Thinking of planning your Smoky Mountain getaway? I have compiled the ultimate list of discounts, free activities and more to help you make your next vacation a budget friendly one.
Homeschool Discounts
Please note that some of the dates for the discounts are time sensitive while other prices are available year round. Keep checking back as I will be adding new attractions and/or accommodations as I receive the information.
Dollywood, Dollywood’s Splash Country, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort
Special Rates are available to homeschool students & families during Homeschool Days at from August 5 – September 30th, 2019!
We absolutely love DreamMore Resort and Dollywood and can’t wait to go back. I highly recommend staying at the resort and taking advantage of this AWESOME deal during homeschool days. You receive complimentary transportation to the Splash Country and Dollywood from the resort.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
www.ripleyaquariums.com/gatlinburg
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies always offers a homeschool rate of $10.99 plus tax per person. This discount is for the homeschool students and their immediate parents and siblings living in the same household. Any other family members will be full price. To receive this discount you must provide Guest Services with a home school membership card, attendance record or letter of intent upon arrival. We also offer monthly homeschool programs at the Aquarium. Attached is an information sheet about the dates, times and topics. (Reservations are required for monthly programs at least 24 hours in advance.) Visit the education portion of their website for more information.
In addition, Ripley’s offers homeschool discounts at all Sevier county Ripley’s attractions. The costs are shown below:
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum: $10.99+ tax per person
Guinness World Record Adventure/Ripley’s Haunted Adventure/Ripley’s Moving Theater: $7.00+ tax per person per attraction
Old MacDonald Mini Golf/Davy Crockett Mini Golf: $5.00+ tax per person per attraction
Ripley’s Mirror Maze: $4.00+ tax per person
Alcatraz East
Explore American history from a different perspective in five unique galleries that burrow deep into criminal profiles, the penal system, victim’s stories, crime prevention, forensic science, law enforcement and our justice system. The museum is 25,000 square feet, spread over 2 floors and includes over 100 interactives.
For updates on homeschool promotions or other educational promotions or programs that may be of interest to you please sign up for their homeschool newsletter.
Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show and Adventure Park
The Dawson and McGraw families are going head-to-head and axe-to-axe in 13 Lumberjack events! Watch as they perform activities like axe-throwing, chopping, speed climbing, log rolling and more! Audience members and even kids will have the chance to participate in the show! And if you really want to test your Lumberjack skills visit our new Lumberjack Adventure Park! Last year, the dates were November 1-15th. Prices were $14.95 for adults and $6.95 for children (plus tax). I have spoken with them and there are no dates set for 2019 Homeschool Days, but they will be doing it! I would suggest following their Facebook page as they will announce the dates in either September or October.
Titanic Museum
History, science, geography, language and social studies are fun to learn when boys and girls participate in the “teacher approved” Titanic Scavenger Hunt at the World’s Largest Titanic Museum Attraction. Upon entering the World’s Largest Titanic Museum Attraction, students will receive a ‘boarding’ pass with the name of a passenger who made the maiden voyage. Using the ‘ship’ as a classroom, students learn life lessons… on their scavenger hunt sheet.
Wonderworks
One of the top things to do in Pigeon Forge, WonderWorks Indoor Amusement park, is one of the best Pigeon Forge Attractions. With over 35,000 square feet of “edu-tainment” WonderWorks is an amusement park for the mind. The attraction combines education and entertainment with more than 100 hands on exhibits that challenge the mind and spark the imagination.
This once top-secret laboratory was located in the Bermuda triangle. An experiment gone awry lifted the laboratory carrying it to Music Drive in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee where it landed upside down. Luckily all of the exhibits remained intact and available for guests to explore.
Rowdy Bear Mountain Adventure Park – Downtown Gatlinburg
Rowdy Bear Mountain Adventure Park in Downtown Gatlinburg offers coaster rides for $10 and the Glider for $14. You can also purchase a combo wristband for $24 and get 2 Coaster Rides and 1 Glider Ride.
Rowdy Bear Ridge Adventure Park – Pigeon Forge
Rowdy Bear Ridge Adventure Park in Pigeon Forge offers a half-hour wristband for $10 to do their outdoor tubing hill.
Top Jump
Want to fly high, flip into an airbag, or dunk like Jordan? Sevier County’s first trampoline park located at the foot of the Smoky Mountains National Park offers a safe and extreme adventure for people of all ages. Located between light #8 and #10 on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge near Dolly Parton’s Stampede, just minutes from Sevierville and Gatlinburg. Top Jump will be offering a week of free homeschool days in the fall. Make sure to follow their Facebook page so you won’t miss their announcement when they make a post regarding the Homeschool Days!
Crave Golf
Over 18,500 square feet of space awaits you at Crave Golf Club in Pigeon Forge. There are two courses with 19 candy-themed holes in each, both indoor and on the roof which are both fully handicap accessible. At each hole, use the spinner and add another layer of fun and excitement to your experience! Top Jump will be offering a week of free homeschool days in the fall. Make sure to follow their Facebook page for their announcement so you won’t miss their announcement when they make a post regarding the Homeschool Days!
