Alcoa, TN At-A-Glance
What living in Alcoa, TN is like
Founded by Alcoa, Inc., the Tennessee town of Alcoa sits nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, about 15 minutes from Knoxville. People living in Alcoa describe their town as family-friendly with a small-town feel but an ideal location near big-city amenities and one of the most visited national parks in the country. Here's a quick look at Alcoa.
In This Article
History of Alcoa
Located in Blount County, Alcoa's economy remains anchored by Alcoa, Inc., a global leader in lightweight metals, engineering and manufacturing. Between World War I and World War II, Alcoa became a classic company town, maintaining a close relationship with the company, which provided most of the city's jobs. Now less dependent on its parent company, the city of Alcoa's economy has diversified.
Activities in Alcoa
From its founding, Alcoa's leaders have considered parks as an essential part of life for residents. In addition to dense tree-covered parks, pools, athletic fields and tennis courts, Alcoa features a well-maintained greenway with more than 15 miles of paved trails that wind to Maryville. Five nearby golf courses provide opportunities to play golf, while Fort Loudoun and Tellico lakes offer chances to fish, hike and go boating.
Alcoa residents often attend sporting events at the nearby University of Tennessee in Knoxville or Maryville College. The Tennessee Smokies, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals, play nearby and the Knoxville Ice Bears, a Southern Professional Hockey League team draws family-friendly crowds.
The Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville and numerous galleries and museums in Knoxville give art lovers the chance to not only admire the work of others, but attend classes and produce their own masterpieces. Dollywood, a theme park located about 30 miles from Alcoa, features roller coasters and other amusement rides, in addition to stage shows and craft vendors. Alcoa residents look forward to FreedomFest, an annual Fourth of July celebration held the last Saturday in June.
Shopping in Alcoa
A number of stores and shopping centers provide residents with an assortment of retail options in Alcoa. The most notable shopping venues are Hunters Crossing and Hamilton Crossing. Hunters Crossing is anchored by Walmart and includes Lowe's, Hooters, Staples and several smaller shops. Hamilton Crossing is home to stores such as Old Navy, PetSmart, Dick's Sporting Goods and Glenstone Galleries.
Transportation in Alcoa
McGhee Tyson Airport provides access to seven major airlines, offering daily flights to some of the largest cities in the country. Interstate 40 is easily accessible from Alcoa, while a network of state routes and highways connects the city with other communities.