Grandchildren’s Getaway

to Pigeon Forge and North Carolina Mountains

A great way to spend a little bit of summer with your favorite grandchild or grandchildren! Trips with your grandchildren are a great bonding experience filled with wonderful memories. And, there will be other children and adults on the tour to interact with.

1st Day: Upon arrival in Pigeon Forge we will check into our home for the next two nights and then go to Wonderworks. Billed as “An Amusement Park for the Mind,” WonderWorks is perhaps the most educational family attraction in Pigeon Forge, if not the most unusual. As soon as you see it, your imagination will start working overtime as you wonder why the three-story, 82-foot-tall building is turned upside down. Its exterior hints at the mysteries and the challenges that lie inside. Young and old alike will appreciate the hands-on activities, interactive exhibits and demonstrations. Included is an inversion tunnel, an anti-gravity chamber, a replica of the Mercury space capsule, a hurricane hole with 65-mph winds and a re-creation of the 1989 San Francisco earthquake that lets you experience the effects of a 5.3 magnitude earthquake. There are more than 150 interactive exhibits, including the Bubble Room, where you can wrap yourself inside a large bubble. There is a video game arcade and we’ve also included one game of Laser Tag. Dinner is included this evening, followed by -“The Wonders of Magic” starring Terry Evanswood! A magical variety show for all ages! Comedy, magic, music, grand scale illusions, impersonations, classic sleight of hand and Houdini style escapes topped off with a heartfelt message of hope, love and a reminder of the real “Wonders” of the magical world we share! (D)

2nd Day: Today we will go to Dollywood. Dollywood features acres of rides, hours of shows, mountains of crafts… tons of fun! Tonight, another treat. We’ll attend the Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction. A fun-filled, action-packed Dinner and Show extravaganza for everyone! It’s the perfect place for families and friends to gather for spectacular special effects and amazing stunts by the most talented performers in the area. It’s the only place that brings together stunning performers, amazing horse feats, fantastic stunt riders, magic and audience participation with a delicious four-course dinner extravaganza! (CB, D)

3rd Day: We’ll head over to Gatlinburg this morning and visit the Ripley’s® Aquarium of the Smokies. The Aquarium is literally teaming with life – our 10,000 exotic sea creatures comprise more than 350 individual species. There are more fish in this aquarium than there are people living in the entire town of Gatlinburg. Although Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is hundreds of miles from the ocean, the scenic beauty and the abundance of water all around make the town of Gatlinburg a “natural” location for a world-class aquarium, America’s most fun aquarium. After lunch, we will travel across the mountain into North Carolina. Our destination is Franklin, NC. Upon arrival we’ll check into our hotel for the night. We’ll then go to Fun Factory in the Smokies. The Fun Factory is Western North Carolina’s award-winning destination for family friendly entertainment. Come on in and find your fun playing games, mini golf, bowling, go-carts, laser tag, big screen TVs, party rooms, great restaurants and more. The Fun Factory is the only amusement destination in Western North Carolina that gives you permission to let your “funnest” self out to play. A pizza dinner is also included at the Fun Factory. (CB, D)

4th Day: Franklin is known as the “Gem Capital of the World”. This morning we will try to find a treasure as we mine for gems at one of the local mines. You can find Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet, Amethyst, Citrine, Moonstone, Topaz, Smoky Quartz, Rose Quartz, Quartz Crystals and more! All equipment is provided and they will help beginners. You dig your own dirt in the mining tunnel and wash the dirt away in the flume. After an enjoyable time of gem mining, we’ll have lunch in the area before we depart for home. Arriving back approximately 8:00 PM. (CB)

Special Notice: Balance due 30 days prior to departure. Cancellation within 30 days of departure will result in payment forfeiture.