Christ in the Smokies Museum & Gardens A POWERFUL STORY - A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE
In the center of Gatlinburg at Christ in the Smokies Museum & Gardens (located on the former Christus Gardens property) you will have the remarkable experience of walking through a Biblical world of 2000 years ago, seeing life-size, life-like representations of important scenes from the life of Jesus Christ. Everyone from Children to Seniors will enjoy seeing their favorite Bible stories come alive in the 3D Dioramas.
Christ in the Smokies Museum and Gardens is one of the nation's foremost inspirational attractions. We feature incredibly lifelike scenes telling the Story of Christ, utilizing life size figures, dramatic lighting, music and special effects. Included in the tour is a remarkable sculpture of Christ, ancient coins and precious gems. The entire grounds are on level ground and entirely stroller and handicapped accessible.
We also have wheelchairs available for you to use while on the tour.
DOLLYWOOD Unique as its namesake Dolly Parton, Dollywood theme park is a one-of-a-kind Smoky Mountain Family Adventure! Spanning 125 acres and nestled in the lush foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, near Gatlinburg, Dollywood is one of the most popular family vacation destinations. Dollywood's live entertainment showcases the best in country, bluegrass, mountain and gospel music with more than a dozen stage shows. Master craftsmen demonstrate centuries-old crafts including blacksmithing, glass blowing and wood carving. Boasting more than 40 shopping locations, Dollywood is a shopper's paradise, offering everything from specialty apparel and home furnishings to handmade crafts and foods. Southern cooking is an art form all its own, and no one does it better than Dollywood with scrumptious southern dishes prepared to order and piled high with flavor. Choose from full-service dining and fast food locations throughout the park. Enjoy thrilling to spectacular Dollywood amusement park rides including the award-winning wooden roller coaster The Thunderhead™-the wildest ride in the woods. The family vacation fun at Dollywood features kiddie rides and 10 new family attractions in our expanded Country Fair area. Dollywood's spectacular Tennessee setting provides the perfect backdrop for a variety of amusement park rides and attractions. Thrilling roller coasters, daring water excursions, family rides and kiddie rides-you'll find them all at Dollywood-along with one-of-a-kind attractions that let you experience our Smoky Mountain way of life. See a live show while you're here and don't miss the best roller coasters in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee!
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN RAILWAY: The Murphy Branch of the Western North Carolina Railroad delivered thousands of mountaineers from the wildness of their landlocked hills. A year after iron rails reached Asheville in 1880, workers scattered to the west of the city, digging, filling, and blasting an extension of the line that stretched 116 miles to Murphy, providing thousands with a path to reach the outside world. With 53 miles of track, 2 tunnels and 25 bridges, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers a variety of excursions that explore the amazing landscape of western North Carolina. With the romance and mystique of an era gone by, guests on-board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will enjoy scenic train journeys across fertile valleys and through river gorges in a spectacular region near The Great Smoky Mountains. This section of western North Carolina offers a wide array of ever changing vegetation and fantastic landscapes. Dating back to the 1800's and located on the southside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Murphy Branch allowed access to one of the most remote and beautiful places in the world.
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian takes visitors all the way back to the beginnings of human existence here in these glorious, storied mountains of western North Carolina. The museum provides an educational and interactive experience where concise, chronological stories retrace the 11,000 year documented history of the Cherokees. In fact, virtual Cherokee storytellers welcome you and serve as your guides to this interactive museum experience, offering a friendly link between the Cherokee saga and your own growing interest in the fascinating details. You begin by hearing ancient Cherokee myths in the Story Lodge, including the story of the Cherokees’ Adam and Eve, Kanati and Selu, who lived very near where you stand as you take in the tale. You hear how the water beetle, Dayaunishi, brought up mud from under water to form the earth, and how the great buzzard shaped the Great Smoky Mountains with his wings.
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian is a museum with a difference. This is a Museum in which the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians present themselves and their history according to their own firsthand point of view. For another, it’s a museum where some of the most modern technology, computer-generated imagery, and special effects are used to present some of the oldest technologies in existence, as embodied by the most extensive collection of Cherokee artifacts anywhere.
NASCAR SPEED PARK WRISTBANDS Full Throttle Fun! A place where we measure fun in smiles per hour, where you never run out of fuel, your tires never wear out, and the race never ends. The park features 26 acres with eight exciting tracks, 28,000 sq. ft. Speed Dome arcade, indoor & outdoor food area, private meeting rooms, rock climbing wall, simulators and retail area.
