Back roads, free admission, lookouts: 6 life hacks to make Knoxville living easy

Keenan Thomas, Knoxville News Sentinel
·5 min read

It's the little things that make life better, and sometimes it's the life hacks that make all the difference.

For those unaware, life hacks are strategies and pieces of knowledge that not everyone knows. These can help save time, money and energy.

Originally inspired by this Reddit post by user u/LightningBoot, here are six Knoxville life hacks compiled by Knox News to make life a little easier.

The Sunsphere stands in front of the Smoky Mountains on a clear day as seen from Sharps Ridge Memorial Park in North Knoxville on Monday, May 1, 2017.
The Sunsphere stands in front of the Smoky Mountains on a clear day as seen from Sharps Ridge Memorial Park in North Knoxville on Monday, May 1, 2017.

Read City Explorer Pass

Knox County residents who hold library cards have an additional means to gain knowledge and explore Knoxville.

The Read City Explorer Pass allows library card holders access to several museums, historic houses and Knoxville activities for free or for a discount. All you need to do is reserve a visit on the day you'd like to go up to six weeks in advance, and a confirmation email will be sent with instructions. There are a limited number of passes for each place, but it updates with new passes each week.

These kids — and their moms — have earned their explorer pass at Zoo Knoxville as part of READ CITY USA, a collaborative countywide effort launched by Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs in January of 2019. They’ll be able to choose from even more library books because of a recent significant increase in state funding. August 19, 2021.
These kids — and their moms — have earned their explorer pass at Zoo Knoxville as part of READ CITY USA, a collaborative countywide effort launched by Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs in January of 2019. They’ll be able to choose from even more library books because of a recent significant increase in state funding. August 19, 2021.

Participating institutions include the Clarence Brown Theatre, Museum of Appalachia, Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, the Blount Mansion and the Knoxville Zoo. This life hack is especially beneficial for families looking for something new to try, so get out there and start exploring!

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Back roads of Knoxville and Knox County

The Hardin Valley Road exit on Pellissippi Parkway is dangerously backed up into the right hand shoulder during rush hour on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.
The Hardin Valley Road exit on Pellissippi Parkway is dangerously backed up into the right hand shoulder during rush hour on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

Just about everyone in Knoxville knows the value in the back roads, but here's a reminder just in case.

The interstate is all fine and good until it gets backed up with traffic. But if you're aware of Knoxville's traffic patterns, you can usually bypass it by taking the backroads. For example, there's Westland Drive into Lyons View Pike that takes you from Concord Park in West Knoxville right to Sequoyah Hills, bypassing Kingston Pike entirely.

This hack was submitted by reader Frances McMillan.

"I’ve lived here all my life but my life hack is back roads," McMillan wrote in an email to Knox News. "I never ever in the last few years use the interstates. I hate them. So I always use back roads."

It takes years of driving in Knoxville to know the back roads like the back of your hand. If you want to utilize the roads to the best of your ability, schedule an hour to take a detour from your normal route. You just might shave a few minutes off your commute.

Tennessee football home games are the best times to grocery shop

A key part of living in Knoxville is knowing the perfect times to run errands and get some shopping done.

One of those times that almost every Knoxvillian knows is during University of Tennessee football home games. Avoid downtown Knoxville during the game, but it's a great time to hit the grocery store and other businesses.

A bus from Knoxville to … NYC?

A new electric bus at Caswell Park in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021. The City of Knoxville and KAT introduced its new all-electric buses which include free wi-fi, USB charging ports and are 50% quieter than a standard vehicle and produce zero emissions.
A new electric bus at Caswell Park in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021. The City of Knoxville and KAT introduced its new all-electric buses which include free wi-fi, USB charging ports and are 50% quieter than a standard vehicle and produce zero emissions.

Planning trips requires a lot of time, energy and money. But what if you could go to New York City and not have to break the bank just to get there?

Reader Jeff Taylor shared his favorite Knoxville life hack, which is taking a bus from the Scruffy City to the Big Apple.

Tickets for the bus can be purchased on gotobus.com or nytnbus.com. It costs around $100 each way. The bus picks up at 8511 Kingston Pike and takes around 12 hours to drive to 28 Allen St. in New York City.

According to Taylor, buses sometimes have wi-fi and charging ports, but travelers should take along wipes for the bathroom on the bus.

"If you don’t have bags, (just a carry-on,) and you want to save time, as soon as the bus emerges from the Holland Tunnel and before it gets on Canal Street, ask the driver if you can get off right after NYPD’s 1st Precinct," Taylor wrote in an email to Knox News. "You’ll be at the entrance to the 1 train which can take you north to Penn Station or Times Square, or south to the Staten Island Ferry."

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Gallery:Knoxville unveils new all-electric KAT buses

Find the best views in Knoxville

A view of the 100 Block of Gay Street as seen from The Radius Rooftop Lounge atop Embassy Suites in downtown Knoxville, Tenn. on Friday, March 11, 2022.
A view of the 100 Block of Gay Street as seen from The Radius Rooftop Lounge atop Embassy Suites in downtown Knoxville, Tenn. on Friday, March 11, 2022.

No matter where you go, Knoxville always has some beauty to be found. And what better way to experience the scenic views than from some of Knoxville's best lookout spots?

One of the best venues looking toward the city can be found in South Knoxville. The iconic JFG Coffee sign at 414 Sevier Ave. is a great place to sit down and view the Knoxville skyline with some friends, especially as the sun begins to set.

Another great spot in the center of downtown is the Radius Rooftop Lounge on top of the Embassy Suites hotel. You can enjoy cocktails while overlooking the city. It's not the tallest building downtown, but you can see everything from the rooftop bar.

On the north side of Knoxville, Sharp's Ridge Veterans Memorial Park provides an overlook of the city with the Smoky Mountains in the background. It's fairly accessible for the scenic platform, but there are a few trails, too.

For those looking for a reward at the end of the trail, the River Bluff Wildlife Area at 1050 Cherokee Trail is a great way to get outdoors. At the end of the short trail, an overview of Knoxville and the Tennessee River closer to the campus side of the city awaits hikers. It's a great way to spend time outdoors while getting a unique view of the city.

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One final life hack from a Knox News reader...

This last hack was submitted by reader Lucinda Denton. We agree!

"A strategy/activity that saves time, money and energy is my Knoxville News Sentinel subscription!" Denton said in an email to Knox News. "I am astounded by those who drop their daily delivery as I can’t manage without my morning read. Sure, 'big news breaks' on TV/radio then later, KNS provides in-depth details."

She added that she gets "daily mental stimulation" from the puzzles and horoscope included in each paper, as well as a perfect fire starter for her fireplace.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tips for living in Knoxville: Free admission museums, best shortcuts