Dollywood’s Wildwood Grove was designed specifically for families to enjoy together. When the project was announced, Dolly Parton explained, “This area is going to give families a place to explore, play and imagine together—but more importantly—it’s a place where they can spend more time together.”

Wildwood Grove boasts a host of thrilling experiences, including Dollywood’s newest roller coaster, Big Bear Mountain, which takes riders (39” minimum height requirement) on the hunt for “Big Bear” and includes onboard audio and music to provide a more immersive experience.

Other rides in Wildwood Grove include: The Dragonflier (39” minimum), a suspended roller coaster that mimics the flight of a dragonfly; Black Bear Trail (36” minimum), a mechanical bear trek; Great Tree Swing (36” minimum), which imitates leaves falling from a giant tree; Treetop Tower (36” minimum), where giant acorns soar 40 feet into the air; Mad Mockingbird (36” minimum), a spin around a tall tree; and Frogs and Fireflies (no minimum height), a hopping race around a lily pad.

There’s also a 4,000-square-foot indoor area, Hidden Hollow, with a climbing structure, slides, and a toddler area. In Wildwood Creek pop jets and splashing pools offer an inviting way to cool down. There’s also new live entertainment, new dining options, new open spaces, and new shaded areas, among other surprises. At the center of Wildwood Grove sits The Wildwood Tree, adorned with thousands of leaves and hundreds of butterflies that flutter during the day and glow in a kaleidoscope of color after dark.

After enjoying Dollywood’s Wildwood Grove in Pigeon Forge, come to Dolly Parton’s hometown of Sevierville right next door. Sevierville bursts with options for family-friendly fun that will delight even your youngest family member. Here are just a few ideas…

Learn about the depths of the ocean like never before at XPERIA: Ocean Journey, an interactive cinematic undersea experience located in Tanger Sevierville. Primarily a walk-through experience, this is perfect for families with children of all ages.

The fun at Tanger doesn’t stop there–after your deep-sea adventure, see pigs fly while making the putt at Ripley's Old MacDonald's Farm Mini-Golf . Play and laugh through three 18-hole courses (ranging from beginner to advanced play) with comical barnyard characters, water features, and interactive surprises at every turn. After conquering the greens, stop in the Barn Arcade and the Candy Factory to cool down and recharge.

Meet more than 600 creatures from cute to creepy at the Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo. These animals represent more than 130 species. Among the exotic birds, bugs, reptiles, mammals and amphibians are a northern blue-tongued skink, African crested porcupine, and golden headed lion tamarins—some of the smallest and rarest monkeys on earth! For a truly unique experience, consider reserving a sloth encounter to personally meet these furry friends.

Stay at The Resort at Governor’s Crossing and flutter with butterflies during their seasonal summer festival. Part of the resort’s Camp Firefly Program, venture through their butterfly aviary with over a thousand Painted Lady butterflies and watch the magic of metamorphosis unfold. There’s plenty more fun in Firefly Cove with educational staff, themed crafts, and beautiful blooms all summer long.

Ready for fun in the fast lane? NASCAR SpeedPark has eight go-kart tracks suitable for different ages. Tracks like the Family 500 and Young Champions welcome riders (minimum 40” height), while young racers can take solo spin on Baby Bristol (36” height minimum). Minigolf, amusement rides, mini bowling, and the arcade are also fun for the whole family.

Another rocking scene for family entertainment is The Pines Downtown . In the former Pines Theatre building, where famous talents like Roy Acuff, Archie Campbell, June Carter Cash, Chet Atkins, and even Sevierville’s own Dolly Parton previously performed, The Pines Downtown is home to tasty bites, gaming systems, Snookball, board games, and duck pin bowling. Make sure to commemorate your visit by taking pictures with The Pines Mural and the Dolly Mural while you’re there!

Jump, bounce and flip at Sevier Air Trampoline & Ninja Warrior Park. The area’s largest park of its kind boasts 60 trampolines, an obstacle course inspired by the popular “Ninja Warrior” TV show, plus a three-story net system specifically designed for youngsters age two to ten—the first of its kind. There are also two tumble tracks for gymnastics, a rope swing, and a jousting area above a foam pit, and more.

Plan mountains of fun for the whole family at SkyLand Ranch. Take a thrilling ride on the southeast’s longest mountain coaster (minimum height 38”) or reserve a ride on The Safari Hayride and hand feed llama, donkeys, alpaca, sika deer, and more. Then enjoy a peaceful chairlift ride to the mountaintop to meet miniature animals, catch exciting shows, and enjoy spectacular views. There’s also a great playground for children, as well as the all-new Buzzard’s Nest kids’ climbing tower and an optional gem mining activity.

Dig into things a little more at Dig N’ Zone , a new construction themed park in Sevierville where you can ride, drive, and operate real construction equipment. Especially fun for little ones, they can ride along on several attractions like Boogie Buggies, Diggy Bear Express, Gator Grand Prix, and L’il Loco seated by themselves (36” height minimum) while other rides allow little tikes to ride in a parent’s lap. Gem mining and arcade games.

Find adventure underground at Forbidden Caverns, which is home to the largest known wall of rare cave onyx in the nation. Guided tours pass spectacular formations, towering natural chimneys, grottos and a stream.

Climb the half-mile trail to Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the tallest point in Tennessee, the highest point along the Appalachian Trail, and the third-highest mountain east of the Mississippi River. The observation tower on the summit of Clingmans Dome offers spectacular 360-degree views of the Smokies and beyond; on clear days you can see up to 100 miles in any direction!

Soar up to 1,200-feet up in the sky with Scenic Helicopter Tours for an eagle’s eye view of the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding sights. On this unforgettable aerial tour you’ll see some breathtaking sights. Scenic Helicopter Tours has flown FAA- and National Park Service-approved flights over The Smokies since 1972. Daily tour options range from eight to 100 miles and are suitable for all ages.

Stay at Wilderness at the Smokies and you’ll get cozy accommodations plus access to Tennessee’s largest indoor waterpark as well as two seasonal outdoor waterparks—all exclusive to overnight guests (admission is included in room rates). With thrilling waterslides, an indoor watercoaster, pools, Kaleidoscope Kavern lazy river, and multiple water rides and attractions, guests of all ages and heights will find multiple ways to splash, slide and surf. Among the options is a 55-foot drop into a swirling funnel, the region’s only body-surfing simulator, and a vortex with a near-vertical trap-door release. An indoor adventure forest offers additional challenges with the option of staying dry.

Summertime in the Smokies isn’t complete without a trip to Soaky Mountain Waterpark . Water slides for every age, thrilling water coasters, raft rides with room for the whole family, wave and lounge pools, a sometimes-lazy river, and more ensure fun for every age. For youngsters, “The Hive” play zone boasts multiple water play features including a water bucket dump, twisting body slides, and swirling body bowl slide. “Boomer’s Bay” features small versions of the big kid rides including a mini-tornado, squirt-sized wall ride, and two twisting slides. Two-story cabanas, nearly a dozen on-park food and drink options, and shops to pick up sunscreen, towels, sunglasses, and other sunny day essentials will make your trip an easy-breezy all-day affair.

Before heading back home be sure to stop by the Sevier County Courthouse for the quintessential Sevierville experience: Snap a selfie with the bronze statue of Dolly Parton that sits on the courthouse lawn. A tribute to the superstar by her hometown community, the six-and-a-half-foot tall sculpture was crafted by nationally-known local artist Jim Gray and depicts Dolly fresh faced with a loose ponytail, sitting barefoot on a mountain boulder with her guitar. Since it was unveiled 30 years ago, the statue has attracted millions of visitors from all over the world.