Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country - and with good reason. The forest ridges run along the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, providing a home to myriads of animals and plants. As a wildflower preserve, the park has over 1,500 flowering plants that can be found all year, more than any other national park in North America. An array of activities may be had: camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking, bicycling, horseback riding, and auto touring.

Located inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited sites in the park and country: Cades Cove. The small site sits in the middle of a wide valley floor and is a center for wildlife to come graze and play. Look for black bears in the trees and deer, elk and other wildlife in the fields. Several original mountain homes, as well as a grist mill, churches, and barns dating back to the 1700s are all located along the drive through Cades Cove. The area is rich in history and served as a Cherokee hunting ground for generations before being partially settled by mountaineers. Take a picnic lunch with you and enjoy it by the stream that still operates the mill every day.

Dollywood is Pigeon Forge’s grand theme park - and one of the nation's most visited - imagined and created by legendaries Dolly Parton and the Herschend family. Along the foothills of the Smokies, the 150-acre park has over 40 rides and attractions, all of which having given Dollywood worldwide recognition. There is live entertainment featuring music, dancers, and demonstrations from craftsmen. Rides include the likes of Wild Eagle and Mystery Mine. Make sure to visit Dollywood Splash Country, too!

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies houses 10,000 sea creatures spanning over 350 species. Among the attractions in store are the tropical rainforest, shark lagoon, gallery of the seas, penguin playhouse, coral reef, touch-a-ray bay, ocean realm, stingray bay, systems control, and the discovery center. Underwater tunnels give visitors the feeling of truly being in the water with the fascinating creatures, and dive and feeding shows are equally as interactive.

If you're a lover of horses, excellent food, and a fun, interactive dinner show, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede is the place for you. Some of the best trick riders you'll ever see show their stuff while you dine on classic Southern fare like vegetable soup, barbecued chicken, and basted pork loin, but don't expect silverware! Everything is perfect for eating your with your hands and truly "finger-lickin' good." The show itself divides the diners for a rehashing of the Civil War, which is determined by horse races, pig races, and audience members. Dixie Stampede is perfect for people of all ages! Tickets can be purchased before or at the time of any show. Make sure to arrive early for a souvenir photo and to enjoy the country band at the Dixie Belle Saloon.

Featuring locally made wines from fresh apples, grapes, and other fruits, Apple Barn Winery is a great place to sample unique wines. Their prices are very reasonable, and they are more than happy to let you sample all of their wines. Make sure to pick up some wine glasses while you're visiting.

Named for its roaring mountain streams, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a 6-mile, one-way looped road. Old grist mills, preserved log cabins and a wealth of historic buildings line the trail, allowing for a drive through the scenic past. Mountain streams, the heavenly Rainbow Falls and a plush growth of wildflowers are merely highlights of the memorable Roaring Forks.

Ripley’s Haunted Adventure is the area’s top haunted house. Live actors and world-class frights are all in store. It doesn’t have to be Halloween to experience state-of-the-art fun and scares, so bring family, friends, and yourself to Ripley’s Haunted Adventure! Children under six are not permitted.

World-renowned magician Terry Evanswood awes audiences in Pigeon Forge as one of the area’s main attractions. Millions of people each year come to see the magic variety show—which captivates the crowd for 75 minutes of “wonders.” Evanswood incorporates magic, comedy, illusions, music, impersonations, sleight of hand and Houdini-inspired escapes into the Wonders of Magic. Within the Hall of Magic guests are welcomed to explore the timeline and history of magic in this free museum. Terry Evanswood himself provides the Hall’s tour, spanning costumes, props, artifacts, autographs, memorabilia, and more.

The effervescent Parrot Mountain and Gardens is located just outside Pigeon Forge and is a must for families, friends, locals, and visitors. The four acres harbor hundreds of tropical birds and thousands of trees, plants, and flowers. Guests are given the opportunity to interact directly with the beautifully plumed birds, petting and feeding them in the designated area. There is even a nursery where guests are welcome to hold the baby birds. Overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains is the deck, where lunch from the deli may be enjoyed while the birds serenade. A secret garden is lush with birds flying freely and pathways that display all of the gorgeous flowers.

Among the collection of distinctive Grand Majestic entertainment is the Soul of Motown. Emanating the vibrant energy of a live concert, Soul of Motown takes a trip down memory lane for all music lovers. Reviewers and guests alike rave about the show’s harmony, exquisite vocal talent, chart-topping hits, and great dancing moves. The Motown tribute emulates worldwide favorites, such as the Temptations, the Commodores, Smokey Robinson, the Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Aretha Franklin, and many more.