Knoxville, TN Overnight & Great Smoky Mountains National Park
June 10, 2024
![](https://i0.wp.com/veganvictuals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/unnamed-file-10.jpg?resize=600%2C500&ssl=1)
I think I mentioned that some overnights are better than others. And with about 19 hours in Knoxville, I did what any adventure-seeking soul would do… I rented a car and hot the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which was just 30 minutes away.
![](https://i0.wp.com/veganvictuals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_5249.jpg?resize=730%2C548&ssl=1)
Before I committed to any time in the park, I had to find some food. This is a yummy salad from Peaceful Side Social Brewery & Craft Kitchen in Townsend. It was the Power Bowl with a quinoa blend, a whole avocado, arugula, radishes, cucumber, tomatoes and sunflower seeds with a delicious citrus vinaigrette. It hit the spot!
![](https://i0.wp.com/veganvictuals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_5252.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/veganvictuals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_5254.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
Now in the park. A little worried about hiking in my flat Jack Purcells, I stuck to the scenic mountain roads. The weather was perfect and the lush mountains, so satisfying. It certainly balanced out the many hours of being in a confined space with no fresh air.
![](https://i0.wp.com/veganvictuals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_5259.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
Sit for a spell
![](https://i0.wp.com/veganvictuals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_5265.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/veganvictuals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_5268.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
After, I wanted to see downtown Knoxville… because the hotel was near the airport and the airport was nowhere near downtown. And I was hungry again too! Here I am at Good Golly Tamale feasting on their “Vegan Soul” tamale: Blue Corn tamale with Black Eyed Peas, sweet potato and collards inside. It was yummy but this was a reheat establishment really–and so the tamale was a bit dry.
![](https://i0.wp.com/veganvictuals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_5278.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/veganvictuals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_5282.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
Some downtown sites: The Sunsphere
![](https://i0.wp.com/veganvictuals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_5296.jpg?resize=558%2C800&ssl=1)
Historic Gay street was picture perfect
![](https://i0.wp.com/veganvictuals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_5297.jpg?resize=675%2C800&ssl=1)
Some art at the airport
![](https://i0.wp.com/veganvictuals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_5301.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
And with that, I was on to my next adventure, looking forward to going home for a couple of days.