This Massive Tennessee Hobby Shop Is Packed With RC Cars, Model Trains And Childhood Nostalgia

An indoor RC track sits inside this store, so remote-control cars can actually zoom around before anyone takes one home. That alone made me grin.

A hobby shop with its own racetrack feels like something a ten-year-old would design.

The fun keeps stacking up. There’s a dedicated event space for hobby gatherings and RC racing activities.

There’s also a mini rock crawler course for trucks that prefer climbing over speeding.

Then come the shelves. Model trains run from tiny N scale up to big G scale.

LEGO sets, puzzles, warbird kits, and tabletop games fill the rest of the place.

I appreciate that this Tennessee shop feels built for every age at once. Grandpa gets his trains, and the kids get their squishies.

So which aisle would pull you in first?

A Family Dream That Started Back In 1999

HobbyTown Knoxville began as a true family project in 1999. Angela Millet and her son, Ryan Wilson, opened this franchise together, and Ryan runs it today.

That kind of story matters in a world full of giant chain stores. A family-run shop usually cares about its shelves in a more personal way.

The store has called its current spot home for about a decade. Then it got even bigger.

A major expansion in July 2024 increased the store’s square footage, giving its growing selection of hobbies more room to breathe.

More room means more stuff, of course. It also means wider aisles and space for things most hobby shops could never fit, like a racetrack.

So what does a family business do with all that extra space? It fills it with RC trucks, trains, models, LEGO, puzzles, games, and toys for every age.

I love that the growth came from staying put and building up. Plenty of shops shrink or vanish over the years.

This one went the other direction and kept adding fun.

For Tennessee families, that steady history is reassuring. It’s a place that has been around long enough to become part of a lot of childhoods already.

Your Inner Speed Demon Is Going To Love The RC Wall

Traxxas, ARRMA, Axial, Losi, Kyosho. If those names make your heart race a little, you’re in the right building.

The RC selection here is the headline act. You’ll find remote-control cars, trucks, boats, planes, drones, helicopters, and quadcopters.

Most run on electric power, though some gas and nitro models show up too.

That range is great news for beginners. A kid can start with a simple basher truck.

Later, that same kid might graduate to a serious race build or a rock crawler.

Brands like E-flite, Spektrum, and Team Losi Racing are also part of the mix. That covers everything from aircraft to radio gear.

It’s a one-stop shop for people who like things that move fast.

My advice? Decide what you want to do first.

Racing, climbing, flying, and splashing through puddles all call for different machines.

The staff can help sort that out if you’re unsure. Telling them how you plan to play is smarter than picking the flashiest box.

Although, honestly, the flashiest box is very tempting.

Good luck leaving with only one battery.

Bring Your Truck, Because There’s A Track Indoors

Rain can’t ruin race day when the track is under a roof. That’s one of the coolest perks at this Knoxville shop.

HobbyTown Knoxville has an indoor track for RC cars right inside the store. There’s also a mini rock crawler course for trucks built to climb rather than race.

Then there’s The Garage at HobbyTown. This community space hosts hobby activities, including Mini-Z racing events that bring local RC enthusiasts together.

Mini Z cars are small, quick, and surprisingly addictive.

A league like that turns a solo hobby into a social one. You get to meet other drivers, swap tips, and see how your setup stacks up.

For parents, it’s a smart way to test the waters. Kids can watch the action and figure out which style grabs them most.

That beats guessing in a toy aisle.

For grown-ups, well, it’s an excuse to act twelve again. Nobody has to know you practiced corners for an hour.

If events interest you, check with the store before you go. Schedules can change, and you won’t want to miss league night.

All Aboard For Every Scale From Tiny To Garden-Sized

Model railroading gets serious shelf space here. The expanded train section stocks N scale, HO scale, O scale, and G scale.

Quick primer for newcomers. N scale is tiny and great for small rooms.

HO is the popular middle ground. O is bigger, and G scale is large enough to run outdoors in a garden.

Track comes in a wide selection, along with plenty of accessories. Scenery supplies from brands like Woodland Scenics are here too.

That’s where the real magic happens.

Grass, trees, rocks, and little buildings turn a loop of track into a whole tiny world. Some hobbyists spend more time on the scenery than on the trains themselves.

I think trains are pure nostalgia in a box. Plenty of folks remember a set circling the Christmas tree.

Others remember a relative’s basement layout that felt enormous.

Starting fresh? Pick your scale based on your space first.

It’s the decision everything else depends on, so measure that spare room before you shop.

Then let yourself dream a little. Mountains, tunnels, and a tiny Tennessee town all start with one piece of track.

Glue, Paint, And Patience Pay Off In The Model Kit Aisles

Remember the smell of model glue and the joy of finishing a fighter plane? That feeling lives on in this store.

