38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (2024)

The top stops along the way from Helen to Lexington (with short detours) are Dollywood, Sugarlands Distilling Company, and Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. Other popular stops include Market Square, Tuckaleechee Caverns, and The Island in Pigeon Forge.

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Fires Creek Picnic Area

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Picnic ground

Nature & Parks

Waterfalls

Beautiful place to have a picnic and go for a swim. There is limited parking, and the parking lot is just a dirt road. Be careful getting out because there is a huge hole at the end of it.Bring inner tubes, and you can go tubing. It's a small run, but great for kids. They were having a blast. You can bring your dog, too, but they need to be on a leash.Definately worth a trip. It's a blast. The water is cold and clear.

Holly Wood — Google review

Nice place and perfect spot to enter the water and tube. Water is so clear and beautiful. If you go to tube, i recommend wearing water shoes so you can stand in water without hurting feet on the rocks. Several trails and spots to go down to the water and swim. Very peaceful place

Marci A. — Google review

Beautiful picnic area right next to the falls and along the water. There is an outhouse restroom. You can park right in front of the first waterfall you see. Several paved walking paths, as well as dirt paths to explore more up the mountain. Was a beautiful day can't wait to go back again during the blooming of the mountain laurel and rhododendrons! We'll go back in the summer also to Wade into the water, will be some good fishing spots also!

Denise Ferguson — Google review

Absolutely beautiful! Crystal clear water. There are fun short and long trails. One if them goes to the top of the falls. It appeared to continue around the waterfall after a walk through the small creek at the top, we didn't want to get our hiking shoes wet. A couple parts of the trail have a moderate climb but it was overall easy. There are restrooms and trash cans at the parking area.

Ileona Lay — Google review

Love this place! So quiet and beautiful and the trails are good for all experience levels. Be prepared to get your feet wet though, the trail goes through the river at several points making it really fun, but very wet. My Great Dane loved it too.

Ness Wilson — Google review

One of my favorite local picnic areas. Cool and shady. And my dog loves to go wading here.

Molly Seaver — Google review

Very nice area with a couple of easy trails, one paved and the other not. Trails are about a total of 1.5 miles. Would be a great place to have lunch.

Matthew Wardrip — Google review

I love this place. So remote amd great access for primitive camping near a vehicle.

Dixon Outdoors — Google review

This place is well off the beaten path, but the area is covered in beautiful Mountain Laurel trees. The park has multiple secluded areas with a table and grill, which are only steps from the creek.There is even a waterfall that you can go up to. There are multiple spots along the river with chest high water levels that you can swim and enjoy the cold refreshing waters.

A B — Google review

It is very family friendly, has a great place to swim, and is a nice area.

Sheens Belleau — Google review

Great place to go for a leisurely hike. The water is beautiful. Lots of tables available for picnics. This time of the year is good for tubing although the water is a bit chilly. There's a great hiking trail that goes above the falls. Fun for dogs too but per law they must be kept on a leash.

Margo Williams — Google review

Beautiful scenic trails! Stroller/wheelchair accessible (paved) for a good distance from the parking lot. Great views of Leatherwood Falls also.

Arthur Sullivan — Google review

Kids loved it…walked about a mile and found a great bend in the river where the little kids could swim. Well worth the walk.

John Fitzgerald — Google review

Such a beautiful area! We were able to capture my daughters pregnancy photos here, it's perfect!Such a peaceful scenery!

Kami Mc — Google review

Nice quiet day use area with picnic tables, grills and vault toilets. Waterfall and other great things to see once you cross the bridge where you'll find more picnic tables.

Van Campin Woody — Google review

There are picnic tables even through -out the trails. The walking trail is beautiful and covered in trees along the river. The waterfall is smaller, But lovely. The river was very peaceful and there is a restroom provided.

Krista Bozek — Google review

4.9

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4.5

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-1899, 1767 Fires Creek Wildlife Rd, Hayesville, NC 28904, USA

2

Carolina Outfitters White Water Rafting

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Raft trip outfitter

Outdoor Activities

Carolina Outfitters White Water Rafting in Tennessee offers an exhilarating adventure with class III and IV rapids, perfect for families and first-time rafters. The professional guides ensure safety while adding humor to the experience. Even without wetsuits on a 60-65 degree day, guests felt warm enough to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and spot wildlife like bald eagles, beavers, sharks, bats, and butterflies.

Matt Steven’s= Best tour guide ever!My partner and I came here for some whitewater rafting and we were met with unexpected freezing conditions, and even snow! Mr.Steven’s bundled us all up in wetsuits, booties, and we hit the water. He made sure our safety and comfort were top priority. It was incredible, despite the frigid water, we were able to have the entire river to ourselves and even saw a mink. If you’re considering rafting come here! I promise you won’t be disappointed. You’ll even get to hear some free stand up comedy from Matt.

Callie Sotolongo — Google review

Family of 5 (kids 9, 10, 16) first time rafting. We had an awesome time. Oliver was our guide and he was professional but also killing it with the dad jokes. Our oldest went overboard at the tail end of the trip but it was all good…Oliver pulled her up quickly and she has a great story to tell. Our two youngest opted not to wear the wetsuits and they were warm enough even on a 60-65 degree day. It was beautiful out. We saw mallards, a bald eagle, bats, and butterflies. Oliver spotted a few beaversharks. Great time. Highly recommended. Don’t forget to tip your guide 😉

Lina S Chapman — Google review

Returning customer. Had a great time on the river. 2nd day of 2022 season. Perfect weather. Annie and Matt were the best. Great local knowledge of the history of the Nantahala gorge. Family owned and only want you to have a great time. Not like the larger corporate owned center down the highway. Look forward to coming back again.

Blake Griswold — Google review

Everyone that works for this company was very kind, helpful and knowledgeable. I had not planned ahead for this activity but when I called they accommodated! From the time I called to when we were geared up it only took 30mins! My boyfriend and I went out with Dale! It was our first time rafting but with Dale’s guidance we felt like pros.I can’t recall everyone’s names but the cashier, bus driver and owner welcomed us in and helped make this a very memorable experience! Oh and of course Dale!

Bre Britton — Google review

It was our first time whitewater rafting!! I was absolutely impressed with our Guide Adam would like to say thank you for making a wonderful memory for all of us today ( need to request him made the trip so much fun!! The company staff was very nice and helpful!!

Heather Hartman — Google review

This is my second rafting trip with Carolina Outfitters and they are the best! Each trip was a little different, but each guide and experience was the absolute best. The most recent trip was with my husband and twin 9 year olds. The guide, Steven, was awesome. He was so kind and reassuring to my nervous child and was just so kind and funny. He educated us on the surrounding areas and taught us some fun tricks in the boat. We all had a blast, can't wait to do it again and would only use Caroline Outfitters for our rafting experience.

aimee Leonard — Google review

What an amazing day on the Nantahala! This was my fourth whitewater experience(I am front left), my daughter's second experience (she is right behind me on the left) my wife(right front) and son-in-law's(right rear) first experience. Our guide Jeremy was such a pro! He was very knowledgeable about the area's history, flora and fauna. His knowledge of the river and his ability to let us act the fool while giving us a thrilling ride was unparalleled! I must give a HUGE shoutout to Carolina Outfitters and their guides(especially Jeremy) for their relentless and unequivocal attention to safety and detail! Watching unguided boats and other outfitter's boats(who shall remain nameless) getting jammed up, way overloaded, and stuck made me extremely grateful to Carolina Outfitters for their professionalism as they repeatedly assisted the other boaters in their time of need. PLEASE BOOK WITH CAROLINA OUTFITTERS AND JEREMY AS YOUR GUIDE FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL EXCURSION! You will be so happy you did! I must mention Jeremy once more as he was simply awesome!

Greg and Sharon Gibson — Google review

This is not the first time me and my family went on a trip with Carolina! Last time a party of 6, this time a party of 8! Would highly recommend paying the extra to use the guide service. The rafts on this and my last trip 2yrs ago not guided are always getting stuck on rocks going to shallow spots and missing the exit point very frustrating for guides we pay to have to help all the self guided boats!!! Besides self guided boat issues we had a really Awesome time and lots of FUN! Can tell you they customize each trip to experience and Comfort of the raft goers. 2 years ago we had our elderly parents go with us and we did a mellow ride down the river(Barret), This year We didn't have Elderly (ages 52-12) and we had a more exhilarating and entertaining ride!(Tyler) would highly recommend this outfit!

jeff ison — Google review

AMAZING! Jeremy was very knowledgeable about the water and the area! We got to get out and jump into the river! Got to do awesome rock spins (Jeremy sent it a little too far and launched himself out of the boat, but he was back in the boat in record time… honestly very impressive for a near death experience🤣)It was so great though! All the guides were amazing! I felt safe! Rapids were fun! Great for beginners! Can’t recommend it enough!

Kirsten DeArvil — Google review

My husband wanted to go whitewater rafting so bad for our anniversary and I had such reservations. I was so nervous and Matt Stephens and the staff there calmed my fears and pumped me up for the upcoming adventure. Matt was our guide and he was amazing! I had the best time and enjoyed our experience so much!!! He was very entertaining and knowledgeable about the area. I could not ask for a better time. Today was epic!!! Im so glad I went!

Janette Burkes — Google review

This was our first rafting trip. It was awesome! Highly recommend doing a guided service. Mac was very professional and had great knowledge of the river and the surrounding area. Everyone was very professional. I'd definitely use them again. My family had a blast.

Brandon Siegel — Google review

We decided to white water rafting while in the area for a wedding. We had so much fun! The guide Dale was very nice and helped us to have an enjoyable and safe time!

Brandy Wood — Google review

We are return customers and would never go rafting with any other outfitter! Our guide, Ollie, was knowledgeable about rafting, local history, nature, and had lots of great jokes. Ollie made the trip safe and fun!!! The scenery is beautiful from the Nantahala River! We had a great rafting experience and could not have asked for a better day!!!

Karen Jones — Google review

4.9

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5.0

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715 U.S. Hwy 19, Topton, NC 28781, USA

(828) 488-6345

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Rooms and guests

Rooms

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Adults

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Tail Of The Dragon rentals

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Lodging

Outdoor Activities

Modest lodging inside a national forest offering low-key quarters with kitchens, BBQs & pool tables.

The ridge was awesome. Big garage and pool table. Parked 8 bikes easy! Clean linens and bathroom. The jacuzzis seemed nice but never used it. I'll be back for sure!

Dustin Ray — Google review

I can't begin to describe how perfect this place is.The location, the amenities... I will update when the trip is done.

Todd Bradford — Google review

The owner, property, cabin and garage are fantastic. Best place to stay and we are already planning to return.

Adrian Best — Google review

Great place for a large group to stay. Nice amenities and close to tons of great roads.

Nelson DeSousa — Google review

Great place to stay. All the amenities you could possibly want. Excellent location.

Eileen Dover — Google review

5.0

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4.5

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1189 Lucinda Reed Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771, USA

(828) 479-8400

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Cherohala Skyway

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Sights & Landmarks

Scenic Drives

Beyond its numerous overlooks, this scenic byway offers access to trails, waterfalls & campsites.

5.0

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Bald River Falls

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Nature & Parks

Waterfalls

This scenic, 90-foot waterfall is a popular destination for nature observation & photography.

Incredible! Best hike of my life so far. The waterfall is right there when you park so if that's all you're after, it's easy. But if you want an amazing, relatively easy, hike just go up the stairs to the top of the waterfall and follow the trail. There are more falls and unceasing beauty beyond. I went about 2.5 miles back before turning around. Absolutely stunning!

Jake M. — Google review

Oh my goodness, I am not from the southeast so these waterfalls are some of the most spectacular I have ever seen. You can view this majestic beauty right from your car while crossing a bridge, so it is super accessible for anyone. There is also a steep mountain path that ascends to the top of the fall if you are up for some steep slippery steps. This entire area is amazingly beautiful.

Josh Moyer — Google review

During the fall season it was completely astonishing and the colors were truly remarkable. Something I have only seen in books or magazines. It was busy but never seemed to be over crowded. The path next to the waterfall was beautiful. It went to the top along one side, which was a fairly easy hike. And along the other side you hike to the bottom to see the white water rapids. Where we did see a few people kayak. We do plan on a future trip when it is warmer to try this. It look really fun!

Ice Queen — Google review

It's worth the drive! This is a beautiful spot and the drive to the falls is breathtaking. The road is a little narrow so take your time to enjoy nature. You will want to cross the bridge to reach a parking area.Most people will walk on to the bridge for that perfect photo!There are steps that will lead you up to the very top of the falls, just be sure to have good walking shoes on and watch your step.If you're in the area this is a must see stop! We really enjoyed our visit.

Tina Travel Trails (Travel Trails) — Google review

Wonderful place to visit. My only complaint is all the people and a serious lack of parking. However if your patient and don't mind a little walk you should definitely take the time and make the trip. Personally my friends and I took our motorcycles and got some killer pictures. There are trails to hike and paths down to the water if you would like to swim. We'll worth the frustration of finding a parking spot. Also don't let me forget the drive there is very nice and scenic.

brock bowen — Google review

I love that visitors can drive right up to the falls and park. This makes enjoying nature easier for people with limited mobility or limited time. For those who can, the hiking trail to the left of the falls will take you to the top. New vistas and places to carefully wade await you at the top.UPDATE: River Rd to the falls is washed out and will be closed until 2025!Conasauga falls is accessible if you have a raised 4x4 or a dirt bike.

Michael Sharrock — Google review

Absolutely gorgeous 90 foot falls in the Cherokee National Forest!! Family agreed it was well worth the time to get there. You drive right past the falls and there is no hike so it would be perfect for those with mobility issues. Absolutely wonderful piece of nature.

Aaron ?Kilted? Wolfenbarger — Google review

We visited the Bald River Falls on our third annual Autumn drive on the Cherohala Skyway. The Falls is about 6 miles off the Skyway on the Tennessee side. You could view the Falls from your vehicle, but that would be a mistake. The parking lot is located just past the bridge overlooking the falls. The multi-level fall with a 90-foot drop into a rocky riverbed is stunning. The falls can be viewed from the bridge, or you can walk under the bridge for a broad perspective. The view left me wondering why I hadn't been here before. The Bald River Falls Trail can also be accessed from here for a 5.6-mile hike along the river.

Donna Bollenbach — Google review

Beautiful waterfall near Tellico. Park after the bridge and you will see stairs up the top of the falls. Worth the trek. That takes you to trail 88 as well.

Tim Evans — Google review

The road up is NOT for lower sitting cars. Even SUVs that sit lower need to take their time up. I made it in my car but it took a while. Lol. Love this spot, it never disappoints!

Angela aka Angi Martin — Google review

Most beautiful relaxing waterfall I have ever seen. It is directly off the roadway. I could spend many hours of prayer and enjoying the awesomeness of nature.Can’t really do that because it is so wonderful many tourists visit it as a scenic place. It gets a bit noisy because people like to share what they are seeing and feeling about its beauty while they are there.There is entry therefore no wait time. No tickets necessary no fee. Free as all God’s gifts.Remember to take your trash with you so it stays beautiful.

Debbie Jacques — Google review

Beautiful falls, very pretty drive by the river and the water is super clear in the river. Numerous tiny waterfalls everywhere and you are treated by this wonderful water fall right by the road. Drive up another 100 feet and you will see another 6 foot waterfall.

Sravan A — Google review

One of the Best waterfalls I've ever seen!! A small hike to the top is worth the view as well! The sound is so relaxing. Next time we will take chairs to sit at the bottom.

Cheryl Vermaas — Google review

Bald River Falls, Cherokee National Forest, Monroe County Tennessee. Bald River Falls which is from 80-100 feet tall flows into the Tellico river. The falls is visible from a bridge across the river from the Tellico River Road 6 miles from its start off the Cherohala Skyway. Easy hike to reach the top of falls, plenty of parking and a beautiful drive to reach the falls. Consider liking my review and pictures and follow along with me on all my adventures. Jeff Mullins Photography Get Your Adventure On!

Jeff Mullins — Google review

This is a little out of the way, but if you are near Tellico Plains, it’s worth the stop. The water fall is beautiful from the bridge, but there is also a trail up to the top where can relax and enjoy the sound of the water in the shade or on the rocks. Not a strenuous hike at all. Only takes a few minutes.

Scott Heath — Google review

2 stars only because there was no way of knowing it was closed until I got within 5 miles of the falls.😞Sadly, we did not get to see the falls because the road was closed but the drive to it following the river was beautiful. Hope that the next time I take that drive the road to the actual falls will be open.

RITA EVANS — Google review

4.9

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5.0

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River Rd, Tellico Plains, TN 37385, USA

(423) 253-8400

I'll never travel to Lexington without this trip planner again

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I will never travel to Lexington without this app againAvailable on the App Store

6

Citico Creek Wilderness

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National forest

Nature & Parks

Nature & Wildlife Areas

This forest has a lot of land and is great for camping, fishing, riding and hiking. The road to get there is rough and has lots of potholes, so it's not the best place to camp. However, the area itself is very beautiful and worth exploring.

Lots of land. Lots of places to camp, fish, ride, hike.

Mike Clemmons — Google review

Great place camp but getting there is very rough road has potholes everywhere. Some places on road is very narrow can't pass other vehicles. Seen a truck slide off road almost rolled into creek

DAN COOK — Google review

I love the camp sites out here make sure you take anything with you that you want to keep(tarps included). All and all a great place to stay at.

Quinton Nelton — Google review

“Exceptional Adventure to Cherish For Adults & Children Alike”EXCEPTIONAL ADVENTURE TO CHERISH FOR ADULTS & CHILDREN ALIKE This is an animal park with a real kick! 200 animals, mostly roaming free on 100 acres of private land surrounded by thousands of acres of Cherokee National Forest. Numerous baby animals (some only 2 hrs. old!) of exotic species you've never heard of since their native habitat may well be thousands of miles away. They may sidle right up to your protected touring 4-wheel-drive vehicle as it navigates rugged terrain, high ridges and lush valleys. All are wild beasts but non-carnivorous. (Do ask your trusty tour guide Cleve Tedford about the zebra biting off the tail of the donkey!) Tour the property for 2+ hrs. depending on how many questions you ask and not see another soul. Wilderness setting where GPS and cell phones don't work. There's no sign at entrance, just locked gate that could go to anywhere when opened . . . but the road beyond does lead to Cleve dream, a hideaway folks who visit could never conceive that a place like this even exists. . .

Wayne Christensen — Google review

Awesome place. As with any wilderness area some of it has been vandalized and occasionally you'll find trash. Camp site 9 is a sweet spot. Close to the water, open and flat. Spend as much time as you can in this entire forest, it's good for your soul

John Craze — Google review

First off, Cleve couldn't be a nicer man! On top of his kind nature, he is highly informative. And he should be, he has a very special and large plot of land with several rare species of animals just roaming freely! Now I don't want to give too much away but just know, unless you've been on safari in Africa or the like, you haven't been privy to such wildlife in this type of surrounding. This is one man's labor of love and it shows. I highly recommend it to all!

Jayson Larson — Google review

Beautiful park - had no trouble finding a secluded spot to park and enjoy wading in the water with my dog. The road on the way can get bumpy but my little hatchback had no problems.

Parker King — Google review

Very nice place love going here it's very wild and very peaceful. I highly recommend going here and spend the day by yourself or with the family so many species to observe its where we go if we want a day trip to get away.

Greggie — Google review

Don't go, Boo, Hisss, waste of time. Full of trees rocks rivers animals fresh air sunshine when you can see it from under all that other stuff, that is if you really want to look at something other than your feet. Cause you might fall in one of those pesky rivers or fall down the side of one maybe two hills that pass as Mountain. And talk about inconvenient, there's no one to tell you how to get anywhere, no fast food, no gas, no air-conditioning or heat. And talk about bugs and snakes not to mention the things with fur. Don't go Please, Please , Please. Stay home with the TV Remote and a refrigerator full of Grease food,beer and wine. No Sir waste of muscle.

joel miller — Google review

If you love the great outdoors and want to keep the kids off of there phones for awhile this is the place

Damien Harris — Google review

4.8

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5.0

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Vonore, TN 37885, USA

(423) 253-8400

7

Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center

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Visitor center

Sights & Landmarks

Information centers

Tourist information center

Scenic Drives

I visited many times and this is a great place to get good information about the places that would you like to visiting

Felix Benavente — Google review

Very friendly staff in a visitor's center. Restrooms and a generous gift shop. Take advantage of the wifi if you need to connect online for gps.

Sandy Sandmeyer — Google review

Nice welcoming center, the girl in the front desk was friendly, gave us map of the area and the 25th anniversary coin, restrooms were very clean, the interactive area for the kids was fun.If you are in the area don't miss this stop.

Vivi wenzel — Google review

Excellent visitor center. Good historical area with excellent artifacts from days of the old South. Including from early America.

DIRK JOCK DUDLEY-DIRKSEN — Google review

You can visit skyway center and get a free map of the skyway. The route has scenic locations of falls and river and lookouts. Do not miss Bald river falls and the beach at camping grounds.Good place to visit during fall! We visited this place in beginning of October, colors were almost there. I recommend to visit this place by end of October. The colors were good as we go to the top. But, once we crossed TN and entered NC on the top, there were no leaves. So I recommend to start taking the skyway from tellico plains instead of Robinsville, NC.

sree bablu — Google review

Super place! The attendant was very knowledgeable and gracious...made us feel right at home. We got a map of the area (Cherohala Skyway) and a brief overview of it. The gift shop had some great looking shirts to buy, but best of all, there were some locally made items to purchase. We selected an item made by a local potter (Mudslingers) that will make a quality, unique gift for a friend. They also have a nice little area for a picnic lunch or snack out front.

Deede Gram — Google review

Nice little store the wife found a few items she purchased. Friendly staff and very clean restrooms. The museum was very interesting worth a short walking tour.

Kurt Boehringer — Google review

Museum was outstanding. Awesome gun collection!

Dennis Pekala — Google review

These people were so awesome! If you are in the area this is a must stop. Great information and a really nice place to visit. Staff was amazing.

Jeffrey Morales — Google review

Didn’t go to the center didn’t know about it but accidentally ended up at Cherohala Skyway and loved it so much. Waterfall and very scenic drive with certain spots to swim at like little falls. Picnic area. Very windy road.

- Guerrero — Google review

Start at the Cherohala Skyway Visitors Centerin Tellico Plains, TN. Absolutely beautiful fall colors!!!! Stay on the TN side for the most color at this time. When crossing over to NC, the trees had lost their leaves or color had passed due to higher elevation as of this writing. Several places to pull over for pictures or picnics at the picnic areas. Be respectful of others as you park or gaze at the beauty so others can also have their turn!!

Joy Seeker — Google review

We stopped by here and loved it. We stayed here for hours. Between their musuems and history stuff and great gift shops with a very large selection we thoroughly enjoyed this place.

