27+ Special Things to Do in Sevierville, TN: Hometown of Dolly Parton

Posted on |

Things to do in Sevierville, TN

Looking for things to do in Sevierville, TN?

Getting to explore Dolly Parton’s hometown of Sevierville, TN is quite the experience and something we cannot recommend highly enough. There is so much to see and do with your family in Sevierville, TN and we’ve got all the details for you right here. 

This article includes:
Historic Downtown Sevierville
Where to Eat in Sevierville, TN
Where to Play: Sevierville TN things to do
Where to Stay in Sevierville, TN

For an endless amount of family fun, Sevierville, Tennessee, is the place to go. Even though it is located right next to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, and many of the cool attractions you already know about are in Sevierville, we found that some really cool aspects of the area are more or less unknown – and we cannot wait to tell you about them. 

We’ll cover everything from Sevierville attractions to Historic Downtown Sevierville, plus places to eat, places to play, and places to stay. And of course, you’ll learn all about the town’s most famous resident, country music star Dolly Parton. Her influence is everywhere and we absolutely love it.

Iron Forge Brewing Co.

Historic Downtown Sevierville 

Historic downtown Sevierville is a cute place to walk around and check out the shops, restaurants, and a gorgeous butterfly mural. In recent years, historic downtown Sevierville has been given a makeover with larger sidewalks, landscaping, new roofs, and new entertainment and restaurants. It still holds an early 1900s feel, which I really loved, but you can easily see that it’s on the way up. 

Having walked in downtown Gatlinburg many times, downtown Sevierville is so quiet and calm. New shops and restaurants are opening up and I think that any family looking to escape the crowds will love strolling around on Bruce Street and Court Avenue. 

Here are a few things that we really liked about historic downtown Sevierville: 

Dolly Parton Statue

There is a bronze statue of a young Dolly Parton holding her guitar right in front of the gold-domed Sevier County Courthouse. Dolly grew up in Sevier County and the statue, created in 1987, honors the star in her hometown. This is just a cool photo op so that’s exactly what my kids and I did. 

125 Court Ave, Sevierville, TN  

Dolly Parton statue

Sevier County Courthouse

Right behind the Dolly Parton statue is the Sevier County Courthouse. You cannot miss this building. It was built in 1896 and was the first courthouse in Tennessee to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

If you ever see the Sevierville skyline, which you can definitely see from various roads that lead into downtown Sevierville, you cannot miss the gold domes. 

125 Court Ave, Sevierville, TN  

Wings of Wander Mural

I love a good wall mural and the mural by Sevierville artist Pinkie Mistry at the little park in the heart of downtown Sevierville was just beautiful. It’s a huge monarch butterfly, a tribute to Dolly Parton’s song “Love is Like a Butterfly,” and is painted on the wall behind a large butterfly garden filled with Black-Eyed Susans, lilies, and milkweed. My daughters and I had a lot of fun taking photos in front of the mural!

There are other murals around historic downtown Sevierville as well, including one on the wall of The Pines Downtown.

Where to Eat in Sevierville, TN

We had so many excellent meals in Sevierville that it was hard to choose our favorite. I was so impressed with the quality, quantity, and creativity behind the dishes we had. 

Buffalo Breakfast Company

I usually have no problems figuring out what to order off any menu. Buffalo Breakfast Company stumped me because everything – literally everything on that menu – looked amazing. I ended up getting a Ham Benny, their version of Eggs Benedict, which did not disappoint. My daughters got stuffed French toast and pancakes. I fought the urge to sneak bit and pieces of their breakfasts when they weren’t looking. You can’t go wrong ordering anything off this menu.

127 Bruce St, Sevierville, TN 

Pinchy’s Lobster & Rawbar

Pinchy’s was one of my favorite places that we ate at in Sevierville. Our server was excellent and the food was outstanding. It’s generally a seafood place but they do have food for kids (or adults) who don’t like seafood. My daughters got a fried chicken sandwich and mac & cheese. Both were huge hits.

I got the fish & chips and that fish was cooked perfectly and the fries were awesome. The pub nachos with blackened shrimp was also a huge win. They also have some picnic tables and lawn games, which are great for kids. Overall, 10/10!

