East Tennessee attractions offer family-friendly fun
Dollywood's Mystery MineThis summer, one of East Tennessee’s biggest attractions will be, well, its lineup of attractions – all of which are designed to be enjoyed by the entire family. From theme parks to museums to historical sites, there’s no shortage of unique and entertaining places to visit in Knox and surrounding counties.
Dollywood in Pigeon Forge heads into its peak season cruising on the early success of its newest thrill ride, Mystery Mine, while the brand-new Great American Country Show makes its debut in the Pines Theater.
“It’s a live music and multimedia presentation that walks through current and classic country hits as well as Opry legends,” says park public relations manager Pete Owens.
Dollywood’s annual KidsFest celebration features the magical Fercos brothers and their Untamed Illusions show plus a new, live Veggie Tales production and a new Hanna-Barbera-themed motion simulator ride.
At Dollywood’s Splash Country, a $3 million expansion called the Cascades provides lots of wet-fun activities for kids while also giving mom and dad a place to relax and soak up some rays.
A few miles down the road in Gatlinburg, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is showing its newest exhibition, Mars: The Search For Life. Displays include mock rover vehicles and hands-on activities for adults and kids.
But what’s a Mars exhibit doing at an aquarium? “It’s all about water,” says aquarium marketing director Joel Young. “Scientists believe there is water on Mars, and because of that, there’s the possibility of life.”
Meanwhile in Knoxville, the zoo is always a summer-fun destination, and through Labor Day, zoo guests can get a peek at the 12-year-old albino alligator on temporary display.
“It’s very rare and fun to see, no matter what age you are,” says zoo spokesperson Janya Marshall. “Plus summer is just a great time of year to be out walking around and enjoying the zoo.”
In Oak Ridge this summer, several interactive exhibitions await visitors at the American Museum of Science and Energy.
Eyes on Earth explores satellite technology and NASA’s earth-observing system through 20 audio-visual and computer-based activities.
“It brings the concepts of satellites down to earth in a fun, playful and spacey environment. And it’s all hands-on,” says Lissa Clarke, the museum’s public information officer. “The kids are going to love it, and adults will too.”
Also this summer, The Story of Wheat reveals the history of the Wheat community near Oak Ridge and the sacrifices its people made for the sake of the Manhattan Project in the 1940s.
AMSE’s regular exhibits geared toward science and the history of the Manhattan Project are also on tap, as are bus tours of Oak Ridge’s Department of Energy facilities.