Mandy KAY — Google review

Our family had fun checking out the museum, visitor center. Bought some freeze-dried candy and souvenirs. Friendly customer service

Johnny V — Google review

When we lived in Chicago, people would make a pilgrimage to Michigan each autumn to "see the colors." While quite beautiful, that experience pales in comparison to East Tennessee and the Cherohala Skyway. The drive was blissfully peaceful, and the views breathtaking, spectacular. Y'all probably have one or two weekends left. This is a must see to experience the splendor of God's creation.

Vince Greco — Google review

Never got a chance to go in. We were greeted in a not welcome way in the parking lot as soon as we pulled in. Was plenty of parking spots open and someone told us right as we pulled into a parking spot and ready to go in if we could move because they were saving room for a trailer. We were there in the morning of 11/5/23. We had never been this way and made it park of our fall drive. This was our first stop coming from 2hr, 40mins away. After we were not greeted so welcome we just left. Maybe don’t stop here on a weekend and only on a week day or only if there is no cars in the parking lot then maybe stop in. Sadly we won’t be back this way.

Henri (Hank) — Google review

Beautiful ride in the Miatas! The views are amazing. We went a little too early for the colors on the trees but it is still breath taking. My only complaint was the dual sport bikes passing on double yellow lines! There's a posted speed limit of 40. The car in front of me was doing that and I counted 7 bikes that pasted and squeezed between us and then passed each of us, we were three and the car in front of us made 4. We didn't let it ruin our day though! Still worth the ride! Start in Tellico Plains and end coming across the Dragon! Be sure to wave at the cameras! Have fun and be safe!

Teresa Clark — Google review

4.8

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4.5

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225 Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains, TN 37385, USA

(423) 253-8010

8

Cades Cove Visitor Center

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Visitor center

Tourist information center

The Great Smoky Mountains Association - Cades Cove Visitor Center is a nonprofit organization that operates the visitor center in Townsend, TN. The visitor center features displays about local animals, mills and Native American tribes. Park Rangers conduct seasonal programs for the public.

We love coming here! We come approximately 4-5 times a year. It is gorgeous and peaceful there. On this last visit we saw 5 black bear. The mother and her 2 young cubs walked right beside our truck. We saw a bobcat, several turkeys and had 5 buck walk right beside us well we walked. Such a great time here everytime! I wish I could post the video of the momma bear and her cubs

Raven7 Simone — Google review

You can't visit Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge without a stop by Cades Cove. The scenic views and amount of local wildlife can't be found many other places around the area.We visited on a Tuesday morning and still sat in quiet a few backups. The entire loop took us around 3 hours, with stops to visit the churches, cabins, and mill.While we weren't lucky enough to see any Elk on this visit, we were greeted by deer, Turkey, and six different bear throughout the loop.If you have little ones make sure they use the restroom before starting the loop, as the next restrooms aren't until the Mill (about half way through the loop).Also, pack plenty of snacks and water so that you can picnic and enjoy the nature on your visit to the Smokies.

Jason L — Google review

Excellent historical area. Loved the old churches and old cabins. Lots of wildlife there. Wild turkeys and foxes and loved seeing mama bear and her 3 cubs!!Great visit in the smoky mountain National Park.

Robert Rottiers — Google review

Beautiful place! Was quite congested but it was ok, this is a place you do not want to hurry through. Just a tip: there is a restroom at the beginning, go before you do the tour. There is a bathroom 1/2 way through, which we stopped at. The scenery is magnificent, pictures do not do it justice. Take your time and enjoy. We didn't see bears but we did see turkeys and a baby brown snake. We'll be back in the Spring!! ❤

Ann Willard — Google review

The visitor center is a great stopping point on the Cades Cove loop road, especially if you're ready for a flush toilet. There are several historic buildings to see as well. If you get the opportunity, I also highly recommend visiting when they're doing demonstrations such as making sorghum syrup.

Karen P — Google review

We love Cades Cove and make sure to drive through here any time we're in the area! This trip we got up early and made the drive through. The wildlife was out like crazy and the weather was perfect!! We saw deer, bears, turkeys, a hawk, and so much more. We love to stop into the visitor center to get magnets!!

Nikki Appleton — Google review

Oh my! The views are spectacular! The sites are amazing. My daughter got engaged on this trail!! We totally loved it! Highly recommend as a MUST SEE on a trip to this area!

James Billingsley — Google review

I love Cades Cove! We come here each time we visit the Smokies. If you want to actually see wildlife, you have to drive through very slowly and stopping at the many pull offs and viewing areas. Sit, wait, watch! I watched lines of cars drive right past a buck deer, never seeing the deer, which was standing 50 yards away from the road! You have to take your time.

Bill Fox — Google review

Great park. We saw groups of people young and old run across a field to take pictures near a momma bear and her cubs. We watched for a while to see who was the slowest runner in the group.

Bill Hollon — Google review

Beautiful stop in Cades Cove.Toured all the old buildings.Man sat on porch & played music.The mill doesn't work anymore but the water still flows. It was a working mill when my kids were young. They used to have all kinds of demonstrations & music there. They may still have some in summer but don't know.Still worth the stop just to walk around.

Anita Bowles — Google review

Really appreciates the audio tour that you can buy before entering the mountain. Very insightful and informative and helpful when we didn’t have service for navigation. Place is very clean and incredible views. Would definitely say it’s one of the top national parks and definitely should visit

Aneri Ladhani — Google review

Always a great stop when in the cove. They offer souvieners of the park and all money spent goes directly to the park. It's a great stop to view the grist mill. They also have a restroom in the area. Highly recommend the stop always worth it and great for information of the park.

Rashan Fulenwider — Google review

Every time we go to Cades Cove, we have an amazing experience different from the previous one. They are all great adventures. We either go in the mornings or late afternoons. These are the best times to see bears 🐻. The scenery is always awesome. Everyone should visit at least once, and you will come back.

Mark Ruiz — Google review

Took us two hours to get around the loop. Saw one coyote on the ride, which was cool. But definitely not worth the time IMO. You get stuck behind people in the back of trucks or hanging out the window and people constantly stop (even though you're not supposed to). We also got stuck behind people on bikes, which is also not allowed, but there was no one to enforce it.

Daniel — Google review

More than a visitor center with some antique cabins, creek, and wildlife. The shop itself not that big but the surrounding places are mesmerizing. Suggest to stop by during cades cove visit.

Md. Al-Amin — Google review

Everything in the park is beautiful. I can't look anywhere without seeing something you want to take a picture of. We saw plenty of turkeys, some bears, and a coyote. It's really worth driving all the way through.

Kyle C — Google review

We were most fortunate to have heard over a rangers radio that there were bears headed our way at the visitor's center. Next thing ya know the parking lot was filled! Rangers did a great job at managing the crowd, who were very pushy. But it was an amazing experience and produce some awesome photos.You can find more on Instagram @rileyv.photography

Riley V Photography (Dan Riley V) — Google review

We love this place! It's absolutely beautiful and so peaceful! There is so much to see!

Krystal Kramer — Google review

Cades Cove is the treasure of Townsend. This is a nature preserve and scenic loop. The Cove has many old settlements and an old mill. You can expect to see deer everywhere and sometimes black bears and elk. Bring your camera and be ready to be amazed at the well-preserved beauty of this historic site.

Dustin Rogers — Google review

This is definitely the place to go to see Wildlife, beautiful views, fields of Goldenrod & other native wildflowers as well as see & enjoy up close a piece of history.Wasn't disappointed in any way.Saw numerous Turkey, 2 coyotes & 5 bears in under an hour.Clean, stocked restrooms, nice giftshop.

Michael Michele — Google review

4.8

(5409)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (54)

4.5

(662)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (55)

5686 Cades Cove Loop Rd, Townsend, TN 37882, USA

(865) 436-1200

9

Abrams Falls Trail

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Hiking area

Nature & Parks

Abrams Falls is a beautiful waterfall on the Abrams Falls Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Moderate 5.2-mile roundtrip hike to the falls is popular with hikers and is easily accessible from most visitor centers in the park.

4.5

(493)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (61)

Townsend, TN 37882, USA

10

Mayfield Dairy

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Ice cream shop

Sights & Landmarks

Farms

Always enjoy going there. It was nice and relaxing just spending some time with my son and eating ice cream. I hope the tours start back soon.

Richard Chapman — Google review

Neat 30 min tour of the factory. Saw them making the milk cartons and packaging the milk and labeling the cartons. Had strong smell of buttermilk and chemicals, but otherwise fine. Had to wear hair nets. No photographs allowed inside the factory.Had a decent scoop of ice cream after.

Amy Dawson — Google review

We stopped for a quick dairy tour and dessert pit stop. Tours include ice cream with paid admission of $4.50 Adults and $3.50 children... tours are on the hour and lasting 45 minutes. The staff we encountered hardly smiled and was not overly friendly... not sure if they were having an off day. (minus the 1 star) otherwise it was worth the stop. Unfortunately no photography is allowed while on tour. On the way out we did encounter a fairly young staff member that went out of her way to say thank you for coming today and come back and see them! Also inquired if we enjoyed the tour and desserts...

Justin Wiseman — Google review

Quality is usually what comes to mind when someone mentions Mayfield. Unfortunately quality is NOT how the tour started. While the tour is sufficient and complete it seems dated. The projection screen in the theatre needs repair. Some displays are faded and also apear dated. The only things that seem to have been updated are the gift shop and ice cream parlor.The tour guide was knowledgeable and efficient. She was good. The main problem is with the dated, worn-out pre-tour facilities. Fortunately the ice-cream IS still quality and very delicious!I WANTED to give 5 stars, but could not honestly do so. The dairy has changed ownership in recent years and unfortunately the tour no longer appears to be a priority. DFA (Dairy Farmers of America) acquired Mayfield in March, 2020.Bring back Scottie Mayfield!

L S (Lee) — Google review

Love the tour - super cute I think it was $8.50/person. The ice cream is good too but you have to pay $1 extra if you want any flavor other than chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry. Kinda nickel and dime you but still a fun experience

Stina A — Google review

Temporarily Closed as of 02/13/2021 but unfortunately they do not have any information posted on any of their public contact site. We took the drive out just to verify since we had previously taken the tour and wanted to share the cool experience with friends who had not. Definitely worth it if they ever resume the tours. Otherwise it's still a scenic area of Tennessee to visit.

D Brown — Google review

Came here pick up load ..The warehouse docks and shipping office is on slack road .take a turn to slack rd it say gate number 1 .take a right pass through chain fence gate ..Go straight and take a left where all the trailer parked ..park your truck and go upstairs where it say ice cream shipping for check in..they will give you dock whichever will be free first ..very fast loading..Good communication..check in and out within 1 hour

Sukhmander Brar — Google review

You can enjoy ice cream from the ice cream parlor without having to tour the dairy. All the flavors of ice cream are delicious. All of them. Trust me. I had ice cream and the kids had milkshakes, and everyone left happy.

Robin Pritchard — Google review

We recently visited again for the 100th birthday celebration. My daughter and her friends loved it! Ice cream is always delicious. Staff is always friendly.Also, the factory tour (last year) was a nice experience. I do recommend calling in advance to make sure they are running both milk and ice cream lines.

K Woods — Google review

A great place for a sweet treat! Many flavors to choose from made fresh in the factory. We love mayfield ice cream!

Mallory Powell — Google review

OMG super yummy ice cream. With specialty and novelty flavors available. Fun kids area. The tours are closed on Saturday but the ice cream and gift shop are open

Snak8y8s — Google review

Maddie was a wonderful tour guide, she shared information in an entertaining way . She was great to answer everyone's questions.We each tried a different flavor of ice cream (all delicious) and enjoyed rocking in the courtyard while we ate. Lots of places to take fun photos.

Shelly Surbeck — Google review

This place was pretty cool! We went on the tour. They show you how to make ice cream and milk. They serve a free scoop of ice cream as well. The ice cream was delicious. They don't let you take pictures or videos whilst touring for privacy reasons which is understandable. I took a few pictures of the gift shop and the outside. Definitely worth going if you're in the area.

Nicole Stevenson — Google review

Super cute little spot. I will definitely be back.

Deana D — Google review

4.6

(901)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (66)

4.5

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806 E Madison Ave, Athens, TN 37303, USA

(423) 745-2151

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11

Ober Mountain Tramway Mall

38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (75)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (76)

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Shopping mall

Outdoor Activities

The Ober Gatlinburg Tramway Mall is a popular tourist attraction in the town of Ober Gatlinburg, with an aerial tramway that takes passengers up to the ski resort for amazing views. The mall has a large ice skating rink open all year, as well as Slopeside Apparel & Gifts for ski jackets, snow pants, hats, gloves, and other outerwear.

Me and my wife had a great experience. Definitely try this out if you're willing to travel up higher in the mountains. There are several other attractions at the top that young children and adults would enjoy.

Isaiah Scott — Google review

This was a fun activity to do while exploring Gatlinburg. An easy way to go between Ober and downtown (10 minute ride every 20-30 minutes). You get great views. We did this to get lunch after snow tubing. My kids loved the view and mechanics. Not crowded on a weekday in January.

Bryan Ek — Google review

My family and I had a great time here skiing! I would recommend going earlier rather than later so you can ski on the fresh snow. As the day went on it got more icy towards the end, but that’s just the nature of it. The ski lifts were easy to get on and off, and all of the staff were very helpful and nice! Great place to spend the day, we took the tram up and down too and we all really enjoyed that experience.

Madison Minter — Google review

I was disappointed in every way by this place.First, the good: the view on the tramway itself is good, but not really amazing.Now the bad.The first bad thing, is you can just drive to the location at the top where the tram stops. Nobody tells you that when you get to the top, you really can't see very much. Just a narrow angle, that you have to pay 50 cents to see anything through those big fixed binoculars, that are on the edge of a parking lot. Not even a viewing platform.We thought we might try the ice rink bumper cars. But no ice in the ice rink.So let's go to the lounge. Lounge is closed.Take the scenic chairlift. Not open.And it just goes on. Thank God we didn't pay for the all access pass in advance.It's not that so much of the facility is not working, it's that they don't tell you when you are on the ground, when they try to sell you the passes. At least they offer to let you buy the tram ticket, and then upgrade to the *all access" pass at the top.You can actually drive to the summit of the mountain from Gatlinburg (well above this place)If you want a great view, I would suggest this.

Al Pat — Google review

Experiencing the tram 🚊 was the most exciting thing I've ever experienced with my husband. We had a great time!! Must try it. $20 Parking all day, $29.99,+tax ticket price up & down.. runs every 20min. They have additional shopping and really cool activities in the little town.

Subrizi — Google review

Took the tram to Amusem*nt park on hill top that has ice bumper cars, ice skating with no time limit where kids had loads of fun. We missed the snow tubing, would recommend anyone to purchase tubing tickets well ahead.

Harry N — Google review

Absolutely - Positively Loved Ober Gatlinburg! Best Calm, fun amusem*nt park in Tennessee. No rushing or extensive wait times. Associates Very friendly and kind. The shops are abundant also food stands. The Leather Shop fantastic choices, Husband got 2-leather belts (fitted) 2-belt buckles (beautiful) I got bracelets! Will absolutely return on our next vacation here from North Carolina!!!

Teri Hunt — Google review

The tram was great and the top was breathtaking and peaceful we sat outside and enjoy the afternoon! Lots of boyscouts were there enjoying it too! They have a indoor skating rink and they have a tubing on ice with lights around the tube this was our second time in 6 years and nice way to enjoy nature!

Charlene Harm — Google review

A One-of-a-kind park in Gatlinburg!This site can be accessed either by taking the tram from the bottom of the mountain or by driving up to the site. There is a large parking lot at the bottom and a small lot at the site. I chose to drive up to the site. The drive is up a mountain road and may not be for nervous drivers. There are several items to see and do at the “mall”. There is a chairlift, icerink, Tram, zoo, shopping, and a toboggan ride. This is a typical ski area in the winter months but during the summer months, when I went, it was summertime. All of the above were open and available to include the restaurants. You can purchase tickets right inside the door as you enter. I tried the chairlift, Tram, and zoo. Both moving rides afford nice views of the mountain. The zoo was very basic but had several bears in the outdoor enclosure and smaller animals in a building off to the side. The toboggan was closed due to rain/lightning in the area so I did not get to try that. The staff was pleasant at each of the different parts (chairlift, shops, tram). Overall, it was a nice place to get some beautiful views from the mountain and do some interesting rides.

Ward Dougherty — Google review

Perfect fall foliage viewing on October 27 2023. It is definitely worth the money. Relaxed trip up the mountain where you get to take your glamour shots with the beautiful 360 view of the blue ridge mountain and the beautiful fall colors. The whole trip is just over an hour round trip.

manoj Menon — Google review

Was a really nice ride to take to the top of the mountain!!! My wife hates heights and wouldn't ride the ski lifts... but this was no problem.Both tram operators were very engaging and the staff on the upper and lower ends were very friendly and courteous.We just took the tram ride... but there is a rescue zoo there as well as ski lifts to take you higher up.The place even has an ice rink inside!!Great views of Gatlinburg and the surrounding are!!!A MUST DO!!!!

James King — Google review

Did not know it would be so much fun. We were just taking the tram up and back. There is slot to do at the mountain mall family friend and very fun. A great way to spend time with friends and family.

Charlene Hicks — Google review

It was nice my husband and I enjoyed our visit here. The only thing was that we had to pay for snow activities separately, and the Tram was so pack we were literally smelling other people armpit 🤢 and wasn't able to enjoy the view either way.

Madeline Aponte — Google review

My wife and I rode the tram up the mountain on Aug1st 2023 and enjoyed the ride and scenery. Recommend this to anyone in the area visiting. Fun and adventurous and you may catch a glimpse of some wildlife such as bears and a few other critters on the mountain. We took the ride just before sunset and it was gorgeous. Fun things to see and do when you arrive on top. Check it out!

David Davis — Google review

The lines were insane. 40 mins just to get the worst pizza for the family. 1 hour for the rock climb. The ice skate lady was rude. Honestly a lot of time and money for little in return. If you want to do anything you would do at Ober then just go to a place that does that thing. You want to ice skate. Go to an ice skating rink. You want to rock climb go to a rock climbing place. But you pay a premium to wait an insane amount of time for sub par quality of everything.

Daniel Smith — Google review

4.3

(7999)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (80)

4.0

(8368)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (81)

1001 Parkway #2, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

(865) 436-5423

12

Ole Smoky Distillery "The Holler"

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Distillery

Food & Drink

The Ole Smoky Moonshine distillery in Gatlinburg is a popular tourist destination where visitors can sample different flavors of moonshine. The distillery is also licensed by the federal government and manufactures signature flavors such as Maple Cream and Butter Pecan. There are also live music performances and a gift shop on site.

Great staff and HUGE selection (27 moonshine ranging in proofs of 40-150%) We did a tasting of about 8 flavors, took some back to the cabin! We liked the butter pecan and Java in our coffee as well as the blueberry pancake flavor. Went down way to easy! We also thoroughly enjoyed the live bluegrass band just outside!

The Jacksonville Baby Company — Google review

Great place to check out. They have $5 tryouts which are totally worth it. Servers are entertaining and give cool facts about the drinks. They have large area covered with live music and sitting space. Must go place if spending time in downtown

Jitender Bhati — Google review

Great Tour! We had a fun group experience with the Redneck Bus Tour that stopped here. We all enjoyed free tasting and coupons. Great spirits and views of the distillery in action! Awesome

Michelle Haley — Google review

Ole Smoky Distillery is always a good time. We stopped in this past week while on a girls trip. You have to participate in a tasting, it does not disappoint. The flavors of moonshine are always surprising. The combinations that they come up with are not something you'd think of, such as the lavender blueberry moonshine, which was delicious...mix it with lemonade and Wow!

M.K. Stabley — Google review

Southern hospitality at it's finest. The midwest could take a clue from the South. My husband and I have Southern backgrounds and we long to move back South. Tasted most of the flavors. Shots poured for everyone! Everyone was very nice and even met some drinking buddies. We purchased over $400 worth of moonshine and Whiskey. We will be back. This will last for awhile. Take the private tour with Tim!!!

D.Y. H.W. — Google review

One of the best parts of our trip! We scheduled ahead and do the behind the scenes tasting tour! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! Beyonce;) did our tour and made our time incredibly awesome! She was SUPER knowledgeable, fun, and kind!! It is really neat to see how the moonshine is made and hear about the history and future of the company ! We then had VIP tasting which was super fun- you even get a Tshirt on the way out! The place was clean and organized well!

Alexis Warren — Google review

This is a moonshine store that has taste testing for $5 and a wide variety of flavors. There’s a distillery on-site that’s very interesting. They also have a stage and bluegrass bands perform in the afternoon and evening. The music is free with rocking chairs arranged in front of the stage for anyone to sit in and enjoy the show. We saw 3 different groups and they were all very talented.

Danuel McGatha — Google review

Surprisingly great fun. You get a $5 coupon if you do the tasting. There is also a huge Gift shop and live music played outside in a beautifully decorated area.

Allan “Keep Life Simple” Sensenich — Google review

We did a lot of moonshine tasting when we were in Gatlinburg and Jen by far was the best she was nice. She was knowledgeable and made the tasting a lot more fun. We were able to get the specialty flavors we were looking for and use our coupons because we did the whole moonshine trail with the old smoky locations we got our free T-shirt and the guy that helped us Was really awesome. Jeff just moved here from Las Vegas so you know who you are thank you for a great time and this is a great location. They don’t have any restrooms in the location. You have to take the elevator to go upstairs, but the experience was definitely worth it 10 out of 10 totally recommend this location and ask for Jen. Thank you Jeff!

Lisa Smith — Google review

This place was on my short bucket list and I was not disappointed at all! Made a special trip over there when I was vacationing in North Carolina. Went all out with the Behind the Stills tour (free special tshirt when you do.) Brooklyn (not Beyonce😉) was awesome as our guide! We definitely took advantage of their amazing selection and sales. Got a pack of 12 (2 free bottles) with the large cooler free and got the 3 pack with the free small cooler. I wish I had read the passport before ending vacation and visited all 3 locations for another free shirt. Definitely keeping it on hand next time I'm there, which will hopefully be next year.

Shan Fitz — Google review

Second tasting and had a great time taste testing the moonshines of the day! $5 tasting and the flavors were great, bartenders fun, and comical even through their sales cooler pitch! Minimal wait to get to the bar top, but it was a full bar! Store is huge so many different souvenirs and shines to pick from, everyone is super helpful, and don't forget to use your coupons! Take it all in, throw the tasting back and just have fun!

Ashley Dowdy — Google review

I would say overall 4.5 stars is where I would put it. The atmosphere is neat with live music outside. The shine tasting is nice but I don't agree with the sign everywhere saying free tasting when it costs you $5 but I understand the city forces that fee and not the establishment. However you do get a $5 coupon for merchandise in the store with the tasting. Overall fun experience I recommend do your shopping before the tasting or you will spend a lot more after you do the tasting lol.

