Location: Austin, Texas Years Active: 1990 – Active Love animals and a touch of quirky? The Austin Zoo delivers! This rescue zoo isn’t your standard animal park. It’s a little rough around the edges, a true haven for critters with a past. It opened way back in 1990 and covers 20 acres of gorgeous Texas…
Location: Fort Worth, Texas Years Active: 1909 – Active The Fort Worth Zoo is where the wild stuff happens! It’s been around since 1909, but don’t think it’s some old-fashioned animal park. This place is all about saving species and teaching us how to be better Earth buddies. Imagine strolling past lions one minute, then…
Location: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Years Active: 2013 – Active The Island in Pigeon Forge isn’t about subtlety. It’s a full-on assault of lights, music, and the sweet smell of funnel cake. Think beach town kitsch transported to the mountains, cranked up to maximum volume. You won’t find quiet contemplation here. You’ve got your giant Ferris…
Location: Memphis, Tennessee Years Active: 1906 – Active Those glossy zoo pamphlets lie. The Memphis Zoo is raw, real, and totally unforgettable. This place opened in 1906 and hasn’t slowed down since. We’re talking a mind-blowing 3,500+ animals representing practically every corner of the world. Pandas? Hippos? All the big names, and then some. Teton…
Perched above downtown Gatlinburg, Ober Gatlinburg winds around a steep mountainside where ski slopes meet alpine coasters and wildlife trails. Its layout can twist first-timers in circles—especially around the tram terminal and upper plaza. An Ober Gatlinburg map keeps you oriented between lifts, dining chalets, and trailheads, making sense of elevation changes and shortcut paths….
Location: Choctaw, Tennessee Years Active: 2005 – Active Geyser Falls Water Park in Choctaw, Tennessee – it’s been around almost 20 years, and locals have mixed feelings. Sure, it’s a classic way to beat the heat. Rides like Geyser Flats will get your heart pounding. The Crystal Springs Wave Pool is chill if you’re into…
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Years Active: 1948 – Active Zoo Knoxville is a 53-acre zoological park located in Knoxville, Tennessee, home to over 800 animals representing 200 species and known for its world-renowned red panda conservation program. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and welcomes over 585,000 visitors annually, featuring notable…
Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee Years Active: 2000 – Active Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies: where the sharks are impressive and the prices are outrageous. It’s the perfect place to experience the thrill of massive crowds and the joy of overpaying for a mediocre hot dog. Okay, okay, they have a cool shark tunnel. And the penguins…
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee Years Active: 1937 – Active The Chattanooga Zoo isn’t your average animal park. It’s a Tennessee gem, around for ages, where South America’s wildlife takes center stage. Imagine mischievous monkeys, stunning jaguars, even those adorable red pandas! But here’s the inside scoop: the zoo’s always got something going on. Parties, festivals –…
Location: Horse Cave, Tennessee Years Active: 1905 – Active Adventure Park at Five Oaks has been around since 1905 – yeah, it’s got history. Find it in Sevierville, Tennessee, right in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. Want to fly through the trees? They’ve got ziplines. Prefer a slower pace? Check out a horseback ride…
