GROUP GETAWAY TO SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE
Announce that your group getaway will be held against the spectacular backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains and you can expect to hear cheers.
Whether it’s an executive retreat or your knitting club’s annual escape, a wedding or soccer team victory celebration, class or family reunion, trade show or banquet, when you’re looking for a place to bring people together, Sevierville, Tennessee, has everything you need: State-of-the-art meeting facilities, beautiful accommodations, hundreds of activities and entertainment options, attractive shops, mouth-watering restaurants, and lots of fresh mountain air.
No matter your group’s size, ages, and interests, Sevierville’s eclectic mix of activities and facilities offer something for everyone. Plan your next meeting, event, or convention in this charming community for a memorable experience packed with natural beauty and fun ways to engage.
Sevierville is ready to welcome groups to the Smoky Mountains whether you’ll arrive by bus or a caravan of vehicles. Located less than a day’s drive from over half of the U.S. population and within close proximity of four different regional airports, Sevierville is easy to reach.
To help spark ideas for planning your group trip, here are some venues that routinely prove popular with various types of groups.

Group Tours
Park a bus and explore the
Apple Barn Cider Mill & General Store,
one of Sevierville’s most charming attractions. This complex boasts multiple production
facilities for treats like apple cider, fried apple pies, apple butter, apple doughnuts,
candied and caramel apples, and more. There’s even an Apple Barn Winery that pours free wine
tastings. The general store stocks a wide range of apple- and Smoky Mountain-themed items.
The Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant,
Sevierville’s oldest restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and specializes in
hearty country favorites like fried chicken, chicken pot pie, and apple fritters with
apple butter.
There’s never a need to go hungry in Sevierville. Southern-style breakfast, lunch and supper is served with gracious hospitality on two floors at the spacious Five Oaks Farm Kitchen. Menu options include a Belgian waffle topped with warm cherries jubilee and real whipped cream, hickory-smoked pork ribs, pan-fried rainbow trout, among other hard-to-resist dishes. For “the best ribs in the Smokies” head to Tony Gore’s Smoky Mountain BBQ & Grill. This juicy meat is fall-off-the-bone tender and can be drizzled with any of five barbecue sauces. The restaurant plays a Southern Gospel soundtrack since restaurant owner Tony Gore is also a renowned singer and leader in that field, making it especially popular with church groups.


Travelers stretch their legs at Tanger Outlets Sevierville, Tennessee’s largest authentic outlet center, where nearly 100 brand-name stores offer designer clothing, shoes, accessories and more at discount prices of up to 70 percent off retail. A few miles away find the world’s largest knife showplace, Smoky Mountain Knife Works. The 108,000-square-foot showroom stocks an amazing selection of collectible and antique knives, hunting and camping knives, kitchen and tactical knives, swords, hatchets, axes, museum-quality cutlery, plus fantasy, movie and superhero blades. Also find an eclectic mix of kitchen gadgets on the lower level and a mind-boggling assortment of historic treasures in the Relic Room.
Sevierville is adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the U.S. Tackle an adventure or sit still. The Sugarlands Visitor Center offers a free 20-minute orientation film plus natural history exhibits. Hiking trails range from easy to challenging, from under a mile to many miles—all with gorgeous views. You can also drive the 11-mile one-way loop through Cades Cove, a valley surrounded by mountains that is one of the Smokies’ most popular destinations. It passes by the widest variety of historic buildings in the national park including three churches, a working grist mill, barns, log houses, and several other restored 18th- and 19th-century structures.


