In a college town like Knoxville, it can sometimes be easy to forget that the city has more to offer outside of the campus area.

Whether you’re a Knoxville native looking for new ways to appreciate and experience your home city, or if you came here for college and would like to find some new things to do on the weekends or after class, here are five essential city activities to partake in while you’re here.

Visit Ijams Nature Center – 2915 Island Home Ave

Located within a surprisingly brief 15-minute drive from campus, Ijams Nature Center offers a way to experience and immerse yourself in the natural features of East Tennessee. Featuring over 300 acres of protected wilderness and several hiking trails, Ijams also offers outdoor activities such as biking, climbing, fishing and even features an outdoor ropes course.

Ijams offers a fantastic way to both get off campus and experience Knoxville as a city, as well as a way to experience nature and enjoy the outdoors in many fun and healthy ways.

Catch a show at The Tennessee Theater – 604 S Gay St

Constructed in 1928 in the building that is considered Knoxville’s first skyscraper, the Tennessee Theater’s dazzling sign as viewed by those on Gay Street at night has become as much of an image of the city as the Sunsphere.

The theater offers spacious halls that feature a variety of showings, presenting anything from plays to orchestral performances in its beautiful and historic concert halls.

Check out the East Tennessee History Museum – 601 S Gay St

Located in the heart of the city’s downtown, only a trolley ride away from campus, the East Tennessee History Museum opened as an effort to capture and exhibit the rich cultural legacy of both Knoxville and the surrounding East Tennessee region.

The museum offers a main display hall and a special exhibition hall and regularly hosts speakers from UT and other areas who touch on a variety of historical and educational topics.

Eat at the Central Filling Station – 900 N Central St

An original to both Knoxville and Tennessee, Central Filling Station plays host to the first ever food truck park in the state. The park is located off of Broadway, just a short distance from downtown, and is open Wednesday through Sunday.

Central Filling Station offers a rotating selection of local food trucks who come to the park to feed their hungry customers, as well as a bar that features many craft beers for customers 21 and over.

Visit the Market Square Farmer’s Market

Started by Nourish Knoxville, the Market Square Farmer’s Market is a beloved city staple that students who stay in town over the summer have access to. The Farmer’s Market features dozens of vendors selling locally made products, fresh meat and produce and much more, right in the beautiful heart of downtown.

The Farmer’s Market is open from May to Thanksgiving every year.