Knoxville Self-Guided (GPS) Audio Walking Tour, Tennessee - Where to live tour

Get parked and then head east on Wall Avenue. Bring your wallet because our first stop is Market Square.

Market Square is coming right up. You will know it when you get there. This is the time to browse, shop and grab a bite to eat. I'll be telling you about some of the cool stores and restaurants in the market, so be patient and enjoy this history lesson:

Early in the history of Knoxville it became apparent that the city's north side was going to be a focal point of the growing community. In 1854 Market House became the first structure built in the area. It was an open sort of building, much like the Auction House Market in New Orleans. Though the building was dedicated as a perpetual farmers' market, it was created not as a philanthropic effort, but a real estate development.

Market House was a busy place, regardless of your social situation in life, as everyone shopped here. It was called "The most democratic place on earth. Where the rich and the poor, the white and the black, jostle each other in perfect equality." The building contained a large auditorium where country music was played, as well as performers such as Duke Ellington.

It also served as a setting for political rallies, including those of the suffrage movement. Today Market Square is known as a historic district and pedestrian mall… a hipster destination, with plenty to see, eat and drink. It's a place to spread out, splash in the fountain, or shop till you drop.

Let's talk about what you can find in Market Square. The Tennessee Department of Tourism Development has been on an advertising blitz, drawing attention to the state's mind-blowing musical offerings, invigorating outdoor adventures, historical landmarks and, to be sure— its died-and-gone-to-heaven cooking. The Department's motto is: No matter what you like, you can find something to love in Tennessee.

You are also sure to find something to love at Stock & Barrel with its 20 signature burger combinations and more than 150 whiskeys and bourbons. Everywhere one travels there are restaurants claiming to have the world's best burger. The Knoxville based Stock & Barrel restaurant doesn't need such embellishment given that they've already been named by TripAdvisor as having among the best in America…the land of the free, home of the hamburger.

Founded in 2013, Stock & Barrel is a stylish, farm-to-table restaurant with a focus on quality and local ingredients. The beef is sourced from Mitchell Family Farm in nearby Blaine that supplies Stock & Barrel which is grain fed, pasture raised, antibiotic and hormone free. The sixth-generation ranchers and growers also have a tent during Market Square's Farmers' Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, where they feature their USDA inspected beef, along with flowers, and homegrown seasonal decor. The buns for Stock & Barrel's gourmet burgers come from Flour Head, a small, local artisan bakery specializing in international breads.

With their emphasis on the finest bourbons and modern variations of classic cocktails, it's easy to say there's a great deal of Tennessee character in Stock & Barrel.

Scruffy City Hall is what locals like to call their happy place. Among the top reasons cited is the rooftop bar with its outstanding food and drinks, live music, as well as the presiding view of Market Square. In this era where customer experience is front and center in the hospitality industry, rooftop bars and restaurants are all the rage. In addition to the entertainment value that they provide, rooftop establishments offer patrons the chance to meet new people. Knoxville residents don't want to stay indoors. They enjoy getting out and creating new friends… perhaps forming a new social circle. And what better place than atop the Scruffy City Hall rooftop? It's a great destination even if only for a quick drink. If there on a hot day, misting fans will cool you off along with that cold brew or specialty cocktail.

Speaking of cool, many customers say it's the coolest place to hang out in Knoxville. However, at Scruffy City Hall there are not two, but three floors of enjoyment. A second-floor balcony is another vantage point from which to people watch. People say the bar has an "Wild West" charm, where one can sit under the stars upon church pews, and where the staff climb ladders in retrieving liquor bottles from the upper shelves. "In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is freedom. In water there is bacteria." It's a passage from Benjamin Franklin that should be among a group of drinking quotes adorning the wall of Market Square's Preservation Pub, whose own slogan, "Welcome…You're in good company," tells of its standing as a favorite spot to relax and unwind.

In addition to the drinking quotes, there are four floors of art, a speakeasy, glowing crystals, colorful flamingos and, get this, a Magic Beer Tree. It's a real tree whereby the sap turns sugars into beer… a mahogany-colored lager at that! Well not really.

The Magic Beer Tree is, however, one of the largest pieces of art in the city. It alone makes it worth visiting the pub. There's actual foliage growing on the structure, and, most importantly, at its trunk there are numerous beer taps dispensing favorite local and national brands.

Preservation Pub also includes Knoxville's longest-running rooftop bar that can be reached by carefully climbing the limbs and branches of the Magic Beer Tree. Again, not really. You can, however, relax and unwind on the rooftop of what has been voted Knoxville's best bar and one of the 10 Best Pubs in the USA, by USA Today. The bar played an important role in revitalizing Market Square, hence the name Preservation Pub. It's open year-round until 3:00 a.m. and has live music every night. In a line from Winnie-the-Pooh, author A.A. Milne wrote "We didn't realize we were making memories; we just knew we were having fun."

That sums up Not Watson's restaurant on Market Square, with its curious name born of memories, and epitomizing what the Knoxville establishment is all about— having fun. First, the name. Watson's was a department store chain based in Knoxville that grew to many locations throughout the Southeastern United States. The owner of the restaurant tells of his memories as a child, climbing into the family car with his siblings on Saturdays and asking his mother where they were going… though it was invariably to the discount retailer, upon which the children would exclaim in mock loathing— "Not Watson's!" When the building that once housed the former department store became available the restaurateur knew precisely where he wanted to open his restaurant and the name he wanted for his Market Square establishment.