Zac — Google review

This was more than I imagined and certainly an experience I recommend for those of age. Bring your wallet!First, the moonshine tasting is $5, but you get a $5 coupon to use on your purchase and you're gonna purchase something. They served 9 flavors with two of them being edibles and two being cream liquers. Second, get a tasting with Buzz! He is hilarious and so much fun.Lastly, have fun! There are so many flavors and Ole Smoky Moonshine merch. I wasn't ready. And they have specials, so take advantage.When you're done shopping, step outside for some entertainment. The rocking chairs are comfy and the music is great.

Gwendolyn R Houston-Jack — Google review

first time here and had the absolute best time. i didn’t fully catch the bartenders name…i think Karima ?? and Felicity? Their friendliness w each-other and how they interacted with customers was so awesome. They were amazing. So kind, funny and informative. The entire staff was extremely friendly from walking in to cashing out. Def recommend, super fun & moonshine is amazing of course. Do the premium tasting! Worth it and still inexpensive.

amelia walker — Google review

Really enjoyed our visit and did the moonshine tasting. Our bartender was fantastic and hilarious. Bought some cherries, and lots of moonshine to bring home. We got a free cooler for buying 3 mason jars. Honestly a great deal for us who can't buy it locally. Beautiful old distillery with a live band playing.

Catherine Jones — Google review

The worse experience we had visiting a distillery and believe me, we’ve visited quite a few distilleries, winery and brewery in all our travels around the world.First of all, they have 2 choices for sampling which the bartender did a piss poor job explaining the different except for one had 9 tasting and the other had 11 tasting. Doesn’t take a genius to understand that by paying more you should get more choices. She could have said “with the premium tasting, you’ll get to taste our signature bourbon as well”. I tried to change or upgrade but was refused.Then the bartender tried to explain the very strict tasting rules by yelling. If it was so strict, suggest posting it on the bar and make sure everyone reads it. Cause after 6 tasting, my wife had an emergency as it’s that time of the month, and had to quickly find a restroom. She left while the bartender was trying to sell customers the package set. When the sampling restarted, my wife wasn’t back yet. The bartender said as she left the bar, she forfeited her tasting. Even I wasn’t allowed to finish her drink. When she returned, we had 2 more tasting to finish but the bartender refused to serve my wife claiming it’s the rule.Not sure if this is a state law or rule of the distillery. But to then charge the customer full price for something they didn’t have is a rip off. Imagine someone had to run to take an emergency phone call or go outside quickly to check on their kids. I understand forfeiting that one drink you missed out but then to forfeit the remaining of the course is crazy. Imagine you left just after the second pour. Then you’ll pay $7 for just 1 or 2 very very small sip. Or what if that person has lactose intolerance and can’t drink the last 3 sampling. Why can’t your partner or friend who’s tasting with you and paying as well can’t finish your drink on your behalf?I’m all in for rules but again, if it’s that strict, maybe it clearly visible and post it so everyone can read. Also, was planning to pick up a bottle of their bourbon on the shelf but couldn’t find a single price on the bottle or on the display. As they keep on saying “Hell yeah, I surely won’t return and won’t recommend this place”!!!

Michael McDaniel — Google review

Amazing experience! We came from Indy and wanted to try out their testing. The pricing was very affordable and easy way to get some local moonshine in your system. It was $10 for 11 tastings of moonshine. Pretty popular for a Saturday night, and would hands down recommend!

Gabriella Heitzman — Google review

Definitely worth doing a sampler at the in store bar. I believe it was $5 and they give you mini shots to try all different flavors. They are delicious and the staff makes it extra fun! They have great merch in store aside from the moonshine. Tee shirts, hats, bags.. all kinds of things. Decent prices too.

E H — Google review

The tour was filled with awesome information. Terry was our guide and server and he done an outstanding job.when he served our tasters he also included ways to use the moonshine in cooking.learned slot of neat things and had a great time. Highly recommend the tour if you go to gatlinburg

Angie Phillips — Google review

4.7

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4.5

(14320)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (89)

903 Parkway #128, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

(865) 436-6995

13

Sugarlands Distilling Company

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38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (92)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (93)

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Distillery

Food & Drink

Sugarlands Distilling Company is a distillery located in Gatlinburg, TN that produces award-winning moonshine. It features tours of their still house, tastings, and live music.

This Place is so much fun. They have every kind of moonshine you can think of. The have a $5 test tasting of a lot of the different flavors. It is also kid friendly. They give tours of the distillery. The kids love the tour. Such a fun place to hang out and shop.

Wendy Hales — Google review

First moonshine tasting and it was so much fun! We had Abbey and she's was an excellent bartender and very knowledgeable of each tasting and pairing! She was also very entertaining! We got a comedy show, several tastings, and so many laughs! Tasting space was comfortable and clean. The store was beautiful. Excellent experience, we will definitely be back!

Heather Bearden — Google review

Moonshine’s not really my thing but I recommend everyone to stop by here when they’re in the city and try their tastings. The bartenders are all funny and entertaining and they’ll make sure you’re having a great time.

Nastaran Hajia — Google review

This location has an excellent atmosphere! The staff is beyond helpful, and friendly. A special shoutout goes to Ryan, Justin, Britt, and Lissy. These special folks were full of knowledge, and make a mean co*cktail. Treat yourselves to this unique experience, more than once, if you’re able.

Elizabeth Cardona — Google review

Let me just tell ya, if you want some shine, go here! Go do the moonshine tasting, it's always a blast. The servers here are the Best! If you have a wait to get in line to get in I will say that the line moves fairly quick and it's so worth it. I can't tell you how many times I've been and it never disappoints. And you never know who you might just run into while your there.

Terrie Smith — Google review

Such an awesome place you have to stop in and do the sampling, it's well worth the five dollars. you have to meet Glover, he's the Best so Awesome. He sure loves his job. I could've stood there all night and listened to Glover talk. I hadn't smiled that much in Avery long time. Thank you, Glover. I love the banana pudding & pecan shine. Can't wait till my next visit.

Tracy Fleming — Google review

Abby did a very entertaining and happy tasting presentation. Staff was very cordial and helpful. Tasting fee goes towards fee and you are allowed to stack the tickets. Definitely worth the visit.

Eric Manriquez — Google review

Joshua was our bartender this beautiful Sunday afternoon. He was a blast and we had 13 different moonshine to try. Doesn't mean you like each and everyone, but it was a great atmosphere and everyone looked like they were having a great time! They also had a very handy pour spout to be used on these mason jars! Overall a great time😊

Jeaninne Bauer — Google review

I've wanted to visit Sugarland's for a long time, and when my finace and I finally got to go last weekend, I was NOT let down! We did the taste testing with Cody as our "Taste Master," and he was phenomenal. He kept the group engaged, made us laugh the whole time, and was quite the entertainer. What was even cooler, is that after the tasting, you could use your wristband to get $5 off a jar of amazing moonshine! I had an absolute blast and I can't wait to go back!

Brandi Huffman — Google review

We had such an amazing experience at Sugarlands Distilling company! We got a $5 tasting which was absolutely great! We tried 12 kinds of moonshine + 1 bonus shot, and our bartender Steve was really fun. They offer $5 off the jar with the wristband from your tasting which is a pretty good deal. They have lots of flavors, but definitely try dark chocolate and Pina colada. I highly recommend this place!

Roman — Google review

This is a must visit. We have so much fun everytime we visit Sugarlands. The staff is knowledgeable and extremely entertaining. Be sure to visit the back room, ask anyone and they will point you in the right direction.

East Texas Outdoor Adventures — Google review

False advertising and the manager that was there that night was a young girl did not care !!!Always loved coming here for the employees that work behind the bar that pours always extremely friendly Cody Rob always make things fun enjoy coming back here when I'm on vacation numerous times but do not like being disrespected by a manager when this sign is clearly stated the price of a product it doesn't state sign they would not honor their price and she talked to me extremely rude I think she should take management classes and she wants to run an establishment I've seen brighter employees at McDonald's as managers Don't think I will be ever coming back here and purchasing products I will find other needs to fulfill the money that I spend when I come up the Gatlinburg it's pretty sad when one person ruins something you enjoy doing !!!

rob Simon — Google review

We love Sugarlands, come here twice a year when we are on vacation. Absolutely the best And so is Payton, enjoyed our tasting session with her. Go Payton!!!! 5 stars. $5 to taste 12 flavors plus a bonus flavor. They have a co*cktail bar also. Amazing!!! Defiantly recommend !!! Plus you get a $5 wristband also. And our bartender Lissy was amazing also. Will be back in November.

Amy — Google review

Best tasting in town courtesy of Cody. The man is magic with a pour. A story to go with every shot. Lucky if you don't lose your liquor laughing. And loving his girly Lissy serving the special of the day back in the co*cktail lounge along with Britt. This place is hands down the best in town!

Lana Morgan — Google review

Stopped into Sugarlands Distilling today, we did our tasting with Stephanie, great time, lots of laughs we had a phenomenal time. Wedrink as a family so it’s all good all the time. If you’re swinging into Gatlinburg definitely stop by and see Stephanie. The pour says it all, just look at it!!!!…. Don’t forget the co*cktail bar out back

Adam Berry — Google review

Absolutely love visiting Sugarlands Shine! They always have the best flavors and the best bartenders…Rob Ham is our favorite and we always try to get his sippin’ post! But seriously this is the spot for moonshine and good times!!

Kannsas Michaels — Google review

An excellent distillery when compared to Ole Smokey up the road. Place was more spacious and well organized.They have a co*cktail bar at the end were you can just enjoy their distillery if tasting is not your thing. We ended up going for an Old Fashion made with their own bourbon called Roaming Man and a Moscow mule. Both co*cktails were nicely made. You’ll even get to keep their glass when ordering the Old Fashion.We ended up buying a bottle of their bourbon for $38 to enjoy at our hotel.

Michael McDaniel — Google review

Great tasting of 12 different samples! It came with a coupon for $5 toward the store. I love this brand and highly recommend this experience in Gatlinburg! They even have a co*cktail bar in the back. Would love to have a drink or two there next time!

Megan Bissonette — Google review

Great setup inside and outstanding employees. The shows… tasting bartenders are amazing! Lots of energy and very fun & funny. Loved it!

Jon Hendricks — Google review

This was the best moonshine tasting we visited while on holiday in Gatlinburg.The moonshine was delicious, the hosts were hilarious, and I got to meet the famous Payton (who we saw on YouTube and made us want to visit!)It was so good, we paid a second visit for another tasting and to buy more moonshine to bring back with us to the UK.When we run out, we'll just have to fly back and buy more!

David Richards — Google review

This place is absolutely amazing ! Hands down ! We came all the way from Lubbock Texas to see this place . Great product , everything was delicious ! Shout out to Ryan and Justin for the awesome tasting experience ! After the tasting go back to the bar ! You won't regret it ! Britt and Lissy served some amazing co*cktails back there ! Zach is also very knowledgeable about the whole process ! Highly recommend getting the full tour !

Devin Marquez — Google review

Spur of the moment stop and are we so glad we did! $5 gets you a tasting of 12 different flavors and a bonus shot - our bartender Josh was really great and made the tasting a lot of fun.Your wristband also gives you $5 off of merchandise, so it's a win/win.Will go again if we're back in town.

Julie Garrett — Google review

4.9

(8120)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (95)

5.0

(30204)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (96)

805 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

(865) 325-1355

14

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (97)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (98)

38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (99)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (100)

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Aquarium

Nature & Parks

Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies is a large aquarium that houses more than 10,000 marine residents from around the world. It is open 365 days a year and features interactive exhibits and displays on different aspects of marine biology.

Awesome rainy/cold day place to explore and it has a large playground space for the kids to run around safely!My daughter wandered off from us at one point and the staff was super quick and helpful in helping us find her. The boat ride is cool and worth the extra $12. The guys running it have some cool stories about the hundreds of fish in the tank.

kassie smith — Google review

We loved this place! Definitely worth the trip! They have a large play area for the kids and their gift shop is great opportunity to pick up some souvenirs and things for yourself! Ha haThey have a couple of interactive things to do and their penguin encounter is very informative. If you get a chance, don’t miss the mermaids! So graceful! My only complaint (this does not reflect on the establishment) is some forget basic manners. Let’s all be courteous people.

Jessica Sunshine ?JSHINE? Casillas — Google review

Highly recommend the glass boat tour! It is an extra add on to your ticket, but it was so cool to be above them! They also tell you all about the different sharks and fish that are in the tank! Going through the tunnel was such an amazing experience!There was a diving show in the stingray tank! You can pet and even feed the stingrays! They also have a cute penguin playground!

Sierra Limb — Google review

Visiting Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies was an enchanting experience. The moment I stepped inside, I was immersed in the awe-inspiring world of marine life. The variety and beauty of the aquatic creatures on display were truly mesmerizing.The exhibits were thoughtfully designed, allowing visitors to witness diverse ecosystems up close. From the vibrant coral reefs to the mysterious depths of the ocean, each section offered a unique glimpse into the wonders of underwater life. The underwater tunnel was a definite highlight, giving me a 360-degree view of graceful sharks, majestic sea turtles, and colorful fish gliding overhead.The staff was knowledgeable and passionate, eagerly sharing interesting facts about the different species. Their enthusiasm added an educational aspect to the visit, making it both entertaining and informative.The facilities were clean, well-maintained, and easily accessible. There were plenty of interactive activities for all ages, including touch tanks and feeding sessions. It was heartening to see the conservation efforts showcased throughout the aquarium, promoting awareness about protecting our oceans and their inhabitants.Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a family looking for an enjoyable outing, or simply seeking a captivating experience, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is a must-visit. It left me with a sense of wonder and a renewed appreciation for the marvels of the underwater world.

Jon Bowie — Google review

We had a lot of fun here. We were inside for well over an hour, and you could spend many hours here if you check out everything in great detail. There is lots to do and see. I would definitely recommend to everyone. Fun for kids and adults. We bought the aquarium + 2 attraction tickets online. It was a great deal you basically got another attraction for free considering the aquarium and museum tickets alone cost more than the combo price. Plus you can scan your phone and walk right in, no need to wait in line.

Amber A — Google review

Better than Georgia Aquarium? Not quite. FStill a fantasic aquarium? Yes!Enjoyed it. Especially the jellies. Didn't get to pet ones but we saw a penguin parade. Recommend for families, couples, or even solo.

Elen Supercalifragilistix — Google review

Family Friendly Fishy Fun!Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies was a great place for a rainy day in the mountains. The exhibits were well laid out and featured plenty of of viewing spaces with children in mind. The shows were educational, but also interactive to keep your focus. The shark tunnel gives you a unique perspective, getting you up close and personal. They also offer opportunities to touch some of the creatures. I recommend making this a stop on your Smoky Mountain adventure.

Katlyn Boyer — Google review

My family loved the aquarium this one was so much better than the one we have where we live! The sharks were amazing to see up close along with many other animals! I feel it was a bit pricey for the time you spend there and it doesn't help that you usually have to park a little bit away and pay and walk to the attraction instead of parking there or having parking included in ticket prices.

Shauna Ford — Google review

Took the family for a school field trip. Had lots of fun. The information about the different creatures was well displayed making it easy to learn. The two different levels to the playground are conveniently located for rest points where the kids could burn off some energy before continuing on. Other features we enjoyed where the shark tunnel, penguin parade, and dive show.Near the end of the aquarium there's a little food court. Prices are high but that was that was be expected. Its $4 just for an order of fries and $3 for a corn dog or hot dog and those where the cheapest items on the menu. Despite the prices the food was good and it was a convention place to stop for a quick bite before the long drive home since we didn't want to stop elsewhere. The whole family enjoyed being able to watch the sting rays in the giant aquarium next to the food court.

Amanda Ellis — Google review

My kids had so much fun!!! The drive was long but overall great experience. Their bathrooms need to be checked on more often. They have a really nice changing table for my younger one great play areas for my 5 year old just wish it was more toddler friendly here. Prices are a bit up there but overall friendly staff just wish the interacting with their customers more. The update features of the building are nice just wish I caught one of the shows to have a full experience. But no major complaints would definitely go again.

Kaiya walker — Google review

It was a pretty decent aquarium. Although a tad confusing to walk around towards the end. It had a lot of nice fish and creatures to look at. A good variety. The gift shop store is a little expensive but not bad and has a nice selection. Food wasn't too bad either. There was a mermaid show that the kids were loving. And scuba diving event as well. They have nice explanations and interactive stuff that is great. There is also a boat that takes you out for a small bit to look at the creatures in the tank through bottomless glass. And they gave good information on the creatures in the tank. I'm not a big fan of aquariums, but my family loved it.

Jasmine Miller — Google review

Despite being pricey at nearly $50.00 for a adult, what a great Aquarium, the exhibits were set up and spaced nicely so that you could take your time at the ones you wanted to and not be in the way of other families.Alot of different play areas, a hands on and touch exhibit and a nice cafe as well.Especially enjoyed the moving floor through the shark tank area where you could see everything swimming all around you, even above you.

Michael Michele — Google review

We were there for a birthday party for our granddaughter. This place is absolutely awesome. The staff is very accommodating very friendly I have never met anybody in this aquarium that is not polite and helpful. The animals and the place seems to be taken care of very well. And my granddaughter had an absolutely wonderful birthday party which was just fantastic.

Ann Vanepps — Google review

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies offers a captivating underwater experience that immerses visitors in the wonders of the ocean. The vibrant marine life, from graceful sea horses to mesmerizing jellyfish, creates a mesmerizing spectacle. The interactive exhibits and knowledgeable staff enhance the educational aspect, making it enjoyable for all ages. The well-designed layout allows for a seamless journey through diverse aquatic environments. Overall, a must-visit destination that combines entertainment and education, leaving visitors with a deep appreciation for the mysteries of the deep blue.

Hakan Akel — Google review

Enjoyed this experience with my wife and daughter as part of our Christmas getaway this year. They had festive music playing, and the perfect inside temperature was welcoming from the brisk air outside. To be in such a tight area, they have a wide variety of species to observe. Lot's of interactive displays for families to enjoy. Do be prepared for a slightly pricey concession, but that goes for everything in Gatlinburg really. Thank you Ripley's for showing us some cool sea life. We had a great time!

Lo Lovins — Google review

I wasn't sure what to expect going in but after entering I was pleasantly surprised. There is a nice variety of marine life. And the penguin parade was just adorable. And there is a tunnel under the main aquarium with a moving walkway that took you through it which was nice.

Edward Egendoerfer — Google review

Was staying in Gatlinburg with the family and decided to go here on day 2. There are pay-for-parking lots across the street as well as a parking garage that's also self-pay. It's a little walk across the busy street to get to the actual entrance. It's a busy area so keep that it mind if you're with kids.Once you arrive at the entrance, there are 2 options. If you paid online, you can get right in line. If you are wanting to pay in person, you have to go to the ticket booth and pay, then get back in line (if you are wanting any kind of discount, like military- you need to pay in person). They offer a 30% military discount, which is great!The line is wheelchair accessible and there are wheelchairs available at guest services, right by the ticket booth.The gift shop is right when you enter and there's a little bit of congestion as you enter, but that gets better as you walk through. A lot to see and explore, beautiful place. We loved the penguin parade. Worth the visit.

Laura Hostetler — Google review

Awesome aquarium and very military friendly :) I’m not one to seek out a discount, but I’m always appreciative when it’s given. The aquarium has some excellent enclosures and the animals seem well cared for. The staff is very friendly and attentive in their jobs. Definitely a great spot for the family or anyone who loves aquatic life, there’s so much to see!!!

jeff valentine — Google review

My kids had a wonderful time here. (4yrs and 6 yrs) The aquiarim is very well designed and run. The exhibits are up to date and nothing is broken or out of order. Although, it's all interconnected and you can explore freely, the museum is designed, so that if you just keep walking forward, you will see it all and can walk straight out through the gift shop without the use of a map. Also, it is a great indoor activity if you need an escape from the weather.There are so many things to see and the exhibits are beautifully executed. My kids went back to revisit their favorites before we left. I believe that the museum is designed to view entirely in 2-3 hours, but we spent about 5 hours and only left because we had dinner reservations. This attraction is well worth the price of admission. I recommend it.

Fernando Orrego — Google review

We really enjoyed our school field trip to the aquarium. It was very busy as many schools were there at the same time so it made it a little chaotic, however there was plenty of stuff to do and look at. He really enjoyed getting to touch the sting rays and going into tunnel, watching the sharks swim overhead. So overall great trip!!

Carol Harper — Google review

The family had a great time. It was absolutely packed and parking for the Aquarium was full but we ate at a place nearby and didn't have to worry about getting towed by parking there and walking 2 blocks to the Aquarium. There are many chances to get a family pic taken by the staff at a put up shack along the Aquarium walking path. There is 1 place to eat and it can be pricey along with all the gift shop items. This shop is huge by the way and you can pretty much find anything in there. We rented a stroller but it's not the greatest stroller but good in a pinch. All in all its a great place to stop for the family.

Mista Klub — Google review

In the heartland of the Smokey mountains, Ripleys is sandwiched between many businesses and hotels. Even on a Friday the parking lots were full and we paid $20 to park blocks away.$70 for one adult and child. Do not get tickets at the automated register as there is no option for basic admission, aka the cheapest. Employee also had she/her pin on her lanyard which was disappointing to see.Highlights included the adorable penguin walk that happened on the lower level at 1:15 and the underwater tunnel observation area with moving walkway.Facility appeared clean and it wasn't overly crowded. The sharks were a hit with my daughter and there was a big indoor playground that was popular.I would recommend once coming here but we wouldn't return due to the high cost.

Psalms 118:17 — Google review

Upon arriving we watched the penguin parade as the walked around the aquarium. This was an unexpected surprise. As we were leaving the penguins were being fed and we enjoyed that as well.The coral had the most beautiful colors and I used one of the pictures I took of it as my Screensaver.The staff was helpful. Kind and informative. Altogether a wonderful experience.

Judy Agnor — Google review

The aquarium is amazing! Beautiful, vibrant, tanks are everywhere, with elaborate details and finishes, and the animals seem very well cared for. The underwater tunnel is the best part, and everything is so clean! Some of my favorite creatures are shared a few here, but the pictures really don't do the experience justice.