212 Court Avenue, Sevierville

Fish and chips
Fish and Chips at Pinchy’s

Iron Forge Brewing Co.

Set back off the main road in Sevierville behind the Apple Barn lies Iron Forge Brewing Co, a brand new brewery and restaurant. The place is just beautiful with indoor and outdoor seating and a menu that is small but mighty.

The owners told me they thoughtfully picked their menu to give guests the very best of what they could offer for appetizers, entrees, salads, and desserts. I thought the menu was just the right size and wish my stomach was bigger because I could have ordered so many things off of it! 

We ended up getting fried cheese curds to start, a strawberry salad, and three different smash burgers. Everything was amazing. I would a hundred percent go back for those cheese curds though plus order a hanging Bavarian pretzel with beer cheese because I have a weakness for soft pretzels. 

All the beers at Iron Forge are brewed right on site. I tried a few and loved the lighter Bee Bait, a honey wheat ale. The brewery is both family-friendly and dog-friendly with a kids menu and outdoor games like cornhole and ax throwing (don’t worry, the axes are plastic). They also have Singo nights, which is bingo but with songs! 

371 Lonesome Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN

Beer flight at Iron Forge Brewing Co.

Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin

A true Southern pancake house, Flapjack’s has everything you could ever want for a hearty breakfast: pancakes, French toast, omelets, egg platters, chicken & waffles, skillets, and more. The pancakes we got were super fluffy and delicious. Service was excellent, friendly, and fast.

My youngest daughter loved the Jr. Bear pancakes, which are pancakes arranged and decorated to look like a bear. My favorite was my husband’s order of Banana Nut Pancakes and the candied bacon.

If Annie, the General Manager, is there, be sure to thank her if you like your meal. She is the sweetest person and strives so hard to make Flapjacks a place you want to come back to again and again. 

They are open for breakfast and an early lunch so be sure to go in the mornings! And while Flapjack’s is a local eatery, they have several locations in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and even one in Myrtle Beach, SC. 

Buc-ee’s

The iconic gas station convenience store is now open in Sevierville and it’s massive. With 74,000 square feet of retail space, you won’t find any shortage of culinary options here.

They have amazing brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, bakery items, salads, a wall of beef jerky, coffee, banana pudding, key lime pudding, and tons more. I’m not going to tell you how many times we went to Buc-ee’s on our trip to Sevierville but it was more than a couple of times!

Buc-ee’s Blvd, Sevierville, TN 

Buc-ee's brisket maker
Chopping up brisket

Apple Barn & Cider Mill 

Built in 1910, the Apple Barn & Cider Mill is one of Sevierville’s oldest establishments. There are even several apple trees around the property (you cannot do u-pick so don’t try). They have a huge barn full of homemade apple products, mixes, and home goods. They make their own apple cider, which you can buy by the gallon. They make their own cider donuts, hard cider, candy, and one of our favorites: ice cream. 

The Ice Cream Factory at the Apple Barn opened in 1991 and is an old-fashioned creamery. It is a must-do when you visit Sevierville. We had such a hard time choosing what flavors to have.

I eventually went with Key Lime Pie and both my kids had a Rocky Road-type flavor. All the ice cream and baked goods are made right there so you’re getting everything as fresh as possible. 

There is a restaurant as well there but we did not get a chance to try it. For those who love Christmas, visit the Christmas and Candle Shop. 

230 Apple Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN

Cruze Farm Dairy

For amazing, fresh ice cream, you need to go to Cruze Farms. It’s right next to Skyland Ranch and is oh-so-good. They have soft serve and change up their flavors so you never know what deliciousness will be waiting for you. Plus, the shop is like an old school soda shop, which is adorable, and has rocking chairs out front, which is always a win for me.

1642 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 

ice cream churn
A churn from Cruze Farm Dairy

Red’s Soda Fountain

Speaking of soda shops, Red’s Soda Shop is a legit old school soda shop with stools at a bar, red leather booths, and a juke box. They serve us fresh deli sandwiches, hot dogs, milkshakes, and floats. I haven’t had a true ice cream float in years and the one we had there made up for lost time. Get a float from Red’s.

