Sunsphere
Sunsphere things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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This just reopened after a long closure due to covid and some updates. The employees and director were friendly, helpful and enthusiastic. The view is good and they are planning to continue improving the experience. I am told it used to be free and locals are unhappy that it's now $5 a person to go to the top. I for one am OK with paying a nominal fee to support a historic structure for continued maintenance and improvements. Other places charge four times as much or more. Right now you need to book online and call a phone number to have the attendant bring you up. You can walk up some stairs to view from the 2nd story observation deck for free. The parking is a good distance from here and I didn't see any handicapped parking either. I think in time this will become more of a destination. I hope to see more photos, memorabilia and stats about the construction and the world's fair included. It was still worth the visit!
Bridget HBridget H
90
My husband, daughter and I went on vacation and stopped by here on our way home. It was a little confusing trying to find somewhere to park, we ended up walking a good distance. I am absolutely terrified of heights, but I try to go places to conquer my fear. The pictures really do not show how tall this thing really is! The floor listings stated the third floor was the only one that was open to the public. We were a little disappointed, and I was a little relieved because it wasnt that high and there were some people on the deck. The elevator took forever and it turns out the third floor is the bottom of the sphere. I was pretty terrified especially becuase I was expecting to be 3 stories up. It is a really beautiful view. It also has little plaques telling some info about what you're seeing.
Lisa BrownLisa Brown
10
The view during the day is not all that good because the Sunsphere is not all that high. The outside glass needs a thorough cleaning. What you see in almost all directions are a number of parking lots. The one good direction is looking over the World Fair Park. The view at night is non existent. The glass and the bright inside lights make the Sunsphere basically a 360 degree mirror. Look at the attached picture. That is a photo taken from the top at night. All you can see are the inside walls of the Sunsphere. Do *not* waste your time going up to the Sunsphere at night. *Not worth it at all*. The one good thing is that there is no charge to take the elevator to the observation deck. This was obviously a great attraction back in 1982 for the World Fair, but now seems so passe.
Kishore BhageshpurKishore Bhageshpur
00
When I last visited my brother in Knoxville, I figured I might as well check out the Sunsphere (having seen it on an episode of "The Simpsons" years back) while I was in the area. It is neat structure that pops right out the closer you get. There is an elevator to an observation deck, which is where this attraction loses a star from me: Despite a great view of the city--especially the University of Tennessee campus--the windows at the top are filthy, making the city look cloaked in smog/smoke. Needless to say, the interior was not very conducive to capturing good pics of the city from above. Also, despite popular belief, there is *NO* wig storage area at the top within the "sphere" (the staff made that abundantly clear when asked.)
Trent HartleyTrent Hartley
130
A great stop in Knoxville, currently priced at $5 a person the observation deck offers wide ranging views of downtown and some of the rolling hills and mountains in the distance as well as a good chunk of the University of Tennessee campus. The best views are definitely in the summer when the surrounding trees and park below are most lively. Pictures can be hard to capture as the tint on the exterior glass gives the area a green glow inside. The observation deck itself isn’t massive but offers enough room. There’s a good detailed explanation of the structures history inside as well. Also inside is a limited selection of merchandise and a restroom. The deck is accessed by an elevator only which can be a little tight at times.
Fountain ChannelFountain Channel
120
8.30.23 I'm from CT and was visiting for the 1st time. There was some street parking and small lots not too far, a short walking distance from tblhe World's Fair Park, where the Sunsphere is located. Tickets to go up the Sunsphere are $5 and you just scan the bar code and buy them on your phone. You can only go up at the designated times to the observation floor. And note, they close for an hour and half during lunch (so check times online). The park itself is nice, and free, so can stroll around. The sphere itself is cool. And once on the observation floor, there's lots of memorabilia and photos from the original days. And the views are beautiful. You can see the University of TN, etc. Definitely worth the $5pp
Margaret HonanMargaret Honan
20
Nearby Attractions Of Sunsphere
Neyland Stadium
World's Fair Park
Market Square
Tennessee Theatre
Crowne Plaza Knoxville Downtown University by IHG
Knoxville Convention Center
Regal Riviera
University of Tennessee
Knoxville Museum of Art
Bijou Theatre
Neyland Stadium
4.7
(2.3K)Click for details
World's Fair Park
4.7
(1.7K)Click for details
Market Square
4.7
(1.5K)Click for details
Tennessee Theatre
4.9
(1.6K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Sunsphere
Calhoun's On The River
Stock & Barrel
Cafe 4
Balter Beerworks
The French Market Creperie Downtown
Not Watson's Kitchen + Bar
Sweet P's Barbecue and Downtown Dive
The Tomato Head
Chesapeake's Seafood Restaurant
Downtown Grill & Brewery
Calhoun's On The River
4.3
(2.8K)Click for details
Stock & Barrel
4.6
(2K)Click for details
Cafe 4
4.7
(2K)Click for details
Balter Beerworks
4.6
(1.4K)Click for details
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
810 Clinch Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902
Map
Phone
(865) 314-0660
Call
Website
sunspheretickets.com
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Reviews
Overview
4.5
(1K reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
outdoor
accessibility
Description
The Sunsphere located in World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, is a 266-foot high hexagonal steel truss structure, topped with a 75 ft gold-colored glass sphere that served as the symbol of the 1982 World's Fair.
attractions: Neyland Stadium, World's Fair Park, Market Square, Tennessee Theatre, Crowne Plaza Knoxville Downtown University by IHG, Knoxville Convention Center, Regal Riviera, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Museum of Art, Bijou Theatre, restaurants: Calhoun's On The River, Stock & Barrel, Cafe 4, Balter Beerworks, The French Market Creperie Downtown, Not Watson's Kitchen + Bar, Sweet P's Barbecue and Downtown Dive, The Tomato Head, Chesapeake's Seafood Restaurant, Downtown Grill & Brewery
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