Stunning. The Great…read moreSmoky Mountains National Park officially ties with Yosemite as my two favorite national parks in the US. I love everything about this beautiful area of our country. We were there in early spring and enjoyed stunning weather, blooming wild flowers, and bear sightings a-plenty. We also were there when the dogwoods were blooming and there are dogwood trees throughout the park--it was stunning. We enjoyed driving around the park, hiking, and stopping at various points of interest. We were also able to take an accessible hike up a paved trail to the highest point in the park, which was amazing. My eyes seriously just could not get enough of all the gorgeous nature to be enjoyed here. Top notch. Get to it!

Great Smoky Mountain National Park has been on my bucket list for many years. I was hoping that…read morespring break would be down season at the Park, but the Park was busy!!! We had a fabulous visit to this vast natural wonder. We learned that Park is the largest natural habitat in the continental U.S. The signature "smoky" appearance of the mountains is caused by an evaporation of organic rich moisture released by the vegetation within the Park. We started our visit by stopping at the visitors center to pick up a parking permit ($5/day) and maps ($1). I was glad we picked up maps because there is very little internet connectivity in the park, so we lost our navigation tools. The leaves were not on the trees yet (April) so we had magnificent uninterrupted views of the mountains and skylines. Spring wild flowers were in bloom. And we actually saw a mother bear with two cubs crossing the road. Each day during our visit we explored a different part of the park. We hiked to waterfalls and enjoyed scenic overlooks. We enjoyed exploring historic cabins and cemeteries. Popular sites were crowded and sometimes we had to wait for parking. Plan to arrive early. The park is filled with parking areas to pull off and enjoy the views or hike. Rest areas are available at many of the major sites. Leased dogs are only allowed in camping and parking areas and on two of the many trails. Bring good walking shoes, a hiking stick is helpful, water and sun glasses. You probably need to bring snacks, but keep those secure from wildlife.

My family and I visited The Island in Pigeon Forge early on a Monday morning, and it turned out to…read morebe a great time to go. We parked across the street in their free parking area, which had plenty of available spots at that hour. The walk over was less than a mile and very manageable. Although the weather wasn't ideal--light rain and chilly temperatures--it didn't take away from the experience. We started by walking around and taking everything in. There are so many cute shops, unique stores, and plenty of great photo opportunities throughout the area. We did a little shopping, sampled some food, and purchased tickets to ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, which was a highlight. Before heading out, we made one last stop at Ole Smoky Moonshine, which is always a fun experience. Even though the weather didn't fully cooperate, we still had a great time and really enjoyed our visit. The Island has a fun, lively atmosphere and offers something for everyone--we'd definitely go back!

This is a very beautiful shopping place in Pigeon Forge. I really loved the dinosaur figurines…read moreoutside; cool! With that being said, we found it a bit of a tourist trap and pricey, but that was to be expected for the area and kind of place this is. There are tons of alcohol tasting places and food places through out here. We did do a stop and tasting at Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine, which was unique enough since I am from the west coast visiting, and fun. I still think if you want more authentic tastings and food, to go to downtown Gatlinburg instead (it's all similar enough though). We also did a wine tasting here and all the wines were so sweet for my palette. I did enjoy the shops and pursuing around this beautiful area. A great spot to get some steps in. Many places also offer free samples of food to (like the candy store) so don't be afraid to go in and try.

The World's Fair Park in downtown Knoxville is a historic and active public space built for the…read more1982 World's Fair. It is home to iconic landmarks like the Sunsphere, a 266-foot gold-domed observation tower, and the Tennessee Amphitheater. Today, the park serves as a hub for major festivals, community gatherings, and recreation. Very welcoming space, lots to enjoy, always busy! The sphere is a focal point, when you go through Knoxville on I-40.

The historic World's Fair Park in Knoxville is lovely in the Spring. Dogwoods and other flowering…read moretrees were in bloom during my visit. The Park was at the center of the 1982 World's Fair. Today, the park is a beautiful green space for residents and visitors. The Sunsphere and the Amphitheater are the only remaining structures from the World's Fair in the park. The Sunsphere is opened to visitors. The Amphitheater was shuttered for the winter and in need of a facelift. Several interesting architectural features (posts and statue) are located throughout the park. A colorful bridge passes over the park and waterway. The Park is filled with accessible walkways, a water feature/fountain. A rail trail passes through the park for walkers and runners. We found free parking at the south side of the park. I did not see restroom facilities. Dogs on leases are allowed everywhere except in the fountain area.

