Knoxville named one of the '10 totally underrated U.S. cities'

The Scruffy City's rugged charm isn't understood by some outsiders, but a recent post on the blog just named Knoxville one of the 10 most underrated cities in the United States.

Knoxvillians know that the city has plenty to offer. As one of the country's best college towns, home to some of this year's biggest reality TV stars and even the taste-tester for the most recent chicken sandwich contender, Knoxville has a lock on authenticity.

Yet somehow the city has still been under the radar for many. However, Bradley O'Neill, the author of the Discoverer article, found what others have been missing.

"Bypass Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge to spend a night at Knoxville. Set on the Tennessee River, this is the personification of an easy-going college town. College football, museums, nightlife, you’ve got a little bit of everything to keep you busy," O'Neill wrote.

"Market Square and the Old City are the restaurant and nightlife hot spots. And Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness has 50 miles (80 kilometers) of trails that meander along the riverfront."

O'Neill can't seem to resist the city.

Here are O'Neill's "10 totally underrated U.S. Cities" (in alphabetical order):

Beaufort, South Carolina

Bentonville, Arkansas

Camden, Maine

Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Hilo, Hawaii

Knoxville, Tennessee

Salem, Oregon

Springdale, Utah

Taos, New Mexico

Twin Falls, Idaho

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel, by Allie Clouse

The East Tennessee Economic Development Agency markets and recruits business for the 15 counties in the greater Knoxville-Oak Ridge region of East Tennessee. Visit www.eteda.org

 

Published December 27, 2019