While you are so close, you will want to spend a day in Pigeon Forge at Dollywood. Located 35 miles SE of Knoxville, Dollywood is Dolly Parton’s theme park. The park consists of 30 rides and attractions, bluegrass, gospel, country and mountain music, and craftsmen of all kinds. There is a festival for each season starting with the Festival of Nations in the spring, KidsFest in the summertime, the National Music and Harvest Celebration in the fall and at Christmas they feature the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival. Call 865-428-9488 for admission prices and park schedules as they vary throughout the year and are subject to change.
Across from Dollywood is Splash Country which is a 30 acre water park that is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
You will have a wonderful view of the Smokey Mountains from Pigeon Forge.