Highlights: Marble Springs State Historic Farmstead, James White's Fort, Blount Mansion, Tennessee Riverboat Ride, Lunch, Sunsphere & the Tennessee Theatre Present-day Knoxville is in the heart of the Great Valley of East Tennessee and at the headwaters of the Tennessee River. This makes the city a center for the region's economy, culture, and history. The natural resources and river-generated power helped establish Knoxville as an important "New Deal" city in the early 20th century, as a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and as headquarters to the Tennessee Valley Authority. In 1982, Knoxville was host to a World's Fair and 11 million visitors. The theme, "Energy Turns the World," reflects the city's prominent role in technology. Today, Knoxville is home to pioneers in industry, leaders in the arts, and traditionalists working to preserve our heritage. Our tour begins with Marble Springs State Historic Farmstead Original home of the Governor John Sevier includes loom house, tavern, smokehouse and half-cantilever barn. From there we will make our way to James White's Fort, built in 1786 and Knoxville’s first pioneer structure. The home of James White, a politician and general during the Creek Indian War, is great resource to learn more about the life of early settlers. Next stop is Blount Mansion, constructed from 1792-1830. This National Historic Landmark was home to Gov. William Blount, signer of the U.S. Constitution and veteran of the Revolutionary War. For lunch we will enjoy a fun lunch cruise, complete with a delicious lunch buffet on the scenic Tennessee River aboard the Star of Knoxville, an authentic stern wheel riverboat. After lunch we will make our way to the Sunsphere, a unique Knoxville landmark was built for the 1982 World's Fair and the observation deck has a great 360-degree view of downtown Knoxville and beyond.

Our final stop of the day is the newly restored Tennessee Theatre, the official state theatre of Tennessee. A grand movie "palace" from 1928 in the Spanish-Moorish style, interior details includes Czechoslovakian crystal chandeliers and Italian terrazzo floors in the Grand Lobby, with Asian influences in the carpet and drapery patterns.