If you are looking for ways to convince your family to take a trip to Sevier County, look no further than this list. We have compiled all the best reasons to visit the area, so you can just share this link with those whom you want to travel with! Our unique combination of attractions and experiences will keep you coming back year after year.
1. Visit Dollywood
Dollywood is one of Sevier County’s most visited attractions. With live shows, amazing food, thrilling rides, and unique shops, this place is so much more than a typical amusement park. Make sure to try their famous cinnamon bread and kettle corn. Dollywood is worth the trip!
2. Visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
If you want to enjoy beautiful views, encounter wildlife, learn history, and make new memories, you must check out the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, and this is the most visited national park in the U.S. Go camping, fishing, hiking, or even just drive around the scenic Cades Cove loop. By the time you leave, you will understand why this park is so beloved by all.
3. See North America’s Longest Suspension Walking Bridge
If you like heights, beautiful views, and a rush of adrenaline, make sure to visit the Skybridge at the Gatlinburg SkyPark. This bridge is the longest suspension bridge for pedestrians in North America, and there is a 30-foot portion with a glass bottom where you can see 500 feet below you. Get to the top by riding the skylift up the mountain and take in the scenery along the way. After you walk the bridge, enjoy some food at their café and buy something from the gift shop.
4. Visit Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
USA Today shared that Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies was voted the #2 Aquarium in the nation for their Readers’ Choice Awards. Where else could you paint with penguins, pet a stingray, see a mermaid, and learn about aquatic life all in the same day? This is one of Gatlinburg’s most visited attraction, and for good reason. The aquarium provides an experience that the whole family can enjoy!
5. Ride Some Mountain Coasters
If you like adventure and beautiful scenery, mountain coasters combine the two perfectly. With several to choose from in the area, you truly can’t go wrong with any of the mountain coasters in Sevier County. You can ride alone or with a passenger, and the coasters are safe for most ages. You can also control the speed you are traveling, so you have all the power. Some of our favorite coasters are:
The Wild Stallion at Skyland Ranch
Mountain Coaster at Ober Mountain
6. Come See the Car Shows
Anyone who admires cars would love all of the car shows in the Smokies. From Rod Runs in the spring and fall to Shades of the Past to the Corvette convention, Sevier County hosts many car events throughout the year. Meet people who have the same admiration for cars that you do, and see all sorts of makes and models as you drive along the parkway. These events are some of the most popular in the area, and people travel from all over the country to take part in them.
7. Take Part in the Jeep Invasion
Jeep Invasion is more than a car show; it is a whole experience. Jeeps not only fill up the entirety of the Smokies, but they go on rides together through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Off-road rides are another popular part of Jeep Invasion. Nothing says “quality time” like slinging some mud then going for dinner together afterwards!
8. See the Dolly Parton Statue
It’s no secret that Dolly Parton is from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, but did you know that she has a statue in her honor here? The statue is made of bronze, and it sits outside the Sevier County Courthouse downtown. The statue shows Dolly barefoot and in jeans smiling while she holds a guitar, and a butterfly (her favorite creature) rests on the guitar’s neck. It only makes sense that someone who has given so much back to her local community would have a statue to commemorate such generosity.
9. Visit the 10-Mile Arts and Crafts Loop
If you like handmade, artisan, high-quality products that have a story, you will find a countless amount of such items in the 10-mile loop that is the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community in Gatlinburg. No matter your special interest, craftsmen and craftswomen of all kinds are present. This is a great stop if you want to get some one-of-a-kind gifts to take home to family. Why stop for a t-shirt when you can purchase a handmade knife or some old-fashioned soap? Talk to the people and learn their stories of how they got involved in their craft. This community is about more than just hobbies and making a living, it is about culture.
10. Sevier County is Within a Day’s Drive for Many
Do you live east of the Mississippi River? Well, then there is a pretty high chance that Sevier County is within a day’s drive from your location. That means you and your family can easily visit on a weekend! Nobody has to take off from work, you don’t have to worry about the kids missing school, and you get the longer business hours during your visit. The Smokies will always welcome you, so come anytime.