The model section offers an extensive selection of kits for builders interested in cars, aircraft, military vehicles, and other subjects. You’ll see model cars, warbirds, battleships, armored vehicles, and sci-fi kits.

It’s a builder’s playground.

Model kits are wonderful for patient hands and curious minds. They teach you to read instructions, plan ahead, and take your time.

Rushing a model rarely ends well.

Painting is half the fun, so supplies matter. The store carries paints and building supplies, which saves an extra trip.

That’s handy when you realize mid-build that you need one more color.

A smart tip for beginners is to start with a simpler kit. Low part counts build confidence.

Later you can tackle a battleship with a hundred tiny railings.

Kids and grandparents can share this one easily. One person reads steps while the other sands and glues.

It’s teamwork with a shelf-worthy reward at the end.

And once one model is finished, there’s always the next. Fair warning, those shelves at home fill up fast.

LEGO Fans And Puzzle People Should Clear Their Weekend

Bricks on one side, puzzles on the other. That combo could swallow an entire rainy Saturday.

HobbyTown Knoxville carries a significant selection of LEGO products and other building sets. For a store that isn’t an official LEGO shop, that’s a big deal for builders.

Puzzle lovers get serious attention too. Brands like Ravensburger, White Mountain Puzzle, and Eurographics fill the shelves.

That covers everything from classic nostalgic scenes to bold modern artwork.

Puzzles are sneaky good for families. Everyone can work on a corner without fighting over one controller.

Conversations tend to happen naturally around a puzzle table.

LEGO works the same kind of magic. Younger kids can follow simple sets, while older builders can tackle big display pieces.

Adults absolutely count as older builders.

Here’s a practical idea for gift shopping. Match the piece count to the person’s patience level, not just their age.

A thousand pieces can feel like a fun challenge or a long punishment.

Either way, you’ll leave with a project. Just maybe don’t start it at ten at night.

Game Night Gets An Upgrade In The Tabletop Corner

Tiny armies march through this part of the store. Warhammer 40K, Warmachine, Hordes, and Flames of War all have a home here.

Tabletop miniature games combine building, painting, and strategy. You assemble your forces, give them color, and then plan your moves on the table.

It’s three hobbies wrapped into one.

Magic the Gathering is part of the lineup too. Card players can find what they need without hunting across town.

Board games round out this section. That’s great news for families who want something fun without a long learning curve.

Not every game night needs a rulebook the size of a novel.

If miniatures sound overwhelming, start small. A starter box usually includes figures and basic rules.

From there, you can grow your army as your skills improve.

Painting minis is surprisingly relaxing once you get the hang of it. A steady hand and good lighting help more than fancy tools.

I love that this corner sits in the same store as trains and RC trucks. A whole family can split up, shop their passions, and meet back at the register with matching grins.

Squishies, Telescopes, And Backyard Ninja Ropes Await The Kids

Kids get their own kind of treasure hunt here. The impulse and toy section is packed with brands like Tecraft, Toysmith, and License to Play.

Little ones can find role-playing toys, princess dresses, toy bows and arrows, and push mowers. Needle Boba keychains add a trendy touch for older kids.

Curious minds get a dedicated STEM section. Educational kits and telescopes live here, perfect for budding scientists.

A clear Tennessee night is a great excuse to try one out.

The seasonal section brings outdoor fun into the mix. Swings, slack lines, ninja ropes, and classic outdoor games all show up.

Backyards everywhere are about to get busier.

Old-school hobbies haven’t been forgotten either. Slot cars and small 1:64 diecast vehicles sit ready for collectors young and old.

Those little cars spark instant memories for many parents.

My tip for parents is simple. Set a budget before the kids spot the squishies.

Trust me, that conversation goes better in the parking lot.

This section proves the store isn’t only for serious hobbyists. It’s for anyone who still likes to play.

Broken Truck? Head Toward Turkey Creek For Help

Crashes happen, especially when the fun is good. Thankfully, help is close by.

HobbyTown Knoxville repairs RC cars, trucks, boats, and planes. The store offers RC setup and repair services, but customers should confirm whether specific repairs qualify for warranty coverage.

That’s huge for new owners. A stripped gear or a cranky receiver can feel like the end of the world.

Having pros nearby keeps the fun rolling.

You’ll find the shop at 11145 Turkey Drive, Knoxville, TN 37934. It sits in the busy Turkey Creek shopping district near Farragut.

That makes it easy to pair with other errands.

Hours run Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Sundays, the doors open at noon and close at 6 p.m.

Bigger purchases are more manageable too. Lease-to-own options are available through Acima Leasing for those eyeing a dream machine.

For anyone in East Tennessee, this store covers the whole hobby journey. You can buy it, race it, break it, and get it fixed under one roof.

Honestly, that’s a pretty perfect loop.