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Resurgence and Revival in the Smoky Mountains

Old Mill

Pigeon Forge

When visitors come to the Old Mill, they “turn left at traffic light 7 and go back 200 years,” according to Donna Huffaker, director of group sales and marketing. Originally built in 1830, the mill served as a cornerstone in the Pigeon Forge community, playing various roles as a post office, a hospital and even a source of power. To this day, the gristmill ships thousands of pounds of cornmeal and flour around the country in traditional hand-tied bags.

Visitors can pick up a pancake mix or fresh mountain jam from the General Store or enjoy a hot Southern meal at the Old Mill Restaurant, famous for its pecan pie and corn chowder soup. Other highlights of the property are the Pottery House Café, the Old Mill Candy Kitchen and the Old Mill ice cream parlor.

www.old-mill.com

Cliff Dwellers Gallery

Gatlinburg

Just three miles outside of downtown Gatlinburg, groups will find a true hidden gem: an eight-mile loop of art galleries and specialty shops known as the Arts and Crafts Community.

Managed by four female artists for nearly 20 years, Cliff Dwellers offers fine art such as marbled leather bookmarks, hand-painted gourds, pottery and baskets. Tour groups are welcome to park in the gravel lot outside and wander down the road to nearby cafes and shops.

Classes are often held in the workshop upstairs, particularly in early spring when the community hosts an arts festival called Hands-On Gatlinburg, during which visitors can learn crafts like painting and weaving. This year, the arts community will celebrate its 80th anniversary. 

www.cliffdwellersgallery.com

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Gatlinburg

Dive into a vivid oceanic experience at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, where groups can pick up horseshoe crabs, touch the umbrella-shaped bells of moon jellyfish and stroke stingrays as they glide past in a shallow pool. One of the most popular exhibits is the Penguin Playhouse, where guests can crawl through a tunnel that weaves into the pen to see the adorable birds up close.

The aquarium packs a different world within its walls, from piranhas and poison dart frogs in the Tropical Rainforest to alienlike creatures such as octopus, Japanese spider crabs and jellyfish in the Gallery of the Seas. A 340-foot moving walkway carries visitors through an underwater glass tunnel, as sharks, sawfish and green moray eels loom overhead.

www.ripleyaquariums.com/gatlinburg

Ober Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg

Though famous for its pristine ski slopes, Ober Gatlinburg offers adventure and spectacular views year-round. Starting downtown, groups take the aerial tramway 2.1 miles to the center of the park, high above the city and distant hills. There they will find indoor ice skating, a carousel, a fudge shop, snack bars and gift shops.

After the snow tubing and ski slopes close for winter, there are still numerous activities to enjoy, such as mini golf, a maze, an alpine slide, the Ski Mountain Coaster and the Blue Cyclone Rapids water ride. Visitors can stop by Wildlife Encounter to see bears, otters and raccoons, or take a scenic chairlift that travels high above the valley. Between Memorial Day and Thanksgiving, a bluegrass band performs daily at the summit.

www.obergatlinburg.com

Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant

Sevierville

Featuring a picturesque view of the river, Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant began as a simple family farm more than 30 years ago, eventually expanding into a full-scale restaurant and grill.

The restaurant is open five days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner; guests can start the day with a fresh glass of Applewood Julep, a unique blend of lemon, orange juice and pineapple juice, along with complimentary apple cinnamon muffins. Some choice menu options include the Smoky Mountain biscuit Benedict, old-fashioned chicken and dumplings, and Apple Valley Orchard salad. Afterward, top off the meal with a slice of Hershey’s chocolate cake or blackberry cobbler.

www.applewoodfarmhouserestaurant.com

Sevier Air Trampoline and Ninja Warrior Park

Sevierville

While trampoline parks become increasingly more common, Sevier Air is one of just two locations in the country that offers a two-story ninja obstacle course, replicated from the hit NBC show “American Ninja Warrior.”

Children ages 2 to 10 can explore a three-story net system and slide while older guests take on either junior or advanced ninja courses. According to general manager Paul Ratcliffe, “If you can walk, you can come play.”

Among the 7,000 square feet of trampolines, there are two ultimate dodgeball courts, three basketball lanes, a rock wall and a swinging rope over a massive air mat. Those wanting to take a break can visit the concessions center downstairs or observe the action from an elevated lounge.

www.sevierair.com