Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, set in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, is an exciting location for a family vacation. Natural settings lend themselves to outdoor activities, and hotels and restaurants are plentiful, as are dinner shows and gift shops. Families will find plenty of things to do in Pigeon Forge.
Every year from Memorial Day to Labor Day, families flock to Dollywood's Splash Country. Named by the Travel Channel as one of the best water parks in America, Dollywood's Splash Country is 35 acres of fun in the water. Attractions include the Big Bear Plunge, a whitewater rafting ride through caverns and rough waters; the Cascades, an 8,000-square-foot lagoon pool; and Downbound Float Trip, a relaxing trip down a 1,500-foot river with views of the Smoky Mountains. Smaller guests will enjoy the Little Creek Falls, and the slides of Mountain Scream are reserved for the adrenaline junkies of the family.
Dollywood's Splash Country
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd.
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
1-800-365-5996
dollywood.com/splashcountry
Dollywood, set in the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains, is a great way to spend a day as a family with typical and some not-so-typical amusement park activities. Dollywood has coasters, shows, music and much more.
Dolly Parton is very prominently featured in her park, and fans will enjoy Chasing Rainbows, an interactive museum of her costumes and artifacts, or the Smoky Mountain Home replica of Dolly's childhood home. Children will enjoy the Amazing Flying Elephants, which take them soaring in the sky, and Lil' Loggers' Landing, an interactive play area. Take the family on the Mountain Slidewinder, a high-speed water toboggan ride through the Smoky Mountain landscape.
Music is showcased in several shows at Dollywood. Sha-Kno-O-Hey! represents the energy and spirit of the people of the Smoky Mountains. BAM!, a three-man comedy show, is based on drumbeats and sketches.
Other attractions for the whole family include the Gazillion Bubble Show, in which bubbles, lasers and lighting effects come together to the delight of viewers. Star Trek Live, based on the show, is an interactive attraction.
Dollywood
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
1-800-365-5996
dollywood.com
"An Amusement Park for the Mind" is the tag line used by Wonder Works to explain what is in store for visitors. Set in a three-story building that appears to be upside down from the exterior, Wonder Works is packed with interactive activities for the entire family.
At Wonder Works, guests will be amazed by the 1989 San Francisco earthquake attraction, which gives the experience of a 5.3 magnitude quake. Visit Hurricane Hole for a safer version of a 65-mph storm. In the Space Zone, explore the outer regions of the universe with the Mercury Capsule and Astronaut Space Suit. Wonder Works also houses a laser tag arcade, an illusion gallery and anti-gravity chamber.
Wonder Works
100 Music Road
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-868-1800
wonderworkstn.com
