When thinking of theme parks, what comes to your mind? Incredible experience, lifetime memories, and ultimate fun – Isn’t it? With millions of visitors traveling to Gatlinburg, Smoky Mountains region, Pigeon Forge, and more every year, they make for perfect friends or family vacation destinations.
The natural wonders offer a diversity of attractions and amusements to make your trip memorable forever. From thrill-packed roller coasters to many other rides, there is something for everyone. The only thing you need to figure out is deciding which theme parks to visit. Well, we are here to help! Read on.
1. Dollywood
Dollywood is located in the lush foothills making for the great Smokey Mountain Vacation. The theme park is owned by the renowned singer Dolly Parton. Here you will find the standard thrill rides and other interesting attractions such as musical festivals, traditional crafts exhibits, and much more. The most popular events are certainly the musical ones where the singer herself appears more frequently.
The theme park features more than 40 rides, including both adventurous roller coasters and kid-friendly rides. Further, you will come across southern-style eateries and an outstanding marketplace.
All of these fun aspects make Dollywood the most legendary theme park in the world. Finally, we would say that we plan to spend some quality time at the museum dedicated to gospel music. You will love many interactive audiovisual clips along with thousands of items belonging to the genre’s popular names.
2. NASCAR SpeedPark
Experience the extraordinary go-kart rides at the popular NASCAR Speed Park located in Sevierville. You will come across the highest track known as the Smoky Mountain Speedway. A few other tracks in demand are Family 500 and the Intimidator. For all those young thrill-seekers, let them get into the action on the Baby Bristol starter track. You will love to check out the classic fairground-style rides such as Scrambler, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Starship 3000. Are you excited?
3 Rowdy Bear Mountain Coaster
If you are looking forward to an exciting outdoor adventure, you cannot simply go wrong with Rowdy Bear Mountain Coaster. Mesmerize your soul by viewing the wonderful outdoor scenery of Gatlinburg. The place is home to two fascinating rides worth your visit.
The very first ride is Rowdy Bear Mountain Coaster – a gravity-propelled ride giving you a great opportunity to zip and zoom through the captivating beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains in your very favorite coaster cart. You would appreciate the impressive nature views while moving at a speed of up to 35mph. As the ride goes down, your heart is more likely to pump faster.
4. Ober Gatlinburg
Here we go with another top pick – the Ober Gatlinburg that sits on the mountain top. While you can easily drive to the park, we recommend you go for an Aerial Tramway, offering you a relatively more exciting experience. You will be high above the Smokies!
As soon as you reach the top, choose among wide-ranging activities – one is definitely the Ski Mountain Coaster. Contrasting a traditional roller coaster, you will be sitting on the driver’s seat and controlling your own speed. A few other popular attractions include water raft rides, Alpine Slide and Amaze’n Maze.
5. Anakeesta Theme Park
Situated in the heart of Gatlinburg, the Anakeesta Theme Park makes a perfect destination for families. Offering you several opportunities for adventure and recreation, expect an unforgettable experience in the Smokies. As soon as you get entry into the Anakeesta, you will have access to numerous activities and scenic rides.
Expect a unique shopping experience, delicious food, and imaginative mountain atmosphere. The sightseeing entry pass allows you to enter the Anakeesta for free of cost. This includes the beautiful Chondola ride taking you from downtown Gatlinburg to the Peak of Anakeesta Mountain. Further, you can visit the Vista Garden and Memorial forest walk. Explore the 16-bridge tree canopy walk, playground village, and panoramic views.
6. Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
While the legendary chairs of the SkyLift have received tremendous popularity across the globe, the new SkyBridge has attracted millions of people since its opening in the year 2019. A visit to the park will let you enjoy some of the most breathtaking views of the Smokies. You can spend a lot of quality time sitting back and relaxing on the mountain top.
Experience the exciting walk across the Gatlinburg SkyBridge and create beautiful memories that last ever and forever. It is considered the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in entire North America – WHOOH. Extending approximately 680 feet across the 140 feet height, you will be proud of yourself once you complete this walk. It’s a wonderful place to refresh your mind and soul. Relish the wide-open mountain views you might have never seen before.
7. 7D Dark Ride Adventure
An adrenaline rush like never before! You will experience a thrilling interactive game so make sure to gather enough courage before you head over to 7D Dark Ride Adventure. The popular state-of-the-art shooting game comes with seven dimensions, including the most exciting wind, sound, and movement for an enjoyable experience.
From robot-creating mad scientists to horrific zombies, it’s going to be a lifetime experience. Gear up for an ultimate interactive gaming experience you may hardly find anywhere else. The 3D motion ride, zombie battles, and many surprises – it’s super-fun. Run the extra mile to get some points throughout the journey. You can book tickets in advance for the entire experience to go smoothly.
8. Outdoor Gravity Park
When we talk about the iconic adventure, one of the popular names we would love to mention is Outdoor Gravity Park. Do not miss out on the exciting zorbing opportunity! You can fly approximately 6000 miles creating unlimited memories. The giant ball is 11 feet high and wide, sitting on the peak of the 1,000-foothill. Isn’t that amazing?
Initially, one to three people can jump into the circle’s belly. The park personnel will toss about 10 gallons of water, closing the door. This massive amount of water makes this ride incredibly slippery. The adrenaline-packed ride takes you down through the 1000 foothill. It’s going to be a super-bouncy water slide, or you may call it the rolling Jacuzzi. Don’t forget to bring your swimming costume and towel along.
Wrapping Up
You would love to visit the charming town with numerous theme park facilities for all those nature and adventure seekers. From exploring the fanatic landscape to the remarkable wilderness, let the imaginative experience make your trip memorable. When it comes to visiting the most exciting attractions, Gatlinburg theme parks make a must-visit option.
Choose among one or more parks mentioned above and relish the 360-degree views and iconic rides. If you are looking forward to spending some quality time with your friends or family, these theme parks bring ultimate fun for everyone. Are you already planning your next trip? Well, let us know about your preparations and dream destinations in the comment section below. We would love to hear from you!
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