1. Firehouse Subs

6.9
4419 Western Ave, Ste 101, Knoxville, TN
Sandwich Spot · 3 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: Kids eat free on Wednesdays.

2. Jimmy John's

7.7
5525 Clinton Hwy, Knoxville, TN
Sandwich Spot · 4 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: The first Jimmy John's I've seen with a drive thru. Order ahead online for maximum convenience.

3. Safari Grill

3500 Knoxville Zoo Dr, Knoxville, TN
Burger Joint · 1 tip

Mary FrancesMary Frances: Vegetarian alert! They have a Boca burger on the menu.

4. Bombay Palace Indian Cuisine

7.6
10901 Parkside Dr Ste 101 (parkside dr), Knoxville, TN
Indian Restaurant · 22 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: To introduce kids to Indian cuisine, go during the lunch buffet and start off with a mango lassi. Vegetable biryani rice, pakoras, and tandoori chicken are good gateway foods to get them started.

5. Ice Cream Parlor

7.0
1 Approach Rd (on Biltmore Estate), Asheville, NC
Ice Cream Parlor · 8 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: Go for the three half scoops option- half scoops here are normal sized scoops anywhere else. Salted caramel and Belgian dark chocolate are divine.

6. Oak Ridge Children's Museum

8.2
101-199 N Hollywood Cir, Oak Ridge, TN
Museum · 8 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: Great place to take kids on a rainy day. They frequently have a Groupon, so check before you come.

7. Bliss Home

7240 Kingston Pike Ste 152, Knoxville, TN
Furniture and Home Store · 2 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: Excellent furniture collection, but don't forget they carry decor and art. You may not be able to buy one of their big set pieces, but you can afford something to add pop to a room.

8. Bullfeathers

6.5
10535 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN
Speakeasy · 21 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: There is a dollar surcharge for any credit card transaction under ten dollars. If you aren't a big drinker, it is best to just bring cash.

9. Oconaluftee Visitor Center

8.9
1194 Newfound Gap Hwy (in Great Smoky Mountains National Park), Cherokee, NC
Tourist Information and Service · 9 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: The adjacent River Trail is a 1.5 (3 round trip) mile hike to Cherokee.

10. Deep Creek Trail

8.7
North Carolina
Hiking Trail · 5 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: A good family hike up to the first two falls. Easy to moderate, and the kids get excited about the waterfalls. Ok, you will, too.

11. Cancun Mexican Resturant

7.6
4409 Chapman Hwy (Young High), Knoxville, TN
Mexican Restaurant · 14 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: They now offer a frequent diner's punch card valid at all Cancun's and Senor Taco locations. 10th lunch is free.

12. Longs Drug Store

8.2
4604 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN
Pharmacy · 11 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: If you need to pay with a card, use the register at the pharmacy. The lunch counter register is cash only.

13. Gigi's Cupcakes

7.3
11665 Parkside Dr, Knoxville, TN
Cupcake Shop · 12 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: If you are not going to eat your cupcakes right away, refrigerate them to keep form. Also, give in and use a fork.

14. Shoney's

5.7
4410 Western Ave, Knoxville, TN
American Restaurant · 7 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: This is the best Shoney's I've been to. It's a well-lit, upbeat establishment (some others are depressing) with an attentive staff. It's still a Shoney's, but when you have a craving, come here.

15. Plum Tree

8.8
7052 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN
Chinese Restaurant · 9 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: Vegetarian Alert: Their Bean Curd Homestyle is my all-time favorite tofu dish.

16. River Rat

7.0
Townsend, TN
Water Park · 4 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: Wear water shoes or at least sandals that strap all the way around your foot. You will loose your flip flops!

17. Firebox Grill

6.8
7025 Shallowford Rd (Shallowford Village Dr), Chattanooga, TN
Burger Joint · Tyner - Greenwood · 10 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: Vegetarian Alert: they have a veggie burger, veggie and cheese subs, falafel and egg salad sandwiches on the menu plus a veggie burger salad.

18. Waterford Village Apts

5201 Western Ave, Knoxville, TN
Apartment or Condo · 2 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: Just give up trying to turn left onto Western between 7-9 a.m. You are going to wait at least ten minutes and draw the ire of everyone waiting behind you in line.

19. Nixon's Deli

7.7
220 N Peters Rd, Knoxville, TN
Deli · 4 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: 2 12 inch sandwiches are $10.99 after 4 p.m. and all day Saturday and Sunday.

20. Tulip Nail Spa

7741 S Northshore Dr, Knoxville, TN
Nail Salon · 1 tip

Mary FrancesMary Frances: The amount if pampering you get with the Tulip Pedicure is well worth the extra cost. One of the best treat yourself bargains in Knoxville.

The High Test Deli & Sweet Shop is one of Mary Frances’s Tips.

21. The High Test Deli & Sweet Shop

9.1
145 Everett St, Bryson City, NC
Deli · 16 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: Don't forget their ice cream sandwiches for dessert!

22. McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture

7.8
1327 Circle Park Dr (at Volunteer Blvd.), Knoxville, TN
Museum · University of Tennessee · 5 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: Be sure to check out the Duck River Cache in the Native Tennesseans exhibit. This display of ceremonial tools is reported to be the only collection of its kind.

23. Noodles & Company

8.0
11083 Parkside Dr, Knoxville, TN
Asian Restaurant · 32 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: For the vegetarian, you can get tofu as your protein on most dishes.

24. Noodles & Company

8.0
11083 Parkside Dr, Knoxville, TN
Asian Restaurant · 32 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: For a low carb option, go for one of the Buff Bowls, which uses spinach instead of pasta.

25. Smoky Mountain Brewery

7.9
11308 Parkside Dr, Knoxville, TN
Brewery · 80 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: Pretzels and beer cheese for an appetizer every time. Keep any leftover cheese to dump on any other food you may have ordered.

26. Knoxville Museum of Art

8.1
1050 Worlds Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN
Art Gallery · Downtown Knoxville · 21 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: The giant Lite Brite in the Creative Corner is fun for kids and adults alike.

27. Jack N' Diane's

1901 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN
Bar · Fort Sanders · 2 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: The dueling piano show usually begins at 9 p.m.

28. Jack N' Diane's

1901 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN
Bar · Fort Sanders · 2 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: Order the Purple Nehi (tastes just like its namesake) but skip the queso.

29. Magpies

8.5
846 N Central St, Knoxville, TN
Bakery · 9 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: If the flavor of the week piques your interest, go for it. They have a wide variety of flavors that they work through, and it may truly be a limited time option. Be adventurous and go for it.

30. Panda Express

8.3
11480 Parkside Dr, Knoxville, TN
Chinese Restaurant · 7 tips and reviews

Mary FrancesMary Frances: Vegetarian Alert: Despite what is listed on the website, this location has no vegetarian entrees. When I told the staff that I was a vegetarian, I was given no alternatives.