Lifestyle Information

People in the Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley enjoy a vacationer's paradise that draws millions of visitors from all over the world every year.

Natural Beauty

The Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley is renowned for some of the most spectacular and accessible natural beauty anywhere.

The region is ideal for those with a love of nature. Residents and visitors to the region enjoys hundreds of thousands of acres of parks and recreational space including vast forests, abundant fresh-water fishing streams and lakes.

National Parks, Forests & Recreation Areas

• The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country. The Smokies encompass over 500,000 acres of rugged mountains, lush valleys and breath-taking vistas plus miles of hiking trails, dozens of campsites and boundless opportunities to "get away from it all" just minutes from downtown Knoxville.
• The Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries pass through 90 miles of scenic gorges and valleys creating the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The area offers a broad range of recreational opportunities including camping, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting and fishing.
• The Obed Wild and Scenic River has over 45 miles of creeks and rivers with bluffs as high as 500 feet. Outdoor recreation such as whitewater boating, rock climbing, hiking and fishing are popular seasonal activities in the Obed. The Obed Wild and Scenic River was established as a national park in 1976 to protect and preserve portions of the Obed River.
• Completing the total recreation package are two national forests, nine state parks numerous hiking trails and three whitewater rafting rivers.

Water Lover's Paradise

• The Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley is a boater's dream with seven Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) managed lakes covering 266 square miles and nearly 3,500 miles of shoreline.
• Canoeists and fly fishers alike love our beautiful mountain streams and rivers.
• Tennessee's Ocoee River Olympic Whitewater Course is just a short drive away.

Recreational Resources

• Tremendous recreational activities are found throughout the region year-round.

Cultural Opportunities

The Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley is not just a pretty place to live and work. It is also a haven for those who enjoy year-round cultural activities and opportunities.

• The Dogwood Arts Festival is the longest-running civic celebration in North America, hosting over 350 events including shows, concerts and sporting events for three weeks annually in April.
• Two active symphonies perform in the region, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and the Oak Ridge Symphony.
• The Museum of Appalachia is a permanent showplace for area arts, crafts and Appalachian history.
• The American Museum of Science and Energy is one of the world's largest energy-related exhibitions.
• The Knoxville Zoo is recognized as one of the top twenty zoos in the nation.
• The $12-million state-of-the-art Knoxville Museum of Art regularly hosts some of the most prominent collections in the world.

Health Care

At costs 18% below the national average, eight regional medical centers provide the region with world-renowned specialties and services boasting a reputation for quality health care.

Climate

The Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley residents enjoy a moderate climate with four distinct seasons. Extended periods of extremely hot or cold weather are exceedingly rare, creating an ideal environment for keeping production lines rolling.