Get a group photo against the iconic backdrop of the bronze statue of Dolly Parton on the courthouse lawn in historic downtown Sevierville. The six-and-a-half-foot tall sculpture—a tribute to the superstar by her hometown community—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 more than 30 years ago, the statue has attracted millions of visitors from all over the world. While downtown enjoy a self-guided walking tour of 20 of the city’s most important historic sites, from when the city was settled in 1795 to today—grab free maps with details near the Dolly statue.
Stay and play at The Resort at Governor’s Crossing where accommodation options range from cozy studios to three-bedroom units that sleep up to 18. All units include kitchens, private baths, and amenities like Wi-Fi and 24-hour front desk service. The indoor water park is open year round and boasts five pools, two Jacuzzis (including a 20-person hot tub), sauna, lazy river, and high-speed water slides. A new outdoor area offers fire pits, a playground, hammock relaxation zone, and picnic grounds with grills.
Family Reunions
Families are welcome at all of the group-friendly spots mentioned above, and also gather at
Wilderness at the Smokies,
a full-service resort that boasts 713 rooms, suites, and villas, plus multiple adventures
and dining options. The resort’s Wild WaterDome is Tennessee’s largest indoor waterpark,
and admission is included in the resort room rate. That means access to a total of 17 waterslides,
nine pools, a lazy river, plus multiple water rides and attractions. An indoor adventure forest
offers additional challenges and art studios encourage quiet time. There’s truly fun for all.
If great views and sleeping under one roof is your family’s goal, book a stay in one of Sevierville’s large cabins. Hidden Mountain Resort offers space to sprawl with cabins, villas, and cottages that range from one to 14 bedrooms—it’s possible to house up to 40 folks under one roof. There’s even a motor coach resort on site. The log cabins at Oak Haven Resort & Spa range from one to seven bedrooms, each a unique custom design. Every cabin at this year-round resort includes a large private hot tub, fireplace with gas logs, private screened porch, large jetted bathtub, custom kitchen with full-size appliances, master bedroom with king-sized bed, plus rockers and a swing to comfortably enjoy the outdoors. A full-service spa is on site. Riverside RV Park and Resort offers 24 rustic cabins to house your family in addition to its 300 campsites. While on the property enjoy the river, outdoor pool, playground and arcade.


For an adventure the family can share, climb Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is 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. A seven-mile drive leads to a large parking area; from there, climb a steep half-mile trail to reach the observation tower that rises above the treetops.
For tips and more ideas, don’t miss our 8 Tips for Planning a Family Reunion in Sevierville.
Meetings
Need to spend some time in a conference or meeting room? Sevierville has you covered.
At Hidden Mountain Resort, The Lodge can accommodate up to 300 people while the Bluff View Conference Room is perfect for small groups and informal gatherings.
The Ridge Outdoor Resort offers camping and glamping with top amenities and boasts an auditorium that can seat up to 500 people that’s equipped with professional sound and lighting, videography, livestreaming and more. Three additional meeting rooms can accommodate groups of 200, 150, and 50. An outdoor balcony with mountain views can hold up to 150 people.
The Sevierville Convention Center offers a ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,100 people. Medium-size events can also be accommodated here since two exhibit halls can be configured to specific needs. Small meeting rooms are also on site.


Several championship events have been hosted at Sevierville Golf Club —recently named one of the Top 10 courses in the state and one of the Top 50 courses nationwide by Golf Advisor. Private groups can also hold events like reunions and weddings in the large, covered pavilions, so you can keep your event outside even in inclement weather unless you prefer the indoor meeting rooms. Mulligan’s Clubhouse is open to golfers and non-golfers alike, offering stunning views of the mountains, river, and golf course.
Student Groups
Groups of youngsters often seek fun ways to burn off energy. Kids of all ages
(including the young at heart) love
Wilderness at the Smokies,
the resort that’s also home to Tennessee’s largest indoor
waterpark. Chaperones can rest easier knowing that lifeguards are on duty. The
group-friendly resort makes it easy to play, stay, eat, and retreat all at one property.
Kids of all ages (including the young at heart) love Soaky Mountain Waterpark’s wide range of thrilling adventures including a massive 35,000 square foot wave pool, winding wave river, one-of-a-kind water coasters and high-intensity water slides. Sevier Air Trampoline & Ninja Warrior Park is another option to keep your group active with 60 trampolines, “Ninja Warrior” style obstacle course, interactive trampoline video games and more.


Other group-friendly attractions include SkyLand Ranch, a mountaintop experience featuring live entertainment, food and opportunities to learn about miniature animals and ranch life. The attraction also features the southeast’s longest mountain coaster – The Wild Stallion. Another must-see attraction – particularly for student groups - is Xperia: Ocean Journey which immerses guests in an educational, cinematic undersea experience. Continue the theme of learning about unique animals at Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo. Zookeepers focus on conservation and education while introducing visitors to creatures ranging from endangered golden headed lion tamarins to axolotls.
History takes center stage at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation where you’ll find an excellent collection of vintage warbird aircraft – including two rare airworthy P-47 Thunderbolts. Outside the museum, visitors sometimes catch impromptu warbird flights – an important part of keeping many of the planes airworthy.
Students crave Cicis Pizza and the Sevierville location offers a game room in addition to an unlimited buffet of a variety of pizza, pasta, salad, and dessert options.

Whatever your group needs, find it in Sevierville.
For more suggestions tailored to your group’s specific needs, contact
Tony Funderburg, director of sales and advertising, at 865-453-6411 or
tfunderburg@scoc.org.