5 Must-see Attractions in Pigeon Forge

1. Dollywood Delights

Check out Dolly Parton's Dollywood amusement park for non-stop fun. Thrills don’t disappoint on the Barnstormer ride at a screaming 81 feet in the air. It's one of more than 40 rides in the park named for the legendary country siren. Rumble through the Smoky Mountains on the Dollywood Express for a 5-mile family excursion on the vintage steam train. Slow down the pack to savor Southern comfort food at a full-service restaurant, or grab a bite at one of the fast-food eateries before checking out a live show. Too hot outside? Cool off on Splash Country's 23 slides and rides. Little Creek Falls is a water paradise for toddlers, while the Downbound Float Trip offers an adventure the entire family can share.

2. Natural Inspiration

Soak in the revitalizing power of nature at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Just minutes from Pigeon Forge, the iconic park showcases unmatched Appalachian beauty guaranteed to inspire, challenge and awaken your senses. A series of short nature trails are ideal for introducing the kids to the joys of hiking. You can also pile in the car for a scenic drive—there are nearly 300 miles of roads winding through the park's lush landscapes. Newfound Gap Road meanders skyward 3,500 feet to offer mountain vistas splashed with color in fall. Drive or hike to cascading waterfalls fed by 2,000 miles of streams. Book your Pigeon Forge hotel deal and be sure to bring binoculars to spot the wildlife—deer, raccoons, turkeys and black bears all call the park home.

3. STAR POWER

Spend a day with Brad Pitt, Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe at Pigeon Forge's two-story Hollywood Wax Museum—home to replicas of everyone's favorite film celebrities. Is Julia Roberts or Johnny Depp your secret star crush? Pose for photos with the film darlings, and other stars past and present. The country's largest museum of its kind, Hollywood Wax Museum is part of an entertainment complex. Explore the Castle of Chaos for a 5-D experience. Get lost in Hannah's Maze of Mirrors or take on the undead at Outbreak, a haunted walk-through adventure where zombies lurk and creepy sounds will send chills up your spine.

4. TOUR THE TITANIC

Set sail with an authentic boarding pass to experience the Titanic's dramatic disaster. The Titanic Museum lets you walk the decks of a Titanic replica, just as it was when tragedy struck. The historic event seems frozen in time as you stroll ship hallways, visit cabins, sit in a lifeboat and attempt to stand on a sloping deck of the sinking vessel. Like the ship’s rich and famous passengers, you can even make your entrance on the million-dollar recreation of the ship's Grand Staircase. Explore exhibits and more than 400 genuine artifacts from the ship and its passengers on this self-guided tour. In the interactive Tot-Titanic area, kids get their sea legs peering through a porthole and taking the luxury liner's helm.

5. WONDERWORKS' WOW FACTOR

Add some brainpower to your Pigeon Forge experience. Billed as an amusement park for the mind, WonderWorks has its own style of thrills, chills and wild experiences. Step into Hurricane Hole where wind whips around you at 70 miles per hour. It's one of more than 100 hands-on exhibits and interactive displays igniting imagination. A replica space capsule invites your budding astronaut to explore the craft's interior while the mystifying inversion tunnel sets everyone's world upside down. If your family thrives on action, divide up into team in the laser tag arena's black-lit maze, or scale the four-story glow-in-the-dark ropes course. Top off your day at the magic show starring a modern-day Merlin, then stop at the Wonder Dog cafe to for pizza and snacks.

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