As the website says, "Call it destiny, a blast from the past, whatever you like…Not Watson's was creating some pretty cool memories, long before we opened its doors." With a main menu, brunch menu, extensive drinks menu, and a menu just for kids, Not Watson's offers something for everyone. Its fried green tomatoes are said to be delicious, tart and super crispy. There's homemade pimento cheese, sweet and tangy tomato jam along with smoky savory country ham, and main entrees such as braised beef short ribs, and "Not Yo' Mama's Chicken and Waffles."

Last but not least, McDonalds may have its fries, but Not Watson's has world class tater tots! There are over 300 unique honey varieties in the United States. Most of them have a wonderful aroma and taste. But a few of them are simply the best, including the bright and mesmerizing flavor of tupelo honey, that comes from the tupelo tree and not from the Mississippi town where Elvis was born.

The tupelo blossoms last just three short weeks and during that time the weather must be mild and calm to produce a good honey crop. No matter the weather conditions, Tupelo Honey on Market Square is ready to serve bright and mesmerizing Southern dishes. Just as the tupelo tree nectar makes for delicious honey, the Southern spirit that goes into each recipe at Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar makes for delectable food. Emblazoned upon the menu at Tupelo Honey are the words "forever free."

They're not making a patriotic clarion call, but rather it's the restaurant's way of saying that the meat they serve is free of antibiotics or hormones. Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bars works closely with their providers, ensuring that animals are pasture-raised, sustainably farmed, and the seafood is harvested in the wild. Animal welfare is always a top priority for the restaurant, its providers, and customers!

Delicate or bold, dress up or dress down pretty much encapsulates Fizz fashion boutique in Market Square. The store fancies itself as one of a kind, and indeed it is. Its mauve storefront shouts out as much. Let's start with the clothing. It originates from all over the world and is made of natural fabrics. The people at Fizz have created a store that is funky and unique. The styles they carry are hard to find, and some frequent visitors to Knoxville make it a point to stop by this shop whenever they're in town. Fizz also makes jewelry. The store is ideal, not only for women shoppers looking for those unique earrings, but for men seeking to find an item that's both just right, yet sentimental for their paramour, or for themselves. Hint: Meaningful jewelry gifts don't have to break the bank. Just select something that demonstrates that you pay attention to your partner's tastes and style.

Having an "eggsistential" crisis? Try brunch at Ruby Slipper where they're crazy… strike that… obsessed, as they say, about brunch. Like all the uniquely named establishments along Market Square, Ruby Slipper views itself as a distinctive place culturally in Knoxville. In this case the New Orleans based restaurant group believes that they've created, not only a restaurant, but a mind space that "celebrates the craveable and creative flavor and spirit of brunch." At Ruby Slipper there are no apologies, or explanation, nor justifications needed for enjoying crispy bacon, for relishing an egg atop most any dish, and where bottomless mimosas and tasty syrup seize the day.

Café 4 at 4 Market Square considers themselves pioneers in the revitalization of downtown Knoxville given the condition of the neighborhood upon the café's founding. They also consider themselves pioneers in bringing modern food and drink options to Scruffy City. According to the website, Café 4 was "birthed from a desire to bring hospitality and high-quality local fare to the heart of Market Square." It's also a place that prides itself on serving delicious, locally roasted coffees, and serving specialty cocktails.

There's yet another fizz establishment on Market Square— a candy store named Rocket Fizz. They claim to have the largest selection of candy and soda ever found in one store. Rocket Fizz carries hundreds of craft sodas produced in microbreweries from all over the world. They also claim to sell almost every candy ever made.

Even their Facebook page sparkles with pure enjoyment, including Fun Fact Friday, with factoids about your favorite candies, such as: During World War II, American soldiers were given Tootsie Rolls in their rations because of the candy's ability to withstand all weather conditions. How about this- Each regular-sized Snickers bar contains 16 peanuts. And The color distribution in a bag of Reese's Pieces is 50% orange, 25% brown, and 25% yellow. The name 3 Musketeers comes not only from the Alexandre Dumas adventure novel, but also because the bar once included chocolate, vanilla and strawberry flavors.

While making your way around Market Square, stop by the Tennessee Woman Suffrage Memorial. As the name says, it honors the women who campaigned for the state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution to give women the right to vote. Tennessee was the final state to ratify the amendment. The sculpture was unveiled in 2006 as part of a day of commemorations, which included a re-enactment of a suffrage march, with women in vintage clothes and replica sashes, and carrying replica banners.

Coffee and Chocolate…sounds like a European movie about enjoying life to its fullest before it's too late. It is, however, Knoxville's premier dessert shop. The beans used in brewing their macchiatos, mochas, and drip coffees are locally roasted. What better to have with that coffee than chocolate? The difficult question is— what to select? The pairing combination has been a part of Western culture since the 1600s. Macarons are one signature offering at Coffee and Chocolate. What about milk chocolate ganache infused with honey whiskey? Peanut butter truffle? White Chocolate Pistachio? Whatever you select… go ahead and indulge!

After you are done, please meet me at the corner of Wall Ave and S Gay St. Just follow your navigation!