Entertainment, adventure, and education 

By Amanda Marr

Millions of Smoky Mountain Winterfest lights will brighten Sevierville from November 5 through February 28. While the festive roadside light displays certainly provide extra holiday sparkle, winter has always been a great season for “bright” travel in Sevierville. Educational attractions abound with plenty of opportunities for interactive learning.Dive head-first into the holidays – and great music – with a trip to Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Stadium. Introduce the family to classical music like “The Nutcracker Suite” by Tchaikovsky while driving through this mile and a half long synchronized light and music extravaganza. After the light show, park the car and check out Santa’s Village where you can pose for a photo with Santa, spend some time at the petting zoo and ride the Santa train. Open November 9 – January 6. Admission is $20 per family car or van (rates vary for large vehicles such as church and tour buses – see site for complete information). ShadrackChristmas.com.

Kids (and parents) who love animals love Rainforest Adventures. This discovery zoo is focused on conservation and education and, with hundreds of animals representing 140 different species, is recognized as one of the finest small zoos in the country.  Daily Rainforest Animal Shows provide a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about a variety of animals and meet some of the zoo’s stars, including George the African Porcupine! Open daily from 9am – 5pm (except Christmas Day). Admission is $11.99 for adults (13-54), $9.99 (55+), $6.99 (3-12), children 2 and under are free. .

Spend some family time splashing around this winter at Wilderness at the Smokies, Sevierville’s indoor water park resort.  The resort’s Wild Water Dome is a 66,000 square foot indoor waterpark where it always feels like summer. Schedule a surfing lesson and learn to “hang ten” on The Smokies Surf Rider, get everyone together on the Runaway Canyon raft ride and take on the 3-story ropes course challenge inside Wilderness Adventure Forest. WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.For more information about winter travel to Sevierville, Tennessee, please go to VisitSevierville.com or call 1-888-SEVIERVILLE (738-4378).

Amanda Marr is marketing and communications director for the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce. For more information about events, educational travel and family fun in Sevierville, please go to www.VisitSevierville.com.Related posts:Education as entertainment?Eerie entertainment and easy exercise