Skip to Main Content

Knoxville, Tennessee: The Sunsphere

RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Address:
810 Clinch Ave., Knoxville, TN
Directions:
Downtown. I-40 exit 388. Take Henley St. south, and either follow signs or your eyes. Less than a mile. Double elevators to the observation level face the lake.
Hours:
Tu-F 10-5, Sa 9-5, Su 12-4 Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Admission:
Adults $5.
Save to My Sights

Sunsphere.

The Sunsphere

Opened May 1, 1982, as part of the Knoxville World's Fair. Abandoned, restored, and reopened several times, the latest in 2022.

Roadsideamerica.com Report... [05/01/2022]

Visitor Tips and News About The Sunsphere

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Sunsphere.

The Sunsphere

Free parking, unless you steal it from the hotel across the road, is a thing of the past. But the Locust Street Garage, kitty-corner from the end of the two-block-long pedestrian bridge that leads you right to the tower, is extremely reasonable ($1 an hour) and is also close to the beautiful and enjoyable Market Square and several other interesting sights.

[passepartout22, 11/12/2017]

The Sunsphere.

The Sunsphere

Can be found in World's Fair Park downtown, adjacent to the Knoxville Convention Center and across from the Holiday Inn and The Tennessean hotels. There is also an open air amphitheater next to it. You can go up to the observation deck daily (free of charge) to see a panoramic view of Knoxville.

[Laurie Tuten, 01/17/2017]

Sunsphere.

Sunsphere

We love towers. Towers of all shapes and sizes. However, there are very few free rides to visit the observation decks of most towers. Remarkably, the ride up to the observation deck of the Sunsphere is free. Just don't forget to bring the binoculars and the camera!

The exterior of the tower, with its glass windows layered in 24-karat gold dust, is uniquely beautiful. For those with kids, there are interactive fountains and a really great playground within the park complex. To top it all off, free parking is available.

[Gary Epperson, 09/05/2011]

Sunsphere.

Sunsphere

Visited in the morning 11/19/2010, but could not find any information about being able to go up to the top.... Was still a fun stop and great view!

[Kim V, 11/29/2010]

Nearby Offbeat Places

World's Largest Rubik's CubeWorld's Largest Rubik's Cube, Knoxville, TN - < 1 mi.
Doomed Rachmaninoff's Final ConcertDoomed Rachmaninoff's Final Concert, Knoxville, TN - < 1 mi.
Hypnotic StairsHypnotic Stairs, Knoxville, TN - < 1 mi.
In the region:
The Torchbearer, Knoxville, TN - < 1 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Tennessee Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings