The Knoxville Museum of Art (KMA) is one of the easiest "culture with kids" wins in the area — and it is completely free to walk in the door. Housed in a striking glass-front building right beside the World's Fair Park lawn, it's an easy 25-minute drive from Maryville and pairs great with a visit to the park or Sunsphere.

Why it works for kids: Admission is always free, which takes the pressure off — you can stay 20 minutes or two hours without feeling like you wasted a ticket. The museum rotates permanent and traveling exhibitions of East Tennessee and world art. Older kids and teens can actually slow down and look; younger ones tend to like the open gallery space, the glass art, and the freedom to move at their own pace.

The Art House (On the Trail) and families: KMA runs a real family program lineup — a dedicated Kids & Families series with hands-on art activities, plus a Summer Art Academy each summer with week-long morning classes for ages 3-12 and afternoon workshops for teens 13 and up. Tuition for the week runs about $170 for KMA members / $200 for non-members and includes supplies. Classes fill on a first-come basis, so register early when summer rolls around.

Know before you go: - Address: 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916 (right by the Sunsphere) - Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10 AM–5 PM, Sunday 1–5 PM, closed Mondays - Admission: Free (special exhibitions and some programs may charge) - Parking: Free lot on the north side plus a free lot across the street - Accessibility: Fully wheelchair accessible; wheelchairs available to borrow at the info desk - Phone: (865) 525-6101

Because it's free and central, KMA is an especially good "rainy-day or too-hot-to-be-outside" plan, and First Friday events downtown are nearby if you want to make an afternoon of it. Art studio hours, current exhibitions, and the latest family programs change regularly, so check knoxart.org before you head over.