Discover the hidden stories of Knoxville’s past on the Criminal Behavior tour. Fascinating legends of crime, law, and local intrigue await—prepare for a walk through history’s darker side.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
moderate
Duration
2–2.5 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate physical activity, comfortable walking shoes recommended
Wildlife
History
Knoxville's criminal history stretches back over a century, with many tales intertwined with the city’s development and societal shifts.
Conservation
The tour emphasizes respect for local history and encourages sustainable tourism by promoting walking and urban exploration.
Knoxville Walking Tours
Discover the hidden stories of Knoxville’s past on the Criminal Behavior tour. Fascinating legends of crime, law, and local intrigue await—prepare for a walk through history’s darker side.
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 alert for uneven sidewalks
Wear comfortable walking shoes and watch your step on historic cobblestone paths.
Bring water and a flashlight
Stay hydrated and carry a flashlight for darker alleyways or evening hours.
Listen carefully to guides' stories
Engage with the storytelling to fully appreciate the historical details and local legends.
Dress for weather conditions
Check the forecast and wear appropriate clothing for rain or shine.
Comfortable walking shoes
Vital for navigating city streets comfortably during the tour.
Small flashlight
Helpful for darker alleyways or evening segments of the tour.
Notebook and pen
Great for jotting down intriguing facts or memorable stories.
Weather-appropriate jacket
Stay dry and comfortable regardless of the weather.