114 Court Avenue, Sevierville, TN

Where to Play: Things to Do in Sevierville, TN 

Within a ten-minute drive, you can find all kinds of fun places to play in Sevierville. Here are the ones we’ve tried!

The Pines Downtown

For a piece of Dolly Parton history, hand-tossed pizza, and fun games for the whole family, you must try the Pines in Historic Downtown Sevierville. This laid-back establishment was the very first place that Dolly sang when she was only 10-years-old on the Cas Walker Show. 

Today, you can play all kinds of board games, soccer pool, arcade games, duckpin bowling, and tabletop games at the Pines. It really fosters an atmosphere of having fun with your family and loved ones. 

They serve sandwiches, appetizers, cheesesteaks, hand-tossed pizza, and cinnamon bread plus have a full bar. Everyone is really nice here and we ended up going twice during our trip because it was so fun!

 230 Court Ave, Sevierville, TN

Playing soccer pool at The Pines

RainForest Adventures Discovery Zoo

RainForest Adventures Discovery Zoo focuses on education about animals in the rainforest. They are a family-owned operation and have been in business since the early 2000s. The zoo is beautifully structured with a huge gift shop that you’ll see when you first walk in. Once you get your tickets, you’ll head for the exhibits. 

There are all kinds of interesting animals – many of which I had never even seen or heard of – that we got to learn about and see. Lemurs, lizards, macaws, toucans, monkeys, porcupines, and snakes all greet visitors and placards urge guests to read about each one and learn something cool about them. For example, I had no idea that venom from snakes has been used in cancer treatments. They also have a few axolotls, a really unique salamander that lives in only one lake in the entire world. They are crazy cool because they can regrow limbs and some internal organs.

The Zoo also has a petting area for sheep and goats. You can feed them for a small cost. My kids loved getting to feed the cute and feisty goats. Plus, there were baby goats so that made me happy.

One of the coolest things they offer is a Sloth Encounter. They let guests who choose this adventure get up close and personal with one of their sloths. You’ll get to feed them and pet them and learn all kinds of cool stuff about them. We loved meeting their sloth, Lucia, and feeding her! Tickets are $40/person and you have to reserve in advance as this is a popular option.

109 Nascar Dr, Sevierville, TN

feeding a sloth
Sloth Encounter

SkyLand Ranch 

Skyland Ranch occupies 100 acres on top of a mountain in Sevierville. They are a fairly new attraction and have some pretty neat things going on. For example, they’ve got the longest mountain coaster in the Southeast at more than a mile in length. We tried it out and had so much fun running those rails. New in 2025 is the WagonWheeler, a huge swing with amazing views of the mountains. They have also added an awesome Safari Ride where guests are able to feed longhorn cattle, deer, goats, and Highland cows.

They have a relaxing chair lift up to the top of the mountain (or a shuttle if you’re scared of the lift), miniature horses, goats, and a lot of great entertainment. 

When we were there, we got to see a very talented cowboy show off his gun-twirling, whip-snapping, and rope-swinging skills. We also got a taste of an awesome band who played some fantastic country music songs and we danced along to line dances in the evening. Your admission to Skyland Ranch is good for a whopping three days!


SkyLand Ranch overlook

Read our full review on SkyLand Ranch for all the details.

1620 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 

WagonWheeler
WagonWheeler

XPERIA: Smoky Mountains

XPERIA is an AI-generated attraction that takes you under the ocean to experience the magic of a squid fight, dolphin rescue, and sea lion training. It’s a great option for a rainy day! The whole exhibit takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

1645 Parkway #780, Sevierville, TN

Dig ‘N Zone Theme Park

Dig ‘N Zone Theme Park is an entirely hands-on theme park where guests don’t ride the rides – they operate the rides. Dig ‘N Zone allows guests of all ages to actually operate construction equipment. It’s a lot of fun if you have kids who are totally obsessed with construction or want to try a theme park that is unlike any other you’ve ever been to.

