Activities for Seniors in Knoxville

Knoxville is too often the forgotten city of Tennessee. A little-known fact is that Knoxville was actually the original capital of the state. Now it’s home to over 180,000 people and the center of the greater metro area that touts a population of over 850,000.

Knoxville is best known for being a nature-oriented city and serving as the gateway to the Smoky Mountains. More recently Knoxville was ranked by Forbes as one of the best communities to retire in part due to its affordability. Knoxville offers a small-town feel with all the amenities of a major city. This combination is particularly well-suited for seniors and offers them a plethora of enjoyable activities with a pinch of downtown fun.

If you're interested in working part-time with seniors and older adults in the Knoxville area, consider becoming a Papa Pal companion caregiver. The role of a Papa Pal varies from day to day. Some Papa Pals lend a hand around the house and help with errands, housekeeping and gardening. Others offer company on a walk around the neighborhood or provide transportation to help seniors and older adults enjoy everything their community has to offer. It’s a great job for friendly people.

If you’re looking for a place to start, we always recommend checking out the local senior centers. There you can see what types of events are planned and get some additional guidance on how best to spend your time in Knoxville.  

Knox County Senior Services is one of Knoxville’s well-equipped senior center. It’s committed to providing wonderful services, education, and overall care to their elderly population. Their government works hand in hand with the Office on Aging to provide thorough attention to all facets of the senior residents.

The Office on Aging is a “Community Action Committee” that was founded in 1975. It is made up of a wonderful group of people and functions as a non-profit. They provide a wide range of practical services to seniors including employment assistance, meals on wheels, advice on medication pricing, and more. The Office on Aging also provides the more enjoyment-themed classes such as cooking, dancing, and fitness.

If you’re looking to schedule your own activities, I recommend considering some of the most popular stops in Knoxville, many of which I’ve listed below.  

This National Park is the single most popular National Park in the country, and for good reason. There is enough to see in this park to keep you and your elderly company busy for weeks on end. Wildlife in its natural habitat, peaceful river trails, and hikes of all levels of difficulty. Stay for the weekend in one of their cabins or just stop by for an afternoon stroll. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

Victor Ashe Park is one of the local favorites and it offers a variety of fun activities for people of all ages. You can play disc golf, watch the dogs have some fun, or hang back by the lake and enjoy a mid-day picnic.

Ijams is a 315-acre nature center and widely regarded as one of Knoxville’s best attractions. If you can think it, you can do it at Ijams Nature Center. Biking, hiking, paddling, and shopping are just a handful of ways you can spend your day enjoying this natural beauty. Check their event calendar, and if you’re up for it you can even join their hiking club. It is a great way to socialize and exercise as the same time.

This zoo offers much more than your typical animal exhibits. At Zoo Knoxville you can get face to face with giraffes, ride a camel, or even take a short cut through the facility on a train. Zoo Knoxville is a great experience for people of all ages.

Knoxville is a wonderful city for seniors to enjoy in all capacities. Their downtown offers a more quiet and dynamic experience than what you would find in larger and louder city environments.

Knoxville may not be a renown foodie HQ, but it provides plenty of options for seniors to enjoy great meals and drinks in a variety of settings. Fun, active, and low-key are the best ways to describe the options listed below.

First of all, Market Square is much more than a market for produce and food. Market Square is a hub of people and buzzing activity. It holds events and houses restaurants from casual dining to black-ties and white tablecloths. Take a walk with no expectations. I promise you will leave full and satisfied.

The Old City District is full of rich, Knoxville history. It also is home to over 15 restaurants that serve some of the best food in the city. You can shop until you drop, grab a locally crafted beer, or chow down on some pizza in this cultural haven.

Welcome to Tennessee’s first full-blown food truck park. That’s right. Here you and the family can all enjoy an ever-changing menu of delicious and satisfying food servings. There is a uniqueness to this experience that cannot be replicated. Central Filling Station is dog-approved and highly recommended.

Knoxville may not be home to the boisterous nightlife of its nearby neighbor, Nashville, but it houses just as much history. Sports, theater, art and history are all available in spades in Knoxville. Below are some of the most senior-centric options.

The Tennessee Theater was Knoxville’s first skyscraper and built in 1928. Nowadays there is very little you can’t see at this nationally designated historic landmark. The Tennessee Theater has a lineup of Broadway performances, movies (both old and new), and entertainment acts. The theater received a $25M renovation only 15 years ago, so check the calendar and make plans to stop by as soon as you can.

Knoxville has a wide variety of antique stores that can serve as a fun and cultural activity for visitors and locals of all ages. Who knows what you’ll find and what memories you’ll rekindle when sifting through nick knacks that very well may be older than you and your elderly companion!

Neyland Stadium is the home of the Tennessee Volunteers and houses over 100,000 students and alumni at every one of their home football games. It is the 5th largest stadium in the United States and was built back in the 1920s. Neyland stadium has also hosted such figures as Richard Nickson, The Jacksons, and Kenny Chesney. A football game at this stadium may be a lot to handle, but it is absolutely a pillar of Knoxville culture.

The Knoxville Museum of art is a unique contributor to the overall culture of Knoxville. This museum specifically celebrates artists of east Tennessee and offers free admission to the public. Knoxville Museum of Art is home to old, modern, and local exhibits that create a wonderfully eclectic experience worth checking out.

With so many senior-friendly activities, we want you to visit Knoxville, Tennessee.

If helping seniors and older adults to enjoy some of these fun places in Knoxville sounds good to you, consider becoming a Papa Pal.

When you work part-time as a Papa Pal, you can support your community and make a meaningful difference. Click here to learn more.