Wilderness at the Smokies
www.wildernessatthesmokies.com
Homeschool Days
Rate of $79 in SHL and $99 for Studio Suites in RL. Upgraded pricing available.
Stay dates of October 20 thru November 7. Sunday thru Friday
Promo Code: HMSC19
Can be booked online or over the phone.
Sevier Air Trampoline and Ninja Warrior Park
The homeschooling rate is $12 per hour, $10 if you bring your Sevier Air jump socks.
The following attractions offer group rates.
Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo
Offers a discount for groups of 20 or more.
www.rfadventures.com
Photo Courtesy of the Island Pigeon Forge
The Island at Pigeon Forge
The island has experiences for kids of all ages! Visit their website for more information on group rates.
www.islandpigeonforge.com
Looking for free or low cost things to do?
The following locations offer a ton of fun for free or very low cost. If you know of an activity or attraction that is not listed below, please email me.
National Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Be A Junior Ranger
- Utilize the Not So Junior Ranger Program
- Visit the observation tower at Clingman’s Dome
- Check out Newfound Gap Road
- Drive the Roaring Fork Motor Trail
- Enjoy Hiking Trails
- Pack a Picnic
- Watch the Wildlife
- Visit Mountain Farm and Mingus
- Drive through Cades Cove
- Ride the Gatlinburg Trolley
Pigeon Forge
The Island at Pigeon Forge
Gatlinburg
- Check out the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community
- Walk through Downtown
- Check out the Sugarlands Visitor Center & Museum
- Visit the Gatlinburg Welcome Center
- Play at Herbert Holt Park
- Enjoy Mynatt Park
- Play at Mills Park
- Check out the Gatlinburg Farmer’s Market (Open Mid-May through Mid-October)
- Visit Cooter’s Museum (in the process of moving to Pigeon Forge)
- Go to the Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum
Sevierville
- Snap a Photo with the Dolly Statue at the Sevier County Court House
- Visit Smoky Mountain Knife Works and the Knife Museum
- Play at a Park
- Walk the Greenways
- Visit the Sevier County Heritage Museum
- Check out the Muscle Car Museum
- Visit the Tennessee Museum of Aviation
- Pay a visit to the Smoky Mountain Deer Farm Exotic Petting Zoo and Deer Farm Riding Stables
- Enjoy a Free Outdoor Movie at Sevier Commons During the Summer
- Go Swimming at the Family Aquatic Center
- Enjoy Bowling at the Sevierville Bowling Center
Townsend
- Visit the Little River Railroad Museum
- Go Swimming at the Townsend Wye
- Visit the Townsend Visitor’s Center
- Check Out the Gardens at the Lily Barn
- Learn More About the Appalachian Bear Rescue
- Check out the Wood Carvings at Captain Dave’s Little River Artistry
Wears Valley
Looking to take a day trip? Here are a few attractions within a 2 hour (or less) drive from the Great Smoky Mountains.
Jefferson County
BUSH’S® Visitor Center – Free
bushbeans.com
The BUSH’S® Visitor Center is located at 3901 US-411 in Dandridge, TN. You can trace the values and events that made BUSH’S BEST® what it is today. And it’s all housed in the original A.J. Bush & Company general store, founded in 1897. Open year-round, Monday through Saturday, and closed on Sundays and major holidays*. Hours vary depending on the season, so please call 865-509-3077 to find out the current schedule.
Monroe County
The Lost Sea Adventure – Homeschool Discount
www.thelostsea.com
Located just 7 Miles off I-75 at 140 Lost Sea Road in Sweetwater, TN. Every Monday, August through May, you may bring your home school students to the Lost Sea, regardless of the number in your group, and receive the educational rate. Just bring a homeschool ID, letter of intent or attendance record to the Lost Sea ticket desk to purchase your tickets at the special Home School Days rate. If you are bringing a group of 15 or more please call 423-337-6616 Pricing: Students (K-12th Grade) $10.00 Adult $18.95
McMinn County
Mayfield Dairy Farms
www.mayfielddairy.com
Visit the Athens, TN dairy to see for yourself how your favorite Mayfield products are made with a fun and educational behind-the-scenes tour! While you’re there, browse the Mayfield gift shop and purchase a generous scoop of your favorite ice cream at their old-fashioned ice cream parlor. It’s fun for the family or a perfect field trip for schools, church groups, or any other organization.
Knox County
Muse at the Mall
www.themuseknoxville.org
The Muse Knoxville is a non-profit children’s S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) museum with educational exhibits and play spaces.
Ijams Nature Center
www.ijams.org
Ijams Nature Center is a nonprofit, 315-acre educational nature center for all ages, abilities, and walks of life. Their mission is to encourage stewardship of the natural world by providing an urban greenspace for people to learn about and enjoy the outdoors through engaging experiences.
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