The All Day Access Pass Wristband includes unlimited rides on the following:
The Rookie, The Intimidator, The Competitor, The Qualifier, The Baby Bristol, The Family 500, The Young Champions, The Slidewayz, The Pro-Tow, The Speed Bumpers (bumper boats), The Dragon’s Lair Fantasy Golf Course (2 courses to choose from), and The Rock (Climbing wall), Kiddie Speedway, Stock Car-o-sel, Rockingham Railroad, Tot Rods, The Victory Burnout, Speedway Draft and more. Does not include Tokens, Simulator & 5/8 scale cars on Smoky Mtn. Speedway. *Height restrictions apply to all rides and attractions.
Ober Gatlinburg’S AERIAL TRAM RIDE Visit Ober Gatlinburg and ride America’s largest Aerial Tramway from downtown Gatlinburg 2 ¼ miles up to the resort. The smooth, non-stop ride provides a breathtaking panorama of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains that change with every season. A 120-passenger car departs every 20 minutes on a 10-minute scenic journey that takes you to all the attractions at the resort.
Ober Gatlinburg All-activity wristbands SPRING / FALL: Includes: Round Trip Tram Ride, Smoky Mountain Wildlife Adventure, Ice Skating (skate rental & 3 hours continuous ice time), Round Trip Scenic Chair Lift, Alpine Slide, Bungee Run, Spider Web, Water rides (Seasonal)
The Oconaluftee Indian Village Here in the Oconaluftee Indian Village, the year is 1750. You’ve been taken back two centuries before your birth, and the old Cherokee ways are alive all around you. Another smoke trail draws you to a shaded clearing where a man is doing ... well, it’s not quite clear yet. He seems to be burning the flattened topside of a huge, felled tulip poplar log nearly 40 feet long. Clay is packed around the edge of the log to contain and direct the fire. This log, he explains, will become a ten-man canoe, waterproofed by animal fat and pine resin. It may take six to eight months of burning to fully hollow out the craft, but it will serve the whole village for fishing and voyaging, and will last for generations. Now you enter the great seven-sided council house, where a third fire glows. It is sacred fire, kept burning to symbolize the strength and unity of the Cherokee people, and used to kindle the fires in every village household. This council house, like those in every Cherokee village, has seven bench-lined sides to seat the seven clans: Blue (A NI SA HO NI), Long Hair (A NI GI LO HI), Bird (A NI TSI S KWA), Paint (A NI WO DI), Deer (A NI KA WI), Wild Potato (A NI GA TO GE WI) and Wolf (A NI WA YAH).
Parrot Mountain - Parrot Mountain is an eco tourist bird park. You will visit a replica of Thomas Kinkade stairway to paradise, the secret garden, the bird garden. There you will find approximately 70 birds on open perches where you can feed them seed from your hand, have pictures made with them or just walk around and look at them. Next visit the lory aviary, the baby bird nursery where you can pet the babies and see them being hand fed. In the back of the gardens you will find nestled among the flowers and birds, a prayer garden. As you enter, you are greeted by two angles praying on each side of the path. Next you will see the manger scene, the replica of the crucifixion of Christ, the replica of the empty tomb of Jesus, and at the back of the garden a 7 ft tall statue of the resurrected Christ.
· See and enjoy 146 different species of parrots and softbills from Asia, Central and South America,
· Indonesia, Africa, Australia and other countries.
· Largest eco-tourist bird park in the Southeast, with hundreds and hundreds of birds and thousands
· and thousands of plants and flowers.
· Visit our unique English style cottage Gift Shop with garden and related bird items.
· Walk through our Secret Garden where you can see Toucans, Horn bills, Magpies and other birds
· flying freely in our beautifully landscaped secret garden.
· As you stroll down beautiful paved pathways you will enjoy viewing tens of thousands of flowers
· and plants. Have your picture taken sitting in our unique butterfly, peacock and dragonfly benches.
· Enjoy the soothing sounds of the picturesque waterfall.
RAFTING IN THE SMOKIES UPPER SECTION (Pigeon River)
The Big Pigeon River boasts twelve class III and three class IV whitewater thrilling rapids! Accompanied by one of Rafting in the Smokies professional river guides, you'll be escorted down five miles of lively whitewater, rafting through class III & IV rapids such as "Too Late, Vegamatic, Razor Blade, After Shave, and Lost Guide." The scenery surrounding the Pigeon River is just as breath-taking as the rapids. Skirted by the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Cherokee National Forest, Martha Sundquist State Forest and the Appalachian Trail, the Pigeon has carved its rocky riverbed through some of the most dramatic country in East Tennessee.
