One of the benefits of being a UT student is the availability of free and affordable fun on and near campus! The 3rd largest city in Tennessee, Knoxville is known for endless outdoor adventures, being nestled within the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, being a “college town”, and for its recent growth in the food industry! We hope our list of 10 budget-friendly activities on and near campus happening throughout the year inspires you to enjoy what UT’s campus and the city of Knoxville have to offer!
On Campus
UT Athletics remain on the rise. Showing your school spirit and cheering on your fellow Vols is a bucket list experience for many! Student tickets for home games at Neyland Stadium are $10. All other sporting events on campus are free.
Located on the campus of the University of Tennessee for nearly 5 decades, the Clarence Brown Theatre is a pillar of the East Tennessee arts community and Knoxville’s own professional theatre. Every season, over 30,000 visitors within a 50-miles radius of Knoxville enjoy a stellar production. Students receive a free preview of each limited showing, then it’s $5 per ticket.
The College of Music at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the ONLY college of music in the state, offers over 200 performances and events each year. Unless otherwise noted, all concerts are FREE and open to the public.
Come enjoy one of the State Botanical Gardens of Tennessee on UTK’s campus! One of the three locations in the state, each site showcases the latest research and education in horticulture while providing visitors with beautiful green spaces for learning, exploring, and relaxing. Visiting the UT Gardens is free. Students can also choose to pay $15 for membership and enjoy additional opportunities and members-only perks and events.
McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture
Known as a “hub of history”, McClung Museum is home to tales of adventures for many years. Free to the public, their exhibitions showcase the geologic, historical, and artistic past of Tennessee, while also highlighting cultures from around the world. Exhibitions and Gallery Spaces include:
- Geology & Fossil History of Tennessee
- Repatriation and The Archaeology & the Native Peoples of Tennessee
- The Decorative Experience
- The Community Gallery
- Semesterly Special Exhibitions featuring art and culture from around the world
Near Campus
Market Square Farmers Market (Downtown)
Home to nearly 100 vendors and held each Wednesday and Saturday from May to mid-November, the Market Square Farmers Market provides many different products, all grown, raised, and/or made by their vendors within a 150-mile radius of Knoxville, Tennessee. Products vary by season and include fresh fruit & vegetables, eggs, honey, pasture-raised meats, edible & ornamental plants, cut flowers, bread & baked goods, jams & jellies, coffee, artisan crafts, and more!
The Neyland Greenway is 3 miles of a runner’s paradise connecting to 18 miles of more greenways in Knoxville! An early morning walk or late afternoon jog gives you a great view of the Tennessee River.
The Knoxville Museum of Art celebrates East Tennessee’s rich, diverse visual culture and its connections to the wider currents of world art. View their calendar of events for special events information throughout the year. Admission is free to the public.
Built for the 1982 World’s Fair, the Sunsphere is one-of-a-kind! The 4th Floor Observation Deck offers a breathtaking 360-degree view stretching from downtown to the Great Smoky Mountains including World’s Fair Park, the Tennessee River, and the University of Tennessee Campus. General Admission is $5.