Taste local sweets while exploring downtown Knoxville on foot
2 hours
Sweet treats, local history
Explore downtown Knoxville with a guide as you pair local flavors with stories of the city's past. Enjoy a relaxed walking experience with time for photos along the way.
Our Knoxville sweet treats adventure begins in the heart of downtown at historic Market Square, one of the city's most beloved gathering places. After meeting your guide, you'll learn about Knoxville's fascinating history while enjoying delicious seasonal beignets inspired by the flavors of New Orleans. Take time to soak in the lively atmosphere, snap photos, and discover why Market Square has been the center of community life for generations.
From there, we'll stroll through colorful Strong Alley, Knoxville's famous outdoor art gallery. Along the way, you'll admire vibrant murals, learn about local artists, and hear stories about some of East Tennessee's most famous residents, including the legendary Dolly Parton.
Next, we'll make our way along historic Gay Street, the city's main thoroughfare since the 1700s. As we explore the architectural gems and hidden stories of downtown Knoxville, we'll stop to enjoy a handcrafted French macaron from a beloved local café. You'll also have the chance to admire beautiful artisan chocolates and learn about the art of French pastry making.
Continuing through downtown, we'll visit one of Knoxville's most iconic bakeries to sample their world-famous lemon cookie. Known for its soft texture and bright citrus flavor, this local favorite has earned a devoted following and has been delighting Knoxvillians for decades.
As we make our way back toward Market Square, you'll catch views of the iconic Sunsphere and hear the remarkable story of Knoxville's 1982 World's Fair. Your guide will share fun facts, local legends, and recommendations for making the most of your time in the city.
We'll conclude our tour with a true Southern classic: warm biscuits served with seasonal jam. It's the perfect finale to a morning filled with delicious treats, local history, colorful artwork, and unforgettable stories. By the end of the experience, you'll have discovered Knoxville's sweetest flavors while exploring some of the city's most charming and historic neighborhoods. We can't wait to welcome you on one of our delicious Knoxville tours soon!
Product ID: UTX5ZZ
The tour covers roughly 1.5–2 miles and does not return to its starting location. Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
Share any dietary restrictions in advance so they can be considered for the sweet treats tour.
A liability waiver is required for all participants.
Kane's Donuts, 90 Oliver St, Boston, MA 02110
The guides really make this experience special. Reviewers consistently praise their tour leaders by name—Wade, Beau, Eric, Jackson, Nick, Michael, Emily, and others—describing them as knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely engaging. What stands out is how these guides weave local history and city stories into the walking tour, making it much more than just a food crawl. Multiple guests mention learning fascinating historical facts about their city while sampling donuts, and several reviewers who've taken tours in different cities (Chicago, Portland, DC, Boston, NYC) report consistently excellent experiences across locations. The donut quality gets thumbs up, with most stops offering delicious variety in styles and flavors. Expect comfortable seating at each location, which people appreciate. Tours typically run about two hours and cover a good walking distance, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Several locals have used these tours to entertain out-of-town visitors with great success, and at least one repeat customer has done six tours and counting. It's clearly a hit for dates, birthdays, and family outings alike.
Great tour! They had gluten free options at 3 out of 4 stops.
Hailey
August 31, 2026
Great tour! They had gluten free options at 3 out of 4 stops.
Hailey
August 31, 2026
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