The Great Smoky Mountains National Park continues to hold the title as the #1 most visited national park in America, drawing in over 13–14 million visitors per year. Combined with major attractions in Sevierville, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge, the region has evolved into one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country. This category highlights exactly why the Smokies have earned this title — and why tourism continues to grow every year.

World-Class Attractions

Beyond the natural beauty, the area is home to some of the country’s top attractions, including:

**Dollywood**

Dollywood is one of the top theme parks in the United States, offering a blend of world-class roller coasters, live entertainment, artisan crafts, and award-winning seasonal festivals. The park continues to expand each year with new attractions, restaurants, resorts, water parks, and immersive holiday experiences, making it a major driver of tourism and year-round visitor demand.

**Dollywood’s Splash Country**

Dollywood’s Splash Country is one of the top water parks in the nation, featuring high-speed slides, family attractions, lazy rivers, and relaxing cabanas set against stunning Smoky Mountain views. The park continues to grow each year with new amenities and upgrades, drawing huge summer crowds and boosting local tourism — which keeps rental demand strong throughout Sevier County.

**The Island**

The Island is a 23-acre entertainment destination featuring shops, restaurants, live music, dancing fountains, arcades, a massive Ferris wheel, and the iconic SkyFly ride. With activities for all ages, it has become one of Pigeon Forge’s most visited spots and a major contributor to the region’s booming tourism economy.

**Anakeesta**

Anakeesta is a mountaintop adventure park and scenic village located high above Gatlinburg, offering breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains. Guests access the summit by chairlift or gondola before exploring treetop bridges, ziplines, botanical gardens, dining, shopping, skywalks, and immersive mountain-top experiences. It’s one of the region’s most photographed attractions and a major draw for families and couples.

**Ober Mountain**

Formerly Ober Gatlinburg, Ober Mountain is a four-season adventure park offering skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, alpine slides, mountain coasters, wildlife encounters, and panoramic aerial tramway rides from downtown Gatlinburg. It’s one of the only ski areas in the region and attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round.

**Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies**

Ripley’s Aquarium is consistently ranked among the top aquariums in the country. Guests can walk through underwater tunnels, view shark lagoons, interact with stingrays, explore hands-on exhibits, and enjoy award-winning marine habitats. Its central location in Gatlinburg makes it one of the most popular family attractions in the Smokies.

Museums, Shows & Family Attractions

The Smoky Mountains are home to dozens of world-class museums, interactive attractions, and legendary dinner shows that draw millions of visitors every year. Families and travelers of all ages enjoy destinations like the Titanic Museum, Beyond the Lens, WonderWorks, and the wildly popular Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show. The area also features action-packed experiences such as Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud and Dolly Parton’s famous dinner show, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, known for its live horses, incredible music, and unforgettable performances.

These attractions, along with countless additional museums, theaters, and entertainment venues, ensure that the Smokies offer something for every type of visitor in every season — further boosting tourism demand and supporting consistently high rental occupancy rates throughout the year.