Like a lot of municipalities in the United States, Knoxville is a river town. The 652 mile Tennessee River winds its way through Knoxville from the confluence of the Holston and French Broad Rivers, which come together on the east side of the city. Chugging its way south toward Muscle Shoals in Alabama, the Tennessee first passes Knoxville’s downtown.
Volunteer Landing is a one-mile river walk alongside the stretch of river that flows past downtown Knoxville. The promenade is located near the corner of Neyland Drive and Hill Avenue at 956 Volunteer Landing Lane. This is roughly the location that Cornelius Suttree docks his houseboat in Cormac McCarthy’s novel “Suttree.”
Volunteer Landing has several features to keep visitors occupied, including a visitor center, a full service marina and restaurants. It is within walking distance of the University of Tennessee, Neyland Stadium, Thompson-Boling Arena, the Old City, Market Square, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, James White’s Fort and other attractions. Parking is available.
First and foremost, Volunteer Landing is a park. The river walk is an excellent place for a summer stroll and to brush up on your historical marker reading. There are water play fountains, waterfalls, benches, picnic tables, a playground, concessions and restrooms, making this a great place for a family outing.
Volunteer Landing Marina is also on-site. Houseboats, pontoon boats, water beetles and aquacycles are all available for hourly, daily and weekly rental. The marina has 140 covered slips with complete hookups and transient slips. You’ll also find a nautical supply store that carries fuel, drinks, clothing and Vol Navy merchandise. Visit www.themarinas.net or call 865-633-5004 for more information.
If cruises are your thing, you’ll find those as well. The Star of Knoxville provides scenic cruises aboard a sternwheel riverboat. There are a variety of cruises through the year. The two-hour dinner cruise offers live entertainment and different themed evenings. Visit www.tnriverboat.com or call 865-525-7827 for more information. Likewise, Volunteer Princess Cruises has several public cruises each month aboard its 96 foot by 20 foot climate-controlled luxury yacht. Visit www.volunteerprincess.com or call 865-541-4556 to find out more.
The Three Rivers Rambler is a vintage steam engine that transports guests on an 11-mile, 90-minute trip to the “Forks of the River” and back, passing historical landmarks, quarries and luscious farmland along the way. For more information about reservations, prices and the train’s schedule, visit www.threeriversrambler.com or call 865-524-9411.
Bicycles sized for all ages are available for rental at River Sports. For $10 per person for two hours, or $30 per person for the day, you can rent a bike to explore Knoxville’s 41 miles of greenway trails. Maps are available. visit www.riversportsoutfitters.com or call 865-523-0066 for more information.
On Saturdays during football season, the “Vol Navy” arrives at Neyland Stadium by boat to watch Tennessee home football games. Expect boats tied together 10 deep, foodstuff grilling on the docks, and enough orange and white clothing to leave you dreaming of Creamsicles.
Volunteer Landing is also the site of Boomsday, a free annual fireworks festival—the nation’s largest Labor Day fireworks festivity no less. Visitors will enjoy colorful explosions, as well as food vendors, games, rides and live entertainment. Visit www.boomsday.org to learn more.
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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