Well to start the parking was 25.00 and we saw adds everywhere for the new ride( Night passage )…read morethis is one reason we went but we could not even find construction site for where it might be some day . We love the train and it was closed as well .

Dollywood is certainly a mix of good and bad. The grands liked the rides they were big enough for…read moreand despite the crowds lines moved fairly well but as with any amusement park, bring your patience. The let down is certainly the food- it's expensive (no surprise) but also bad. They ran out of things constantly and there is nothing worse than having your seven year old granddaughter looking forward to her Bear cone only to be told, none too nicely either, that they are out of Bear cones- okay, a regular cone and sprinkles- nope, out of sprinkles. I don't even remember what the third ask was but, alas, not to be had. Finally, the woman said they had cones and M&ms, that's all. Instead of disappointing my granddaughter three times, why the heck not just say up front all she had was a regular cone and M&m's? Anyway, it definitely left a bad taste in my mouth, pun intended.

We had a great experience renting a peddleboat! We weren't familiar with the area but the staff…read moreprovided great recommendations for coves to check out on the lake. He even recommended some hiking locations close to where we were staying. Very knowledgeable and definitely a highlight of our trip, would love to come back and try the other watercraft options!

We had so much fun kayaking. The owner runs a one-man show. He is super nice! Just park and walk…read moredown to the left side of the marina. He has a little awning to wait under and it may take a while if it is busy but it is worth it. $30 for two hours. Not too bad for Noris lake!

Yes yes yes. This was the best activity for our whole family. Now, we did arrive RIGHT at opening,…read moreso it was not crowded until it was time for us to leave. Which allowed us to ride a lottttt of times. We only did the tubing, but the snow area looked fun! We would 10000000% come back if we came back to the area.

I would give this place 8/10 they only have 3 rides available but I can say the highlight of this…read morepark is the tubbing ride it has a drop had an amazing time . Family friendly .

Goats on the Roof is ALWAYS a must do when we visit Pigeon Forge!! The mountain coaster is one of…read morethe best in PF and who doesn't love seeing the goats!!! We will be returning on our annual Memorial Day trip this year!!!

We had fun doing this experience, and it's super cheap. The bike that carries the food to goats…read morewas a little awkward for adults (you can't adjust the seat) but I had laughs. Inside they have touristy souvenirs, and outside there was a couple in a booth by the exit selling "timeshares that aren't timeshares" that felt a a little sketchy to me. My bf got caught in a convo with the man and he was fitting tmi questions in. How often are you here? What's your income back home? What's your job? The goats were cute, esp the babies. It was a nice spot to get hands on with animals.

I visited Ober Mountain in early January of this year and spent 2 days enjoyng activities…read more The first day consisted of participating in the fun pass, which gave us a list of activites we could do on the mountain like going to the zoo, ice skating, ice bumper cars, scenic lifts, etc. As an adult, the pass felt a little underwhelming but I can imagine a kid enjoying their time with this pass. I would recommend that you find a groupon/deal to get it at a cheaper rate rather than the usual $50/ticket they offer it for because I genuinely do not think it is worth the $50. I would definitely NOT recommend the fun pass for adults, but would for children (at the discounted price). Our second day on the mountain, we went snowboarding and that was a very fun time for my group and I. Ober has snow machines, so it is not real snow and instead is icy, artificial snow. I can imagine during the colder season, it may be softer and covered much more. I went in early January for reference. The employees are very nice with helping you strap in boots and understanding how to strap into board as well. I decided to do a lesson, which I would recommend for anyone who has not snowboarded before. Although I enjoyed my time, I do agree that it is fairly pricy, considering the size of the mountain compared to other resorts I have seen. I understand the weather determines which lifts are avaliable but the "snow" was ice, no where near snow texture. I think a day of snowboarding would cost roughly $150+ here for day pass and gear rental. My downsides for Ober are the price, the fun pass, and the snow.

