Top New Amusements to Do in the Smoky Mountains
Every year, new attractions and exciting things to do arrive in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg! Well, 2023 is no different! The next time you and your family take a trip to the Smoky Mountains make sure you check out some of these new attractions, and come stay with us at Willow Brook Lodge! Willow Brook Lodge is located close to all these new, fun attractions.
Here are 5 new things to do in the Smoky Mountains in 2023:
1. Dollywood’s Big Bear Mountain
Another one of the top new things to do in the Smoky Mountains will be riding Dollywood’s Big Bear Mountain coaster. This coaster will be the largest and longest coaster to date in Dollywood. During the ride, enjoy on-board audio as you twist and turn through the park! There is even a waterfall you’ll fly through along the way! This $500 million investment is sure to impress.
2. The Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay
Expected to open summer of 2023, The Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay will be another one of the top things to do in the Smoky Mountains. This themed immersive mini golf adventure was created by the same people who brought Crave and Toy Box to the Smokies. The attraction will have an 18 hole indoor course and an 18 hole rooftop course. Enjoy playing with your family and friends at this pirate and ocean themed mini golf attraction!
3. Anakeesta’s European vacation
Anakeesta will open the first part of a European-themed village in the spring as part of a $34 million expansion plan by the park.
Two attractions will come along with the village, the first being BirdVenture, a play zone for kids of all ages. The area will have three giant birdhouses, a dozen adventure zones and seven 50-foot slides.
A double-rail roller coaster, the Hellbender, will be the second attraction. Named after the Hellbender salamander, a species native to the Smoky Mountains, the ride will include “experiential tunnels, with twists and turns through the forest giving guests an exciting downhill adventure.”
The expansion will add interactive waterfalls, walking trails, cave systems and Mimi’s Bakery, a French-inspired bakery.
4. Dig’n Zone
Lace up those dusty work boots and throw on a hard hat for this one! No, really! Dig’n Zone is a construction theme park coming to Sevierville that will allow both adults and children to drive, ride and operate real construction equipment! Scheduled to open in the spring, this theme park will feature more than 25 attractions that allow guests to both play and feel like real-life construction workers.
5. Xperia: Ocean Journey
Xperia: Ocean Journey brings the wonders of the ocean to life in a revolutionary new way! Vibrant visual effects and cutting-edge technology take visitors on a journey to the depths of the ocean full of marine creatures, like a life-sized humpback whale in 3D, giant battling humboldt squids, a thresher shark, dancing sea lions and more! Did we mention that the visual effects are created by the Oscar-winning VFX artists behind Game of Thrones, Wonder Woman and Westworld?! Xperia: Ocean Journey plans to open in the Smoky Mountains in late spring.
So what are you waiting for? Book at Willow Brook Lodge today and come explore these new attractions in the Smoky Mountains! Now you have the inside scoop on what attractions are coming to the Smoky Mountains in 2023! Keep these attractions in mind when you plan your future vacation to the Smoky Mountains.