Christie Hall — Google review

My family went right after the new Year on a weekday. We showed up at about 9:30 and finished going through all the exhibits at about 11. When we were leaving at 11 the parking lot was packed and there was a line down the road for people trying to get access. There was also a line at the ticket booth of people waiting to get tickets. I would recommend going first thing in the morning, or towards closing, to skip the lines and crowds. Additionally, I had bought our tickets in advance online and got to skip the line altogether, so I highly recommend it! You do not save anything by purchasing in person and your tickets are good for a year from the date of purchase.With that being said, the aquarium itself was fantastic and it is no wonder it was so busy! If you're visiting or traveling even remotely close to this place I would dare to say it is a must visit. We do not have children, and as two adults, we had an absolute blast. The facilities are beautiful, clean, and top of the line. There were so many cool creatures and things to do. There is a touch pool for manta rays, which includes the option to feed them, there is a penguin parade where they bring the penguins out, and there are educational talks. There was also a penguin encounter, which we paid extra for, and was well worth it! It was a group of about 10 people and we got to talk to staff 1 on 1, pet the penguin, and get a great picture (included in the price). This added about another hour onto our visit.Throughout the aquarium there were food facilities and plenty of places to sit. The aquarium also includes eye level exhibits, exhibits you can see from above the water, and even a walk through exhibit that was surprisingly long and included a conveyor belt ride, which is also a novelty.Lastly, when leaving, we got to see the gift shop which has something in the price range for everyone. The shop even includes art done by the penguins, which is pretty unique. We walked away with two items from the shop for a affordable $25.All in all, if you or your family are even the least bit interested in animals or nature, visit. If you're still on the fence, they had a trophy saying they were voted the best aquarium in America in 2018. If you don't go, it is your loss!

Megan L — Google review

Great experience for the kids. It was advertised as the best aquarium in the US. I don't agree, but it's definitely worth the visit. Lots of interactive things. The 🐧🐧🐧 exhibit allows kids to crawl inside for a better view.

David Miller — Google review

This is one of the best aquarium I've been to right behind Chicago's aquarium. We went during Easter and it was jammed packed. But it took us about 1hr to get through. All I can say is I wish I had a better camera so enjoy the pics

Jeff Figaro — Google review

We really enjoyed the aquarium. The price was fair enough. There is a parking garage behind the aquarium and parking is $10. There were a lot of kids there when we went due to field trips however it didn't really impact our visit, just have to be patient and wait your turn. The staff could be a little more friendly however we still had a good time takes at least 1 hour to go all the way through and that includes stopping briefly for each view of different aquatic life.

Stephanie — Google review

Adults and kids and a great time here. The kids loved the play area pictured. The penguin parade was cute. There was a lot to do and see here. It was worth admission, especially if you have kids.

Dan Atwood — Google review

Best Ripley’s aquarium I have been to. Lots to do with great exhibits and The tunnel in the tank is amazing. Kids playground in the middle is big, you could spend a long time there. Very crowded but manageable.

Lex Calder — Google review

Really good experience! Maybe a little pricey at $40 a ticket, but the Aquarium +2 attractions ends up being a great deal! We spent at least 2 hours or so here. I was nicely surprised at the accessibility of the ASL videos & captions and how few stairs we came across. Learned a lot, saw lots of cool animals, and touched a sting ray! I'd recommend and probably even go again!

Claire G — Google review

The touch a ray bay and feeding was the BEST. I wish I'd known it was the last exhibit when following the path. Parking is available in the garage behind. The trolley drops off guests on the side of the building. The aquarium offers a 30% military discount including veterans and immediate family. Must show proof.

RJS Sweeney — Google review

4.6

(37818)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (102)

4.5

(15107)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (103)

88 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

(865) 430-8808

15

Tuckaleechee Caverns

38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (104)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (105)

38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (106)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (107)

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Nature & Parks

Caverns & Caves

Waterfalls

The Tuckaleechee Caverns are a series of high quality caves located in Townsend, Tennessee. The caverns are more than 20 million years old and have a cold underground stream that runs through them. The cave has over 8,000 entrances and is the highest rated cave in the eastern United States.

The caves are enormous and beautiful. The buildings look a little dated from the outside but everything is very well kept. Staff are friendly, courteous, and helpful. The tour lasted over an hour and it was so good we didn't realize how much time had passed until we got in our car to leave!

James Harter — Google review

Our second time coming back. Last time was about 7 years ago. Always a great experience. The rock formations are amazing!! The underground river is awesome, with water so pure you can even drink it. The best part was in the “Great Room” when they shut off all the lights. Pure darkness. Our tour guide was Chance and he was very informative. Lots of stairs for sure but well worth it.

Sasha Valente — Google review

We absolutely LOVED coming here. It was my husband's first time going to a cavern and I'm so happy that this was his first experience. I loved how it was natiral+rugged while still feeling safe walking through.Only downside is there were some teenage boys who trailed behind the group and would splash into the water to drink some. Little annoying but didn't ruin the experience or anything!

Allison Fyock — Google review

Our tour guide was Jonah he was great! He was genuinely excited to show us the caverns and really loved his job. He made the experience even better. There are a lot of stairs and slippery paths and it's consistently 58 degrees so bring a jacket. There's lots of great views and opportunities for photos and you can even taste the spring water in the second part if you want. Would definitely recommend!

Brenda Gray — Google review

Never would have thought that this was a great MUST DO on my list.The family owned operations is welcoming and are so nice. The gift shop and history of the area are so interesting.It's well worth the money for something so interesting and a great exercise with over 400 steps and over an hour under the ground.

Kenneth Buzzie — Google review

This place is amazing! The caves are beautifully lit up and left natural in most places, and the walkways were relatively easy for cave walkways. The underground river and waterfall were beautiful, and there were lots of interesting limestone formations. The staff and tour guides are friendly and very knowledgeable and conversational. Our guide, Abby, was super fun to talk to! Entrance fee was $25 and we got out tickets by showing up on a less busy day, but they also have reservations if you feel you need them. They said they are usually busiest on rainy days. Gift shop is cool and reasonable as well, lots of minerals and memorabilia. 10/10!

Jess Hogg — Google review

Such a cool place to visit! Word of caution for cave goers. 409 stairs total, not for people who have vertigo or height issues. There's a few tight places where you have to bend over. 4ft clearance. My 6' 5" husband made it just fine though. I had my 9 month old baby on my back in a hiking carrier the whole time and did fine.

Leah Campbell — Google review

I'm not sure where to begin with my experience At Tuckaleechee Caverns besides saying it was such an amazing experience! I'd highly recommend this tour. Our tour guide Brandy was the perfect guide for this adventure. Her enthusiasm and countless puns made for a very memorable day. I've walked through a few caves in my life but nothing like this. Oh, and wait till she turns the lights out! A very calming and peaceful experience in itself. Also the echoing in the caves are neat too. I will walk this tour again one day. Thank you so much TC and Brandy for an unforgettable experience!

Ryan Scarborough — Google review

Lizzie was our tour guide and she was phenomenal. Our kids had a great time and I would go again there are some tight squeezes My boyfriend is 6 foot and he made it through fine and so did my 80 year old grandpa and you do see off some ledges so if you are afraid of heights, I would not recommend also, there are quite a few stairs, so keep that in mind ! I would definitely recommend taking a sweatshirt with I was in shorts and I was so glad I had my sweatshirt or I would’ve been freezing. It is about 50° down there And breezy we also seen a bear right by the parking lot so be cautious and don’t approach them

Sherry Berkey — Google review

My family and I went and we had a blast. Our tour guide was awesome and did a great job educating us all about the cave, its history, even some geology and chemistry as we were walking through! I also appreciated that it was family owned/operated and that many of the fam members were there working that very day. Lots of steps, wasn't hard for me, but if you have any mobility issues it could be daunting.

Rachel King-Johnson — Google review

This was such a great experience!!!Very comfortable to get here from Townsend (lots of signs guiding you throughout) and they had ample parking space out front.We bought our tickets (no online reservation was necessary) in the shop and bought some fudge and a Smokies shot glass as we waited for our turn. The fudge is really good!Lizzie was our guide and she was very knowledgeable. We saw many formations in the caves that have developed so beautifully over the years. The highlights of the tour are when they switch off the lights in the cave and of course, the pretty waterfall. The cave has quite a few steps up and down and in some areas you'll have to bend and walk as the roof of the cave is very low.We highly recommend this wonderful experience!

Neha Vl — Google review

This was a very cool cavern! It's very well lit, so bringing a flashlight is unnecessary here. The tour guide was very friendly and energetic and informative the entire time we were there. I decided to bring my two toddlers, which was a gamble that turned out well. The cavern includes a waterfall, a wishing well, and a spring running through it. The path can be a little damp and there are lots of stairs so make sure to wear good shoes.

Cody — Google review

Absolutely amazing spot. They are a guided tour which is actually a must, because this place is MASSIVE! you will have an amazing experience and love it! There will be a few times where u need to watch your head because it gets to about a 4 foot clearance. Well worth the $22 to enter and I don't day that lightly. You go over half a mile into the tavern, there is a double waterfall inside with crystal clear water, and pictures that are amazing. 100% worth the entrance.

Greg Johnson — Google review

What an amazing experience! Friendly staff and tour guide. Love hearing the history. One of the best caves I've been in! Highly recommend!

Chris Cooper — Google review

These caverns were absolutely amazing and our tour guide did a great job at explaining everything and telling us the history of the Taverns. This is one of those places that I highly recommend, however once you visit one time, that will suffice. If you were claustrophobic or have a problem with Steps, this is not the place to go to. Luckily we had an amazing time it was fun and we got a great workout in. However there were some taller people that were struggling and people that are not good with steps had a little bit of a difficult time because there are over 400 steps that you have to take throughout the whole tour. However this place was awesome!

Ed Stojancevich — Google review

A wonderful cave tour. Lots of different geological sites to see. The tour was roughly about a mile and took us about 1hr 30 min to complete. I never felt unsafe or in any dangerous situations. There are a quite few steps, but nothing too strenuous. Our guide Brandy did an awesome job and you can tell that she loves what she is doing. Our teenage boys found the tour to be interesting. A good morning well spent’

Shawn Collins — Google review

This was the second cavern I have been to but I really liked this one. Tour guide was pretty good but just make sure you have some warm jacket or sweatshirt on as it gets pretty cool on the cave. Good shoes will help as you walk a lot and walk on stairs or uneven surface. Overall experience was 5 star

Kanae Malbrough — Google review

Wonderful tour that was very informative. Probably one of the biggest cavern tours I've seen, there was a lot covered in the hour long tour. The steps weren't too bad for us and the bats stayed away for our visit! Also we got the peanut butter fudge which was delicious.

Penne Freyberger — Google review

I had a great time. Had I researched it/planned it and known what to expect.. I'm not sure I would have done it. 🤣😂 I have a lot of anxiety, and I'm a little claustrophobic. That was REALLY far down and a lot of steps through some sketchy but stable paths... Once I got to the bottom... panic set in... just how far down I was.. and I'm not in the best shape... I talked myself silently out of a panic attack... 😛🥹🤣 told myself people do this all the time!!!! -- BUT, I DID enjoy the tour! It was informative because the guide had a lot of information... It was amazing looking in there, and I can say "I did it!" It was very pretty!!!

Tara B — Google review

I have done a lot of caves, and this is one of the best! I absolutely loved it. Our younger male guide (blondish longer hair) was so sweet and very informative while keeping the cave protected. I loved it. If you can't do stairs very well, be cautious. There are like 200 plus stairs. I did t them easily. Don't miss out! Enjoy!!!

Whitney Frizell — Google review

The guide that told us the history of the caverns was very knowledgeable and answered any questions we had. We went as a school group. The caverns themselves were a sight to behold. The constant flowing water through the caverns was both awesome and soothing. Be prepared for some healthy walking. There are quite a few steps/stairs. But, continued railing to help you along.

Joe Patton — Google review

As someone that's been to Mammoth Caves, this is a small cave, but 100% worth seeing while in the area. The sounds of the stream running through it is beautiful, with an underground waterfall as well! I had seen another review saying the water in the stream was drinkable, I asked my tour guide and he confirmed. The water simply tastes like... water lol. Would be an excellent retreat from the heat in the summertime as it's nice and cool in the cave.

Alex Bennett — Google review

Really cool caverns. Guided tour was an hour and a half and included large cavern rooms, underground spring, waterfall, and all sorts of rock formations. A must stop in my book. Great option for a rainy day during a Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg stay especially.

George Byram — Google review

The day we visited was very busy and had a line out the door, but we only waited in line for tickets about 10 minutes maybe. The tour lasted a little over an hour. The guides were very knowledgeable and did a great job managing group passings down below. My favorite part was the beach, but the big room was pretty cool too. There's a waterfall, and some very unique formations to see as well. In the lobby are fossils and animal bones on display that have been found in these ancient caverns. Theres also a gift shop with drinks and fudge for sale. Highly recommend putting this on your list of things to do while visiting the Smokey Mountains. There's also a horse riding place on your drive in and out to the caverns owned by the same family. Same level of expertise and professionalism there and another fun activity to do.

Jamie White — Google review

Amazing, above expectations!Compared to other caverns, this one is very wide and open. The largest and longest we’ve seen so far!The Big Room was HUGE! And the waterfall at the end was a very pleasant surprise.The tour was not rushed, which gave us enough time to look around, appreciate the beauty of the cavern and take pictures.Our tour guide Chase was very kind and willing to answer to all our questions. (Remember to bring cash with you for tips!)A must do if you’re in the Smoky Mountains!

Ruth Cornea — Google review

Great place for the whole family to have a history lesson/ science lesson. If you can't walk 400 plus steps this place is not for you. If you need to get your kids to burn off energy this is the place to go. It's a little over a mile hike , going down about 500 feet

irene young — Google review

4.8

(3540)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (108)

5.0

(2895)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (109)

825 Cavern Rd, Townsend, TN 37882, USA

(865) 448-2274

I'll never travel to Lexington without this trip planner again

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16

The Lost Sea Adventure

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Tours

Nature & Wildlife Tours

Lost Sea Adventure is a cave tour and boat trip attraction that offers visitors an underground lake to explore. The cave network is well-maintained and the guides are knowledgeable about the formations, making for an interesting experience. The walk up is not too bad and the tour offers stops for breathers, which makes it more comfortable for those who are not used to walking long distances. The boat ride is also very cool and something not often seen in tourist attractions.

Nice to place to explore some cave spots. The guided tours were awesome with lots of information. Don't miss the lake ride under the caves. Claustrophobic need to avoid this. Visited the place en route from Atlanta to Smoky Mountain. A good stop with rest and a visit. Water proof shoes/boots are recommended for the visit.For the guides: Provide required time for people across all age. Felt being rushed which restricts the time to enjoy the awesomeness of the place.

inferno d — Google review

A very unique place to visit with a colorful history. The boat ride onto the lake is definitely the highlight of the tour and what anyone really goes there to do. Cave system over all was a lot smaller than expected and shorter than others I've been to unless you pay more to do the wild tour. Still an enjoyable way to spend an hour and worth a visit.

Jeremy Baughman — Google review

Tour: This cavern has the cool distinction of being America's largest underground lake. The tour lasts about an hour and a half, and your guide tells you about its history. Most of the tour is on uneven terrain through the cavern, and there are some inclines. There are lights everywhere, but it's a cavern, so it has low lighting. The boat ride was too brief, but I otherwise loved it. It was such a tranquil experience. The water is calm and still, and the fish were fascinating. Our tour guide was funny, but it was difficult to hear him at the back of the group, and he kept a fast pace through the tour. You couldn't spend much time stopping and enjoying the amazing cave features. I wish they gave you more time for the tour, but otherwise, a great experience.Restrooms: Their restroom building was under construction when we did the tour, but they had a restroom trailer that was very nice, clean, and well-kept.

Liz W — Google review

This cave and lost lake were absolutely amazing. The tour guide was very informative and gave a great deal of history on the findings and the cavern and the lake.Take time to stop and capture the coolest tours I've seen an awhile!!!You will not be disappointed.

Kevin S — Google review

Lovely cave and boat experience. Clean facility and great guides. It didn't feel as over commercialized as Ruby Falls, so that was a nice touch. Loved the addition of artists like the glass blower and the gem panning as well.

Scott Detweiler — Google review

This was an amazing experience! Our tour guide, Angela, was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. The hike back up was no joke! But there are benches that the guides will let you rest on. Very open spaced for those who are claustrophobic.

Amy Osborn — Google review

Great tour to take if you are looking for a cave tour. Casey and Ashley were excellent tour guides that knew a lot about the formations and answered all of your questions. The walk up had a decent grade at parts but not too bad. They do stop for a couple of breathers on the way up to give you a spot to catch your breath. Overall not too bad of a walk and highly recommend. The boat ride was really cool and not something you commonly get to do. Will definitely have to come back some time for their spelunking tour.

Austin Wiesner — Google review

As a local to Tennessee we have never visited these caves until today. We had age group 11-73 and we all had a great experience. The online booking was a breeze and so was the check in process.Our guide for today was Shay (I hope this is her name) and she was amazing. She was so friendly and her sense of humor was great, actually amazing.The walk down was pretty easy but the walk back up is pretty difficult for older people. It’s the incline that was tough for my mom and others I saw that had to stop numerous times.The lake at the bottom is absolutely beautiful and so peaceful down there. The water is crystal clear.I would definitely recommend.

Melissa Wimberly — Google review

I really enjoyed this adventure! The cave is so rich in history and beautiful. The lake was my favorite. I will definitely be doing this again. This cave is so big. You will get a good walk inside but not too strenuous. The guide stopped frequently so there’s plenty time to rest. Have fun!

Donna Holbrook — Google review

For those like me who didn't know, you take a tour with a small hike through a nice cool cave to a small boat ride then back. We got Angela and her "twin" as our tour guides and they both made sure that we had a good time. They have a small glass blower shop filled with beautiful hand blown customizable items, gift shop, and an ice cream shop that was closed at the time we went.

Ariel Sexton — Google review

We had a great time today. You want to have a great tour ask for Skyler. He is very informative and funny. Keeps the tour interesting. Definitely wear non skid shoes. Certain places were slippery. We liked the glass blowing place. Lots of beautiful items to purchase. The general store wasn't to impressed. A lot of the same thing and their mining bags were a little pricey. We were looking forward to the ice cream shop but it was closed. Not much else to do which was kinda a bummer.

Erika Galish — Google review

We have driven past the signs on I75 for this place for years and finally stopped to check it out. It is amazing! Well worth checking out. Skyler, our tour guide, did an amazing job. The boat ride on the underground lake is really cool.Note: the walk down to the lake is a little steep and slippery. You can sit out that part, but then you miss the boat ride.

Carson S Miller — Google review

What a fabulous place to visit. Very intriguing and had an excellent guide. No stairs anywhere all ramps so it's easy to walk with rest benches along the way. Highly recommend, njoy the trip.

Norman Long — Google review

The kids truly enjoyed it. The guided tour greatly enhanced our experience, and we learned a lot from our guide, Emma, who is both funny and knowledgeable. We visited during the kids’ spring break, and many time slots were sold out. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance during peak seasons.

J T — Google review

Just happened to see a sign and decided to detour and check it out. What a unique and fun experience! It’s quite a hike once you get started but if you’re able to walk inclines, you’ll be fine. Our guide Devin was fun and very well informed on the cave history etc. and the lake was amazing. If you’re passing through and have a couple hours to kill, go for it.

Percella Snyder — Google review

We had a blast at the Lost Sea! It's mostly a walking tour that takes about an hour and a half. The boat ride was 10 or 15 minutes at the end and there was a long climb back to the entrance of the cave. The cave is huge! Very cool! My kids are 5, 6, and 10 and all three had a ton of fun being in the cave. Be warned: if your kids are like mine, they'll get to the bottom of the cave and realize they need the bathroom...

Lewis Allen — Google review

It was a really cool experience, my wife and I loved it. Be sure to wear shoes, not open toed, some spots can be a bit slippery. Our guide Jess was real fun and informative as well. Highly recommend!

Aleksandar Vitanov — Google review

This was a great tour. Excellent your guides (ours was Laura- she was fantastic!) with lots of information. All the different rooms and levels were accessed by ramps, no stairs. Slippery in some spots, but fun. Definitely worth it!

Meg Sinnamon — Google review

I homeschool my 8 and 12 year old, and used this as a fun learning field trip. It was more touristy and busy than I had anticipated, but it didn't turn out to be a problem. The cave is impressive, and although I've lived in east TN for 15 years, I had never visited before. The tour guide was funny, well-spoken, and obviously knowledgeable on his facts. It kept adults and kids of various ages interested. I took a few notes in my phone while we toured and gave a little quiz to my kids after, and they both retained the information and enjoyed the adventure. The only heads up I wish I knew was the amount of walking on hills required. The walk down to the water they equate to a 7-story building in terms of grade difference. I'm a few months post partial knee-replacement, and although I was worried about the walking, I did just fine. Do wear grippy shoes though as the floors are worn smooth and would have been a bit slippery IMO without good sneakers. After the tour, I purchased a bag of rocks in the gift shop for the panning experience just because my kids had never done anything like that before. It was touristy, but fun for them. We have their treasures in the rock tumbler now.

Miriam Allen — Google review

This was such a beautiful experience! Our guide was informative and fun. The walk down into the cave and to the lake was breathtaking, especially if you love nature. The walk back up is no joke! Be prepared. Also, make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Specifically, ones you don't really care about. The red clay can and will destroy them.

Crystal L — Google review

Our tour guide, Eli, did a fantastic job showing us around the cave and telling us really interesting stories about its history. On the surface, there is also a very impressive glass blowing/works studio. Even though the site is pretty rural, there are nice big signs indicating where it is. We went in the fall, but this seems like a nice outing for ANY season.

Solanine Eustoma — Google review

Had a great guide named Skyler, he was young but very funny and knowledgeable, he answered any question we had about the cave, I was very impressed with him. The cave and underground lake were beautiful. The walk is moderate in places, the incline is equivalent to seven sets of stairs; up and down, so be aware. Also, because of the red clay, your shoes will get a bit stained. Totally worth it.

LaDonna Henslee — Google review

Anytime you have a chance to go into the earth, take it! Of course, if it's safe. This place is amazing as I'm sure many are. You take a little boat ride, walk about a mile in total and they even have expert level caves to explore outside of the guided tour.

Chris — Google review

We had a great time. Our tour guide was Skyler! He was funny, knowledgeable, and made our visit more interesting and fun. The cave is amazing and the underground lake is beautiful. I highly recommend visiting!

Kayla Caceres — Google review

It's been years since we visited. New entrance/waiting area. Upgrades inside the cave. The "sea" remains quite remarkable. Affordable. Helpful staff. Best to reserve tickets.

Keith Baker — Google review

We had a very good time! Our tour guide Chuck, was very knowledgeable. He even took extra time with our group to show us things not normally included in the tour. Very impressive, well maintained facilities also.

SOLD By Perry! — Google review

I loved this place. Our guide, JD, was awesome and super knowledgeable! The boats are awesome and I would say this is an all around activity that is good for young children to adults! I would say the only hesitation is that you have to walk all the way to the bottom and then all the way back up and that is a bit tricky if you have mobility issues. Had a blast and will be coming again if we have more family in town!