Read our full Dig ‘N Zone review for all the details.

dig n zone theme park

1707 Veterans Blvd, Sevierville, TN

Smoky Mountain Deer Farm

I got assaulted by deer here when I fed them and I’m not even mad about it. It was actually really fun! The Smoky Mountain Deer Farm has several exotic animals plus ones we are totally obsessed with (*ahem, baby goats*) and you can feed pretty much all of them. They have zebras, elk, camels, alpacas, goats, and deer. They also offer horseback riding through shaded trails. We were there for a little over an hour and had a blast. The facility is really clean and the animals all looked well cared for and looked after. They are open daily 10 am – 5:30 pm.

478 Happy Hollow Ln, Sevierville, TN

feeding deer
Getting assaulted by cute deer

Sevier Air 

With trampolines, a Ninja Warrior course, and a huge laser tag room, the 38,000-square-foot Sevier Air is the perfect place to spend time indoors on a hot, cold, or rainy day. Weather always changes fast in the mountains and this place is perfect for the entire family to burn out energy. 

266 Collier Dr, Sevierville, TN

Soaky Mountain Waterpark

The 50-acre park has some serious waterslides and play areas. We visited and had a blast.

175 Gists Creek Road, Sevierville, TN

Soaky Mountain waterpark

Find out all about Soaky Mountain Waterpark.

Where to Stay 

The Ridge Outdoor Resort 

We stayed at The Ridge Outdoor Resort, a beautiful resort in the heart of Sevierville that has RV slips, glamping tents, and tiny homes. Our lodging was a two-bedroom, one-bathroom glamping tent with a living space, kitchen, and huge porch. It was fantastic! I couldn’t believe how much space there was inside this tent and how comfortable it was. All their tents have both AC and heat. 

The resort also has two zero-entry pools, a lazy river, a catch & release pond, a deli and laundry facility on-site, two fenced in dog parks, a playground, a game room, and one of the pools has a hot tub. The place is also ideally located in Sevierville.

It’s not right in the middle of all the action so it’s very peaceful and tranquil but you won’t need to drive further than 10-15 minutes to get anywhere you want to go.

We really loved our stay here and you can read our full review of The Ridge Outdoor Resort to plan your own trip.

1250 Middle Creek Rd, Sevierville, TN

Glamping tent at the Ridge Outdoor Resort
Some of the glamping tents at the Ridge Outdoor Resort

Wilderness at the Smokies

This family-friendly hotel has three waterparks on-site, including Tennessee’s largest indoor waterpark. You won’t even need to leave the resort for entertainment and dining once you get there. Rooms are spacious and some suites offer bunk beds for kids. And it’s directly across the street from Soaky Mountain Waterpark.

Read our Wilderness at the Smokies Review.

1424 Old Knoxville Hwy, Sevierville, TN

Indoor waterpark at Wilderness at the Smokies
Wilderness at the Smokies indoor waterpark

Smoky Hollow Outdoor Resort

Stay in a covered wagon or tipi at this resort in Sevierville, TN for the ultimate pioneer adventure. The resort is close to Soaky Mountain and minutes from Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the Smokies.

Read our Smoky Hollow Outdoor Resort.

660 Gists Creek Road, Sevierville, TN

Smoky Hollow Wagon
Conestoga wagons at Smoky Hollow Outdoor Resort

Making Memories in Sevierville 

Ready to go to Sevierville, TN? We only scratched the surface of all the things to do there in East Tennessee, not even mentioning the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the treasure it truly is. This area is absolutely one of our very favorites to visit and we just fall in love with it again and again every time we go – we think you will, too. 

Here are a couple of other attractions and things to do you might want to consider on your trip:

Visit Sevierville is an excellent resource for more things to do in the area and places to stay. Before and during my stay, I referenced their website and visitors’ guide multiple times. They also have discounts on their site for different attractions so it’s certainly worth a visit.

Kristina Hernandez
About the Author
Kristina Hernandez is a mom of two girls, freelance writer and photographer. Originally from New Jersey, she is in love with the Upstate and could not imagine raising her kids anywhere else. She enjoys hiking to waterfalls, kayaking, camping, cooking, and exploring all that Greenville has to offer. And she really loves baby goats. Follow her on Instagram at @scadventurer.

Sign up for our email newsletter.

Comments are closed.