Home to the country’s most-visited national park, the mecca of amusement nicknamed “the Smokies” comprises a trifecta of towns surrounded by a sanctuary of natural beauty.
In addition to the misty Smoky Mountains that earned the Eastern Tennessee region its nickname, the Smokies is known for its family-friendly, wholesome entertainment districts, outdoor adventure, wildlife and homestyle cooking. It’s less than four hours from major cities like Nashville, Atlanta and Charlotte and about an hour away from Knoxville, the state’s third-largest city, so it’s easy to access by motorcoach.
Its abundance of attractions can easily fill an itinerary, from morning hikes spotting wildlife like black bears and elk to evenings spent at wildly popular dinner shows to full days at amusement parks. The area’s wholesome nature means it appeals to groups of any age. Here are four points of focus that will keep a faith-based groups entertained for days.
Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge claims several of Tennessee’s top attractions, including Dollywood, the amusement park owned by country music legend Dolly Parton. In addition to roller coasters and other amusement rides, the park features live performances, dinner shows, plenty of Southern-style food and even seasonal festivals. It offers group rates for groups of 15 or more. The fun doesn’t stop at Dollywood — thrill-seeking groups can head to The Island, another amusement park located on the main parkway. It has The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, with climate-controlled gondolas; a carousel; and many other amusement rides, shops and fair food. Pigeon Forge is also home to the Titanic Museum Attraction, which contains exhibits and artifacts telling the story of the captivating ship and its tragic sinking.
For dinner with a side of entertainment, Pigeon Forge has no shortage of dinner shows; popular examples include Dolly Parton’s Stampede and the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud. Several other restaurants give groups a warm welcome, including The Old Mill Restaurant, centered around a historic grist mill next to a picturesque creek.
Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg offers many opportunities for outdoorsy groups to explore the region. They can take in the views high above the trees at Anakeesta, an amusement park with mountain coasters, canopy walks, zip lines, a gondola and nighttime star walks. Ober Gatlinburg, a ski and adventure park, is another attraction where groups can ride mountain coasters, go zip-lining, ice skate, ski and see wildlife.
Gatlinburg also excels at indoor fun, which groups can access using the free Gatlinburg Trolley. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a great place to learn about and watch marine wildlife. There’s also a Ripley’s Believe It or Not, mini golf, escape games and plenty of shopping in downtown Gatlinburg to entertain groups seeking a more laid-back experience. Restaurants like Ole Red Gatlinburg and Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar offer a winning combination of barbecue, steaks and Southern comfort staples. Whether they’re called flapjacks, hotcakes or pancakes, they’re famous in the Smokies, and Gatlinburg has several restaurants that serve up syrupy stacks.
Sevierville
While it lacks the flashing lights and flashy theme parks, Sevierville holds its own with visitors to the Smokies, thanks to its quaint atmosphere and historic charm. It’s Dolly Parton’s hometown, and groups won’t want to miss a photo-op with a life-size bronze statue of the star in downtown Sevierville. Downtown is known for its historic architecture; a self-guided historic walking tour takes visitors through the town’s story with stops at prominent buildings and monuments. Sevierville has its share of fun attractions, too, including the Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo, where groups will find 130-plus species of tropical animals. Close encounters include interactions with otters and sloths, but there’s also a petting zoo. Shoppers will delight at Tanger Outlets Sevierville, which features designer stores and local gems. There’s also The Apple Barn & Cider Mill, a general store in a historic barn that serves everything apple, from fritters and pie to cider and ice cream.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
An estimated 15 million visitors flock to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park annually, making it the country’s most visited national park. With over 522,000 acres for visitors to explore, the park is home to some of the world’s most ancient mountains. It’s renowned for its biodiversity, with as many as 4,000 plant species and hundreds of species of wildlife. With the densest population of American black bears on the continent, the park is an ideal place to spot these inquisitive creatures.
Groups can experience the park with ranger-led programs and guided hikes. For more a more laid-back way to enjoy the park’s scenery, groups can drive along Cades Cove Loop Road, a scenic, 11-mile loop.