Sara Boyer — Google review

4.7

(6165)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (121)

4.0

(994)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (122)

140 Lost Sea Rd, Sweetwater, TN 37874, USA

(423) 337-6616

17

Dollywood

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Amusem*nt park

Water & Amusem*nt Parks

Dollywood is a theme park that epitomizes the spirit of the Smoky Mountains. The park's cheerful atmosphere, rich history, and unique rides make it an iconic destination for tourists from all over the world.

We really enjoyed Dollywood, our first visit. 9 of us went, ages 2 to 60, and we all really had a great time. From roller-coasters to shops and shows....everyone was happy. Practically no wait times today at all. Dollywood is gorgeous from the mountains to the flowers to adorable plant sculptures.... Music is always playing somewhere and the family atmosphere is so cool.

Gary Powell — Google review

First time going and let me tell you what, it was great!!! ALL the roller-coasters were great. We even rode some of them twice. That is also how fast the staff at Dollywood is working to get people on rides. The staff is also so helpful if you need help finding food or a ride. We loved this place so much that we are going back for a second day. I would definitely recommend that you come here whether you have kids or not.

Jena Harnish — Google review

This was such a cute amusem*nt park! The rides were fun for the whole family, food was fantastic, and there was plenty of other attractions to keep you busy! The lines were relatively short, and after getting rained out we had no wait at all. All of the staff members were so friendly and I cannot wait to go again!

Ashley Nelson — Google review

This was a visit I won't soon forget.At Mountain Blown Glass you can make your own ornament for a lasting memory.Definitely recommend people to visit.If you go make sure to stop at the Grist Mill and pick up some hot cinnamon bread@This is the ONLY park I have ever visited that sings the national anthem when they open!That alone is worth five stars.I would give them more just for that if possible!

Greg Wielock — Google review

My first time here! Excellent time! I loved the shoes and the roller coasters! The water rides were wetter than expected, but that's all the fun! Free refills with a souvenir cup purchase. Locker rental for the day is only $12 and you can transfer your locker from one location to another multiple times. We went in early spring with no wait times on the rides, but a Time Saver Pass is available (we had one but only used it once). I recommend it for busy time of the year. It's a waste of money any other time. We ate at the buffet. It was delicious. We ride the train. Lots of gift shops, thrill rides, kid rides, something for everyone. There's an aviary, and we saw weeks turkeys on the train ride.

Julie Wallace — Google review

We arrived at Dollywood on a Tuesday around 10am.We prepaid for parking and the parking lots were full up to lot D, where we Parked. The Tram was the longest thing to wait for but it was clear the staff was moving as fast as they could, and it was organized. Getting into the park after the tram dropped us off took no time at all. We prepaid for tickets and highly recommend you do the same. I screenshot my tickets and they scanned my phone. I picked up a "Happy Birthday" button from a bin right near the maps. I got a map but I used the Dollywood App mostly since it works like google maps and has all ride wait times. Wait times were not too bad most of the day. The park is very walkable and you can go to the lesser wait times and keep an eye out on other rides. The biggest downside really was their credit card machines going down around the park. I recommend bringing cash, I have come to learn it is very helpful to have. All in all though, Dollywood did not disappoint!

Paige Shorter — Google review

One of the best THEME parks. Loved the Harvest Festival with all the pumpkin displays, Halloween decor and music - so much talent and love the music here. Lots of themed food and drinks. The hot cinnamon bread was a treat. Ride the Dollywood Express that circles the park, see Dolly's childhood home replica, escape to a bygone beaut of a place, and ride great themed rides like the Tennessee Tornado and Wild Eagle... the eagle ride really does make you feel like you're soaring!

Becca Nicholson — Google review

We had the most amazing time despite the rain. Our children were finally tall enough to ride the big rides and even though that was all they could really do they enjoyed every minute we were there. The shops were adorable and incredible. All of the staff were absolutely wonderful! We were able to be present for the drone show at the end of the night! All in all an excellent time and memories we'll never forget!

Cassie Flory — Google review

This was our first time to visit Dollywood, and it was such a fun experience! Parking was easy. The tram was wonderful. There were so many that we didn't have to wait at all. ALL of the staff were friendly and helpful. ALL of the park was very clean and had tons of places to rest in the shade. We loved the rides! Lighting Rod was our favorite roller coaster. There are tons of places to eat. The hamburger was mediocre for the price. The Nathan's hot dog stand was delicious! Make sure you stay for the drone light show at the end! We've never seen anything like it! We should have planned to be in this park for 2 days so we could have seen the shows as well.

Samantha Herbner — Google review

During mid-September, I went with my sister and my autistic nephew, Anthony, to the Dollywood Amusem*nt Park. Although I'm not typically a fan of amusem*nt parks, I thoroughly enjoyed observing Anthony's reactions to the rides and the lively atmosphere. Fortunately, the park wasn't crowded on the day we went, so we didn't have to wait in line for any rides and even got to go on some of them twice. However, the downside was that most of the rides were either geared towards extreme thrill-seekers or very young children, leaving few options in between. The majority of the roller coasters had upside-down loops and were quite bumpy, which may have been enjoyable when we were younger, but not in our 60s. Our personal favorites were the log flumes and river rafts, despite getting wet from the rides. The food choices were typical fair food, expensive and mediocre.

Donna Bollenbach — Google review

I will start with the only bad thing I experienced. I wish they had more scooter rentals at the front or offered shuttles to the inside rentals. Being handicap has it challenges and renting a scooter shouldn’t be an extra problem.Now, Dollywood is beautiful! It was very clean and decorated wonderfully. We had to stay until dark just to see all the pumpkins lit up. Trying to take pictures of some displays was difficult because people walk right through as you try.We ate at one of the restaurants near the front, the food was good and the wait went fast. We also got a harvest food tasting pass. What a great adventure. It was fun to taste everything fall Dollywood had to offer.We bought season passes to try and come back again for other seasons.

Traci Tallman — Google review

Dollywood is fun for everyone. From the moment you walk in, it's just instantly exciting. It was my daughter's birthday, and they had birthday pins at the front entrance, which made her feel even more special on her big day. We were lucky and went during the fall fest. The pumpkins and fall theme made for such an inviting and warm feeling. We ate at one of the little restaurants, and the service and food were nothing short of amazing. The fried green tomatoes were absolutely delicious! We only went on two rides, but they were so much fun, and the wait wasn't too bad. The shops are so cute and pretty affordable. ALSO, one thing that was huge for us was that they had medicine (Ibuprofen, Tylenol, tummy meds, etc.) for sale at pretty much every shop. It is a lot of walking, but it is totally worth it, and there are a lot of places to stop and rest. We only got a day pass but could definitely have used an extra day or two to explore the entire park. I would highly recommend taking a trip, so many memories to be made here!

Stephanie Finney — Google review

We went to Dollywood on Good Friday so it was very busy. We did buy our tickets in advance. I would recommend you do that because the lines for the tickets were extremely long. Definitely a lot of different things to do. We did not do any of the rides had no children with us, so I’m not sure if those lines were long, but there is an app so you can keep track of the wait time. My husband and I did a lot of the shows which were all amazing. Definitely a place for family fun and don’t forget to ride the train 🚂🚂🚂

Laura Nork — Google review

Living one hour from Hershey, PA it's only natural that Hershey Park is my metric for other amusem*nt parks. I've heard about the shows at Dollywood but they weren't showing when we were there. The layout of the park is decent enough but it seemed to be lacking in thrill rides. They have 9 coasters where Hershey has 15. I have no issue with the quality of the rides but when you have less rides the wait times will inevitably rise. Although I will give them props. The pretzels were awesome. 10 bucks a pop but they were huge. At least twice the size of Auntie Anne's. I noticed quite a few booths were empty and there were no open photo booths after the coasters. Maybe the worker shortage or all considered the off season. I had fun but $90 is way too much for what is offered. Hershey is only 55. I downloaded the app called Dollywood and it worked great for the first 1-2 hours but it stopped reporting wait times before lunch which made it hard to plan. Still, as always, you should check out and decide for yourself.

Greg Walter — Google review

We have annual passes to Dollywood. Each season brings new experiences for all to enjoy at the theme park. This trip, we appreciated the free water to keep us hydrated in the sunny, 90-degree weather. The train ride was fun and provided a nice breeze to cool off and relax. In the evening, the dance parties were a lot of fun. They really drew in the crowd. The fireworks show was beautiful. What made the day stand out was the drone show. I have to say, it was amazing! There were so many drones! The pictures they created in the sky were fabulous! Make sure you add Dollywood to your vacation destination this summer.

Darlene Kemp — Google review

We love Dollywood. We are an older couple so the roller coasters are no longer the main attraction for us. We did have to try the new Big Bear Mountain roller coaster, and I think that it was a perfect choice for this area of the park. Because they didn't go crazy with loops and the like. They can allow fairly young (short) kids to enjoy it with the family. It is very long and incredibly smooth and just seemed like the perfect fit for this area. Food is great, Fireworks and Drone show was amazing. All in all a great day in the Smokies!

Jeff Grande — Google review

Typical theme park, but I appreciated the variety of events and rides so that all ages could be satisfied. Not very long lines. Fairly priced kids meals. Kids three and under are free and almost all rides allow shorter kids to ride if they have someone over 14 with them. Drone show was cool and worth long line leaving park after it. Don't leave without trying the cinnamon bread.

D. M. — Google review

We had the most amazing day at Dollywood!! We had our 2 and 4 year old Grandchildren, my 77 year old Mother, and my adult children. There was something for everyone. It was decorated beautifully for Halloween. Entertainment was amazing. There were amazing roller-coasters, and children's rides were great too. The food was very good and reasonably priced. Can't wait to go back!!

Gerri Patten — Google review

I've been to many amusem*nt parks and this one is amazing! Clean, employees are friendly, so much to see. Cinnamon bread is a must, but stop first thing. You can leave to eat or rest, so get a stamp on the way out. Loved the fall displays. The evening was crowded for the fall displays, but still worth it. The food is great, bathrooms are clean, and other patrons were very polite. I didn't ride anything but the atmosphere is unparalleled. I didn't think I could love Dolly anymore, but it happened. Also being surrounded by fall foliage in the mountains was breathtaking. Eagle sanctuary was a nice surprise, also.

Penny Albright — Google review

Lots of fun rides. Great entertainment for the whole family. Different class rides for all types of people and all ages. Managed wonderfully. Flow of traffic and people is well maintained. Parking is convenient. Security is present and consistent. Lots of shopping, junk food, good restaurants etc. Wonderful experience. Can't wait to come back.

Seth Stoke — Google review

Friendly Employees all over the park. Also helpful if you need anything just ask and they are more than happy to help. The food is pretty good and the refillable souvenir cups are a fantastic deal. Plenty of shows at different schedules so you can see most everything you want to if you plan it out right. We didn’t do any of the rides other than the free fall ride, I can’t remember what it’s called, but it was fun. The park was moderately crowded around 60%. I would say. The ride times we noticed were anywhere from 20 minutes to 65 minutes for some of the popular rides. We went to see the harvest festival, decor, and the pumpkins looked amazing. I wish there were more lights and other areas similar to the way they do Christmas, but overall, it was a great experience. We are season passholders and this was the first time we were able to experience the fall harvest. For the themed seasons, the tasting pass is a great value. For $35-$40 you get to sample five different things in there are both food and drinks to choose from. The drinks are a little less expensive so I would save the tasting pass for the food and just purchase the drinks.

Dave — Google review

My favorite theme park ever! Wait times were reasonable for rides. Easy to rent an electric scooter. Loved the vibe, rides, and decorations. Parking was easy and the tram was closely accessible. We stayed from 11am-8:30pm and shut down the park! I've been to about 15 different theme parks. This was definitely one of my favorites, top 3!

Constatine Stinson — Google review

We had a great day today at Dollywood from start to finish. We’d especially like to thank ‘Lane’ who greeted us at the gate with so much kindness. We appreciated your helpfulness, thank you. The park was very clean and tidy. No queuing, a good selection of rides for all ages. - UK 🇬🇧

Dawn Towns — Google review

This is a pretty fun park. They have a lot of rides. If you are a bigger person you may not fit all the coasters. They do have test seats at the entrance to each ride though so that will let you know. They have good food choices and you can get refillable drink and popcorn containers.

Tamatha B — Google review

BEST DAY EVER! Our family had a planned day at Dollywood. On the day we planned it RAINED! We went anyway, and it was the best decision we ever made. The staff were friendly, courteous and helpful. Every employee we met was SO warm and helpful no matter the situation. We rode every possible ride with little to no wait time. We ended the day with the BEST funnel cakes were ever tasted. Again, BEST DAY EVER! Thank you, Dolly!

John Smith III — Google review

We had a really good time at Dollywood. Yes, it's expensive and parking for $25 a car is ridiculous. The rides are fun,but expect to wait in line an hour or more for each one. They offer a fast pass, but it's an additional $60 a person and you still might have to wait depending on how many other fast pass users are there that day. We only spent one day here and mostly just rode the roller coasters, but there's enough here to spend two full days - especially if you want to catch any shows.

Mountain Guide — Google review

Been a while since I went to an amusem*nt park but this one ranks top 3! Super organized from entrance to exit. They have a helpful free app with maps and wait times for rides. So many high quality coasters. CINNAMON BREAD. Easily walkable. Beautiful scenery. Well done, Dolly!

Reese Dewey — Google review

4.6

(47974)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (130)

4.5

(18694)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (131)

2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, USA

(800) 365-5996

18

The Island in Pigeon Forge

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Amusem*nt park

Water & Amusem*nt Parks

The Island in Pigeon Forge is a family-friendly amusem*nt park with thrilling rides and unique shops. It is in downtown Pigeon Forge, close to the city's 70 attractions.

We happened upon this after seeing a billboard advertisem*nt for Paula Deen's family restaurant. It was located in the island resort. The family style all you can eat dinner was delicious. And then it turned out there were so many shops, and entertainments for the kids. And in the middle of it all they have a water feature with dancing waters that are choreographed to two great songs every half hour all day and into the night. Lots of free parking, and a shuttle for those who don't want to walk the 3-4 blocks. We could ride our bikes from the lovely Foothills RV Park the level 3 miles on the nice bike/pedestrian trail.

Stephen Graham — Google review

What a great place for the family. Excellent top notch stores, restaurants and rides. Very clean and I feel very safe here. The parking is not ideal true, but it also makes it feel more like visiting a theme park than just going to an outdoor mall. Highly recommend!

Herman Thompson — Google review

Nice place to walk around, dine, and shop! This area is very congested, so come with patience. I loved that you could park your car and catch the public tram for free. The water fountain shows were beautiful. I definitely loved the vibe at night with all the lights, smells, music. All around a happy place to explore!

T J — Google review

Kids and adults could spend the entire day without getting bored. The Wheel and water show are beautiful at night! You can easily find coupons for some of the rides if you don't buy an all-day band.

Christi Markwood — Google review

This was a fun area to walk around and explore shops and restaurants. The mirror maze was supper fun and affordable with adult tickets only being $15 a person. The ferris wheel was also decently priced at $15 per adult and we were able to go around 4 times. Overall a fun place to explore and the free parking was also a great bonus! 🎡

Breanna Hopkins — Google review

Great place to hang out in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Lots of good food, shops and a little bit of everything for young and old. Also very relaxing to watch the fountain that is timed hourly with music. The local bands at Smoky Mountain Moonshine are wonderful to listen to also. Overall just a great place to be day or night!!

Tracy Morris — Google review

On our list of places to see and we loved it here 👍Nice places to eat, boutique shops and gift shops galore.Went on the mountain wheel, amazing views of the park and area when you're at the top of the cycle.Enjoyed the fountain display whilst chilling on the rocking chairs 😀We spent a good few hrs here 👍Would definitely recommend the island park😀Wayne and Shelly 🇬🇧

Wayne Lowe — Google review

It's nice to just be able to sit and relax while watching the fountain at Pigeon Forge after a long day of walking.Nice restaurants around.Be prepared to walk if you are in a hurry to return to your car. I think they only have one tram running to and from the free parking lot.It's best to go at night to see all the lights!

Sheila Llanes — Google review

Tourist trap with a bunch of miscellaneous stores, odd attractions (Alcatraz!?), and some chain food spots. There is a HUGE parking lot in the back that still seems to fill up enough that it feels like you're walking to another town before you get there. Interesting to take a look if you've never been there before.

K Keppley — Google review

Man we love this place! It's the perfect little get away for families with small ones and especially veteran families; everything on the strip has military discount down to the drinks! The deals are great and the food is hard to step by! Lots of activities and opportunities for memories are limitless!

Tyrone “Tyr” Degree Jr. — Google review

We had a fun time at The Island. Lots to see and do for families. Prices were very expensive for most attractions. We would definitely return - we didn’t get a chance to visit all the attractions we wanted to. A must see when in pigeon forge.

Carsten — Google review

Meet your country version of Broadway at the Beach for those who have been to Myrtle Beach, SC. You will find most of the beloved attractions here at this location with the majority of the same shops and dining venues. Family friendly with a great water show and spectacular views. The Island is a welcoming attraction for anyone of any age.

Chris Shortridge — Google review

This is a beautiful inexpensive convenient place for a family with small children!! We entered during the day and left at night. They have a water show in the beginning of the park with rocking chairs all around. They have many store around the water and throughout the park. It’s not to big or to small! We had a group of 10 from ages 1-70 and all of us were entertained in so many ways!! We all did The Wheel and left so happy!

Megan Tacij-Lebron — Google review

Super fun place to bring the entire family. You can hang out here and not go anywhere elseIf you don’t want to. There are so many things to do all in one place. Stay at the Margaritaville Hotel on site, and you literally be an elevator ride away from all the action. We stayed on in a room with a view of the river, but I wished we had a view of the village, so we could people watch. But it was still nice. I’d recommend the river view for people who want more quiet and privacy on the balcony.

Terilyn Cannon — Google review

Pros: free parking, can walk or take trolley, nice water display, nicer shops not all the tacky tourist shops like the main strip, ole Smokey and winery were nice.Cons: very rude staff from buying to tickets to the rides and most the stores. Took my toddler on the little tykes rope course and the worker was very rude and not gentle or kind with him. Most of the stores the staff is just sitting on their phones and barely lookup at you.Stores I did like the made in America store

Rachel Grasso — Google review

An absolute must!! Such a sight to see. It's almost hard to put into words. Be prepared during the hot months though. Filled with tons of exciting attractions for all of the family!! Recommended by some locals: Fly: Soar America was the best experience!! THAT STOLE MY HEART right away. A truly one of a kind experience. I will not give away the details, if you want to know please go!! Many available shops, boutiques, and snacks, eateries and some bars to enjoy some co*cktails and atmosphere.

Shelly — Google review

Good place to visit. After parking, you can either walk (which isn't far, depending on WHERE you park) or take the tram which picks up at the designated spots at each parking section. Plenty of shops, restaurants and attractions...a little something for everyone. We got candy, cookies, beef jerky, moonshine and a few souvenirs. Paid $15 to ride the Wheel then headed to Dude's Daiquiris for a drink!

Pamela B — Google review

Fun visit. Beautiful day. Not overly busy. Enjoyed the shops and sights. They are down quite a few drivers for the tram (the employee said they were down 30!) But they were doing their best. Lots of stuff to do that could fill a good portion of your day. We spent some time in the arcade, watched the fountain show, window shopped, etc. I would say no 'wait' once we got inside, but we did have to wait about 15 minutes for the tram because there was also a convention going on this weekend.

Meg D — Google review

The island is composed of several shops and restaurants, lots of Kids Activities.you can eat at Paula Dean's family kitchen. Which we did, family style serving. We tried the barbecued pulled pork and the pot roast, which was absolutely delicious. We sat by the water fountains for several minutes and then stayed till dark. And the water fountain was beautiful with the colors and dancing to the music.

Lisa Hill — Google review

We had fun visiting the area and enjoying the scenery. It is a nice place to visit and spend time with the your family. There is a good variety of places around the area within walking distance. The shops include candy stores, may different types of gift shops, restaurants, bars, and an arcade. There is plenty of parking but its about 5-10 minutes to walk depending on how packed the parking lot is. But there is a trolley that runs regularly to take you back and forth. The ferris wheel was very fun and you get a good view from the top.

Roger Gaddis — Google review

This was a really nice place! It was fun and live. The music was so cool and the rides were fun. It is a family fun place. I would recommend it if you are in the area. The food was so good too.

Tatiana Moody — Google review

If you're there for the rides, they are for kids mostly and not adults at all. There are lots of booze places and bars all around you, and the rides are for kids. Not sure how they came up with this percentage but they need a few adult rides. A nice large coster over the area and maybe stretching past the parking lot for us big kids would be nice. We ended up staying at the island but left for the multiple hill coasters around town because there is nothing right at the Island. I would recommend maybe staying a night at the island and then go some place and enjoying the other sites if your adults.

Don Bell — Google review

In a general sense, I do love it here - I love the fountain and the music and the lights, and there's a lot to do. The Winterfest light trail starts from here and there is tons of free parking. But in winter, everything closes really early, by 7 or 8 it seemed. Maybe even earlier for some of the outdoor attractions. Operating hours on google can't be trusted.

Sara Beth Wade — Google review

If you like walking to and through all the little shops in The Island this is the place to be. There are shops of all varieties. Gifts, Home Decor, Clothing, Toys, Candy and more. Fun for the whole family. Thank You for taking Your Time to Read My Review.😊 Have a Great Day!🌞

Debra Parsons — Google review

4.7

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4.5

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131 The Island Dr, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, USA

(865) 286-0119

19

TITANIC Museum Attraction

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Museum

Specialty Museums

This museum dedicated to the famed Titanic is shaped like the ship & features recovered artifacts. As visitors touch real items from the wreck of the Titanic, they learn what it was like on that fateful night in 1912 when the ship sunk after hitting an iceberg.

Great and must see attraction if in the area and worth going out of the way if it’s not. You must make reservations ahead and time fills up fast. The experience is amazing to say it short. You arrive and are given a card with a name of a passenger and you will find out your faith in the end of you make it. They have multiple life size exhibits of parts of the ship that really help you get a feeling of the size and life on the ship. The grand staircase was way smaller then it seemed in the movie and truly made it worth the cost. They also have a section that allows you to feel the water as it was that night in regards to temperature. Plus so much more you will find, don’t want to say to much, but its completely worth the price. Also, bring wipes to clean you audio guide device. You hold it up to your ear to listen at different stages as you walk around.

Paul R — Google review

This place is a great experience and I only give it 3 stars based on my personal preferences. If you are into Titanic history you will love this place. If you've seen the movie with Leo D. you will be able to relate a lot of the movie to the exhibits. Otherwise its a museum so there's stuff and things to look at and read which may be boring for some. They do give everyone a complimentary audio device to add to the experience in places throughout which allows a kid friendly version too. However if you're on the fence about bringing little kids I'd say wait until they are 8 and older. There are several very cool displays and original items. No photos are allowed at all on the first level. Tickets DO sell out so do reserve in advance, although we managed to purchase same day tix hours before. It was VERY crowded so pack your patience and expect to get in lots of short shuffling steps. If you are claustrophobic this is not the place for you. Overall the exhibit does a great job of memorializing the passengers who died and showing the scale of the ship and its luxury.

