The start of a new year brings new excitement for what’s in store in the Smokies! In 2021, we witnessed the opening of new shops, attractions, restaurants and more, and 2022 will be no different. Visitors have plenty of reasons to get excited about planning a vacation to the area in the new year! Here are the top 4 new things to do in the Smoky Mountains in 2022:
1. Guy Fieri’s Downtown Flavortown
Guy Fieri is bringing a brand new entertainment complex to Pigeon Forge! Downtown Flavortown will have guests expecting the unexpected. This 43,000 sq. ft. attraction will include a 300+ seat restaurant that features Guy Fieri’s famous culinary combinations, a 14-lane Duck Pin bowling alley, over 10,000 square feet of arcade games, a full-service tropical tiki bar and so much more. Downtown Flavortown is located at the Mountain Mile in Pigeon Forge and is expected to open in early 2022. This is sure to be one of the top, must-do attractions in Pigeon Forge when it opens!
2. SkyLand Ranch
A brand new, one-of-a-kind attraction is coming to Sevierville in spring of 2022! SkyLand Ranch is a $40 million development that is unlike anything you’ve ever seen in Sevierville. The attraction will be set on a 100 acre farm and include a chairlift, a suspended bridge, canopy walks and more. It’s the true outdoor experience! There are also plans for a mountain coaster, miniature animals, a candy kitchen, a bakery and more. Visitors can also shop till they drop in the available retail shops, which will include a souvenir shop, boutique, Christmas shop, a toy store and more. SkyLand Ranch is slated to open in April 2022 and will be located near lodging, restaurants and one of the largest outlet centers in the South!
3. Azul Cantina
Azul Cantina will bring the first rooftop bar to Pigeon Forge! This restaurant will put a flavorful twist on traditional Tex-Mex dining, using wood-fire grilling methods on traditional Mexican cooking styles. Guests will be able to enjoy made-from-scratch recipes with authentic ingredients. Be sure to enjoy one of the homemade cerveza-style lager or hand-crafted cocktails on the rooftop while you take in gorgeous views of Pigeon Forge. Azul Cantina will be located at The Mountain Mile in Pigeon Forge and is expected to open in spring of 2022.
4. New Dollywood Experiences
One of your favorite Pigeon Forge attractions is introducing new experiences in 2022! That’s right — Dollywood has big plans for the new year. The attraction is expected to include larger festival offerings and the return of 2 fan-favorite experiences. The newer Flower & Food Festival will have several new Mosaiculture displays, and the Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show will expand with more drones. Also during the summer, the Gazillion Bubbles Show returns for the first time! This special show is back for the first time since 2017 and features “gazillions” of bubbles and guest interactions. New for the Harvest Festival in 2022 is Hoot Owl Hollow, which will be an area in Craftsman’s Valley that features a number of owl-themed displays in the park and in the trees. Dollywood will also introduce a new season pass structure (Silver, Gold and Diamond) that will enhance guest experience. The new Diamond Season Pass will provide guests with 6 Bring-A-Friend Free tickets, larger discounts, a refillable mug and a free one-time preferred parking admission. If you plan on visiting Dollywood multiple times throughout the 2022 season, this is a great option!
More Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains
You have to come to Pigeon Forge to try these new things to do in 2022 when they open! Luckily, our hotel puts you right in the middle of all the excitement. In addition to these new things to do, there’s shopping, restaurants and attractions that are all minutes away from our hotel. Learn more about all the things to do in the Smoky Mountains that you can walk to from our hotel, then start planning your trip!
