Lists. Right? Continually pushed in front of us on social media, the lists range from the “GOAT” lists, to the best of every category imaginable. This includes, of course, cities. Best quality of life, best climate, most exciting night life, you name it. The reason we get so many lists is because we click them. While they aren’t all “click bait,” online content providers do know we all love a good (or bad!) list. And so we get more.
Often when I see a list that includes Knoxville, I admit, I cringe a bit. I’m not sure we deserve every list we make and so much is political. Beyond that, there is a very real likelihood that the writer (assuming it is a human) will likely botch things up considerably. They don’t live here. What do they know? I often see restaurants, attractions, and more featured that clearly aren’t our best. They never seem to capture who we really are. But this one? It comes close to hitting the right notes.
Apparently, CNN Travel announces their ten best towns to visit once a year. This year’s article (which you can read for yourself here) includes our own little Knoxville at number nine. And it surprised me. It’s a pretty complete look at what makes us special and they interviewed some really good Knoxville people. I hardly cringed at all and the writer, Katy Koontz, came off sounding like she really knew the city.
“Keep Knoxville Scruffy” gets mentioned upfront, along with an explanation of how that sentiment came to be. The writer sums up the attitude as ““We don’t need to be fancy and polished. We’re proud of our patina. It’s so much more interesting.” I think a lot of us would agree with that.
The Sunsphere gets a mention, of course, as does the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. That bounces into a mention of the UT Lady Vols Basketball team, along with Neyland Stadium and that little team that plays there. Later there is a mention of the looming return of the Knoxville Smokies and their new stadium. There’s a mention of James White Fort and the early history of the city, as well as the University of Tennessee. A reference to the Old City as “more or less the Greenwich Village of Knoxville” was cute, if a bit of hyperbole since Greenwich Village is larger than all of downtown. Still, given my love of New York, I’ll admit I liked it.
Music and the arts got a strong nod, with the Tennessee Theatre and the Bijou getting prominent mention, as well as the history of music on the strip and Pilot Light. The Blue Plate Special comes in for attention, as does Market Square, Gay Street, and the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra referenced for the free Jazz on the Square. Big Ears gets a solid couple of paragraphs and our history of producing country music stars is noted.
One of the best things about the article is the inclusion of interviews or quotes from people who really do know the city — and not just the more famous or powerful. My friend Colby McClemore (Colby’s Photos and Videos), who has maintained a photography studio downtown for many years is quoted, as is everybody’s friend (including mine), Jody Collins (Feral Giant Branding, Ramblin’ Man Podcast).
As always with these sorts of list, the topic of food holds a central spot and sometimes I’m not thrilled with the spots that get highlighted. This time wasn’t so bad. Right up front they hit Joseph Lenn and J.C. Holdway. Steven Friedlander, who’s lived here for years, gives shout outs to Vida, Osteria Stella, and Kefi. Cruze Farm gets a mention, in addition to our brewery scene, including Xul and Abridged.
Our countless outdoor assets come in for great attention, including our proximity to the Smokies and the fireflies there. A video focuses on that. The Urban Wilderness and Ijams, along with the range of activities from biking, canoeing, hiking and more get a nod.
The best quote of the article goes to Jody who summed us up well: “We are not the next big thing, we are our own thing.”