Melanie Brooks — Google review

Had a great time here! It is a self guided tour with a little audio device to explain parts of the museum more which was nice. An employee did give a small presentation at the beginning of the tour and that was a nice treat as well. It wasn't too crowded when we went and we spent a couple of hours there. They have some artifacts and a lot of great photos to check out. You can only take pictures on the second floor of the tour. It was also 98% handicap accessible. My mom is a full time wheel chair user and the accessibility was great. The whole experience was awesome!

Kirsten Martin — Google review

I've been to some of the traveling exhibitions, and they're always worth going to, but THIS one is the supreme! It was quite moving, very educational, and they seem to put a more personal touch on the experience, telling so many stories of the passengers and crew, you almost feel like you know them. It's kid-friendly, they even have interactive aspects and an audio tour just for them, and there's a whole area of fun learning tools and a HUGE Lego replica of the ship itself. The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly, and there are many opportunities to take photos throughout the exhibit. Ticket prices are cheaper than some other things you can do in the area, and it would make for a great hiding-from-the-rain spot!

Shannon Riddle — Google review

Very nice museum! Good education. History is what makes us today. Thank you for creating such beauty. It was so surreal. I felt it in my bones. We were not rushed at all.

Mrs Lynn — Google review

The experience was great you get to see and some what feel how the people on the ship felt and did! There is some historical stuff and bits and pieces from the original Titanic!Everything was well kept and well organized!Parking was free and the atmosphere was as we were boarding the ship ! They made you feel as if you were there! Most of what we saw was as close as it can get to the original design! Well worth it, expect to spend at least 2 hours there! Photography is not allowed in most areas of the touring but they allow some photos to be taken in one area!

dani khalid — Google review

You have to get your tickets in advance and choose your time slot. We went here on a Tuesday at 10am. It wasn't very busy and we didn't have to wait in line to get in.I thought it was pretty cool they give you a ticket and you get to be a person from the actual ship. It's a self guided audio tour so you look for numbers in the museum and put them into your audio tour device. They also have a youth audio tour which is designed for children. My kids are 8 and 6. The 8 year old enjoyed it more than the 6 year old but every child is different.There's a lot to look at and read. You are not allowed to take pictures downstairs but after the grand staircase you can take pictures just remember to not use flash.All in all it was a great museum, very informative. The only thing I was missing were more things they actually found from the Titanic, like silverware or other personal things from the passengers.This museum is definitely for everyone who is interested in the Titanic and wants to learn more about it.

Pia Boje — Google review

Please add an adults only option for your tours. It was absolute madness and I do not recommend going during times where children will be running around and screaming.The museum itself was really cool! I enjoyed the self guided tour and all the exhibits

HT — Google review

This was a pretty good experience that wasn't too crowded even though it was a Saturday. We bought our tickets online through agoda which saved us some money. I found it kind of odd that they don't let you take pictures on the first floor. We almost didn't go due to the negative reviews but my husband talked me into going anyway and I'm glad we went. Lots of cool artifacts, information and lots of photographs. I thought it kind of morbid to purchase any souvenirs seeing as there were so many people that died...

megan burt — Google review

This is a really nice museum, and we recommend getting tickets in advance. There was barely a wait when we scheduled our time. We were really impressed with how it moves through. They give each person a boarding card with your passenger's name and information, and you must look for any info throughout and at the end for that person. They also give each person a handheld listening device that is really nice. The kids will also have an interactive tour alongside you as you move throughout the museum.

Heart of a Mermaid — Google review

This was a great museum to visit. There were loads of neat artifacts, tons of information and the personal touch of each visitor getting a real passenger on their "boarding pass." It was a coincidence that me and my boyfriend got husband and wife passengers! Even kids can enjoy this museum, as they have their own self guided tour as well. Highly recommend, especially this time of year while they are decorated for Christmas!

Jessica Mathes — Google review

This museum was great! The staff were dressed in period attire, there were genuine artifacts from the wreckage, and many thoughtful recreations. The tour includes an audio guide that will lead you through the facilities without staff, which is a nice touch and allows self pacing.The site recommends buying tickets in advance and we found this a solid recommendation. They were very busy when we arrived and we had bought tickets in advance. If we had not, I don't believe we would have got in.The only thing preventing this museum from being a five star attraction was the crowds and pictures. You're not able to take pictures until over halfway into the museum and I found it disappointing. I'm not sure the point of this as all items that are from the wreckage are well protected, and you were allowed to take pictures of genuine items later. This leads me to believe it is to keep people moving, which goes into the next set back.This place was very busy. We had a hard time seeing some of the exhibits due to the amount of people they let in at one time. A lot of the museum was spent standing and waiting for our turn to look at stuff. There were many items that I just gave up on reading or taking photos of because there was a constant stream of people that lacked self awareness. They are already taking the time to limit entrance, and for such a small area, I think they should consider reducing this further to give guests a better experience. We went at 11 on a Tuesday, so I'm really not sure what else could be done to avoid the rush.All and all, very fun and educational. The facilities are beautiful and fun! Be prepared for large crowds and purchase tickets in advance to secure your spot.

Megan L — Google review

Everything was so fun and interactive. Lots of history and fun facts to learn about the passengers. I absolutely love the fact that they give you a card of a passenger to see if you survived at the end. Highly recommend we had a blast 😀

Mikayla McCray — Google review

Awesome museum with so much to learn about and look at. The entire staff was so friendly and informative, they really added to the whole experience and are so passionate about the Titanic. We ordered our tickets online in advance and went on a Saturday morning. By the time we got out, the parking lot was full so I’d recommend buying in advance to reserve a spot just in case.We also tried the new Titanic Frozen Custard shop. Again, amazing and kind staff. A guy (I wish I got his name) let us sample a new lemon zest treat he was working on and it was SO delicious that I wish I lived locally to stop by and get some all the time. Very cute shop and a great addition to the museum.We enjoyed the whole Titanic experience and highly recommend visiting!

Nikki Tatum — Google review

I would totally recommend. My family enjoyed the cleanliness of the museum. Everything was well organized. The staff when entering was welcoming. This is a self-guided tour however there is an audio device that provides additional information. At various location throughout the museum there are several tour guides providing information.

Alexia Waugh — Google review

The museum has a lot of history and a lot of facts, however it should have be more fun. After an hour it gets monotone with all the information and the way it is presented. It could be more interactive.I liked that the entrance to the museum was going up the stairs. That was neat. I also enjoyed the section where you can feel the 28 degrees water. Also the actual replica of the ship was amazing to see from the outside.Overall the museum was alright. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable.

Steven D?az Zalduondo — Google review

Lots of fascination with the titanic, I really enjoyed this museum. They had it somewhat modeled after the real ship which was cool, nice to take a picture on the grand staircase. They give you boarding passes of real passengers so it was neat to check the memorial wall to see if we survived and then to go on and see what happened to us afterwards. Lots of interactive things and facts, good amount of actual artifacts from the real ship which was very cool. Would definitely recommend, I would say buy your tickets ahead of time as we got there expecting to just go in and had to purchase tickets to board and had to wait, it would have been at least two hours but we chose a later time and went and did other things while we waited.

Christina Erickson — Google review

When we reached the museum, it was closed. But the visitor center was opened. The museum is one of the largest permanent collections of Titanic artifacts and memorabilia. The visitor center also has a few collections. You can also enjoy the museum from the outside since it is lit up even after the closing hours. Next time we will definitely make time to visit the museum.

Tasnim Ara Islam — Google review

This was a great interactive museum for all ages. The audio tour aspect was. Major bonus. I loved the informational stories and the museums commitment to providing opportunities to people with disabilities. The staff was very friendly and well informed. I would definitely come back again.

brice calzaretta — Google review

We had a great experience with the Titanic Museum. I love how they hand you a card with a passenger that actually road on the Titanic. You travel through the floors with a phone recorder that can play certain areas marked with a number. The recorder plays the historical timeline and or interview of survivors or historians. In the end you can find your passengers name on a wall of survivors or those who perished. This was a remarkable way to remember this historic point in time. The facility was clean. The staff were helpful and polite. Very courteous staff.

HonestReviews — Google review

I have always wanted to visit the Titanic Museum. And our family went on a mini vacation and stop by. It was amazing. We bought our tickets ahead of time for in the morning and there was no line. Each person got their name of a real person on the Titanic. At the end we find out if we survived or perished. Seeing all the artifacts and just all the pictures just hit really close to me. I recommend going.

tabby g — Google review

The Museum should be called"Titanic and Olympic Museum." Many of the artifacts displayed are from the Olympic. Wish they had a replica of the Grand Staircase. My kids and wife had a great experience. The staff is very nice. 100% recommend.

Jason Zander — Google review

Absolutely loved this. You will not be disappointed. If you are a history buff like me. This is great. You walk through self guided tour. I do however felt at times overwhelmed with others around as I get lost in the reading and listening. Feel at times you are in someone’s way. The experience however takes you back. The piano room is my favorite. Beautifully done.

Nichole Horn — Google review

This is my third Titanic Artifact Exhibit and I would have to say, it is the best of the 3. Having the interactive personal speakers made the experience more personal and meaningful. The kids even had there very own unique experience with their speakers.

Julie Castro — Google review

A really cool semi-immersion experience, staff are great and in character! Certain rooms and halls are built to scale so you can experience how crammed the 3rd class quarters really were. There’s a ton of audio guided info in each room, and you can stay as long as you need in each room without feeling rushed. Wheelchair accessible!!

Jessica Wilson — Google review

Amazing to see! Extremely informative, lots of artifacts and interactive experiences. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance and going during the week. I went on a Saturday and it was just too busy. Overall, a great experience, I highly recommend seeing Titanic!!

Sarah — Google review

Very educational and hands-on. Lots of legitimate artifacts and well written history behind them. It is a great place for adults and kids. You will learn new things about the Titanic you probably didn't know before. It also brings a sense of somberness and gravity to what really happened that fateful night outside of the Hollywood depictions.The audio tour guide is a great way to keep the kids entertained.It is a timed event and helps if you buy tickets in advance. It takes about an hour and a half to complete. Very long and worth the money, it can be a little narrow and take a while if there are crowds.There are no photos or videos until the top floor and phones must be on silent. While it is an entertainment venue, there is an implication to keep behavior respectful in honor of the victims' memorials throughout the venue. It's a fun thing to do if you're looking for recommendations.A large gift shop with lots to choose from is there to end your visit.

Shawn Crews — Google review

4.6

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4.5

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2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, USA

(417) 334-9500

20

Great Smokies Flea Market

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Flea market

Shopping

Flea & Street Markets

This market has a wide variety of vendors with many items at reasonable prices. It is a great place to find unique gifts and souvenirs. The favorite vendor is Ozob Gifts, which offers printing on many different items and even on canvas in museum-style framing.

I found this Market recently and I am very glad I did find it. There are many vendors that have very good pricing on items that I buy, a very broad selection. I would recommend you check this one out.My favorite vendor is Ozob Gifts; I can get any of my photos printed in a few minutes on many different items and even on canvas. I especially like the museum style canvas framing of my Art and Photography.Charles Miltoncmilton111Google GuideKnoxville, TN

cmilton111 — Google review

OZOB GIFTS review. RICK was very busy but took the extra time to explain to my wife and I the process and cost of each print offering his expertise on which size canvas was best. He simply loaded a Pic from my phone and 15 minutes later had a piece of my daughter's work on a 11x14" canvas.

John Z — Google review

Had homemade quilts for sale for an affordable price...Also an amazing BBQ stand called pappys pig parlor is there...

Aimee Williams — Google review

This flea market is worth the visit. If you can think of it that have it. Tee shirts $10. See Monster Tees when you walk in target have the whole wall and print the t-shirt right there. The ladies are friendly and fun to talk to. I also get a 20oz tumbler custom made. Price $14.99 $5 for custom print. They are located in the middle of the flea market not on the wall. They have all types of cups and tumblers you can’t go wrong. The motor cycle jacket store was also great, friendly and kind. Don’t purchase souvenirs at the local shops you will pay way too much. Take the time and visit the flea market.

Tonita Neblett — Google review

This place on nice summer day is good for the day. They have all kinds of shops plus little food stands. I come here everything I visit. Usually draws big crowd they have plenty of parking spots.

Rustan Porter — Google review

Do you need a taser? What about a new blanket? How about a backpack or some perfume? It doesn't really matter what you are looking for, it's here! But if you walk in to "just browse" it can be overwhelming. The building is played out in an easy to navigate layout and there is plenty of parking. Restrooms are available and there is a snack bar. ATMs are available here as well.

Brian Polley — Google review

Just don't get food from the grill if you're a diabetic like me. Took 15 minutes and others were getting their hamburgers and fries quicker than my order of corn dogs. Then they only cooked one corn dog and said I would have to wait another 6 minutes of I wanted the other. I was not happy but the food was good.

Anna Malone — Google review

4.4

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4.0

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220 W Dumplin Valley Rd, Kodak, TN 37764, USA

(865) 932-3532

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21

Tennessee Smokies Stadium

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Stadium

Fun & Games

Smokies Stadium is a stadium that is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was built in 1992 and has a natural stone exterior with brick accents. The stadium offers modern amenities such as concessions and restrooms, while also having an old-school atmosphere with fans wearing their team's colors. In terms of seating, the stadium has a capacity of 8,500 people.

Lovely stadium, filled with great people. The views of the trees on the mountain behind the outfield are something you won't see anywhere else. Concessions are top notch and the prices were reasonable. I hope I get to come back!

Avg Joe — Google review

A decent enough minor league ballpark but has nothing which makes it unique or memorable. Prices are reasonable - parking is $5 and tickets are $10-12. Concessions are well varied and include a couple of Chicago favorites (Italian beef and Chicago dogs) in homage to the team being a Cubs affiliate. Crowds aren't huge, so the atmosphere is pretty relaxing. While there is nothing wrong with Smokies Stadium, it is not surprising that the team is looking to move back to the city of Knoxville.

Brian Merzbach — Google review

Great game! Any person who truly appreciates the game of baseball would love to attend a game here. A good old school feel, with that minor league twist. Friendly staff and easy access to the players. Would go again!

Marlins Fan — Google review

This was our first visit to the stadium. It was a beautiful day for a ballgame! There is ample parking, and staff to guide you to the specific space. They had spacious seating,and a variety of food and beverages from which to choose. The home team lost that afternoon, but we had a fun time. And we got a certificate (as first time visitors) to boot!

LISA Seymour — Google review

Beautiful ballpark, and a very fun atmosphere. Went on an all you can eat buffet night (GREAT Deal!).Only downside did not know the direction stadium was turned so our seats in section 104 where in the direct sun for the first 1:30 of the game.

David B — Google review

Great little stadium. Family friendly for all ages. Food and drink prices are reasonable as well as the ticket prices. We had a great time.

Kim Whitley — Google review

It’s really a shame that this is moving back to downtown Knoxville. Smokies stadium is a great place to hang out with family, friends, colleagues. Prices are very reasonable and the food always satisfies. Ticket prices are also reasonable. There is a section for families where no alcohol is allowed. There is a kids play area. Parking is $5 and is close to the stadium. All around great value and fun time.

Avery Sexton — Google review

8.29.23 Our 1st time as we've visiting from CT and wow, what a beautiful venue. Lots of parking, very clean, reasonable food and drink prices. Great entertainment for the little ones. Stadium seats around 8k from what I read. Fun foe all ages to watch. Seats are in the shade and in the sun so choose wisely. 😉

Margaret Honan — Google review

This is a GREAT minor league baseball park. Every member of the staff that we interacted with was fantastic. The facilities were clean. The food was pretty good and the prices were reasonable. My only complaint was that our first row seats were too close to the concrete for my knees and I am not tall. First world problems but tall people should be aware if they want to sit there.

Trey Tompkins — Google review

Great stadium. I felt like things were reasonably priced for a ball field we met several nice folk and everyone we dealt with who worked there was helpful and friendly. Had concession food first game I had the bbq nachos and loved them. We ate at the battery's box restaurant for game 2 and the food was excellent. Sherri had the grilled chicken salad and I had the chicken quesadilla....I highly recommend the chicken quesadilla.Go Jake Washer #16

Mike Marshall — Google review

I love coming to games here! Clean stadium and fun atmosphere.

Lauren Pluto — Google review

What a fun stadium. They hosted our VHS baseball team. It was clean, field was nice. This is probably a great place to see a game. I can't review much because we were simply there for a small baseball game.

Micki Duff — Google review

Awesome stadium to watch the Smokies play. Easy to get around. Great souvenir shop and plenty of places to get food and drinks. Prices are reasonable and lines are not that bad. Definitely one of the best minor league stadiums around.

Bret Richardson — Google review

So much fun! All the staff was exceptionally nice and helpful. The facility was top notch. I can't believe they're moving in 2 years from such a beautiful stadium. We had a VIP luxury skybox, and it was phenomenal!But please go give the Tennessee Smokies your support this season! Follow me on Instagram @drksidegen to see where I'm going next!

Drksidegen — Google review

We always enjoy the games. The promotions are fun and keep things interesting. Games are always well staffed with friendly, hard workers who appear to love their jobs. However, the parking nightmare that starts with a 30+ minute wait on the parkway to get into the park is criminal. ONE LANE to the stadium, two to get on WI40! FIX IT.

R Hill — Google review

I must admit that we were there for a drifting event so I can't speak to the stadium area as much. Was very easy to find, plenty of parking and nice facilities. Plenty of shaded areas inside the stadium.

Eric Ostrander — Google review

4.7

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4.5

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3540 Line Dr, Kodak, TN 37764, USA

(865) 286-2300

22

Ijams Nature Center

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Nature preserve

Nature & Parks

Urban Wilderness is an urban nature preserve located in Knoxville, Tennessee. It spans over 1,000 acres and has a variety of trails that are perfect for running or walking. Ijams Nature Center is a protected area that offers educational programs for all ages, hikes, bike rides, paddling and climbing opportunities.

First time here today and had a great visit with the front desk, she directed me around the trails. An owl was on the arm of a volunteer out front, and I took the Tower Trail to the River trail.Such a beautiful spot, looking forward to returning, especially for events!

Andy J Kennedy — Google review

I love my visit to this site! There is so much to see and do at this location. There’s no way I think anyone could hike it all in one day. Is you like to hike and be in nature, this is a great place to do it. The only reason I am not giving this place 5 stars is because of how hard it is to navigate around the center and on the hiking trails. All the different trails are not clearly marked, and it can get easy to get turned around. I definitely recommend buying a guide map for $1 in the visitor’s center and keeping it with you, because even the map can be a little confusing. As long as you keep your wits and have a good sense of direction you’ll be fine. It’s well worth the visit!

Amy Justine — Google review

A friend recommended this was a must and they were so right! Such a beautiful place to escape it all. Short drive from downtown and amazing trails and views! This is a must!

Kimberly Kathleen — Google review

Being new to Knox, this place is beautiful. FIDO friendly, lots to do for all ages. Great hiking or just perfect is you want to walk around and look at all of the beautiful animals, sitting areas or if you want adventure, you can visit the zip line. Beautiful walkway around the water. This is a must see if you are in the Knox area.

Lisa Cannon — Google review

Ijams nature center has something for everyone. For this review I am discussing Meades Quarry. The park roped off a section for privacy during the wedding I was performing. The only sad thing was the trash floating in the water. Go visit and please respect the space.

Brittney Hernandez — Google review

Very nice place for a nature hike. They have added so much to this place over the years it's amazing. Tons of trails. Amazing play structures. Kayak rental, treetop rope course, and so much more. Beautiful views, if you are a nature lover or looking to teach your kids more about the great outdoors it's a wonderful place to visit. Very helpful staff also and if you are just looking to hike it's free but they do accept donations to help run the place. They also have a nice little gift shop here.

Amber Turner — Google review

Nice place with nature surrounding. The admission is free. There is visitor center located here with gift shop, exhibit and restrooms available. Plenty of parking space available. There are several trails available here some offering lake and River views. There are couple of ponds. One of best hike would be to take storybook trail and then take north cove trail. Continue on north cove trail to river trail or river boardwalk trail. One will get to see some beautiful view of the river from the boardwalk. You can then either return back or continue further to take tower trail to return back to visitor center. Overall a nice nature place to spend few hours around.

Nareshkumar Acharya — Google review

Fun nature center. We only did the riverwalk/tower hike, but there are many more trails to explore. Also you can rent a variety of boats to use on the river. Friendly/helpful staff. Please note: trails are not well marked, so just keep google maps open/active to make sure you are going the right way.

Gita Ramsay — Google review

All-time favorite hiking location near downtown Knoxville! I’ve been coming here for years, just exploring around, and continue to be amazed each time. I highly recommend going to the Nature Center to pick up a map first, as there’s so much to see. Each trail has an incredibly cool feature on it, and some trails took me years to find. Some are paved or have gravel, while others are full-on hikes. There are two locations to park at - the nature center, which has most of the shorter hikes, most with pavement or gravel, plus high ropes course (the Navitat). Or at the quarry down the road on the opposite side, which has the quarry/water, longer hikes, two hidden quarries behind the main one, mountain biking, natural rock climbing, etc. They just recently started charging for parking, but only a couple of bucks. Very dog and family friendly!

EM — Google review

A Knoxville gem!Ijams is a part of the Knoxville Urban Wilderness and a true gem within city limits. It resides on something like 300 acres off of a narrow, winding road in south Knoxville.There are a handful of trails and outdoor events for families and individuals and a variety of playgrounds for kids.The gift shop offers snacks, outdoor necessities, and local products.While you’re here, check out the indoor exhibit with the turtles, then hit the trail for some fresh air and the secret pond.

Lauren Hunter — Google review

Great place for a day out with the family and kids. Nice walking trails and interpretive centre with hands on activities for kids. Nice escape from the city with plenty of wilderness. Definitely worth a visit if you enjoy the outdoors.

David Webb — Google review

On of the best hikes of my life. Clearly lots of love and care have been continually put into this place. Incredibly clean and well maintained. I wish I lived closer!

Tim Casper — Google review

Gorgeous trails, amazing and incredibly affordable gift shop with unique and pretty items, cool indoor exhibits with restroom and water facilities, dog bowls for pups outside (very dog friendly). Biking, walking, fishing, and kayaking/paddle boarding. Unique events week by week. FREE TO GET IN!!!!!! <3

Zoe — Google review

8.30.23 Parking is free. Exploring the nature center is free. Walking the river boardwalk is free. Renting a SUP paddleboard is $15 and a float/tube is $5 in the Quarry area. This is a beautiful and peaceful place. If you love nature or want a place to relax, this is your spot.

