KNOXVILLE GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Knoxville’s Blood-Red Past: A 1.5‑Hour Walk Through Outlaws, Feuds and Shootouts
A 1.5-hour guided walking tour that traces notorious crimes and violent episodes through Knoxville’s Old City, Gay Street and along the river — useful as a concise, street-level primer on the city’s darkest stories.
Knoxville’s Blood-Red Past: A 1.5‑Hour Walk Through Outlaws, Feuds and Shootouts.
The Gunslingers is a guided walking tour that threads through Knoxville’s historic streets, from the Old City to Gay Street and down toward the river, revealing a past marked by family feuds, duels, lynchings and violent shootouts. The tour runs about 1.5 hours and varies its route nightly so guides can bring fresh stories and local color to each departure.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Old City Outlaws
Central and Jackson recall fugitives and hometown homicides—visitors such as Kid Curry and Buffalo Bill Cody figure in the cast of characters who left literal marks on these streets.
Gory Gay Street
Gay Street’s daytime commerce once played out against public, often bloody affairs of honor; the tour tells the stories behind incidents like the Mabry/O’Conner shootout and other hushed-up encounters.
Main St. Mayhem
Near the jailhouse and along Main Street, mobs repeatedly overwhelmed authorities—episodes range from lynchings to mass rescues and the raucous violence of the city’s Red Summer-era disturbances.
What the day feels like
What the walk feels like
Expect a brisk, street-level narrative: a guided 1.5-hour loop that moves on foot through neighborhoods where headlines once read like crime fiction. Stops shift from night to night as guides swap in fresh anecdotes and local research, stitching together the episodes that made Knoxville notorious.
THE OUTLAWS
Old City Outlaws
Central and Jackson recall fugitives and hometown homicides—visitors such as Kid Curry and Buffalo Bill Cody figure in the cast of characters who left literal marks on these streets.
THE DRAMA
Gory Gay Street
Gay Street’s daytime commerce once played out against public, often bloody affairs of honor; the tour tells the stories behind incidents like the Mabry/O’Conner shootout and other hushed-up encounters.
THE RIOTS
Main St. Mayhem
Near the jailhouse and along Main Street, mobs repeatedly overwhelmed authorities—episodes range from lynchings to mass rescues and the raucous violence of the city’s Red Summer-era disturbances.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this tour — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The guided walk lasts approximately 1.5 hours; specific departures and seasonal scheduling are set by the operator.
The experience is a street walking tour of roughly 1.5 hours; plan for a walking outing on paved sidewalks and consult the operator for any further recommendations.
Meet at the Knoxville Visitor Center on S Gay St (address provided by operator) before the tour departs into the Old City and downtown blocks.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The Gunslingers tour runs approximately 1.5 hours.
How much does the tour cost?
Adult (13+) tickets are $20; Child tickets for ages 6–12 are $14.
Where does the tour start?
Tours meet at the Knoxville Visitor Center — 301 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN.
Will the route be the same every time?
No — the route varies and guides introduce fresh stories on different departures.
Are there age categories for pricing?
Yes — pricing distinguishes between Adults (13 and older) and Children (ages 6–12).