a river cruise. Jump aboard an authentic paddlewheel riverboat and enjoy live music, drinks, dancing, and fine dining. Cruises run all day and stretch into the night so you can enjoy beautiful sunset views.
Zoo Knoxville
This Memorial Day, take a trip to Zoo Knoxville with the entire family, where you’ll see over 800 animals from about 200 species. Along with the exhibits, you’ll be able to enjoy interactive activities like feeding the giraffes, a walk into the budgie bird home, a ride on the Zoo Choo Train, and more!
Ghost Tour
Looking for something family-friendly and a little bit spooky to do after dark on Memorial Day in Knoxville? When the sun sets, adults and kids ages 9 and over can take a walking ghost tour of downtown where famous homicides occurred, fires claimed lives, and children’s spirits are said to play. Tours happen every Friday and Saturday evening as well as Saturday afternoon.
We love all the great things to do in Knoxville on Memorial Day weekend! This is a popular weekend for locals and people traveling into the area. Make your reservations early and if you plan on spending time on the water, book your boat now!
