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Smokies Reopening Update 5/14/2020, join Chuck Schmidt, travel host for a journey through Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as surrounding communities in the aftermath of the COVID virus. Learn about the current status of attractions, hiking trails, dining, shopping and road closures. Plus, up to date information regarding the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
In the last post I concentrated on the National Park information, which as of today is largely unchanged. This post I will focus on the surrounding cities attractions and their Smokies reopening update as of 5/14/2020 is shaping up.
The following businesses have reopened since last week. Please note that they may have limited services and hours in addition to specific amenities and features remaining closed.
• Appalachian Ghostwalks
• Blake Jones Racing Center Indoor Go-Karts
• Cades Cove Riding Stables
• CLIMB Works
• Double Decker Bus Tours
• Fannie Farkle’s Arcade
• Fat Daddy’s Arcade
• Hillbilly Golf
• MagiQuest Pigeon Forge
• Outdoor Gravity Park
• Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Adventure Park
• Pigeon Forge Axe House
• Rafting in the Smokies
• Ripley’s Old MacDonald’s Farm Mini-Golf
• Rocky Top Mountain Coaster
• Rocky Top Tours
• Rowdy Bear Ridge Pigeon Forge
• Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster
• Smoky Mountain Knife Works
• Smoky Mountain Observation Wheel & Kid Rides at The Island
• Smoky Mountain Outdoors (SMO) Rafting
• Smoky Mountain River Rat Whitewater Rafting
• Tanger Outlets
• Tennessee Mountain Tours
• The Tomb
• The Track
• TopJump Trampoline & Extreme Arena
The following businesses have shared an official opening date with the public. These are still subject to change. Please contact the businesses directly for the most up to date information.
• Arcadia • May 14
• Gatlinburg Space Needle • May 14
• Pigeon Forge Snow • May 14
• Rowdy Bear Mountain Gatlinburg • May 14
• Sevier Air Trampoline & Ninja Warrior Park • May 14
• The Captured • May 14
• Alcatraz East Crime Museum • May 15
• Nantahala Outdoor Center Gatlinburg Retail Shop • May 15
• Outdoor Adventures • May 15
• Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show • May 15
• Smoky Mountain Angler • May 15
• Smoky Mountain River Rat Tubing • May 15
• Smoky Mountain Spinnery • May 15
• Stiffy’s Ax Throwing • May 15
• The Coaster At Goats On The Roof • May 15
• The Spice and Tea of Gatlinburg • May 15
• Rip Roaring Adventures • May 16
• Zoo Knoxville • May 18 (target date)
• Love Life Live Life • May 19
• Pink Jeep Tours • May 20
• Anakeesta • May 21
• Cookie Dough Bliss • May 22
• Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park • May 22
• Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show • May 23
• Under Canvas • May 28
• Nantahala Outdoor Center Pigeon Rafting • May 29
• Biblical Times Dinner Theater • May 30
• Red Skelton Tribute Theater • May 30
• Titanic Museum • June 1
• Unforgettable View Massage • June 1
• Grand Majestic Dinner Theater • June 2
• Wilderness At The Smokies • June 4
• Buttonwillow Civil War Theater • June 5
• Country Tonite Theatre • June 5
• Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre • June 5
Many business in the area have closed temporarily to stop the spread of COVID-19. The following businesses closed throughout March and April and have not yet updated with a reopening date.
A Long Story Short Company
Beyond The Lens
Bush’s Visitors Center
Comedy Barn
Cooters
Davy Crockett Mini Golf Course
Dolly Parton’s Stampede
Dollywood
Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
Governor’s Crossing Stadium 14 Theater
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud
Lil’ Bit of Gatlinburg
Lock Stock & Blade
Mysterious Mansion of Gatlinburg
NASCAR SpeedPark
Ober Gatlinburg
Pigeon Forge Community Center
Pigeon Forge Trolley
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
Rainforest Adventures
Ripley’s 5D Moving Theater
Ripley’s Aquarium of The Smokies
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not
Ripley’s Guinness World Records Adventure
Ripley’s Haunted Adventure
Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze
Ripley’s Super Fun Zone
Sevier County Library branches
Smoky Mountain Escape Games
Smoky Mountain Opry
Smoky Mountain Popcorn Company
Smoky Mountain Winery
Smoky Mountain Ziplines
Tennessee Smokies Front Office & Goteez Locker Room
The Ripken Experience
Trillium Cove Visitor & Education Center
Wonderworks
There you have it, this completes my Smokies Reopening Update for 5/14/2020.
For information regarding businesses in the Smoky Mountains Area Reopening please visit: https://www.pigeonforge.com/coronavirus-updates
I’m going to be doing podcast updates every Thursday from this point on. I apologize if I got some things wrong here on this current podcast but there is a lot of information to sift through and not every business is updating their websites or Facebook pages.
Are you planning a visit to the Smokies and are wondering how to fit it all in? Check out our sample itineraries: https://dancingbearfoot.blog/2018/08/30/smoky-mountains-vacation-itinerary-day-1/
If this is your fist time coming to the Smokies and renting a cabin check out out blog post in what to look for when renting a log cabin.
Thank you for reading. If you’d like to learn more about our cabin or other great things to see while visiting the Smoky Mountains please visit us at Dancing Bearfoot.com.
Like our Pizza Bear? Check out the other great artwork from Kenton Visser https://www.kentonvisser.com/
