Alcatraz East Crime Museum

Alcatraz East is an interactive museum that focuses on American crime history. Located on the parkway near The Island entertainment complex, Alcatraz East is sure to catch the interest of all members of the family. The museum is split into five zones: History of Crime, Crime Scene Investigation, The Consequence of Crime, Crime Fighting and Pop Culture. Inside of those zones, a total of 100 interactive exhibits and a collection of 500 artifacts keep guests educated, engaged and entertained. The museum boasts artifacts such as items recovered from Alcatraz, the actual white Bronco that was front and center in the O.J. Simpson murder drama, Al Capone’s rosary and John Dillinger’s 1933 Essex Terraplane. Open 365 days a year, this newly opened Pigeon Forge attraction is always available for your exploration — or should I say investigation? Located at 2757 Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Tickets start at $24.95 for adults and $14.95 for children ages 6 to 12. Visit www.alcatrazeast.com for more information.

Smith Creek Moonshine

At the Tanger Outlet Center, a new moonshine tasting bar has opened! Smith Creek features moonshine beverages in unique flavors such as coffee, apple pie, sweet tea and peach. The tasting bar also sells apparel, jams, sauces and dry seasoning rubs. Smith Creek Moonshine joins other local distilleries including Ole Smoky Moonshine, Old Forge Distillery and Sugarlands Moonshine in making this area of East Tennessee a moonshine vacation destination. Located at 1645 Parkway in Pigeon Forge. FREE! 21 and up, with valid ID required for tasting. Visit www.smithcreekmoonshine.com for more information.

Courtyard Marriott

Bringing its signature style of upscale lodging, Courtyard by Marriott is opening a new luxury hotel in the Smokies. With Wi-Fi, luxury bedding and mini-fridges standard in every room, this new resort will be the most comfortable and stylish place to rest after a long day of fun in the Smokies. Located at 120 Community Center Drive in Pigeon Forge. Rates starting at $149 a night, but may vary by season. For booking information, visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tyscp-courtyard-pigeon-forge

Mountain Mile Shopping Center

The Mountain Mile Shopping Center is currently under development in Pigeon Forge. Boasting 1 mile of store frontage and over 1 million square feet of retail space, when completed, it will be the premiere shopping destination in the Smokies. The project will also feature restaurants, live theatre options, lodging, a ski resort and so much more. The project site will feature a total redevelopment of the current shopping center along Teaster Lane that is approximately 153,000 square feet. An additional 71 acres of attractions will be added in one phase with a second phase adding an additional 70 acres of development. The total size and scope of the project will make it the second largest single-site entertainment complex in the Smokies, after Dollywood. Coincidentally, the back edge of the property will sit mere feet away from the Dollywood property line. The Cal Ripken Experience is already open during the initial pre-development phase. For more information, visit www.mountainmilepigeonforge.com

TopJump Trampoline Park

TopJump is Sevier county's first and only trampoline park. It features many different athletic-style activities for the young and young at heart to partake in. TopJump features a large jumping area complete with jump dodgeball, open jump, basketball, ninja course, gladiator pit, jump air bag and KidZone.

They also have square foam pits and a giant ball pit to jump into! TopJump also features a Clip’n Climb course, which looks like a rock climbing adventure on steroids. TopJump is proud to feature the Sugar Rush candy store as well as a coin arcade and options for group parties. Reservations are encouraged and a signed waiver is required for participation. Located at 3735 Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Ticket options start at $19 for one hour; other ticketing options are available. Visit www.topjump.com for more details.

Wyile Cider Barn at Foxfire Mountain

Recently opened with the designation of the only craft cidery in the entire state of Tennessee, Wyile’s prides itself on using the best ingredients to make its handcrafted cider blends. The apple cider blends use high quality fruit purees and the cidery includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic blends. Be sure to taste the bubbly and richly matured Irish O’Klee’s Dry Cider and mellow Keeva Sweet Cider. Located on Foxfire Mountain, 3757 Thomas Lane in Sevierville. For more information, visit www.foxfiremountain.com/cider-at-foxfire/

Dollywood Announces New Attractions


Drop Line is a new high-thrill attraction coming to Dollywood in 2017. A 200-foot free-fall adventure awaits park guests. At the top of the tower, riders will be able to capture beautiful views of the scenic amusement park before suddenly plummeting to the ground at speeds reaching 70 mph.

Whistle Punk Chaser is a new junior rollercoaster being added to the collection in 2017. It features many thrilling twists and turns that prepare its junior riders for the bigger coasters at Dollywood, such as the Thunderhead.

Tail Spin Racer is a multi-lane water attraction coming in 2017 to the adjacent Dollywood’s Splash Country waterpark. Six riders at a time will lay on slippery mat rafts and twist and turn, ultimately landing in a pool of water for the finale.

Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country Waterpark are open seasonally. Tickets start at $67 for adults and $54 for children age 4 to 11. For more ticketing options and information, visit www.dollywood.com

This is just a small sampling of seven new attractions coming to the Smoky Mountains in Eastern Tennessee this year. With these new additions, it rounds out an already well-stocked selection of entertainment options in the area. For me, there is no better vacation destination than the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg areas of Tennessee, and I am sure to hit all of these new attractions on my upcoming vacation over spring break! Enjoy!