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Waldo Scavenger Hunt

Calling All Adventures!

The master of hide-and-seek returns to local merchants for the 9th annual "Where's Waldo" scavenger hunt. Kids and adults can both join in on the downtown fun. It's free!

Where?

At dozens of businesses in Downtown Knoxville, including familiar and new shops, restaurants, museums, and more.

When?

July 1 – July 31, 2026

How?

Visit any of the participating locations during the month of July to pick up your Waldo Passport. Collect a store stamp at each Waldo sighting and keep up the search. It's not just a game—it's a chance to make memories with loved ones, support local businesses, and celebrate the spirit of Downtown Knoxville!

Prizes!

Diligent seekers collecting 20 or more stamps can register to win prizes. The first 750 spotters can also claim a "Found Waldo Knox" sticker at Union Ave Books, the Waldo Host Location. Plus, share photos of your journey for chances to win gift cards to local businesses. Use #FoundWaldoKnox with your social posts (must be public to win) or upload photos here.


WHERE'S WALDO? Here's where and when you'll find him in 2026! You can map these locations.

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Union Ave Books - Host Location

Independently Owned Downtown Bookstore

Mon-Fri: 10am – 8pm
Sat: 10am - 7pm
Sun: noon – 6pm

517 Union Ave (865) 951-2180 More Details >
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Addison's Bookstore

Bookstore Specializing in Old & Rare Books

Mon: Closed
Tues-Sat: 10am – 6pm
Sun: 12pm – 5pm

126 S Gay St More Details >
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Alice in Appalachia

Cocktails + Shopping in a Fairytale Setting

Retail Hours
Sun-Thurs: 10am – 10pm
Fri-Sat: 10am – midnight

18 Market Square More Details >
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Awaken Coffee

Handcrafted Coffee, Tea, & Pastries

Mon-Fri: 7:30am – 7pm
Sat: 8am – 7pm
Sun: 10am – 7pm

125 W Jackson Ave (865) 951-0427 More Details >
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Bliss & Tori Mason Shoes

Award-Winning Trendy Boutique & Gift Shop

Mon-Sat: 10am – 9pm
Sun: 11am – 8pm

* Open on July 4 from 10am – 9pm

445 S Gay St (865) 329-8868 More Details >
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CitiFid-O

Premium Pet Provisions

Mon-Thurs: 10am – 8pm
Fri: 10am – 9pm
Sat: 9am – 9pm
Sun: 11am – 6pm

* Open on July 4

429 Union Ave (865) 219-5127 More Details >
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Contra Vintage

Vintage and Collectible Market

Mon: Closed
Tues-Sat: noon – 10pm
Sun: 1 – 6pm

125 S Central St More Details >
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Cruze Farm Ice Cream

Home of Jersey Cows and Farm Girls

Sun-Thurs: noon – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 10:30pm
Sat: 11am – 10:30pm

* Open on July 4 until 5pm

445 S Gay St (865) 333-1265 More Details >
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Dazzo's Pizzeria

NY Style Pizza, Pasta, & Sandwiches

Sun-Thurs: 11am – 11pm
Fri-Sat: 11am – 1am

710 S Gay St (865) 525-2105 More Details >
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DiCarlo's Pizza

Ohio-Valley Style Pizza

Mon: 11am – 3pm
Tues: 11am – 8pm
Wed & Thurs: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 1am
Sun: 11am – 8pm

* Open on July 4 until 1am

524 S Gay St (865) 770-8443 More Details >
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Earth to Old City

Knoxville's "Scruffy" Little Gift Shop & Boutique

Sun-Thurs: 10am – 9pm
Fri-Sat: 10am – 10pm

22 Market Square (865) 522-8270 More Details >
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Eddie's Health Shoppe

Promoting Strength, Health & Well Being

Mon-Sat: 10am – 8pm
Sun: noon – 6pm

* Open on July 4 from 10am – 5pm

455 Union Ave (865) 633-6533 More Details >
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French Market Creperie

Authentic French Creperie

Mon-Wed: 9am – 4pm
Thurs-Fri: 9am – 9pm
Sat: 8am – 3pm, 4pm – 9pm
Sun: 9am – 3pm

* Open on July 4 until 3pm

412 Clinch Ave (865) 540-4372 More Details >
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Golden Threads

Vintage & Secondhand Treasures

Mon-Sat: 10am – 9pm
Sun: 11am – 8pm

* Open on July 4 from 10am – 9pm

445 S Gay St (865) 450-8907 More Details >
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Good Golly Tamale

Hand-rolled, Specialty Tamales

Mon-Sat: 11am – 8pm
Sun: Closed

112 S Central St (865) 337-5771 More Details >
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Ham'n Goodys

Home of the World Famous Lemon Cookies

Mon-Thurs: 9am – 5pm
Fri-Sat: 9am – 9pm
Sun: Closed

507 S Gay St (865) 839-2215 More Details >
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Jacks of Knoxville

Local Goods, House Plants & Coffee Shop

Mon-Fri: 7:30am – 5pm
Sat–Sun: 8am – 5pm

133 S Gay St (865) 394-6352 More Details >
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Kilwins

Craft Candy, Apples, Ice Cream & Gifts

Mon-Thurs: 11am – 10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 10pm

* Open on July 4

408 S Gay St (865) 219-1233 More Details >
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Knoxville Fine Violins

Handcrafted Bowed String Instruments

Mon: Closed
Tues-Fri: 10am - 5:45pm
Sat: 10am – 2pm
Sun: Closed

207 Clinch Ave (865) 278-7561 More Details >
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Knoxville Museum of Art

