Thanks everyone! I’m going to look into these!
I know for sure we will be hiking, ziplining, and white water rafting. Also want to eat at Dixie Stampede.
I love Dixie Stampede! I worked there one summer when I was in high school as a saloon girl. Top garter seller, 1990.
I think it is just Stampede now. They took out the "Dixie" to be more, um, sensitive.
It is really a fun place to eat. Great choice.
We love Dollywood. I grew up in the area and we've been so many times- even way back when it was Silver Dollar City.
The Dreammore is a beautiful resort. They have a neat pool. Small, but with a nice design and in a very pretty setting. They usually do S'Mores and campfires at night. Check into a season pass. Might be cheaper to buy that if you are going to be there four days. The water park is really nice, too. Very clean and nicely designed. The resort offers a free quick-queue pass for Dollywood (which is super nice), but I am pretty sure the free quick queue is not good for Splash Country.
The Ripley's Aquarium is really interesting, and if you happen to be a teacher, they offer great educator discounts- even for out of state teachers. You will need a recent pay stub and an ID, though, to get it.
Cade's Cove is beautiful.
We were in Gatlinburg a few weeks ago and did Anakeesta Mountain. They call it a "Theme Park," and it's not really a theme park, but it is a great experience (if you are brave and not afraid of heights- that ski lift is quite an adventure). They have a ski-lift type ride that takes you up the mountain and on top they have a cute, tiny little village with food and a couple of shops. Beautiful views. A trail of bridges and a mountain rollercoaster are there, too. They also have a zipline. Anakeesta Mountain is a very new attraction and feels very new and clean (not true for everything in Gatlinburg). They are continuing to add on to it and soon hope to have a road you can take a shuttle up if you don't want to ride the ski lift. Right now, the lift is the only way up.