Margaret Honan — Google review

Definitely worth the visit if you are in Knoxville. For me, the river boardwalk trail is a unique element. You need to hike a trail down hill to get to the boardwalk, and it's worth it. Admission is free, but there is a charge for parking ($5). There are other trails around the main office. For me, the scenery around the quarry was not as appealing, but I hear there are several trails around the quarry (which I did not walk) that are nice. There are also boat activities on the quarry, which were not in operation when I visited (late March).

Paul Damerell — Google review

Spending a few days in Knoxville for the first time and ijams was probably one of the most recommended activities. It did not disappoint. SO many trails. Very nice views of the Tennessee River and Mead Quarry Lake. Multiple places to put in boats. Some cool animal exhibits at the visitor center. People were very helpful in advising which trails to take. Definitely check it out if you're looking for an outdoor activity in the Knoxville area.

Brandon Moebes — Google review

Last visited 2/15/24. Decided to stop in and see what the River Landing Walk was like. Wife and I had a great time just puttering around and enjoying the nice day.

John Fischer — Google review

Ijams is a wonderful space that's free to visit located right on the border of Knoxville. All I did during my visit was walk the river trail and added a few of the shorter trails on as I wandered around the grounds. There's climbing, a canopy adventure area, kayak rentals, and children's activities. If you're just passing through like I was, this is somewhere I'd highly recommend even if it's just to stretch your legs. The grounds and trails are very well maintained and bathrooms were clean.

Sara O — Google review

Was looking for a hike near knoxville so we didn't have to drive all the way down to the smokey mountains and this didn't disappoint!The attendant was superhelpful, the sights were incredible, and the trails we went on were well taken care of.

Joshua Landi — Google review

Beautiful place to visit. Nice walking along the river, seeing the boats and kayaks go buy. The wildlife all around. Love being so connected to nature. Trails are well kept. Peaceful and quiet. Very enjoyable, easy walk.

Faith Leon — Google review

4.8

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4.5

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2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920, USA

(865) 577-4717

23

World's Fair Park

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Park

Nature & Parks

Event venue

World's Fair Park is a site of the 1982 World's Fair, featuring an amphitheater and various events. The park also boasts the Sunsphere Tower, which has an observation deck providing stunning views. Additionally, there are beautiful works of art throughout the newly opened Tennessean Hotel nearby, with spacious rooms offering park views. Market Square is just a short walk away and visitors can easily explore Knoxville on foot from this location.

We arrived when the grounds were closed. Which was the best, because no one was around, except workers. The Globe thing and mural under the bridge is what I came for and I wasn't disappointed.

D. Rice — Google review

Nice park with a water feature across the street. Great "free" family outing, the kids will definitely enjoy. The water feature is really nice, and it has great seating area.🚨I think the playground is for ages 5-12. If you have toddlers that visit, just be mindful that the items of park are geared for older children.I love how the park offer sunscreen dispensers, that's be very thoughtful!Free parking is a 3-4 minute walk away, and the max time is 4 hours, which is plenty to enjoy.Overall it's a great place to come to bring kids for a little fun on a hot day.

Ebony Renee — Google review

This is an amazing park commemorating the history of the 1982 World's Fair and some really great architecture.The admission price is $5.It is open:Monday - Friday: 10am - 5pmSaturday: 9am - 5pmSunday: 12pm - 4pm

Adventure Queen — Google review

My brother just moved to Knoxville and I helped him drive out from Arizona.With four small children in tow, we explored this fun park on New Year's Day. There are plenty of fun things to enjoy - including the Sunsphere platform, a reflecting pool, bird mural, various county flags on display, an Ampitheater (where my nieces and nephews, my brother, my dad and I did a little performing - singing and dancing to a song we enjoyed listening to on our drive cross country - the five or so people also enjoying the Ampitheater were kind enough to clap at the end ;)For the kids, the best part was the playground. We enjoyed playing until it started raining again and we headed back to the car.

Nicole Smith — Google review

This is a beautiful park, there's a water feature. And, the Sunsphere observation deck gives you a 360 view of the city. This is really fun little excursion if you happen to be downtown Knoxville. You will need a reservation to go up to the observation deck. It costs $5 and you purchase tickets online. They have a few souvenirs once you get up there and the tickets are in 30 minutes blocks... although, you do not have to leave at the end of your 30 minutes... just know that another group is coming up and it will be crowded

Regina Osborne — Google review

Super cute little park complete with four slides, a tall tower to climb ladders and ropes. There is a huge silver slide at the top of the tower as well.A neat addition to the downtown area!The only downfall was not the playground itself, but near the playground on the sidewalk. Someone had broke a huge mirror and it was shattered into pieces all over the sidewalk.

Krista Asp — Google review

I was excited to visit this historic place, but it turns out everything closed at five. There wasn’t any signage outside to gain historic insight. It would be a sweet concert space. A sweet memorial was worth the visit.

Kayla Krull — Google review

This is the World’s Fair Park in Knoxville, Tennessee. I first came here in 1982 when they were having the World’s Fair. I was 8 years old at the time. They have since turned in into a splash pad and added a play ground. Not to mention many other activities go on year around here. I used to bring my kids here every chance I could when I lived in Knoxville. Now my daughter brings my grandson’s. I love it here!❤️

Carolyn Smith — Google review

Its smaller than I expected, but its still an interesting place to visit. You have to book your time slot in advance and the hour is plenty of time to look out over the views and read the interesting information boards.

Julie Nash — Google review

Nestled against the University of Tennesse the The World's Fair park offers a great place to let the kids run around like someone left the gate open. They can enjoy the massive splash pad with some jets shooting over 10 feet. The playground is super cool with plenty of interesting structures. There is a huge expansive of grass as well.For Adults there is the Sunsphere tower built for the 1982 World's Fair where the observation deck provides a spectacular 360 degree view of Knoxsville and the Smoky Mountains. Also be sure to catch a performance in the Amphitheater.

Steve Malone — Google review

4.7

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4.0

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525 Henley St, Knoxville, TN 37902, USA

(865) 215-1158

24

Market Square

Sights & Landmarks

Points of Interest & Landmarks

4.5

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Knoxville, TN 37902, USA

25

Zoo Knoxville

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Zoo

Zoos & Aquariums

The Knoxville Zoo is a great place to visit for families with kids, as it offers educational experiences and plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. From camel rides and carousels to splash pads and even a family petting zoo, there's something for everyone at this zoo.

I have been coming here since 2000 with my family. We are proud members! One of our favorite zoos. Not as big as the Nashville zoo, but they just seem to have better Layout /Exhibits / Lot of places to stop and rest with benches, Picnic tables. Not to meet you boo with the zoo but Halloween is our favorite thing every year. I don’t like the fact to expose you have to go through the gift shop to exit the zoo. Now that usually causes a little problem with the kids. That really the only thing I hate about this zoo. Should be an option to exit without going through the gift shop.

Carolyn Smith — Google review

One of the best zoos I've been to. The animals seem happy and active, and not only are the exhibits top notch with multiple view points, some of which are inside (with A/C!), but the walking paths are engaging with thoughtfully placed water misters and shade! So much care for the animals and guests. Plenty of attractions to keep kids happy, the food is actually good and reasonably priced. Definitely worth a trip!! 10/10

Megan Bormuth — Google review

I live about 45 minutes away from Knoxville and yearly we get memberships to the zoo. I highly recommend doing so if you live in the area! The zoo is smaller than many zoos, but still has a lot to do and see for kids of all ages. They’ve recently renovated their habitat for reptiles and it looks great! They host seasonal events and activities (Boo at the Zoo, dinosaur takeover, etc.). The splash pad is great, the petting zoo and play area are cute, and the food at the restaurants are (expectedly) overpriced, but good quality. They do well in their maintenance and cleanliness and it seems like the animals are well cared for.

Megan Fletcher — Google review

We love Zoo Knoxville! My daughter adores all her animal friends who live at the zoo. She is a big fan of monkeys, red pandas, ghiraffes, otters, and tigers. The zoo is well arranged for ease of visiting. This zoo's trails run in loops and the animals have reasonably large well appropriated paddocks. There is plenty of shade for the animals and humans that are at the zoo. The zoo has sunscreen and hand sanitizer dispensers throughout their facilities for sanitizing and preventing children from getting sun burnt. There is also a splash pad for children and parents to cool down during the hot of the Summer. This zoo is definitely a world class Zoological Park.

Jason Henry — Google review

We love this zoo! The staff is so friendly, and very knowledgeable. We had the opportunity to go to a party hosted privately after hours, and to have the zoo to ourselves was such a wonderful experience. The guided tours, refreshments along the way, feeding the giraffe and a catered dinner, just wow! They pull out all the stops!

Ashley Reese — Google review

For about 10 yrs we have bought yr passes...we have skipped a year here and there before openings of new exhibits...we are such a big fan of knoxville zoo...they have some neat exhibits and fun experiences...till September you can walk the trails and see the dinosaurs and some move...the new outer space is one of our favorites. Being up close to red pandas and a sloth is pretty cool too! Not to mention riding carousel.

Sherri Bridges — Google review

It was a wonderful day with my son, their Uncle Wesley, and 2 & 3 yr old granddaughters. Their parents were on a BD and Anniversary get away. It was miserably hot so the misters were nice to walk through. All the animals were out and we seen them all but the Bears. We actually noticed how Healthy all the animals looked too. We are so very proud of Knoxville Zoo. The moving and roaring Dino's throughout was exciting. I wish we had known more about the Dino Eggs while we were actually there. But my 3 yr old found them anyway. The old Safari Jeep was a perfect idea for kids to play in. It was truly a wonderful day to spend with my grown son and our little ones.

Kim Hatfield — Google review

We love this zoo so much!!! Great reptile exhibit indoors for inclement weather. Love the new otter habitat too! Plenty of good food options and places for kids to play between visiting the animals. Kids got to feed a sloth one time too!

Courtney Cartellieri — Google review

A pretty decent zoo for the price. It's about $25/person to get in, and you can easily spend a few hours here. They have a good amount of things for small kids to keep them busy. There's a nice play area, petting zoo, carousel, and a splash pad. The assortment of animals is pretty standard for a zoo. I did appreciate the turtle and frog section they have set up. The gift shop is very pricey, so get your stuffed animals elsewhere and skip the markups.

Beans and Waffles — Google review

Great experience. Lots of animals and very spacious. This is one of the better zoos that I've been to. I think the directions are a little difficult to follow, But ultimately you will manage I really enjoyed the up close and personal tiger area and then the lion area.

Scott G — Google review

Giving a three stars simply because 3-4 exhibits was empty. We wasn’t able to see the zebras, tiger,otters, rhinos they where no out. I’m unsure what was going on but my little girl was so sad about the zebras. The dinosaur exhibit was truly wonderful. We have a Dino obsessed little boy and he was amazed. They made the whole trip worth it just to see him smile. Over all nice zoo would recommend updating the strollers too they were a little run down. But I do like that they have that option to be able to rent one. Parking was a mess but not the zoos fault it was just a busy time.

Alice Williams — Google review

The Knoxville Zoo is a great place to spend the morning before the day gets too hot. Even when the animals are too hot, you can still see them indoors as these spaces have glassed viewing areas. My daughter and I spent around 2 1/2 hours viewing the animals and reading about the various conservation programs such as the Red Panda Preservation. Surprisingly, the Dinosaurs at Dawn exhibit was also a favorite and we were impressed by their animatronics. Parking was free and easy. The other visitors seemed to be local parents/grandparents with small children.

Lindsay Castano — Google review

Nice little Zoo. (I'm from San Diego, and our Zoo is very large and more than one park, which is why I said little Zoo.) They do a nice job with the enclosures. Fun outing to take the Grandkids for the day! They're doing a little remodeling, so there were a few interruptions to the flow around the park. They have the natural habitat type of enclosures, which I appreciate. Lovely weather, we had a lot of fun! I also appreciate the fact that they have free admission for Veterans! Good job!!

Sheryl D. — Google review

Great zoo. Nice place for the family to enjoy an outing. Lots of cool animals. Make sure to visit the Arc building. It has several snakes and neat things.

Nitak Holcomb — Google review

The Knoxville Zoo is a fantastic place to visit. With a diverse range of animals and well-maintained habitats, it provides an enjoyable and educational experience for all ages. The staff is knowledgeable and passionate about conservation, and they offer informative talks and feeding sessions. The zoo's layout is easy to navigate, and there are plenty of shaded areas to take a break. It's a great destination for families, animal lovers, and anyone looking to support wildlife preservation. Don't miss the red pandas and the reptile exhibits – they are a real highlight!

Matt Hill — Google review

So fun! We thought we were done in 2 hours then quickly realized we missed a whole section of the zoo in the back with elephant and rhino and more! We will definitely be back.P.s. - $5 for parking unless you're a member!

Jess Payne — Google review

We love the Zoo! We are season pass holders if you are a family and plan on going more than once get the pass it’s totally worthy it. They have great events (Boo at the Zoo) and you can even get married there! I’ve officiated 3 weddings there. The staff is always friendly and willing to help you. They also have a great kids area with a sand pit, a little water feature (not together) and an aviary that you can going and touch the birds!

Happy Unions Weddings by The Trusty Notary — Google review

4.5

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4.0

(1387)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (183)

3500 Knoxville Zoo Dr, Knoxville, TN 37914, USA

(865) 637-5331

I'll never travel to Lexington without this trip planner again

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26

Museum of Appalachia

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Museum

Education center

Smithsonian-affiliated museum featuring pioneer buildings & exhibits of regional history & culture.

The Appalachia Museum is a very beautiful place with many interesting features. I was invited to good to the restaurant without me knowing anything about this gorgeous 64 acre treasure. I was so impressed I went back the next day to try a shampooing of of their lunch. I met the brother of the owner and his wife as well as several people that workedwork there.You will love this Museum but plan on spending some time there as it is a large place with many things to do and many things to see. Call ahead to check for price of admission or you can go to the restaurant and shop in the store if you prefer. There were a lot of children there from a local school having a great time.The grounds includes many vintage buildings that are a part of Appalachian Historicity set beautifully in this Tennessee valley. There are Ducks, Geese and Peaco*cks on these grounds that you can walk right up to (but some food for them in the store if you like.Enjoy!cmilton111Google Guide11.27.2021

cmilton111 — Google review

This is a great place to visit! Be prepared to have several hours to spend there as there is so much you'll want to see and enjoy. My kids loved the peaco*cks roaming around! There's a lot of nice things in the shop as well. We definitely want to go back so we can eat in the restaurant and walk the grounds again.

Whitney R — Google review

Look guys, I travel full time and there are a LOT of pioneer museums out in the world and there is a bit of romanticizing the poor aspect to the whole endeavor, BUT the Museum of Appalachia has a particularly good collection of buildings, including Mark Twain's childhood home, a 1800's log cabin used in the filming of a Daniel Boone show, a huge mill, and loads of cabins and barns.But I think the best part of the collection is in the very first building, the hall of fame. The original director of the museum collected so many great stories - almost too many to read in one visit. It really brings everything to life and makes the museum stand above the rest.There's also a small cafe that is very popular with the locals (go early!) and a really lovely gift shop with a lot of fun items, including a whole wall of jellies and fruit butters. Everyone there is super nice, and there are a few animals on property - some free-ranging chickens and peaco*cks, some goats, miniature horses, and sheep. There's a one-way path through the whole thing so you don't miss anything.My only complaint is that it's all a bit pricey. Lunch in the cafe of chicken and dressing plus two sides, a slice of good cornbread, and a slice of hummingbird cake was almost $18. (It comes out *very* fast, btw.) The museum itself is $20. (I was told by my hosts that museum admission was free with a meal, but if that was ever true, it's not anymore. Everyone seems to come just to eat.)

Sara Beth Wade — Google review

Great place to learn some history of the people of Appalachia. People and the way they lived through visuals displays and descriptions of what you are looking at. And Peaco*cks!

James Overdorff — Google review

Cannot say enough good things about this place. We attended the July 4th Anvil Shoot. So much fun! Lots of demonstrations by folk artists and historians. Great music; some anvils shot 30+ feet into their air; lots of great historical displays of the area. This was our first visit and will not be our last.

Pam Clifford — Google review

The Independence Day demonstrations and activities were informative and reminiscent of stories from my grandparents,who were born near the Appalachian mountains. It's a living museum, with livestock and gardens and bee's. I went for the Bee keeping demonstration, the folks cancelled, still enjoyed the day with a new neighbor.Look on the roof...

Tonia FOLVEN — Google review

This place is beautiful and very well taken care of. You could literally spend hours and hours here reading and looking at all the history. I enjoyed our time here and the gift shop is nice and they have a lot to choose from.

Nikki Martin — Google review

I wish we had visited sooner after being locals for the last 8 years but I am so glad we finally made it! This was one of, if not, THE best and most interesting museum in the Knoxville area. Even my 4 and 2 yo were interested for 2+ hours. The stories warmed our hearts, the artifacts were fantastic, and the gift shop/staff were so nice. Loved their shop kitties too. 10/10 for us!

Haley Humphries — Google review

One of the best kept secrets of TN. To tour this venue is to literally step back into a period of time when lanterns provided light and fireplaces were the single source of heat. The innovations of the pioneers are on display as cabins are trimmed with authentic pieces from the days of the settlers and carry an almost palettable sense for the history conveyed inside those walls. The gift shop is full of beautiful crafts and serves good food as well.

Dave Diamond — Google review

Good southern cooking. The exhibits are very interesting of local personages who had national and international impacts on politics, music, religion, business, culture. Not wheelchair accessible in most of the outdoor exhibits (gravel paths). Some paved paths to the first 9 of the 31 outdoor exhibits. Looks like a subdivision is being constructed next door which will diminish its rural character.

Tom Hudspeth — Google review

When I purchased my ticket I thought $18 sounded like a lot for a museum about Appalachia, but boy was I wrong! It was well worth the money. So much to see and do. The exhibits were fascinating, very well done. The walk around the grounds was very relaxing. It felt like I was walking back in time.The restaurant inside is worth the stop. The food is delicious, homemade served on real dishes. The prices are also very reasonable.

Arthur Hurlburt — Google review

Well worth the admission!We enjoyed strolling the property and found the building displays filled with what would have been used in their natural habits very interesting.We visited during Heritage Days, and to our surprise, the grounds were filled with 1200 school kids and parents. At first, we thought, let's pass, then thought, let's go for a little while. Well, three hours later we left completely impressed by the lay of the land, the staff, and the volume of artifacts.

Stacy Klone — Google review

I had no idea this museum and Appalachian village existed. So worth the trip. So much to learn and read I am going to have to come back. Extremely well taken care of..... The grounds and the buildings! They keep the thermostat low in the winter so make sure and wear a good jacket and maybe a hat.

Andrea Lucas — Google review

Such a wonderful place to visit, especially in spring! Great museum, we will definitely come back soon!

Natalia Tverskaia — Google review

We had a great time at this Smithsonian affiliate museum. Come prepared to spend 3+ hours if you want to see everything and especially if you want to grab a bite to eat in the restaurant. The maps given at the welcome center are helpful in getting around the grounds, and the exhibits are in numerical order along the foot paths. A few of the buildings house permanent exhibits, like the Appalachian Hall of Fame, which highlights different aspects of “old” Appalachian culture like daily life, cooking, music, community, and stories about people. The other buildings are historic ones that have been moved to the Museum of Appalachia, like the cabin of Mark Twain’s parents. There is a nice outdoor seating area near the welcome center with picnic tables and rocking chairs. Some chickens or peaco*cks might come by to say hi. The restaurant offered typical comfort food from the region like chicken and dumplings, pinto beans, etc. Overall the museum was incredibly informative and very well curated. One of the things I appreciated most was the level of detail put into the descriptions for each artifact displayed, which is not something you find at every museum.

Kati Murphy — Google review

My husband and I had an AMAZING time here! We stopped randomly on our way home from Pigeon Forge, and so glad we did! The staff were super friendly, and the grounds were beautiful. So many great animals & picture spots. Also stop by the gift shop for some lotions, soaps and lip balms from The Naked Bee especially the orange scent they are incredible!!! 💕

amber barbise — Google review

4.7

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4.5

(374)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (196)

2819 Andersonville Hwy, Clinton, TN 37716, USA

(865) 494-7680

27

Big Ridge State Park

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State park

Nature & Parks

Wooded mountain park with lake, historic grist mill, hiking trails plus rustic cabins & campsites.

Very clean and pretty campground. The bath houses were nice as well. The road to get to it is extremely curvy but fun to drive! (use caution of course) but if you're looking for a nice family outing, id recommend this place!

Violet Jackson — Google review

I really enjoyed the time I spent at this park today. It's very peaceful and it just felt so good outside today! If you have time to take a walk or a hike out there, it will be worth it. 🥰

Angie Wages — Google review

Love this State Park. We stay here every time we are in the area. Campground is nice. Spacious sites with fire pit and picnic table. Clean shower/bathrooms. Beautiful lake, great hiking trails. Nice playground for kids

Debra — Google review

The staff here is great and very knowledgeable about the area. There's some good history here and it looks like they could use some help.Booking a stay here would help and donations in sure would be welcome to help upkeep some of the buildings here that need attention to keep them in good condition.They have one of the nicest places to swim at a lake that I've seen. An area that is part of the land but has a 3 foot deep concrete swimming area. Great for kids! It even has a beech area for relaxing. Unfortunately it was under water for our visit figure to the rains.If you are in an RV be careful I was lucky I didn't stick to the right on the camping loop, I would have been stuck. My RV is around 30ft over all length +vehicle.We were at campsite 40 and had great shade, water, electric 15,30 and 50 amp hookups. No through foot traffic but nice and close to the bathrooms. Site was very level. I just had to level my tongue out once unhooked.

Chris Gregory — Google review

Good location on Norris lake. The staff is friendly and helpful. Even though it was full when we camped there it was reasonably quiet. Nice playground. The sites are close, the bathhouses are adequate but needed some tlc. The biggest negative is the haphazard location of the campsite utilities. Bring an extra water hose!

Hugh B — Google review

We stayed here a couple weeks back and it was absolutely beautiful. The Cabin we stayed in had a view of the lake and a screened in porch perfect for eating breakfast and watching the birds. The lake trail was a lot of fun.

azureanthem d — Google review

Great for outdoor activities Lots of trails Tennis Courts Basketball court Baseball field Cabin rentals Camping spots Has restrooms Outdoor swings and slides Plenty of picnic tables Plus canoe rentals.

Anna Parker — Google review

Great park. So much to do. It's beautiful and peaceful. Clean bathrooms. It's a beautiful lake. We walked a short trail by the old mill and it was perfect with lots of shade and lake views.

Sherry Clay — Google review

Stayed in cabin 7 for the weekend. The kitchen is small but functional. Everything was clean. There is no fire pit for a campfire, but you do have a screened in porch to shield from bugs. One of the windows didn't seal so it was drafty. For September this was fine, would not be fun in the winter trying to stay warm. They have a park for kids, an area for events and shelters for picnics, they have some trails, the one we went on wasn't very maintained and had a lot of overgrowth. They also have boat rentals for kayaks, paddle boards, row boats, canoes, and peddle boats they are inexpensive to rent and are a nice activity.

