Pet-Friendly Knoxville: Attractions & Dog-Friendly Restaurants

Live in the Gateway to the Smokies with a furry friend, or house sitting as a pet sitter in Knoxville soon? Either way, you’ll want to get clued-up on pet-friendly Knoxville.

To help plan your dog-friendly day out, explore this ultimate guide to the city and its surrounding areas. Here we explore Knoxville’s attractions, restaurants, breweries, hikes and more that are all perfect for both you and your canine companion.

Pet-friendly Knoxville attractions

Whether you’re a local or a visiting pet sitter, rest assured that you’ll never run out of things to do in Knoxville with your four-legged friends. Whether it’s the city’s historic buildings, botanical gardens or epic parks with sweeping views of the Smoky Mountains, you’ll be spoilt for choice. So below, find a list of things to do in pet-friendly Knoxville, TN.

Knoxville Market Square

In the heart of Downtown Knoxville, the vibrant Market Square is a must-visit. First established in 1854 as a marketplace for farmers, it’s now a bustling hub for events, live music, shopping and dining. Many of the restaurants in this spot welcome dogs in their outdoor patio area, so you can easily watch the world go by from a cozy outdoor dining spot.

Location: Knoxville, TN 37902, USA

World’s Fair Park

Sitting on the site of the former fairgrounds of the 1982 World’s Fair, this park is the perfect place to have a walk with your canine companion. Find green spaces, walking trails and an amphitheatre, and view the Sunsphere from outside.

Location: 963 Worlds Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States

Lakeshore Park

This city park offers up almost 200 acres along the Tennessee River to explore with your canine companion, and jaw-dropping views of the Smoky Mountains.

Location: 5930 Lyons View Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, United States

Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum

Just a few minutes from downtown Knoxville is the city’s botanical gardens, where dogs are welcome on a leash. With 47 acres of gardens, open space and plant displays to explore, the gardens are a peaceful way to spend an afternoon with your furry friend.

Location: 2743 Wimpole Ave, Knoxville, TN 37914, United States

Knoxville Old City

If you’re looking for a new, urban walking spot with your pooch, head to Knoxville’s Old City. There, you’ll enjoy its edgy vibe, 19th-century buildings, artisan bakeries and endless places to eat and drink.

Location: Knoxville, TN

Concord Park

If you want somewhere in the city to get into nature with your furry friend, head to Concord Park, which is complete with walking trails and its very own off-leash dog park.

Location: 10960 Concord Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37922, United States

Dog parks in Knoxville

A day out in dog-friendly Knoxville simply isn’t complete without a stop-off at a dog park. These off-leash areas are often fully fenced, which allows dogs to run free without pet owners worrying they’ll get lost. Find a few of the dog parks Knoxville has to offer below.

Petsafe Downtown Dog Park

This fenced, off-leash park in downtown Knoxville is the perfect place to let your dog run free, socialize with other pups and play a game of fetch.

Location: 200 S Central St, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States

The Bark

At the heart of pet-friendly Knoxville is The Bark - an indoor and outdoor dog park, as well as a beer garden. It’s the perfect place to socialize your dog and meet like-minded animal lovers.

Location: 601 Lamar St, Knoxville, TN 37917, United States

Dogwood Park

Let your dog run off steam in the large open space of Dogwood Park, and find drinking bowls along with a tap to fill them up.

Location: 4901 Bradshaw Rd, Knoxville, TN 37912, United States

Tommy Schumpert Park Dog Park

The dog park located within Tommy Schumpert is perfect for letting your dog off the leash before continuing your leashed walk around the city.

Location: 6400 Fountain City Rd, Knoxville, TN 37918, United States

Dog-friendly restaurants, Knoxville TN

After a long day of walkies around the city, you’ll likely want to find somewhere to eat with your canine companion. Luckily the city is filled with dog-friendly places to eat, so get inspiration from our list below to plan your pet-friendly evening out.

Calhoun's On The River

For views of the river and barbecue classics, head to Calhoun’s, where dogs are welcome to join you in the outdoor seating area.

Location: 400 Neyland Dr, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States

Cafe 4

Can’t get enough of Southern cuisine? Check out Cafe 4 for refined classics, including shrimp and grits, waffles and braised short ribs.

Location: 4 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States

The Tomato Head

Relax in this hip cafe’s dog-friendly patio and choose from a house-made pizza menu.

Location: 12 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States

Farmacy

For somewhere with a laid-back atmosphere serving up honest Southern food, check out Farmacy on Kingston Pike.

