Sevierville, Tennessee: Family Fun, Nature and Entertainment

The best way to start a visit to Sevierville, Tennessee: Go see the bronze Dolly Parton statue in front of the historic courthouse. The country music legend was born in Sevierville, and she maintains close ties to the city. But that’s not all – the spectacular Tennessee setting provides the perfect backdrop for Dolly Parton’s amusement park, Dollywood, with its thrilling rides and authentic attractions. You’ll also find native Appalachian crafts in the quaint shops here.

Don’t miss a turn on The Wild Eagle ride, where you soar through the air and your feet nearly graze the tops of the surrounding treetops. When you disembark at the end, you will surely be grinning from ear to ear. 

After Dollywood, check out the beautiful nature which surrounds the city. Sevierville is located close to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most-visited national park in the U.S.

Take the scenic drive up to park and make sure to stop at Newfound Gap. This is where in 1940, U.S. president Franklin Delano Roosevelt officially dedicated Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the public. A small line on the floor marks the border with the neighboring state of North Carolina, so you can put one foot in Tennessee and one foot in North Carolina. The Appalachian Trail runs through this area of the park, so you may even run into hikers who are trekking the famed “super-trail” which travels from Georgia to Maine for more than 3,200 kilometers.

The next attraction on your list is visible from afar. Directly on the street, a huge model of the Titanic emerges, the two-story home of the Titanic Museum. Inside, there’s original pieces from the actual Titanic on display. The museum is interactive and gives a great and intense impression of life on board the ship, as well as its dramatic sinking. Glide up and down the Grand Staircase, or marvel at the real iceberg on display. You can also put your hands in chilling 28 degree Fahrenheit water, the same temperature as the ocean water was when the ship sank. At the end of the tour, a wall exhibit lists which passengers lived or died during the journey.

Not far from the Titanic Museum, visit the Tanger Five Oaks Outlets, where you can browse more than 100 shops with designer brands and fantastic prices. Many of the most popular outlet stores are represented here, including Tommy Hilfiger, Coach, Disney, Michael Kors, J. Crew and many more. With so many brand stores all touting amazing prices, you can be kept entertained for hours. After all, it is Tennessee’s largest outlet mall

If you’re in the mood for a little pampering, head to the award-winning Oak Haven Resort and Spa, located just minutes from Sevierville with luxury cabins nestled within the beautiful mountain scenery.  From one bedroom to seven, take your pick and make this into an ideal friends and family getaway.  Sitting on your balcony, you can enjoy a sunset over the vast Great Smoky Mountains National Park at the end of a perfect day in Sevierville.