August 2026: A Stroll Around the Old City
If you’ve been around for any length of time here on the blog you might have noticed that we love finding a spot in the local area and taking a walk to bring you some of our favorite places to visit from Townsend to Powell to Sevierville. You really can’t go wrong exploring local destinations, but we enjoy trying out different places and letting you know what to see and do while you’re there.
For August, we strolled around the Old City in Knoxville. From coffee and books to doughnuts and local shops, there’s no shortage of places to discover within just a few blocks.
You might remember that last month we stopped by Barley’s Pizzeria, which is located in the Old City. That visit inspired us to come back and spend more time exploring the neighborhood. Once you’re there, it’s an easy walk through the surrounding streets, where you’ll find plenty of unique shops, restaurants, and local businesses waiting to be discovered.
Our first stop was Five & Hoek Coffee Co., located at 200 W. Magnolia Ave. This coffee shop quickly became one of our favorites. It was our first visit, but it definitely won’t be our last. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming. We asked lots of questions, and every one was answered patiently and kindly. We even got to meet the manager, Rebecca, who shared so much information about the owners and the coffee shop.
Five & Hoek was founded in Chicago, where there are still two locations in addition to the Knoxville shop. The owners later moved to the Knoxville area, where they now live on a farm and raise much of their own food. They also believe in using sustainably sourced coffee beans, which they roast on-site (yes, you can actually watch the roasting process while you're there).
You’ll find all the classic coffee favorites at Five & Hoek, along with a selection of seasonal specialty drinks. We decided to try the Limoncello Latte, and it was delicious. According to the menu, it was so popular during the spring that they decided to bring it back—and we can definitely see why! The drink is served iced and features a lemon brown sugar simple syrup, espresso, and a sea salt cream topping. You really can’t go wrong with this friendly café. You can find Five & Hoek Coffee Co. on their website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
After getting our coffee fix, we spent some more time walking around the Old City and taking photos for you to enjoy. It really is a beautiful area, with colorful artwork, historic buildings, and wonderful scenery around every corner.
Our next stop was Addison’s Bookstore, located at 126 S. Gay St. We’ve visited this bookstore before, so we knew we had to mention it. Most of the books are used, but you’ll also find newer releases mixed in among the shelves. It’s not just about obscure first editions—although you’ll certainly find those too. Addison’s is independently owned and has long been a downtown Knoxville staple, offering used, rare, and antiquarian books. You can browse newer titles or admire first editions of classics like The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Whether you’re a devoted book lover or simply enjoy seeing rare and first-print editions, Addison’s is well worth a visit. There truly is something for everyone spread across its two floors. You can find more information on Addison’s Book Store via their website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
We wrapped up our tour of the Old City with a stop at Parlor Doughnuts, located at 300 W Magnolia Ave, Ste 110. We’d been wanting to try their doughnuts for quite some time, but it always seems to be crowded. Luckily, we visited at just the right time and were able to grab a lemon bar doughnut and an iced coffee. There was no shortage of delicious options, with both sweet and savory choices available. And if you can’t make it to the Old City location, don’t worry—they also have a location in Farragut. That said, we do recommend visiting the Old City shop if you can. There’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and the view is fantastic. The urban, industrial atmosphere even reminded us of sitting by the window in a New York City café. You can find more information about Parlor Doughnuts on their website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
We also stopped by Wabi Wear & Repair, and as we continued our stroll, we passed several other fun places that are worth checking out. There’s so much to see in the Old City that it would take several blog posts to cover everything. You can get a haircut, book a tattoo appointment, visit Dogwood Arts, grab lunch or dinner, or listen to live music. We’ll be back soon with even more fun things to do around Knoxville and the Old City!
About the Author:
Kristin is the founder of Chicken Librarian, where she shares real-life stories, seasonal living inspiration, and her love for all things local. A freelance blogger and storyteller since 2017, Kristin chronicles her journey at chickenlibrarian.com, celebrating slower living, community, and the beauty in everyday moments. From exploring small-town bakeries and local shops to life on her farmstead, her writing invites readers to notice, savor, and connect with the world around them.
