Monthly Archives: December 2023

10 FAMILY-FRIENDLY INDOOR ACTIVITIES IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS

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The Smoky Mountains lure visitors in with its natural beauty, historic charm, and affordability. Did you know that the Smokies offer a shocking amount of exciting indoor activities? Here are 10 indoor activities in the Smoky Mountains that are perfect for families:

1. RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM OF THE SMOKIES

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a world-class aquarium that features a wide variety of marine life from around the globe. The aquarium offers a range of exhibits, including a tropical rainforest, a shark tunnel, and a penguin playhouse. Visitors can also enjoy live shows and interactive experiences.

2. WONDERWORKS 

WonderWorks is an indoor amusement park that blends education and entertainment. It boasts over 100 interactive exhibits that cover topics like space, physics, light, and sound. 

3. TITANIC MUSEUM 

The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge is an enthralling glimpse into the world’s most famous ship. Enjoy a self-guided tour of recreated rooms and view authentic artifacts from the ship, learn about the passengers and crew, and feel glacier temperatures in the iceberg exhibit.

4. MAGIQUEST 

MagiQuest is an interactive adventure game set in a magical kingdom. Players use a remote control wand to cast spells and complete quests, all while exploring a castle and interacting with characters along the way. 

5. PROFESSOR HACKER’S LOST TREASURE GOLF 

Professor Hacker’s Lost Treasure Golf has a 1920s mining adventure theme, complete with waterfalls, caves, and a mining train. There are two courses to choose from, so you can play again and again. 

6. GOVERNOR’S CROSSING MOVIE THEATER 

The Governor’s Crossing Movie Theater has comfortable seats, a large screen, and a variety of movies to choose from. Plus, the prices are reasonable, making it a great option for families on a budget. 

7. SEVIER WARFARE LASER TAG 

Sevier Warfare Laser Tag takes laser tag to the next level. The arena is themed like a post-apocalyptic city, complete with abandoned buildings and rubble.

8. OBER MOUNTAIN 

Ober Mountain is a year-round indoor and outdoor amusement park. In the winter, visitors can go skiing, snowboarding, or snow tubing. In the summer, there is an alpine slide, a mountain coaster, and a mini-golf course. Inside, there is a ropes course and an arcade. 

9. DOLLY PARTON’S STAMPEDE 

Dolly Parton’s Stampede is an interactive themed dinner with seasonal scripts. The show features horses, trick riders, and live music, all while you enjoy a delicious Southern-style meal. 

10. PIGEON FORGE SNOW 

Pigeon Forge Snow is an indoor snow park that offers year-round snow tubing and snow play with REAL snow!

Cades Cove | Explore the Cove’s Historic 11-Mile Loop With This Self-Guided Auto Tour

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Cades Cove Loop Road is a gorgeous paved, one-way road that leads you to historic structures. This road follows an old logging railroad track. Read along to find out how you can explore the Cove’s historic 11-mile loop with this self-guided auto-tour!

JOHN OLIVER CABIN

The first historical structure is the John Oliver Cabin. This cabin was named after one of the Cove’s first pioneers to settle there.

PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH

The second building is the Primitive Baptist Church. This church was the second church to be built in the Cove and one of the last structures to be added to the National Register of Historic Places.

METHODIST CHURCH

Next is the Methodist church. It was built in the early 1820s by their eventual church minister, J.D. McCampbell.

MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Next is the Missionary Baptist Church. It was formed in 1839 by half of the original Primitive Baptist Church congregation. In the spring, “Co. 5427” is spelled out in daffodils. 

COOPER ROAD TRAIL

Next is the Cooper Road Trail, a hiking trail that once was the direct route to Maryville, TN.

ELIJAH OLIVER PLACE

Next is the Elijah Oliver Place. Remember John Oliver? Elijah is John’s son.

ABRAMS FALLS

Next is the trailhead to Abrams Falls. Here you’ll find a 20-foot small but mighty waterfall that doubles as a natural pool teeming with salamanders.

VISITOR CENTER

Next is the Cades Cove Visitor Center where guests can pick up souvenirs, a fresh bag of flour from the grist mill, and maybe hear a few lines from a local storyteller.

CABLE MILL

Next, you can stretch your legs at the Cable Mill, the only working gristmill in the Smoky Mountains. You will also find several historic home sites and buildings.

HENRY WHITEHEAD PLACE

Next is the Henry Whitehead Place. At the time, this was the 3rd home in the Smokies to be built this way. However, it is the only one still standing.

CADES COVE NATURE TRAIL

Next is the Cades Cove Nature Trail. It’s a short walk that is bursting with dogwood blooms in the spring.

DAN LAWSON PLACE

Next is the Dan Lawson Place. This structure is unique as it has a brick chimney which is unusual for its time. All of the bricks were made in the Cove.

TIPTON PLACE

Next up, the Tipton Place- the best porch view in the Cove. It was owned by Colonel Hamp Tipton, though he never resided there. His daughters, Lucy and Lizzie Tipton did and were teachers in the Cove.

CARTER SHIELDS CABIN

And lastly, the Carter Shields Cabin- possibly the most photographed historic building along the Cades Cove Loop Road. It is timeless.

HYATT AND SPARKS LANE

Two additional roads to the Cades Cove Loop Road are open for motorists. Both Hyatt Lane and Sparks Lane cut through the center of the open fields at Cades Cove.