If you are looking to stay closer to home but want to still take your students on a trip, consider a trip to the Smokey Mountains. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are in the beautiful mountains of Tennessee and offer a wide range of fun attractions and activities suitable for students.
One of the biggest attractions in all of Tennessee is Dollywood located in Pigeon Forge. This theme park features over 50 rides and attractions along with traditional crafts, delicious food, and live music of the Smokey Mountain era. Dollywood offers performance areas inside the park for bands and choirs for any group looking to showcase their talents. They also offer adventures in education. History, physics, zoology, and geography are just a few of the subject’s students can explore through this program.
Marching Bands are invited to participate the Music in the Mountain Spring Time Parade. This springtime tradition in Pigeon Forge offers marching bands the perfect opportunity to perform in front of more than 50,000 people, while taking part in a parade like no other. This annual parade take place the first Friday in April at 6:00 PM. Come celebrate the musical heritage of the Smoky Mountains with marching bands, floats featuring many local businesses, entertainers and more.
The Island in Pigeon Forge is your Eat, Shop, Play and in the heart of Pigeon Forge. Featuring over 80 shops and restaurants it also has live music and attractions. The Island is showcased by a 200-foot Observation Wheel and Island Show Fountain which is choreographed to lights and music year-round. Group friendly attractions include Laser Tag, Bumper Cars, Mirror Maze, Ropes Course and more.
The Country Tonite Theater has been voted Pigeon Forge’s top show year after year. Experience this two-hour powerhouse production, featuring the best singers, dancers, and musicians in the business—all on one stage in a variety of performances. Performing student groups can enjoy a special tour package with the opportunity of be the opening act for the Country Tonite show. Choose from backstage tours, Q&A sessions with the cast and specialized workshops on singing, comedy, dancing and more, all designed for individual student groups.
The Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show, Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction, Pirates Dinner Voyage and Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud offer an evening of fun entertainment. Each dinner show offers a variety of entertainment that will be sure to make sure you laugh – all served with a down-home country meal. Many also offer backstage tours, performance, and educational opportunities.
Just a short drive away, Gatlinburg offers the most picturesque and scenic views of the Smokey Mountains. The town’s walkability makes it convenient for you and your group to navigate the city easily.
One of the most iconic attractions is the Gatlinburg Space Needle. This 407-foot observation tower overlooks downtown Gatlinburg and provides a stunning 360-degree view of the Great Smoky Mountains. Ride the glass elevators all the way up to the observation deck where you will enjoy a complimentary “Higher Learning” experience and free viewfinders that enhance the breathtaking scenery.
Located in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, Anakeesta mountain top adventure park sits high atop Gatlinburg with spectacular views of town and National Park. Admission includes all day park access and unlimited scenic rides via the Chondola chair lift ride which transports you to the whimsical Firefly Village with quaint shopping, and dining. Continue your adventure by strolling on the TreeTop Skywalk, with over 800-feet of connected bridges hanging 50 to 60-feet in the air, the TreeTop Skywalk is the longest tree-based skybridge in North America.
Both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are a unique blend of outdoor beauty, student-friendly attractions, and Southern charm. Gatlinburg Offers a more traditional “old tourism” feel, reminiscent of the 1940s and 50s and is known for its walkable Parkway, offering easy access to attractions, restaurants, and shopping. Pigeon Forge has a “new tourism” feel and offers a wide array of student-friendly entertainment and attractions with the main draw of Dollywood. Combined, these 2 towns offer a variety of entertainment and are also easily accessible from many of the biggest cities in the Midwest and Southeast making it the perfect 3-4 day itinerary. Ready to plan your next trip? Contact UR Tours & Events for more information.
Whether you’re looking to travel with your students across the country or around the world, we’re committed to delivering a unique, meaningful experience for you and your students. Let UR Tours and Events be part of your next travel experience.
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“To all my music educator friends….you would be crazy not to use Livy with UR Tours for any trips you might be planning! This past weekend was the third time I used her and she is the best. Thanks for taking care of us the weekend Livy. We had a blast!”
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