With its convenient placement near railroads and rivers, Knoxville has been a hub of commerce and culture for hundreds of years. Packed with museums, performing arts centers, and parks, there's always something to do in the Heart of the Valley. Also known as the Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville harbors an array of hiking trails and gorgeous highland vistas.

Combine your love of history, climbing, and water fun at Fort Dickerson Park. Take in the views as the kids play on the playground or ball fields at Lakeshore Park or enjoy the interactive fountains and live performances on offer at the World's Fair Park. Other outdoor activities include Ijams Nature Center, Zoo Knoxville, and Knoxville Botanical Gardens. You'll find a statue of Indianapolis author Alex Haley in Haley Heritage Square. Haley wrote the book "Roots," based on his family's experience as enslaved people.

If you're more of the indoorsy type, catch a show at the Old City PAC. You can also visit the East Tennessee History Center to learn more about how our city came to be. Don't forget to hit up the Knoxville Museum of Art for a glimpse into the works of local artists. Take a trip to the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture to see everything from Egyptian mummies and Native American artifacts to Civil War records and Appalachian heritage. You can also step back in time at James White's Fort, the home of Knoxville's founder.

Traipsing across the city can work up an appetite, and Knoxville's food scene is always on point. Catch a morning bite to fuel up for a day of sightseeing at Olibea, which serves a fusion of Mexican and Southern favorites. Grab lunch at Hard Knox Pizza, Nick & J's Cafe, or Brown Bag, known for its healthy, quick bites. When you're ready for dinner, try burgers and bourbon at Stock & Barrel. Churrascaria-style meats at Brazeiros Brazilian Steakhouse are always popular. Enjoy Japanese cuisine at Nama Sushi Bar. For vegetarian options, check out The Tomato Head, Sunspot Restaurant, or Yassin's Falafel House.

On the sports front, it's all about the University of Tennessee's Vols. Besides collegiate athletics, Knoxville hosts minor league teams, including Knoxville Force soccer, Knoxville Ice Bears hockey, and Tennessee Smokies baseball. Knoxville is also home to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

Of course, the only way to get out and explore your city is to get out there and do it. That's hard to do when you're stuck at home, buried in landscaping projects. Free up your time with LawnStarter.

Visit the site or download the app on your phone. Once you're there, put in your ZIP code and create your free account to see a list of landscaping companies in your area. Next, select the locally owned business that works best for you and schedule your service date. These pros can give you a total yard makeover, complete with gardens, hardscapes, and outdoor lighting. They can also provide routine landscape maintenance. Once you've added LawnStarter to your team, you'll be free to explore the best of Knoxville.