Celebrating the Art & Artists of East Tennessee

Monday: Closed
Tues-Sat: 10am – 5pm
Sun: 1pm – 5pm

1050 Worlds Fair Park Dr (865) 525-6101 More Details >
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Knoxville Visitors Center

Discover All of the Hot Spots in Knoxville

Mon-Fri: 8:30am – 5pm
Sat: 9am – 5pm
Sun: noon – 4pm

* Open on July 4 from 9am – 3pm

301 S Gay St (865) 523-7263 More Details >
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Lawson McGhee Library

Knoxville's Downtown Public Library

Mon-Thurs: 9am – 8pm
Fri: 9am – 5:30pm
Sat: 10am – 5pm
Sun: 1pm – 5pm

* Closed on July 4

500 W Church Ave (865) 215-8750 More Details >
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Market Square Farmers Market

Open-Air Farmers Market

Wed: 10am – 1pm
Sat: 9am – 1pm

* Open on July 4 as scheduled (9am – 1pm)

Market Square More Details >
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Mast General Store

Two Floor Experience of Apparel, Outdoor & Home Goods

Mon-Thurs: 10am – 8pm
Fri-Sat: 10am – 9pm
Sun: 11am – 6pm

402 S Gay St (865) 546-1336 More Details >
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Museum of East Tennessee History

Programs & Exhibitions Uniquely Tailored to the Region

Mon-Fri: 9am – 4pm
Sat: 10am – 4pm
Sun: 1pm – 5pm

601 S Gay St (865) 215-8830 More Details >
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Nothing Too Fancy

Local Designed & Printed T-Shirt and Gift Boutique

Mon-Fri: 10am – 9pm
Sat: 9am – 9pm
Sun: 11am – 6pm

435 Union Ave (865) 951-2916 More Details >
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Phoenix Pharmacy and Fountain

Full-Service Pharmacy & Vintage Soda Fountain

Mon-Thurs: 9am – 9pm
Fri-Sat: 9am – 10pm
Sunday: Closed

418 S Gay St (865) 692-1603 More Details >
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Pretentious Glass Co

Nationally-Recognized Glassblowing Studio & Gallery

Mon-Tues: Closed
Wed-Thurs: 10am – 5pm
Fri-Sat: 10am – 9pm
Sun: noon - 5pm

* Open on July 4 from 10am – 3pm

133 S Central St (865) 249-8677 More Details >
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Proper Popcorn

Craft Popcorn, Candy + Gifts

Mon-Thurs: 11am – 9pm
Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sun: 11am – 8pm

* Open on July 4

29 Market Square (865) 381-2929 More Details >
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Red Panda Grocery

Grocery Market In the Old City

Mon-Fri: 9am – 8pm
Sat-Sun: 10am - 5pm

123 S Central St More Details >
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Rocket Fizz

Vintage Soda Pop & Candy Shop

Mon-Thurs: 11am – 9pm
Fri: 11am - 10pm
Sat: 10am - 10pm
Sun: 11am - 7pm

* Open on July 4 until 5pm

7 Market Square (865) 999-5940 More Details >
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See Scruffy City

Custom Hat Bar & Souvenirs

Mon-Wed: Closed
Thurs-Sun: 10am – 6pm

27 Market Square (865) 851-7990 More Details >
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Smoky Mountain Angler

Fly Shop + Guide Services

Mon-Sat: 10am – 7pm
Sun: Closed

618 S Gay St (865) 253-7339 More Details >
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Spice & Tea Exchange

Fine Spices, Herbs, Blends, Salts, Teas

Mon-Wed: 10am – 7pm
Thurs: 10am – 8pm
Fri-Sat: 10am - 9pm
Sun: 11am – 7pm

522 S Gay St More Details >
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Sunsphere Welcome Center

New Welcome Center at the Iconic Sunsphere

Mon-Fri: 10am – 5pm
Sat: 9am - 5pm
Sun: noon – 4pm

* Open on July 4 from 9am – 3pm

810 W Clinch Ave (865) 314-0660 More Details >
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Tesoro

Authentic, Locally Sourced Gelato

Mon-Wed: Closed
Thurs-Sat: 2pm – 10pm
Sun: 2pm – 8 pm

111 N Central St (865) 282-0452 More Details >
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Tomato Head

Fresh Vegan, Vegetarian, & Carnivore-Friendly Food

Mon: Closed
Tues-Thurs: 11am – 9pm
Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat: 10:30am – 10pm
Sun: 10:30am – 9pm
Brunch Saturday and Sunday until 3pm

12 Market Square (865) 637-4067 More Details >
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Tree & Vine

Olive Oil & Balsamic Tasting Bar, Gourmet Goods & Kitchen Wares

Mon-Thurs: 10am – 8pm
Fri: 10am – 9pm
Sat: 9am – 9pm
Sun: 11am – 6pm

* Open on July 4

439 Union Ave (865) 985-0524 More Details >
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Two Bikes

Nonprofit Shops That Donates a Bike For Every Bike Sold

Mon: Closed
Tues-Fri: noon – 7pm
Sat: 10am - 5pm
Sun: Closed

118 S Central St (865) 951-2950 More Details >
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Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Celebrating the History of Women's Basketball

Mon-Sat: 10am – 5pm
Sun: Closed

700 Hall of Fame Drive (865) 633-9000 More Details >