Sunsphere offers free visits to Knox County residents on select Fridays
If you have a physical copy of a Knox County driver's license, you will get a complementary visit to the Sunsphere's observation deck on the fourth floor. The number of people allowed on the deck is limited, so it is first come, first served.
Pilot Company volunteers work in garden at Inskip Elementary School
The timeframe was chosen to commemorate the dates of the 1982 World's Fair for which the Sunsphere was built, said Kim Bumpas, president of Visit Knoxville. The observation deck will also be open an extra hour (until 6 p.m.) on those days.
Bumpas said the Sunsphere 'is a great way to see a 360-degree view of everything Knoxville.'
Additionally, from May 4-40, in celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week, adults with the code NTTW25 will get a 50% discount on admission — $5 instead of $10. Children 12 and under will be admitted free.
READ: More top stories on WATE.com
The Sunsphere also has displays about the history of the 1982 World's Fair.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
You can pan for gold in Ontario's mineral capital 3 hours from Toronto at Canada's largest gem and mineral show
Imagine finding breathtaking gemstones or even panning for gold right here in Ontario. Treasure hunters can experience some of Ontario's natural wonders by visiting Bancroft's 60th anniversary Rockhound Gemboree, running from July 31 to Aug. 3 in the Hastings County community, about three hours north of Toronto. The event includes Canada's largest gem and mineral show, with more than 100 dealers of fine mineral specimens, gemstone jewelry and lapidary supplies. In a presentation to Festivals and Events Ontario, Robin Tait, planning and development co-ordinator for Town of Bancroft, said the retail gem and mineral show attracts thousands of visitors annually. 'We are known as the mineral capital of Canada,' said Tait. The Town of Bancroft assumed control of the Rockhound Gemboree in 2019 and the event aligns nicely with the town's civic motto, Tait added. 'It celebrates our geological significance in the earth sciences, specifically,' said Tait. Bancroft is known as the mineral capital of Canada. The four-day festival, held during the Civic Holiday long weekend, includes value-added attractions , including a speaker series and a popular gold-panning activity for kids, Tait added. The show will be held at two locations in Bancroft, the North Hastings Community Centre ( 103 Newkirk Blvd. ) and the Bancroft Curling Club ( 63 Newkirk Blvd. ). Shuttle service between venues will be provided by Bancroft Community Transit. Show hours at North Hastings Community Centre are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours at the Bancroft Curling Club are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sodalite, which is abundant in Bancroft, is often used for decorative purposes today, as well as in jewelry and as a garden stone. Tait said Bancroft is best known for sodalite, a blue mineral that once captured royal attention. Back in 1901, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall (later known as King George V and Queen Mary) were so impressed by the mineral during a visit to the World's Fair in Buffalo that they ordered a large quantity to be mined from an area south of Bancroft. The mineral was shipped to England and used to decorate the interiors of Marlborough House, a royal residence in London. Tait said the mineral is mostly used for decorative purposes today, as well as in jewelry and as a garden stone. Along with the Gemboree itself, visitors to the Bancroft area can experience other natural wonders. This apatite and calcite specimen is similar to one you might see in the Bancroft area. This Ontario town, about three hours north of Toronto, is considered the mineral capital of Canada. Examples of other minerals you could find in the Bancroft area include beryl, tourmaline, garnet, quartz, apatite and more. The CN Rock Pile, across the road from the Town of Bancroft municipal office, contains materials brought in from a nearby quarry for the construction of the town's railway. Anyone is free to collect minerals here to create or expand their collections, according to the town's website . The Bancroft Gem and Mineral Museum has more than 1,000 mineral specimens, plus a mining diorama that shows what it looked like to mine underground when uranium mines were operating in the area. The Princess Sodalite Mine Rock Shop (31241 Hwy. 28 E., Bancroft) offers candle holders, bookends, wind chimes and stone carvings along with decorative minerals. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .


USA Today
08-07-2025
- USA Today
10 epic things to do in Seattle with kids for guaranteed family fun
Pike Place Market is a family-friendly farmer's market in the heart of Seattle – Photo courtesy of Allison Tibaldi From museums that explore pop culture and pinball to a ride to the top of the towering Space Needle, there's something for everyone in Seattle — kids and adults alike. A Pacific Northwest panorama of evergreens, majestic mountains, Elliot Bay, and the Puget Sound makes it easy to enjoy fresh air fun while staying within the city limits. I first discovered Seattle when our family's cruise to Alaska departed from the busy port, and I was instantly smitten. My children and I return often, forever discovering new fun things to do in Seattle with kids, including iconic attractions, outdoor adventures, and more. Here are 10 of our favorites. Space Needle The Space Needle is a must-see for kids and adults alike – Photo courtesy of Space Needle Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle observation tower is an icon of the Seattle skyline. Located in the heart of City Center with numerous other main attractions, you can ride the lightning-fast elevator for impressive views of the cityscape, Olympic and Cascade mountains, and Puget Sound islands from your perch 520 feet above ground. Advertisement Just below the observation deck is The Loupe, the world's first revolving glass floor with a slow spin that makes you feel like you're a record on a turntable. Olympic Sculpture Park Olympic Sculpture Park is a low-stakes way to introduce kids to art – Photo courtesy of Allison Tibaldi I introduced my children to the Olympic Sculpture Park along the waterfront when they were very young. Even if they don't appear interested, kids absorb color, form, and the ever-changing dialogue between art and the environment as they run and play outdoors. It's a low-stakes activity