In honor of National Tourism Week many of Knoxville’s attractions offered free admission on this past Saturday, May 10th.

The majority of these attractions are free every day but some have an admission charge so it was a good day to have a family outing with little expense.

Admission free was:

  • Armstrong-Lockett House: Also known as “Crescent Bend” because it sets on a bend in the Tennessee River This mansion, known as the Armstrong-Lockett House, is a magnificent home built in 1834 and positioned as a centerpiece on 600 acres of rolling Tennessee land between the river and the mountains. Painstakingly restored in 1977, the interior is authentic 18th century furniture and artwork. The silver collection dates back to 1640. The Italianate gardens are a combination of terraced levels, classic fountains, and thousands of colorful blooming plants. Closed most weekend afternoons during the spring and summer for weddings so please call ahead to confirm that it is open. Normal admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students.

  • Blount Mansion: Built in 1892 by William Blount, Tennessee’s first governor. This home was also the Governor’s mansion when Knoxville was Tennessee’s capital city. Normal admission is $4.95 for adults, $2.50 for ages 6-17, and free any day for children under 6.

  • James White’s Fort: Built in 1796 by James White, the Founder of Knoxville, came here in the early 1780′s from North Carolina. He had fought in the Revolutionary War and was given a land grant of 1,000 acres for his service. James White laid off part of his land in October 1791 to establish a town which would become known as Knoxville, named for Henry Knox, president Washington’s Secretary of War. Sixty-four lots were laid off in 16 blocks, each lot being one half acre in size. The cost was $8.00 per lot and a lottery drawing was held to assign the lots. Much cheaper than today’s prices. ;-) Normal admission is $4, children under 12 $2.50, and under 6 free.

  • Knoxville Museum of Art: The KMA’s predecessor, the Dulin Gallery of Art, opened in 1961 in a beaux-arts mansion in West Knoxville. By the middle 1980s the Dulin had outgrown its quarters, and a major community effort raised $11 million for a new museum in downtown Knoxville at the site of the 1982 World’s Fair. The Knoxville Museum of Art opened in March 1990 in a state-of-the-art, 53,200 square-foot facility designed by renowned museum architect Edward Larrabee Barnes. Normal admission is $5 with children under 17 free. The museum also is free most Thanksgiving holidays and several days around Christmas.

  • Knoxville Zoo: Adults, $16.96, Seniors, $14.95, and $10.95 for children 2-12. A little pricey but it’s a great zoo with birds, mammals and reptiles of all sorts!

  • Star of Knoxville Riverboat: Great boat ride along the Tennessee River. You can see parts of Knoxville from the water that you can’t see any other way. Normal rates are $14.25 for adults and $8.95 for children 4-11.

  • Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame: Last but certainly not least in the land of UT Coach Pat Summitt and the 8 time national championship UT Lady Vols. Adults normally $7.95, Seniors and children 6-15 $5.95

Knoxville has lots of free stuff especially around holiday times so residents and visitors alike need to do some research and take advantage of what our fair city has to offer.

Knoxville also has lots of great homes for sale; you can research them at www.KnoxvilleHomeCenter.com