Location: 5018 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, United States

Tennessee Taphouse

For homemade pizzas, a dog-friendly outdoor seating area and a spot that truly cares about the brews they’re serving up, give Tennessee Taphouse a try.

Location: 350 N Peters Rd, Knoxville, TN 37922, United States

Dog-friendly breweries Knoxville

Knoxville is a city proud of its beer, and it’s brimming with taprooms and breweries popular with local hop enthusiasts. Many are dog-friendly, with a fair few welcoming dogs in their outdoor seating areas.

Balter Beerworks

Relax in this local taproom and choose from a Southern and Mexican-inspired menu of shrimp and grits, tacos and sliders.

Location: 100 Broadway SW, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States

Downtown Grill and Brewery

Love local beer as much as quality time with your canine companion? Check out Downtown Grill and Brewery for home brews and pizza.

Location: 424 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States

Abridged Beer Company

Set in a former 1950s auto garage, this is a truly unique spot to try local beer and Southern pub fare.

Location: 100 Lockett Rd, Knoxville, TN 37919, United States

Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria

For an extensive list of craft brews in a dog-friendly tavern, check out Barley’s - a popular spot with local beer enthusiasts.

Location: 200 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915, United States

Dog-friendly hikes and walks in Knoxville

One of the most dog-friendly things to do in Knoxville is to hike and walk with your furry friend. Luckily, Knoxville is brimming with places to walk dogs, so take a look below to plan a dog-friendly adventure in (and near) the city.

Ijams Nature Center

Home to over 300 acres of trails, wilderness and protected wildlife habitats, this non-profit space celebrates Knoxville’s natural wonders. Explore for epic views along the Tennessee River, and dog-friendly trails, keeping your dog on a leash.

Location: 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920, United States

Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness

Dog walkers, hikers and bikers don’t have to travel far in Knoxville to find a stunning area of natural beauty, and Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness is no exception. This area of over 1500 acres of woodland trails offers up the perfect place for locals to explore with their furry companions.

Location: 1515 Tilson St, Knoxville, TN 37920, United States

Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area

Choose from over 50 miles of woodland trails and find access to the Will Skelton Greenway from this stunning area of natural beauty. Keep your dog on a leash and stick to the dog-friendly trails.

Location: 3140 McClure Ln, Knoxville, TN 37920, United States

Sequoyah Hills Park

Stroll along the river with your canine companion and grab a morning coffee before meandering around this peaceful park between the city’s downtown and west Knoxville.

Location: 1400 Cherokee Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37919, United States

Knoxville’s Greenways

Knoxville is a city home to parks, woodland and river walks, and the 125-mile Greenway system allows locals and visitors to explore it with ease. Check out the list of Knoxville’s Greenways and find one nearby to get into nature with your furry friend, and explore the city’s nature reserves, historical sites and cultural features along the way.

Great Smoky Mountains

If you and your dog are up for a hiking challenge, why not explore the dog-friendly trails that the Great Smoky Mountains have to offer? The two trails where dogs are allowed are the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail, and be sure to follow the signage - keeping your dog on a leash where required.

Locations:

Gatlinburg Trailhead: 916 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Oconaluftee River Trail: North Carolina, 28719

Tips for pet parents

Get to know Knoxville’s Greenways. Even if you’re a local resident, you might not have explored all of Knoxville’s Greenways just yet. So, get into nature and get to know your city’s history and nature reserves even better.
Plan your meal out ahead of time. Not all restaurants in Knoxville are dog-friendly, so call ahead to double check non-human guests are welcome.
Get your vacation pet care sorted. So you’re all set to plan a fun, dog-friendly day out with your pooch, but what about when the time comes for a vacation? Well instead of uprooting your pup from their dog-friendly city, why not give them the staycation of their dreams with an in-home pet sitter? Click below to find out how to keep your pets at home where vets agree they’re happiest, next time you go on vacation.

Pet sitters in Knoxville

How it works

Tips for pet sitters

Follow local rules. There are various restrictions around the city when it comes to bringing a dog - especially in nature reserves where there are strict leash rules. So, check before exploring and only let your pooch pal off the leash if you’re in an off-leash zone.
Ask pet parents for recommendations. Your canine friend’s owners will have the best tips on where to go with their pooch - so don’t be afraid to ask for advice and ideas on where is best to explore.
Explore Knoxville through house sitting. So, how does seeing the sites of Knoxville sound, without paying a dime for your stay, and having a pooch to show you around? Click below to find out how to start your house sitting adventure.

House sitting in Knoxville