because it's free of charge. Works include Alexander Calder's immense "The Eagle," a 6-ton steel sculpture with soaring curves and spikes that somehow manages to capture the delicacy of an origami bird. When little legs need a rest, they can sit on a series of granite "Eye Benches," surrealist eyeballs that double as surprisingly comfortable benches. Advertisement Chihuly Garden and Glass Chihuly's glass works have loads of kid appeal – Photo courtesy of Greg Balkin / State of Washington Tourism Dale Chihuly has been expanding the boundaries of glass as an artistic medium for decades. His imaginative glass sculptures and installations are on display indoors and outdoors at Chihuly Garden and Glass. Chihuly's bold interplay of whimsy and luminous color is a winning combination for many children. Glassblowing demonstrations throughout the day are captivating, and young visitors can touch real tools and materials used in the glassblowing process at the hands-on Curiosity Station. Seattle Pinball Museum The Seattle Pinball Museum offers retro fun for kids – Photo courtesy of Alabastro Photography/Visit Seattle Families can spend hours enjoying unlimited play for one price on dozens of vintage and modern pinball machines at the Seattle Pinball Museum in the International District. My kids love the machine's low-tech flippers and retro arcade setting. Order a soda in a vintage glass bottle to complete the throwback experience. Advertisement Museum of Pop Culture The Museum of Pop Culture pays tribute to Seattle's seminal role in pop culture – Photo courtesy of Allison Tibaldi If you're traveling with a tough-to-please teenager, the Museum of Pop Culture is an oasis of cool that should appease even the moodiest. The Frank Gehry-designed building is a testament to rebel architecture at its finest, wrapped in shimmering sheet metal that resembles a smashed electric guitar. Permanent and temporary exhibits explore the influence of pop culture in music, film, fashion, sports, and gaming. Seattle's role in music, particularly grunge and alternative rock, is evident in the Guitar Gallery, an homage to the instrument and the musicians who play it. Glimpse the guitar of hometown rocker Jimi Hendrix and clothing worn by Washington-born Kurt Cobain. The Sound Lab lets kids create music with real instruments, while the Next Gen Gamers exhibit tests their skills as they play trailblazing video games. Pike Place Market The Gum Wall at Pike Place Market is quirky fun thing to do with kids in Seattle – Photo courtesy of Alabastro Photography / Visit Seattle Since 1907, Pike Place Market has supplied farm-fresh produce and boat-to-table seafood to generations of Seattleites and hungry tourists. Hundreds of farmers, fishermen, and artisans sell their goods in the heart of downtown. Watch the fishmongers throw fish into the waiting arms of customers — an entertaining and unusual market ritual. If you're visiting in summer, sample yellow-hued Rainier cherries, a Washington treat. More than a marketplace, it's a community center. Public art, including the Instagram-favorite Gum Wall, adds quirky eye candy. Kids particularly enjoy exploring the Magic Market Shop (the third oldest magic shop in the country) and eating mac and cheese from Beecher's while watching cheese get made. Advertisement Seattle Aquarium The Seattle Aquarium has interactive exhibits with a conservation message – Photo courtesy of Allison Tibaldi The Seattle Aquarium combines dazzling sea life with a conservation message. Over 10,000 animals live here — from seahorses to a Giant Pacific Octopus — with an emphasis on those from the Pacific Northwest. Interactive touch tanks, a hands-on play space, and a crawl-through coral reef encourage kids to become stewards of the sea while having a ball. Seattle Great Wheel The Seattle Great Wheel has views for days – Photo courtesy of Rachael Jones/Visit Seattle Hop in a climate-controlled pod and take a sky-high ride on the enormous Seattle Great Wheel on Pier 57. On a clear day, this 175-foot Ferris wheel presents stunning vistas of the skyline and Mount Rainier. At night, it's illuminated with a half-million LED lights. A ride lasts for approximately 15 minutes. When you've landed back down to earth, take a spin on a painted pony at the carousel just a few steps away. Golden Gardens Park Seattle's Golden Gardens Park's sandy beach and tide pools are fun for kids – Photo courtesy of Rachael Jones/Visit Seattle If your family craves an afternoon at the beach, Golden Gardens Park in the Ballard neighborhood is a jackpot. This one-mile stretch of soft sand along the Puget Sound is perfect for Frisbee and beach volleyball, while the clear, cold water may tempt the brave to go for a summertime swim. At low tide, rocky sections at either end are a great place to view tide pools teeming with sea creatures, including anemones and starfish. Pacific Science Center Seattle's Pacific Science Center is a great place for curious kids – Photo courtesy of Rachael Jones/Visit Seattle Over the years, I've taken my kids to numerous science museums. As they grew older, they were often bored, as many catered to young children. Advertisement
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
Whataburger to open Knoxville location on Cumberland Avenue
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Whataburger is one step closer to opening in East Tennessee, as a business license was spotted on a storefront on Cumberland Avenue in Knoxville. The City of Knoxville business license, issued on March 19, placed the new business at 1830 Cumberland Avenue. USDA inspects livestock for flesh-eating parasite in Strawberry Plains The news comes just a few months after a privately-owned franchisee in East Tennessee and North Alabama, MWB Restaurants, included future locations for the Texas-based chain in Knoxville and Chattanooga on their website. For more than 75 years, Whataburger has been known for its famous burgers and 'Fancy Ketchup.' In 1950, the chain opened its first location in Corpus Christi, Texas, and since has grown to include more than 1,000 locations across a dozen states. Second Harvest continues to feel federal cuts impact ahead of summer months Until the opening of the Whataburger on Cumberland Avenue, those with a craving that only a Whataburger can suffice will have to visit the next closest location in Hermitage, which is approximately 169 miles away. After that, the next closest location is approximately 175 miles away in Easley, South Carolina. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.