Discover Knoxville’s haunting history on this captivating ghost tour through the Old City, where stories of ghosts and chaos come alive as you walk the shadowed streets.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; comfortable walking shoes recommended.
Wildlife
History
Knoxville’s Old City was a major hub of commerce and nightlife in the early 1900s, often marked by lively and turbulent events that still echo today.
Conservation
Tours emphasize respecting historic sites and maintaining cleanliness to preserve Knoxville’s cultural heritage for future generations.
Knoxville Walking Tours
Discover Knoxville’s haunting history on this captivating ghost tour through the Old City, where stories of ghosts and chaos come alive as you walk the shadowed streets.
Knoxville Walking Tours offers guided, on-foot experiences that explore the city’s history, culture, and hidden stories. Operating in Knoxville, Tennessee, the company leads themed tours across downtown, the Old City, and other notable neighborhoods. Guides present a mix of historical facts, local lore, literary connections, and ghost stories drawn from documented events and well-known local figures.
Tours vary in length and focus: several experiences run approximately 1.5 hours (90 minutes), while select walks extend to two hours for deeper historical context. Popular itineraries include literary-focused walks highlighting authors such as Cormac McCarthy and Nikki Giovanni, ghost tours that cover historic hotels and haunted streets, Civil War–era walks that include vantage points like the Sunsphere observation deck, and neighborhood tours of sites such as the First Presbyterian Graveyard, Blount Mansion Gardens, and the Old Courthouse.
Knoxville Walking Tours also offers specialized themes including Black history, music history, suffrage and women’s history, cemetery walks, criminal-history narratives, and botanical explorations. The Literary Heritage Tour can be tailored to emphasize particular writers or works when requested. All descriptions are grounded in the documented history and local records referenced during each walk.
Visitors should review individual tour summaries and select the experience that best matches interests in history, literature, the supernatural, or local culture. Tours are conducted on foot and navigate historic streets and public sites throughout Knoxville.
Tours Offered
13
Guided walks across Knoxville
Typical Length
1.5 hours
Most tours last 90 minutes
Location
Knoxville, Tennessee
Historic downtown and Old City routes
Themes Covered
History & Ghosts
Literary, Civil War, Black history
Choose a themed walk — history, ghosts, literature, or local culture — and secure a spot on an upcoming departure.
Stay warm and comfortable
Wear layers and comfortable walking shoes to handle the city streets during the tour.
Bring a flashlight
A small flashlight can help illuminate dark alleyways and add to the spooky atmosphere.
Respect local history and spirits
Remember to be respectful to guides and local legends, maintaining a courteous and attentive attitude.
Book in advance
Popular tours fill quickly, so reserve your spot early to ensure participation.
Comfortable walking shoes
Proper footwear ensures comfort during the 1.5-hour tour traversing city streets.
Light jacket or sweater
Weather can vary, so bring an extra layer for comfort.
fall|winter|spring|summer
Small flashlight
Helps light up dark alleyways and enhances the ghostly experience.
Camera or phone for photos
Capture the historic sights and ghostly ambiance along the route.