There are many settings in East Tennessee for off-site gatherings that encourage positively grown-up soirees, and then there are those that are well-suited for groups made up of kids at heart.
At Chattanooga’s Tennessee Aquarium, events can be as fun-filled as planners wish, says Jenna Crye, the attraction’s sales representative.
“We offer rental enhancements, including interactive dive programs and animal encounters,” she says. “Looking for team-building activities? We can turn groups loose in the aquarium with some educational questionnaires so they can play Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?— aquarium edition.”
She adds that in conjunction with fun activities, the aquarium accommodates everything from large networking events to meetings for small groups.
“The River Gorge Explorer, the aquarium’s 70-passenger high-speed boat, has also been an attractive option for some planners looking to have a quick meeting followed by an enjoyable group experience,” Crye says.
Dollywood is practically synonymous with Pigeon Forge and offers entertainment options for groups of varying interests and excitement levels.
“If you are looking for high thrills we have coasters that excite, like Wild Eagle, America’s first wing coaster,” says Lynn Webb, Dollywood’s group sales director.
She adds that for lower-octane entertainment, Dollywood has award-winning performances, including The Great American Country Show, as well as various annual festivities, such as those celebrating the Christmas season.
When it’s time to get down to business, Dollywood has several audiovisual-equipped theater venues for groups of up to 1,600 guests. There are also indoor and outdoor picnic pavilions.
In Sevierville, there is Foxfire Mountain, a draw for active groups of up to 50 people.
Before settling into a screened-in picnic area for an on-site catered meal kids would approve, featuring pulled pork, hot dogs and homemade ice cream, attendees can wander the grounds in search of some excitement.
They’ll find zip-line canopy tours, ATV tours and a 425-foot swinging bridge that the faint of heart may find difficult to venture across.
