What’s Happening
What's Happening in the Smokies?
Discover What's New and Exciting to Experience This Spring and Summer
Every new year brings about new and exciting options for you and your family to experience while visiting the smokies, and 2025 is welcoming some amazing new options! In this article, you will discover some new attractions to explore, new shows to experience and some improvements at existing businesses that will give your family even more to see and do while vacationing in the area.
First up is Rainforest Adventures Tropical Discovery Zoo, a longtime favorite attraction located in Sevierville just off of Collier Drive, across from Wal-Mart. This indoor and outdoor zoo offers a plethora of exotic animals in naturally recreated habitats, but did you know that you can now meet a sloth on your visit to the smokies? You can book this once in a lifetime behind the scenes sloth encounter, where a trained animal guide will take you behind-the scenes and let you get up close to feed the sloths their favorite treats. Discover amazing facts about sloth behavior, conservation, and the adaptations these creatures have for living life in the slow lane. Have your camera ready to capture some incredible photos during this unique animal experience. Book the Sloth Encounter online at www.rfadventures.com or call 865-428-4091 to learn more!
Known for world-class entertainment, Pigeon Forge is welcoming a new show and a local legend is opening his own theater in the area this year. First up is Terry Evanswood, a worldclass magician who has been performing in the smokies since 1996! Step into a world of wonder at the brand-new Evanswood Magic Theater, where an award-winning spectacle filled with grand illusions, mind-boggling sleight of hand, and daring escapes awaits. His intimate, state-of-the-art theater brings you up close to the magic like never before, allowing you to witness every impossible moment right before your eyes. This master illusionist presents a Las Vegas quality show that is perfect for families, couples and magic lovers of every age!
The next show that you won’t want to miss is the new Tribute To Reba Show, staring the amazing Patty Waszak. Incredible performances are highlighted with PG rated humor, audience engagement, and an amazing performance of Reba’s Grammy winning hits, as well as hits from other artists including Tina Turner, Karen Carpenter, Anne Murray, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Shania Twain and many more! Great music is paired with Reba’s comical personality to make for an uplifting experience. Patty has performed across the country, and now Pigeon Forge is blessed to have her here. If you love to laugh, love music, and enjoy an upbeat and lively show, come and sing along with the warm, fun personality of Patty at the Tribute to Reba Show, presented at the Red Skelton Tribute Theater in Pigeon Forge! For reservations call 865-428-8900.
Next up, step into a world of wonder at Gatlinburg’s newest and most unique attraction, Bodies Human. This extraordinary exhibition invites visitors on an unprecedented journey of discovery through the most amazing machine ever created – the human body. Unlike anything else in the smokies, Bodies Human features real human specimens preserved through an innovative process called plastination, allowing visitors to explore the intricate systems that power our everyday movements. From the delicate network of blood vessels that keep us alive to the powerful muscles that propel elite athletes, each gallery reveals new mysteries of human anatomy in stunning detail. A perfect blend of entertainment and education, you will be captivated by over a dozen full-body specimens and more than 100 individual anatomical displays, each telling its own fascinating story! Located on Airport Road near the Space Needle, the exhibit is open daily, offering an enlightening addition to Gatlinburg’s array of family attractions. For hours, tickets and additional info, visit their website at BodiesHuman.com
Rounding out “What’s Happening in the Smokies”, we would be remise if we did not mention the amazing rafting community that has brought adventure and joy to countless families in our area. Summertime is coming, and so is rafting season in the Smokies. In September 2024, hurricane Helene’s impact touched Hartford, TN. and impacted the rafting community in the smokies. In response, the community and the state of Tennessee have come together with not only the goal of recovery, but to beautify and elevate the area better than it was before. With many wonderful development projects underway in Hartford this Spring, local outfitters are geared up and ready to make a splash into their best summer yet! Official Rafting Season begins Memorial Day, and we are blessed to have some of the most amazing rafting companies in the world right here in East Tennessee. If you enjoy the outdoors and want to experience a safe, fun adventure, look into booking a white-water rafting trip with one of our area outfitters. River Rat Whitewater Rafting, Big Creek Expeditions, Smoky Mountain Outdoors, and Raft Outdoor Adventures have all been working non-stop to recover from the impact of hurricane Helene and to provide families in the smokies with an exciting adventure and memories that will last a lifetime.