Downtown Knoxville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Downtown Knoxville
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 Downtown Knoxville
Location in Tennessee
Downtown Knoxville
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Knox |
| City | Knoxville |
| Elevation | 883 ft (269 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
37901, 37902, 37929, 37995
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| Area code(s) | 865 |
| FIPS code | 47093 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2404842 |
Downtown Knoxville is the main central area of Knoxville, Tennessee, in the United States. It's where you'll find the city's main business district and important government offices for both the city and the county.
This area is also home to many shops, places to live, the city's convention center, and the famous World's Fair Park. Downtown Knoxville holds the oldest parts of the city and some of its most historic buildings.
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What Are the Borders of Downtown Knoxville?
Downtown Knoxville is traditionally bordered by two creeks: First Creek on the east and Second Creek on the west. To the south, you'll find the Tennessee River, and to the north, the Southern Railroad tracks.
However, over the years, the idea of "downtown" has grown. It now includes:
- The University of Tennessee campus and the Fort Sanders area, which are west of Second Creek.
- The Emory Place district and parts of Broadway and Central Avenue, north of the railroad tracks. This area is sometimes called "Downtown North."
- Parts of the Morningside area, located east of First Creek.
What Are the Key Areas in Downtown Knoxville?
Several important sections make up Downtown Knoxville, each with its own unique feel:
- Gay Street: A historic street known for its theaters and shops.
- Market Square: A lively public square with restaurants, shops, and events.
- The Old City: A historic district with renovated warehouses, now home to businesses and apartments.
- World's Fair Park: A large park built for the 1982 World's Fair.
- Volunteer Landing: A scenic area along the riverfront, great for walks and recreation.
What Important Buildings Are in Downtown Knoxville?
Downtown Knoxville has many important buildings, from tall office towers to historic landmarks.
Modern Office Buildings
The area is home to several large office buildings, including:
- Plaza Tower: One of the city's tallest buildings.
- Riverview Tower: Also one of Knoxville's tallest.
- The TVA Towers: Buildings for the Tennessee Valley Authority.
- The General Building.
- The Medical Arts Building.
- The Bank of America Building.
- The City-County Building: This building houses offices for both Knoxville city and Knox County.
- The Andrew Johnson Building: Another building with municipal offices.
Government and Historic Buildings
You'll also find important government buildings and historic sites:
- Knox County Courthouse: Located on Main Street.
- Howard Baker Jr. Federal Courthouse: Also on Main Street.
- Blount Mansion: A historic home.
- The reconstructed James White Fort: A replica of an early settlement.
- Bijou Theatre: A historic theater.
- Tennessee Theatre: Another beautiful historic theater.
- Old City Hall: The former city hall building.
- L&N Station: A historic train station.
World's Fair Park Attractions
World's Fair Park is a major attraction and home to:
- The Knoxville Convention Center: Where large events and meetings are held.
- The Knoxville Museum of Art: A place to see amazing artworks.
- The Sunsphere: The city's most famous and recognizable structure, built for the 1982 World's Fair.
How Has Downtown Knoxville Changed Over Time?
For much of the 1900s, leaders in Knoxville tried to bring new life to the downtown area. It used to be the main shopping center for the city. However, many of these efforts didn't work well. This was partly because the city government had many different groups that didn't always agree.
In recent years, the city has had more success. They've focused on creating areas where people can both live and work, especially in the Old City and along Gay Street. This success has been helped by developers who have updated old office and warehouse buildings. They've turned places like The Holston, Sterchi Lofts, and the JFG Building into modern apartments and condos.