We visited Ober Mountain and had a really fun and memorable experience as a family. We had already…read morepurchased our Fun Pass tickets, and redeeming/printing them at the kiosks was quick and easy. One of the highlights was riding the Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway up and down the mountain--it was truly an experience in itself with amazing views. Once at the top, there was plenty to do. The kids loved the carousel and rode it multiple times every time we passed by. We also enjoyed the ice bumper cars, the wildlife habitat, and visiting Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. One of the most magical moments of the day was when it started snowing during our SkyLift ride--it was absolutely beautiful and something we won't forget. It was definitely very cold, but the scenery made it completely worth it. Unfortunately, the mountain coasters were closed due to the rain turning into snow, but there were still plenty of other activities to enjoy. The only thing I wish we had gotten to do was ice skating--the line and wait time were just too long before we had to leave. Overall, it was a very fun experience that everyone in our family enjoyed. We would definitely visit again!We visited Ober Mountain and had a really fun and memorable experience as a family. We had already purchased our Adventure Pass tickets, and redeeming/printing them at the kiosks was quick and easy. One of the highlights was riding the Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway up and down the mountain--it was truly an experience in itself with amazing views. Once at the top, there was plenty to do. The kids loved the carousel and rode it multiple times every time we passed by. We also enjoyed the ice bumper cars, the wildlife habitat, and visiting Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. One of the most magical moments of the day was when it started snowing during our SkyLift ride--it was absolutely beautiful and something we won't forget. It was definitely very cold, but the scenery made it completely worth it. Unfortunately, the mountain coasters were closed due to the rain turning into snow, but there were still plenty of other activities to enjoy. The only thing I wish we had gotten to do was ice skating--the line and wait time were just too long before we had to leave. Overall, it was a very fun experience that everyone in our family enjoyed. We would definitely visit again!

We had the most incredible experience with A Walk in the Woods last week in the Smoky Mountains,…read moreand it was truly made unforgettable by our guide, Samantha ("Sam"). From the moment we started, Sam was warm, kind, and incredibly attentive. She made us feel completely at ease, welcomed every single question, and thoughtfully adjusted the pace to suit our group so everyone could fully enjoy the experience. Her depth of knowledge was amazing--we learned so much about the plants, trees, and wildlife of the Smoky Mountains, as well as fascinating insights into how the Cherokee people once lived in harmony with this beautiful land. The scenery itself was absolutely breathtaking, but what made it even more special was the way Sam brought it all to life with her stories and passion. As a lovely surprise, she even prepared a delicious snack for us along with homemade herbal tea, which was such a thoughtful and personal touch. We are so grateful we chose this tour and had Sam as our guide. It was meaningful, educational, and deeply enjoyable from start to finish. We would absolutely book another tour with her and this company and highly recommend it to anyone of any age looking for a truly special experience in the Smokies.

Wonderful hike. Lucy our guide was Knowledgeable,…read moreinformative and considerate. Would definitely walk with her again.

Ok, I had very high expectations. I had read a lot of great reviews, and with so many options from…read morethe same chain, it was hard to choose. My daughter was deciding between WonderWorks and Ripley's Aquarium, and honestly, I regret not choosing the aquarium. I expected this place to blow our minds, but it didn't. The attractions feel a bit outdated and could definitely use better maintenance, especially considering the amount of people they get every day. The best part was the laser tag -- everything else was pretty underwhelming. The 4D simulator was only partially working, and the glasses felt cheap. The earthquake experience was disappointing... my car on a straight road moves more than that. Plan to go with plenty of time, because between everything, time flies and you'll easily spend at least three hours inside. If you're thinking about going after 6 pm, I'd recommend leaving it for another day and going earlier. And if you're choosing between this attraction and another one... there's really not much to think about.

WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge absolutely earned a 5-star review from me for the value alone. For one…read moreadmission price, you get hours of hands-on fun: interactive science exhibits, the 4D motion theater, glow-in-the-dark ropes course, and unlimited laser tag and rides. It feels like more than just a "museum," and we easily could've spent half a day exploring and still not hit everything.What really stood out, though, was the military discount. As soon as we asked, the staff knew exactly how it worked, applied it with no hassle, and knocked a nice chunk off the total. That savings made a big difference for our group and turned an already good deal into a great deal.. Between the amount of stuff included in the ticket, the chance to replay laser tag and rides as much as you want, I honestly don't understand how anyone could rate this less than 5 stars. If you show up early, plan a few hours, and take advantage of the discount, it's one of the best values in Pigeon Forge. Try to plan the trip in the off season as it is nowhere near as crowded as it was doing the summer where it was too crowded to stand in line to get in. Definitely worth my money and something I would do again with my grandchildren.