The Great Smoky Mountain range in southeastern Tennessee is a portion of the United States that I had not previously explored. When planning our summer family road trip, we decided to change that and make a stop in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. While the Smoky Mountains are known for their majestic beauty, black bear population, and National Park, this region is also home to country music singer Dolly Parton. As huge fans of her Imagination Library Foundation, we were excited to visit her “Tennessee Mountain Home” and experience the Dolly-related activities this region had to offer!
Accommodations
In searching for accommodations, we were hoping to find a cabin with space for a multigenerational family. We decided to book with Jackson Mountain Rentals because of their wide varieties of rentals, some located just where we were hoping to stay! We ended up booking the “Bear Elegance” cabin in Sevierville, and it was a great choice for our group. Our cabin came equipped with a full-size kitchen, living area, outdoor balconies with a porch swing, 4 bedrooms, an indoor pool, outdoor hot tub, and theater room.
Activities
Day 1: Dollywood
Beginning the day with a fresh cup of coffee and a mountain view is something I could easily get used to. But with only two days to devote to the Smokies, we were forced to tear our gaze away from the range and head out to the Dollywood Amusement Park in Pigeon Forge. I was impressed with Dollywood – the park felt clean, well-organized, and there seemed to be something desirable for all ages (or at least humans near 36” tall). Shortly after entering the park, there is a height-measuring station for kids where staff members provide a wristband that corresponds with the rides each child is eligible to ride on. This made for a much smoother day and helped eliminate potential frustrations. Our toddler was just shy of 36” but was still given a wristband for those rides – phew! In addition to all the coasters and water rides, Dollywood had a fantastic “kiddies” section. We were wiped out by the end of the day to say the least!
Day 2: Anakeesta
On our second day, we decided to head into the town of Gatlinburg and get up in the mountains at Anakeesta Theme Park. We boarded the Crystal Express Gondola and were whisked up to the summit. At the top, we found so much to do! Some highlights from our visit include:
Anavista Smoky Mountain Observation Tower
As downtown Gatlinburg’s highest point, the observation tower offered a great vantage for view of the Smoky Mountains. It was a bit of a hike going up the stairs to the top, but once there, the picturesque mountain peaks were worth it. One section even had a glass panel floor to view the ground below!
Treehouse Adventure and Challenge Courses
For kids (and adults!) ready for some adventure, Anakeesta offers a Treehouse Adventure Play Area. A variety of nets and ropes are used to crawl, balance, and swing from one section to the next. Similarly, the Treeventure Challenge Course is an interactive treehouse that provides guests with fun and challenging obstacles to overcome. Once the end is reached, a slide takes you to the bottom! Our toddler was able to manage the courses with some help, and my 6’3 husband was able to squeeze into all the zones!
Rail Runner Mountain Coaster
Thrill seekers may enjoy the ride on a single-rail mountain coaster. This was my first experience on a mountain coaster, and it did not disappoint! With a simple gear to control speed/braking, it is pretty simple to use. Small children can ride tandem with an adult.
Treetop Skywalk
I was bummed to discover that the treetop skywalk was closed for scheduled maintenance during our visit, because it looked really fun! A suspension bridge leads visitors from tree to tree for some spectacular views.
Bird-Venture
Great for kids of all ages, the Bird-Venture is an interactive adventure zone with whimsical bridges, stairs to climb, a net trampoline, and giant slides! Be sure to note that there are height restrictions for the slide portion.
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge were fantastic places to get our first taste of the Great Smoky Mountain region. There are family-friendly activities to enjoy, and we felt we experienced a nice blend of outdoor time and iconic attractions. We easily could have spent a week exploring this area!
Follow Along with our Road Trip!
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