Lisa Hunt — Google review

Big Ridge State Park is a really nice park. We stayed the weekend in cabin 15. It could sleep 5. Clean, no evidence of any critters. The kitchen is extremely small!!! We didn’t cook anything at the cabin. The beds were bouncy, so if you rolled over, you’ll wake the other person. The parking was tight, you had to park on the side of the road. Relatively quiet. We would stay again!They have an information list of the trails. We did the Lake Trail, little steeper than we were expecting, but still a nice hike to the Big Ridge Dam. Then we took the Old Mill Trail, that will take you back to the cabins.Everyone was really nice. It’s not far to Norris Dam State Park and the Museum of Appalachia.

Jessica Pulcifer — Google review

Beautiful, well-maintained State Park! I look forward to stopping here when I travel to visit my daughter in South Carolina. The trails are nice, the lake is absolutely stunning, and I just love the campground! I feel safe, camping, and hiking alone here. Better than a hotel any day!

Serena Tillman — Google review

I enjoyed my time here, but the park needs an amazing amount of maintenance from general cleanup to structure repair. The old lifeguard building was falling apart with sketchy repairs to keep people out, cabins had rotted windowsills and boards, railings were not secure around the park. Usually I don’t care but I started finding older visitors hanging out debating on if areas were passable for them. There was a log bridge which is usually a solid option, but this one had railing that moved over 1ft when touched. On the lake trail we found a “bridge” that was blown out, but originally it was just a 2x6 piece of wood put across a stream and screwed in. The bridge that followed I had to help people down off of because one side did not have a step. Trails were pretty overgrown and a lot of branches had to be cleared by us , though they may be recent. Another note is most wood in the park (railings , barriers, etc) was really rotted out. The dam on the lake trail had similar issues as above but the fencing on it has massive holes making it dangerous especially for children.Not making a fuss of course but it took me by surprise after visiting other parks to fill my passport book.

Chris A — Google review

Very nice state Park. It was beautiful. We camped here for almost a week and it has a great campground. The spaces are large and ample room, not too close to your neighbor. Lots of trails to hike, swim area, and lake to fish in. There are also tennis courts and a softball field. There's a small grist Mill to see but the wheel doesn't work.

Hikergirl Adventures — Google review

4.6

(1444)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (201)

3.5

(102)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (202)

1015 Big Ridge Park Rd, Maynardville, TN 37807, USA

(888) 867-2757

28

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

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National reserve

Nature & Parks

Gateway to the West with historic structures & ruins, trails, cave tours, waterfalls & more.

This park is beautiful! The overlooks are incredible! Worth the drive if u don't live close by! Eastern Kentucky has beautiful mountains!! There is a huge parking area & bathrooms available.

April Dudgeon — Google review

I was very surprised about this historical park which definitely exceeded all my expectations! There’s lots to see here and you can hike so many trails! I highly recommend going up the Pinnacle overlook as the view is worth the drive or hike! Also, make sure to bring the stamp book as there is lots of stamps at the visitor center!

Daniel Duran — Google review

Beautiful, historic, and lots to see and hike. So many things to see and can bring the family. The welcome center was really cool as well and highly recommend stopping in there to check out. Our family loves it!

Allyson Williams — Google review

Beautiful, serene, pleasant, historic National Park! Presently a Florida resident, I've been visiting the area for nearly twenty years (my partner owns a farm 17 miles east of the park.) I am embarrassed to admit this was my first visit to this area of the park (there are several different areas of the park) I can't believe this Beautiful, historic "hidden gem" has been right " under my nose" for the last twenty years and we just discovered it's peaceful splendor. From my knowledge of the area, this is the western entrance/side of the park. Located near the towns of Cumberland Gap and Middlesboro. The park offers a superb diversion from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It provides a safe, quiet, natural experience perfect for all ages to enjoy an outdoor experience with lots of fresh air. Regardless if visiting alone or with a group, the park offers many opportunities for recreational activities or relaxation naturally. There are trails for hiking and walking, featuring rivers, streams, waterfalls and scenic views. Well maintained and clean picnic shelters. The park welcome center is a great place to start your visit, surrounded by plenty of complimentary parking. The restroom facilities were clean and well managed. Of course, the absolute "highlight " for my partner and I is the abundance of wildlife within the park. Park Rangers maintain a visible presence in the park, making a visit to the park very safe. Whether you plan to visit for a few hours or the entire day, Cumberland Gap National Park is a perfect escape from the "norm". If you're in the area, and can use a breath of fresh air, you should definitely check out this beautiful, peaceful and historic National Park. Oh, I did i mention there is no charge to enjoy this great park?!?!

Alan Harlow — Google review

Beautiful park in the Fall when the leaves are changing. If you like to hike there are several trails to choose from ranging from easy to hard. If you aren't into hiking you can drive up to the Pinnacle and a short, paved, handicap friendly path takes you right to the overlook. From the overlook you can see straight off to the Smoky Mountains in the distance, Joppa Mountain, and, of course, the Cumberland Gap. The visitors center is a great place to stop and get information about the park. Upstairs you can sit in some very comfortable rocking chairs and watch 3 short videos about the history of the park and Cumberland Gap which played a vital park in the countries expansion westward.

Sherry Clay — Google review

Day we went, there was a lady at the visitors' center showing how textiles were made by pioneers. She was very pleasant and informative. Held my girls attention. We drove up to Pinnacle Overlook, spectacular views, and a very curvy road. We hiked to the iron furnace and the Cumberland Gap historical marker from a parking lot in Virginia. Going to the landmarks was all uphill. Rangers in the visitors center were very helpful. Don't forgot you Passport Stamps! (They have a soft pad under the stamping surface,so don't rock stamp around too much or it's unreadable).

Erin Cecil — Google review

Great hiking, so much to take in! We parked at the earthworks and then hiked up to the Pinnacle. The view is amazing! Be sure to stop by the visitors center for some great history, and if you're lucky you might catch some reenactors, too

Rebecca Napier — Google review

Had a great time here. My only regret is that I wasn't able to budget more time this trip. The views were awesome and the park is very well kept. I am trying to line up a trip early fall before the color change crowd rolls in.

Ron Baker — Google review

We went out of way on our trip to visit the Gap. It was well worth it. The only thing I wish is that there was more clarity that there was a hike to the tri state point. We were not prepared time wise or how we were dressed. It was something we were looking forward to but were not able to take the time. Beautiful area!

Anna Zoromski-Linde — Google review

There are picnic tables along the drive to the overlook. Spectacular 180 degree view of 3 states. It's cool also that you get to see both ends of the Cumberland Gap Tunnel from Tennessee to Kentucky while standing on Virginia.4 miles of switchbacks and hairpin turns to get to the top. Elevation of 2,440 feet.You can drive or you can hike. Next time we will go back and hike.

Owen Cook — Google review

Beautiful park with breathtaking overlooks. Great walking trails with adequate rest areas. Bathrooms are well maintained and clean. Parking lot is large and plentiful. I would recommend going before or after the summer heat.

Adam H — Google review

Visitor Center is very clean, cool (in summer time), well decorated, and extremely helpful staff that give individual attention and help with maps and drawings if needed. There's a good sized shop inside and 2 10ish minute films to watch. Masks are a requirement for inside as of July 2022 but they provide them if you forget. Restrooms can be accessed outside not from inside Visitor Center. Top hikes and pinnacle are easily accessible from Visitor Center with plenty of parking and markers/signs.

Hannah Thornton — Google review

We had an amazing time exploring this area. What a beautiful National Park. Trails are well maintained and marked. We absolutely will come back again to explore more.

Emily Eldridge — Google review

Hadn't been to the Pinnacle since my son was probably 1 so nearly 15 years later we finally got to come back. It was a beautiful day and not very crowded like some of the other Parks. Great views and also saw some of the wildlife going up. My whole family enjoyed it. We will be back soon.

Tammy Smith — Google review

The fall foliage is in full shift, and the views are breathtaking! Go all the way to the top to the Pinnacle for spectacular panoramas. If you are on a motorcycle, your skills better be up to the task for numerous challenging hairpin switchbacks. It is worth the ride, whether you're in a car/van/truck or on a motorcycle. Don't miss it!!

Mike — Google review

A lovely area good for a quick picnic or a good hike. Absolutely gorgeous view at Pioneer Lookout at the top and the Park Rangers were very polite and helpful. Would love to come back here when I have time to do a long hike.

Magic Fidget — Google review

If you're going into Tennessee and passing by, I highly recommend the quick stop to check out this amazing view. Over 2,500 feet up, you can see three three states in one place. There is a short walk from the parking lot. Restrooms are also located at the parking area.

James — Google review

Trails are good lengths, some flat and some a little challenging. But overall, it's very beautiful for hiking. The road to Pinnacle Point is a very curvy road. But also a beautiful drive.

Lois Ditzer — Google review

Hiked from Civic Park to Sand Cave with an overnight in the camp site. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, but this hike is not for the faint of heart.

Zacque Hitchco*ck — Google review

Oh my gosh! This is such a beautiful and historic American Icon. How the west was won starts here! There is a great visitors center and so many hiking options. The drive through the Gap Tunnel is so cool.I saw wildlife and nature’s stunning vistas galore! I love it here!

Chris Powers — Google review

4.8

(3191)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (207)

4.5

(608)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (208)

Middlesboro, KY 40965, USA

(606) 248-2817

29

Pine Mountain State Resort Park

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Hotel

Nature & Parks

Woodsy rooms, cottages & log cabins in a rural resort with a laid-back restaurant & golf course.

The lodge is gorgeous & the area is beautiful! There are plenty of overlooks driving throughout the park area & lots of picnic areas as well. Also, lots of hiking trails. There is a park map located inside the door of the lodge to pick up. Bathrooms are also accessible thru the lobby. Definitely worth a trip to visit!!

April Dudgeon — Google review

When we arrived at the Resort I knew I was going to enjoy myself even if I just sat on the balcony and absorbed the beauty of God’s creation laid out in front of me. The resort is simply beautiful. The location and scenery is amazing. The staff was very friendly and helpful.Would I recommend this to my friends and family as a serene destination? You bet! Would I recommend a stay here to anyone looking for some peace and quiet? Again, you bet! It will be well worth the trip.

David — Google review

Beautiful quiet scenic lodge and nature trails. Very polite and friendly staff. Restaurant had all the southern food and our waitress was very attentive and sweet. Comfy beds with a balcony view of the mountains. Even a reside cat.

Rose Gossett — Google review

What a great place to visit. The lodge is very nice and all the staff were friendly. The rooms are simple but nice and the beds were comfortable. Room was clean and had a great view of the mountains. The lodge restaurant was really good and you get plenty of food for the price. The lodge offers a complimentary breakfast which was really good. The pool was awesome and there is a nature center on site that was very educational. Both times we went, both staff members talked to us for and we were never rushed. Overall, a great trip and will definitely return.

Donnie Bow — Google review

I have stopped to eat here plenty of times. Whether I'm camping in the mountains, or bear hunting like I was last weekend. They have a catfish meal that is to die for! I usually don't care for catfish but they serve it in little strips with golden brown crispy breading, hush puppies, french fries, and seasonal vegetables you can't go wrong.. they also offer a co*cktail sauce with horseradish mix! I went twice in one day on my last bear hunt. First I had the catfish dinner. When I came back, they had a full Christmas dinner spread Buffet style! Turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, tasty desserts, macaroni and cheese, steamed carrots, full salad bar.. simply delightful! I was camping up there one time and they even offered me a free breakfast. Very nice friendly service. Everyone is so professional and cheerful. You can tell these employees really work hard and take pride in what they are doing! I've never had a bad experience in the five or six times I have been there visiting. Side note, my parents used to eat here every Saturday morning when my mother was pregnant with me and they would have the ham and cheese omelette. The View and the restaurant is beautiful overlooking the Appalachian mountains! You just can't beat it.

Bubba Mac — Google review

For reference on my stay, we stayed in the lodge, not the cabin. This is important because a lot of my review may not be relevant for cabin guest.I'll start with the restaurant. Our service was slow and the food is basic and bland. It's good I guess compared to everything else in the area, but by no means will this be your favorite place to eat. The view however is amazing so that makes up for it :)The room was clean and well maintained, however there are a few things that are very annoying. To start, the walls are paper thin. You can hear your neighbors entire conversation, or in my case I can hear my neighbor listening to political YouTube videos on his phone while I'm trying to sleep.To add to that problem, the AC unit in the rooms can't have the fan turned on separately so you can't even have the fan on (unless heat/ac is on) just to make white noise and circulate air in the room. They should really make that option available in the thermostats as lots of people (myself included) like to sleep with a fan on. In their defense tho, I did ask the front desk about this and after housekeeping investigated and determined I was right, they did bring me a fan which was nice of them :)Last thing, and this is just plain dumb. Whoever's idea it was to put motion sensor light switch in the bathroom has clearly never used a motion sensor light before. The light automatically turns off while you're showering. This is dumb and frankly not safe at all. Put a regular freaking light switch in there.The resort is clean and well kept and the staff are very nice and helpful, so that's why I'm still giving 3 stars. Most of my other issues can easily be remedied and I hope they do so the next guest has a more comfortable stay.

JT Jones — Google review

Pine Mountain Lodge is lovely. The rooms are comfortable and it is a quiet and peaceful place.But.....avoid the restaurant at all cost. The food isn't that good but the service I received for dinner on March 22nd 2023 was the worst I have ever had! Literally.When these 2 women are working, don't expect a smiling, cheerful greeting. Don't expect them to come back to you at any point and ask if everything is alright or do you need anything. Don't expect any of your dishes to be cleared and don't expect to be ask if you would like dessert, coffee or anything else when the finally drop off your check.I've never in my life seen 2 servers who were so rude, who moved so slow or who were so completely overwhelmed with 3 tables of 2 people each. I can't even image how it would go if they were actually busy.It was like it was the first day that either of them had ever worked in a restaurant. Their flat out rudeness and how incompetent they were at their jobs really ruined everything about the experience. After I waited about 15 minutes to pay my bill - remember, only 3 tables in the place- I ask to see the dinning room manager- I had to ask a person from the kitchen because the 2 women were completely ignoring me- I was told there wasn't one, which explains a lot! He did get the kitchen manager for me and she was nice, professional and knew how to treat a quest. She was the only plus in this situation. So I thank her for thatReally a joke for a dinner experience in what is other wise a lovely place.

Barbara Smith — Google review

Hosted a Family get together at the restaurant, can't say enough about the friendly staff. We had a 30 person meal, Morgan was wonderful! She was friendly and very helpful and efficient!!When I called to make the reservation, Sabrina was most helpful,most congenialI will definitely be back and recommend this location to Family and Friends!!

Robin Stotz — Google review

First the good....The staff were amazing for the hotel. We screwed up and booked the wrong dates. They were able to fix it and get us in. Super friendly and great at what they do.The views were awesome. The location is hard to find with Google maps but we managed. All the way up is pretty much the easiest advice to give.Now the bad.The rooms have 0 sound insulation. We could hear basic conversations in the room next to ours. To make matters worse they had a dog with them that whined and barked any time they left the room.Even worse was the smoke. They have ashtrays on the balcony and people smoke right outside the rooms. The smoke could be smelled in our room and was just obnoxious. They seriously should have somewhere else to smoke further from the doors if the smoke is just going to come in everyone's rooms.

jarrodsquito — Google review

Our room at the lodge was very clean and given the time of the year that we came we had the place basically all to ourselves. The staff and ranger were very courteous and friendly. My son and I did the Honeymoon Falls Loop trail, which we thoroughly enjoyed.

Kasey — Google review

The cabins are old or rustic, so you have to realize that going in. But we always love the fresh sent of burnt wood and the coziness of the cabins. A great place to watch the snow fall. The staff are always incredible and accommodating.

Christopher Morris — Google review

Very nice place to visit. This place is nestled in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. The rooms are a bit dated, but very clean.The restaurant is just OK. I did not care much for the food, or selection. The service was very good and everyone was friendly.I will visit again next year.

David Berry — Google review

I'm so glad I found this place! Looking for a spot to sleep during our road trip from FL to MI. We're going to plan a trip to stay here for a week! So many things to do and explore. A pool, a basketball court, and mini golf!

Tiffany Mussin — Google review

Another gem of a state park resort. Have a pool that looks great. We arrived too late to utilize it. Fun little mini golf course, complete with windmill. Game room, with ping pong table, another little tabletop game, and a cabinet stocked with board games. Multiple walking trails. We did Hemlock Gardens. What looked like a neat educational center. We left before it opened. Stayed for its proximity to Cumberland Gap National Park. Staff was super friendly and helpful. Had dessert at the lodge restaurant, and I highly recommend the caramel skillet cookie! Also had a BLT for breakfast, and it was good. Kids had their pancakes, you get 3, and they are yuge. Stayed in a cottage. Cottage was clean, kitchen well outfitted.

Erin Cecil — Google review

I didn't stay at the lodge. A friend lives near there and we went to supper. Gorgeous views, restaurant was nice. No buffet on that Friday but great food. Dining room was almost deserted but we went early to attend a concert later.

Jo Hoover — Google review

This is a very good place to stay. We got very late in the night. Richard checked us in and he was amazing. We had a long drive so a friendly checkin made things better. Shout out to Richards. We are still staying in the hotel so I don’t know about the breakfast buffet they offer.The views from the balcony are good . There is microwave in the checkin lobby but not in rooms nor there are fridge which is one thing to keep in mind. We were given 2 bed room n the beds were a little small hence I and my husband used different beds to sleep. I would definitely come here again.

PMS R — Google review

Stayed in their cottage for Labor Day weekend. It was very clean and nice.They offer an outdoor pool, dining room, and bar. They offered music the night we were there. But it was not very good they needed more of a variety. They have a putt putt course. That could be really cute if it had some attention. We played on it each day. The kids absolutely loved it.Service in the dining room was very slow. Great for the outdoor lover hiking in small towns close by.We enjoyed our time there lots a fun with the family.

Nancy Chesser — Google review

Great location, great views, and very peaceful. The lodge rooms are nice and the room balcony offers good views. Complimentary breakfast at the lodge restaurant was good and more than adequate. Had a small issue with housekeeping (the lack of), but not a deal breaker. A few hikes here at the park.... chained rock offers a great view, and the trail to the waterfalls was a nice walk (they were barely flowing though).

DonnieFromOhio — Google review

It's a very beautiful place! The cottages are very nice and the restaurant in the lodge has an awesome view in the mornings.

ThatRustyGuy — Google review

My husband I drove over just to eat in their restaurant. We tried the all you can eat salad bar and it was delicious! More choices than I could eat, vegetable beef soup and dessert along with the salad. Couldn't have asked for better service. Thank you Joe!! We'll be back again. The price for what we ate was very reasonable!

Wanda Stiner — Google review

A mountain retreat, perfect for quiet meditation, and access to hiking trails with great views. Family activities, comfortable rooms, friendly staff. While the road is a bit twisty, it makes arrival fun.

JL Warren — Google review

4.5

(831)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (213)

4.0

(106)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (214)

1050 State Park Rd, Pineville, KY 40977, USA

(606) 337-3066

30

Kentucky Splash WaterPark and Campground

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Water park

Water & Amusem*nt Parks

Campground

Large aquatic amusem*nt park (part of a wide-ranging complex) with a lazy river, pools & slides.

A fun little place. Water could be a little cleaner. Lots of debris floating around. Most employees are under 20 years old. For $10 per person, can't complain to much. Definitely worth it. Have been twice now. Hope to make it back again before they close this year. We drive about 3 hours. Like I said, definitely worth the $

Heather Roberts — Google review

My family and I love a good water park. Today I took my boy and his buddies to hang out and play at the Kentucky Splash Waterpark and Campground.The price was as advertised on their website, $12 each with kids under 5 getting in free. The reason small children were free currently is due to the area for this age kids being down. This information is also available on their website. That website is a gold mine of information listing not only prices, but also what is provided at the snack bar, prices included. Be sure to check it out! It also lists rules like no outside food, drinks, or thongs. (Don’t worry, you would never catch me in one of those anyway.)The park consists of a lengthy lazy river, a wave pool, and 5 slides of various lengths. There are two sets of restrooms available, several snack bars, and plenty of seating for sun bathers.Overall, this was an enjoyable visit. My only caution is to make sure you check the weather before going. ( You can find it on that website.😉) Scattered thunderstorms cut our fun a bit short and caused the park to close earlier than scheduled. It wasn’t that big of a concern for my party since the boys were worn out, but if we had only been there for a half hour, I might feel differently about spending $12 a person.

Amy Sizemore — Google review

Just the right size and price for your family to enjoy themselves. Especially if you have little ones. You don't exhaust yourself walking from one end of the park to the other. The staff is very helpful and the lines to the slides aren't horrible.The only reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is because they could use more shaded seating areas, more available floats, and bigger cleaner restrooms/changing areas. But honestly for the price you can't beat it.

jeanne hill — Google review

Everything was great. The only thing I was a little disappointed about was the wave pool was down, but there was pump that was broken, so the staff discounted our tickets to $8 from $10. It's about a 45 minute drive from Knoxville and for the price it's cheaper than going to Dollywood. Both of my kids (17&4) had a blast playing in the water.

Chrissy Johnson — Google review

It’s exactly as advertised, would have given it 5 stars if the kid park hadn’t been under construction. Will say, if you have older kids, they may get bored after a couple of hours. Definitely a fun family afternoon activity.Also recommend bringing your own food and drinks.

Jade the Gem — Google review

This is for the RV park. The water park was closed when we passed through. This is an Excellent place to overnight! Right off the Interstate but far enough away you hear it in the distance. Super easy to back into with the F350 and the 42ft 5th wheel. There is a stream behind the campsite that the dogs loved cooling off. We will be back.

Jim Graham — Google review

Wonderful place to go with kids! Clean and well maintained! Not expensive either

Debbie Cook — Google review

Great water park. Lots of food options. The only negative is there were not enough tubes for the lazy river and people were hoarding them.

Randy Banks — Google review

Best bang for your buck!! At 12$ entry fee this water park is hard to beat! Wave pool,5 water slides. Lazy river plus a big shallow water area for the younger kids with small slides and ankle deep wading.. They don't allow outside food to be brought in however the concessions are very affordable especially compared to other places. They have good variety from whole pizza to burgers and hot dogs and with 3 concessions builds you do have to wait very long! As of 6-3-23 they're building on just west of the wave pool looks to be an intermediate area with medium sized water slides looked to be 3-5 more slides.

Jason Harkless — Google review

4.4

(1931)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (219)

4.5

(119)38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (220)

1050 KY-92, Williamsburg, KY 40769, USA

(606) 549-6065

38 Best Stops Between Helen and Lexington (2024)

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