RAFTING IN THE SMOKIES LOWER SECTION Float Trip (Pigeon River)
Looking for a way to really relax and enjoy natures beauty? Do you have children who weigh less than 70 lbs? If you answered yes to either, then we have just what you need. Check out the Lower Section of the Pigeon River! The Class I and II rapids and one Class III at the end of the trip, make this very casual and laid back section of the Pigeon River perfect for everyone 3 years old and up! Rafting in the Smokies will assist you, your family and friends down approximately six miles of relaxing waves and rippling mountain water. You'll gaze at the beautiful Smoky Mountain surroundings as you casually float this section of the Pigeon River. If someone in your group needs a little more adventure, we can accommodate! Let us help you plan coinciding trips on the Upper and Lower Pigeon. The portion of the group rafting the Lower Pigeon Float Trip can be scheduled to coincide with the other portion of the group's Upper Pigeon Trip.
RAINFOREST ADVENTURES Tropical Discovery Zoo Rainforest Adventures is home to some of the most fascinating creatures in the world. In 2008 RFA opened a 17,000 square foot expansion that includes Australian birds, sheep, kangaroos and wallabies to pet and feed. Rainforest Adventures is also home to giant Pythons, beautiful tree frogs and deadly cobras. This year-round attraction also showcases some furrier animals including ring-tailed lemurs and serval cats. Featuring masterfully recreated habitats, this impressive animal collection is displayed in an educational and naturalistic setting. Home to beautiful tropical birds, Giant Pythons and Anacondas, Tree Frogs, Lemurs, Parrots, Cockatoos and Giant Tortoises, this all indoor facility is open year round with recreated habitats with educational and naturalistic settings. Bromeliads and orchids grace many of the tropical enclosures that house this world-class collection of amazing animals. Regularly scheduled shows feature "hands on" opportunities for those who wish to experience some of nature's most amazing animals up close and personal. Live shows are scheduled every two hours through out the day. Cameras are allowed at the shows. 2-3 hours
RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM OF THE SMOKIES Welcomes you to the World's Most Fun 1.4 million gallon world-class aquarium. Featuring 11 ft sharks and over 8,000 exotic sea creatures from around the world. You will experience Piranhas in "Tropical Rain Forest", discover indo-pacific fish in "Coral Reef", travel through the world's longest underwater aquarium tunnel on a 345 foot glide path through "Shark Lagoon", pick up a horseshoe crab in "Discovery Center", meet giant Pacific Octopus in "Gallery of the Seas", touch a stingray at "Touch A Ray Bay", sit in one of two classrooms for a presentation, see one of the hourly dive/feeding shows, plus much more. Open 365 days a year from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Located in the center of downtown Gatlinburg
RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT MUSEUM Come visit the museum that started it all! As seen on the TV show, Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum features thousands of unique and unusual artifacts collected by Robert Ripley and the team of Ripley archivists. Rebuilt in 1995 after an extensive fire destroyed the original museum, our new building contains numerous exhibits, cartoons, and interactive displays to entertain the entire family. Be sure to take home a souvenir wax cast of your hand- a true believe it or not! Located at traffic light #7 on the Parkway, we're open 365 days a year.
RIPLEY’S MOVING THEATER Feel the rain, the wind, and the snow when you visit the Ripley's Moving Theater! See two 4D movies on our giant screen. Bump, dip, and turn with seats that move in eight different directions and experience the 6 channel digital surround sound audio. Cutting edge simulator technology will make you truly feel as if you are part of the show! Both movies included in one low price. We're open 365 days a year. Located at traffic light #8 on the Parkway underneath the giant dinosaur. Must be 43 inches tall to ride. 30 minutes DOUBLE FEATURE!
TITANIC PIGEON FORGE Ship-Shaped Museum/Attraction Targets Spring 2010 Launch
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (November 2008) The keel is being laid for Titanic Pigeon Forge, a towering ship-shaped museum/attraction devoted to the world¹s best-known ocean liner. It is a $25 million project of Cedar Bay Entertainment, which also is the parent company of the first Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Mo. "Home port" for Titanic Pigeon Forge is a 5.69-acre site on the Parkway near the Black Bear Jamboree, the Miracle Theater and WonderWorks on the north end of Pigeon Forge. The city is a gateway community to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and attracts more than 11 million visitors a year. The attraction will display hundreds of priceless Titanic artifacts in 20 galleries on two decks that will also contain exact replicas of the "Grand Staircase," a first-class suite, a third-class cabin and the Marconi wireless room. The bridge will offer interactive features similar to those of its Branson sister ship. Each visitor will receive a boarding pass bearing the name of a real Titanic passenger or crew member and will be able to touch an iceberg, experience the chill of 28-degree water, sit in an actual life boat, "steer" the ship and send an SOS message.
Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama: You can feel an ever so slight chill run up your spine. But it is not from the mountain winds shifting their direction in anticipation of the coming dusk; it is from your anticipation of the coming drama. It is a feeling millions before you have felt as the lights dim and you are transported back to the beginning of time, through the pageantry of one of the longest running outdoor dramas in the U.S. It is the same reaction visitors have had since the first showing of "Unto These Hills" nearly six million tickets ago. As "Unto These Hills" approaches its 59th season, it promises to be more culturally accurate as well as entertaining. This year¹s show is under the direction of Eddie Swimmer, who is an enrolled mem ber of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Eddie is one of the original members of the famed American Indian Dance Theatre and is a champion hoop dancer. He has been involved in many productions over the years from television to the big screen. The show features a cast of mostly Native Americans, breathtaking costumes, and exciting new choreography. The new play traces the Cherokee people through the eons, through the zenith of their power, through the heartbreak of the Trail of Tears, finally ending, appropriately, in the present day, where the Cherokee people, much like their newly re-scripted drama, continue to rewrite their place in the world. A place based on traditional Cherokee values and modern sensibilities.
WONDERWORKS MISSION BRIEFING -began as a Top Secret facility on a remote island, in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle. As legend has it one experiment went awry, in an attempt to harness the power of a man-made tornado, the entire laboratory was hurtled skyward, hundreds of miles away, it landed upside down in the heart of Pigeon Forge TN. When you enter the building, everything will be upside down, so in order to participate in the fun, you must be inverted. Once you're properly aligned for your adventure, Family Fun awaits with more than 120 interactive, hands-on exhibits. As the Building hurtled skyward it encountered what can only be described as a time portal.
· Inversion Tunnel Defy Gravity!!! As you approach WonderWorks it is obvious that the building landed upside-down. Professor Wonder and his staff of Brilliant Scientists invented the Inversion tunnel to realign and invert your orientation so that you can defy gravity and play with all the exhibits and experiments.
· Disaster Zone One of history's most renowned events, the 1989 San Francisco earthquake stopped baseball's World Series and collapsed a freeway. It is recreated in the laboratory. Guests will feel for themselves what an earthquake that measures 5.3 on the Richter Scale actually feels like in our Quake Café. Twenty-five feet of computers and monitors present dramatic footage of some of the world's most famous natural disasters.
· Challenge Zone Test your physical strength as you make your way to the top of our gigantic indoor rock-climbing wall, or ride the Extreme 360 Bikes. There are many other exhibits in this area, all are designed to test your mind or your body.
· Space Zone Explore your way through the depths of outer space in the Space Zone, where you will watch an educational, interactive film on space – in 3D! Explore the life size replica of an Astronaut Space Suit and Mercury Capsule. For a memorable souvenir, you can take your picture inside these phenomenal pieces of history. Better yet, take a seat in the Shuttle Lander and use your hand-eye coordination to maneuver the controls and land the Discover Space Shuttle on the airstrip. Feel firsthand the challenge and skill needed to make the landing.
· Light and Sound Zone Put on the headphones and let your mind travel to another place in our Sound Lab. Don't forget to strike a pose at Recollections then turn and see what your very own shadow looks like-after you walk away! Play Virtual Air Hockey and dance, play and amuse yourself in the Wonder Dome.
· Bubble Lab and Wonder Coasters The control center promises endless entertainment. Kids from 1-101 will love our Bubble Room, where you can literally put yourself inside of a bubble that you created. Or stop by the Wonder Coaster to design the Roller Coaster you have always wanted to ride! Feel the adrenaline rush of a 360 degree pitch and roll motion virtual ride!
· Far Our Illusion Gallery Enter a new dimension of reality and explore the unknown. Discover how perception and perspective are used to help you to look at the world in a WHOLE NEW way, throughout the Far Out Illusion Gallery in WonderWorks, where the unexplainable will come to life and unusual will be the norm.
· Lazer Tag and Arcade Featuring more than 10,000 square feet of action and fun, Lazer Tag combines innovative technology and fast paced excitement to provide players with a one-of-a-kind experience. Vest up and face off against your opponents in a huge maze. The object is to outplay, outlast and out-shoot the other player. After a game of lazer tag, visit the state of the art video arcade area and huge prize redemption counter.
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