Coming home from a trip helps you appreciate Knoxville. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Technically, summer doesn’t end until Monday, Sept. 22 (at least, that’s the September equinox), so you might have time to squeeze in one last trip before fall starts.
McGhee Tyson Airport offers 35+ direct flights, including these newer routes that recently started departing from TYS:
If you’re looking for an early fall getaway, Allegiant will start flying to Key West International Airport on Friday, Oct. 3.
Events
Events
Monday, September 8
Wetland Wonders | 6-7 p.m. | Sequoyah Branch Library | Free | Learn about the benefits of wetlands with ambassadors to help explain their unique properties.
Drop-In Figure Drawing | 6-8 p.m. | Knoxville Museum of Art | $12+ | Work on your figure drawing skills with a live model and museum educators to help guide the process.
Tuesday, September 9
Senior Citizens Day at the Tennessee Valley Fair | 10 a.m. | Chilhowee Park | Free | Adults 65+ will find free activities in the Pepsi Tent until 1 p.m., but they’ll also get free, all-day fair admission.
Jazz on the Square: Shawn Turner | 7-9 p.m. | Market Square Mall | Free | Head outside and watch the vocalist perform at this free show.
UTK Career Fair | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | UT Creamery | Free | Polish off your resume: Over a dozen UT departments and recruiters will be onsite to talk about open roles at the university.
Briscoe | 7 p.m. | Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria | $23+ | The Austin-based country duo performs songs from their new album “Heat of July.”
Knoxville wants you and your neighbors to get together. Applications are now open for the On My Block Community Investment program. The initiative awards up to $5,000 for neighborhood-led events that bring people together + encourage positive collaboration.
Outdoors
Joro Spiders have been making their way to the Great Smoky Mountains area, and you can help track their migration. WBIR reporter Kaitlin Riordan lets you know what to do if you see one of the large, yellow spiders and how you can report a sighting. (WBIR)
Mansion Monday
Turn your lakefront dreams into a reality with this five-bedroom, seven-bathroom home. The house features a gourmet kitchen, wine cellar, and a three-car garage. You’ll also be able to dock your boat in your private, covered dock before taking a dip in the saltwater pool.
Number
55. That’s how many days are left until daylight saving time ends and the clock falls back one hour. Translation: It’s time to take advantage of golden-hour hangs after work while you still can. Might we suggest a sunset stroll through one of Knoxville’s parks?
Gallery
Sometimes, a picture-perfect moment happens. Even rarer than that is for someone to catch it on film. Lucky for us, those moments are portrayed in this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year award. This is your sign to bring your camera to Zoo Knoxville to hone your craft.
State
What is your favorite comfort food? For Tennesseans, Nashville Hot Chicken is at the top of the list, according to Reader’s Digest. We recommend sampling some for yourself at Hot Birdsfor research purposes.
Eat
Four new Pringles flavors will be popping onto shelves this month: Smoky Bacon, Smoky Cheddar, Smoky Mesquite BBQ + Sharp White Cheddar. You can also look for two new varieties of Pringles Mingles puffs, but we’re anxiously waiting for the day the brand turns Knoxville biscuits into a chip. (Parade)
The Word
Kiss cam. That’s one of the 1,235 new words added by dictionary.com. Perhaps this new, real word will come in handy next time you head to Covenant Health Park.
Sports
The Titans’ first game of the 2025 season is in the books. Recap their performance with the local experts on the Tennessee Titans with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
These coffee shops offer the perfect space to meet that special someone. | Photo by @beerswithanengineer
Planning a coffee date? Whether you’re meeting a new partner or a new friend, Knoxville has plenty of spots where you can feel the chemistry and the caffeine. Check out these local shops that make the perfect locations for a one-on-one meetup. Cultivate Coffee + Flowers
You can skip the flower shop on your way to pick up your date — order a cup of coffee and build a bouquet together, right in the store.
Coffee & Chocolate Chocolate, a girl’s best friend — whether it’s the artisanal French macarons + truffles or the warm drinks, this cozy shop has it all.
Hummingbird Apothecary
Woman-owned and operated, you can expect a menu featuring teas, herbal mocktails, espresso drinks, elixirs, and more at this shop. The couches make the perfect spot to get to know each other.
Awaken Coffee, inside Kerns Food Hall
When heading to this craft coffeehouse’s main location, you’re central to other eateries, breweries, and more. Snag a coffee or tea + pastry and take your significant other on a walk downtown.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
You never know when you’ll find yourself as a passenger on a plane, train, or automobile — but you can be prepared to fill free time. I recommend taking a trip to Union Ave Books so you can easily grab something to read, just in case you take an impromptu trip.
