Tanger Sevierville is a favorite shopping destination in the Smoky Mountains. But with the center’s all new rebrand, the experience is even better than ever! Let’s start with the mall’s new pocket parks - cozy nooks to rest and reset while scoring all the best deals. Relax in comfortable porch swings, let the kids play in the green spaces, and snap photos with the fun and interactive bronze statues. Explore new stores as well. Shop Sephora, a favorite among cosmetics aficionados, then browse an expanded Gap Outlet, peruse purses at Coach and Kate Spade, and get your boots on at Tecovas.

New fun can be found all around the Smokies. In Gatlinburg, Anakeesta is expanding with a next-generation scenic lift (featuring new glass-bottomed chondolas), a completely reimagined Firefly Village, an expanded Treetop Skywalk, and a nighttime Firefly Experience

In Pigeon Forge, Dollywood’s Night Flight Expedition, a highly anticipated indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride, will open in spring of 2026. A first of its kind, riders will enjoy a five-and-a-half minute journey through the Great Smoky Mountains at night alongside characters Cora and Jasper Oakley as they search for the legendary Secret Lake.

Back in Sevierville, there’s even more to explore.

Buc-ee’s —a Texas-based roadside stop known for its extensive gas pumps, clean bathrooms, variety of snacks, and clever billboards— has built a location that ranks as one of the world’s largest convenience stores! While it’s not brand new, the Sevierville Buc-ee’s has proven to be one of the most popular places to fill up on snacks, petrol, and souvenirs in the Smokies. The Buc-ee’s Family Travel Center in Sevierville sprawls 74,000 square feet and anchors a 200-acre development planned for Exit 407 off I-40, one of the nation’s most traveled roads. The new Sevierville Buc-ee’s boasts 120 fuel pumps (as well as several EV stations), a 250-foot car wash, and lots of Buc-ee’s staples including Texas barbecue, homemade fudge, and Beaver Nuggets. It occupies land owned by Kituwah, LLC and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who are also looking into developing shops, restaurants, attractions and more at what’s dubbed “The 407: Gateway to Adventure.”

In addition to that iconic rest stop, the Courtyard by Marriott Kodak Sevierville is the latest addition to open at the Exit 407 development. The hotel features 125 beautifully appointed rooms and modern amenities. Whether you're visiting for business or pleasure, there’s flexible meeting space that accommodates up to 60 guests, a delightful dining experience at the Courtyard Bistro and Bar, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and an inviting outdoor pool and patio complete with a kid’s splash pad.

Just down the road,enjoy a brand new Home 2 Suites hotel in the heart of Sevierville and just minutes from Dollywood. Located on Collier Drive, guests enjoy easy access to convenient backroads and family fun attractions like Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo and Sevier Air Trampoline & Ninja Warrior Park

Waterparks are a big deal in Sevierville - and with two indoor / outdoor waterpark resorts and a stand along waterpark, there are plenty of places to splash and play. At Soaky Mountain Waterpark, hop aboard Rafter’s Rage - a six person raft ride that opened in the 2025 season. High banking turns, steep drops, and a thrilling “drifting” experience are hallmarks of this well-received new waterslide. Across the road at Wilderness at the Smokies, guests can experience the completely renovated Stonehill Lodge, plus brand new treehouse cabins perfect for the whole family, and an expanded indoor waterpark experience. Ride The Ridge Runner, a three-story water coaster, or float through the immersive Kaleidoscope Kavern lazy river. On the roof of River Lodge, do the backstroke in a glass-edge pool overlooking the Little Pigeon River and Great Smoky Mountains. The Resort at Governor’s Crossing also welcomes guests to splash at their indoor and outdoor waterparks - then enjoy the seasonal activities at Firefly Cove. From spring butterfly gardens to a massive fall festival and even ice skating in the winter, there’s always something special happening there.

From splashing in the waterpark waves to diving into an immersive cinematic experience, Xperia: Ocean Journey takes guests on a voyage through the sea with life-sized humpback whales, fighting Humboldt squid and playful sea otters.Later in 2026, this fun digital attraction will transform with a new digital experience that’s totally…out of this world! Look for more announcements in the new year.

Visitors to Sevierville’s SkyLand Ranch, a theme park located on a mountain top farm, round up more thrills with an all-new kid-friendly net climb attraction and thrilling 100-foot-tall swing tower called The WagonWheeler. This year look for even more festivals and events on SkyLand Ranch’s annual calendar, including expanded Halloween and Christmas events!

Get ready for loads of fun at the world’s largest construction-based theme park - Dig’n Zone This kid-focused park features real, heavy-duty construction equipment that has been transformed into 25+ family-friendly attractions. Take a spin on a skid steer, crush a souvenir toy bus with a steam roller, or raise the stakes on an excavator in head-to-head building challenges. The fun continues with other activities and attractions like gem mining, a full arcade center, hearty eats at the Dig In Cafe, and a souvenir store filled with all sorts of construction-themed toys and merchandise. The theme park’s most recent addition is a fun splash pad to cool off even the hardest working kid contractors in the park.

Already known for world-class smallmouth bass fishing and picturesque rivers, Sevierville’s natural waterways are more accessible than ever before thanks to the addition of three new blueway landings. Located on the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River, the blueways project provides safe, ADA-compatible access to the river and welcomes activities like fishing, tubing, and kayaking. The locations of the three landings throughout Sevierville can be found here

Nearby, historic downtown Sevierville is coming back to life with reinvented places to stay and plenty of chef-driven restaurants.

In addition to already popular places to stay like The Central Hotel and The Davis a new overnight rental experience is available in downtown Sevierville. The historic boarding house, built in 1921 by Victoria Wade and now called Victoria House, will soon feature five fully renovated and locally inspired themed rental units.

While downtown, grab a bite to start your day at Buffalo Breakfast Co., a new eatery featuring sweet and savory breakfast items you’ll not find anywhere else. Get the Deep South Waffle stuffed with andouille sausage, corn, cheddar cheese, and onions, or dig into the Kiss My Grits, fried green tomatoes topped with pimento cheese grits, blackened shrimp, tomato, chives, and corn emulsion.

In the mood for seafood? Pinchy’s Lobster & Raw Bar serves up New England Lobster Rolls, Lobster Mac n’ Cheese, and decadent Lobster Bisque alongside locally sourced beers. Sit indoors or bring your pup for the dog-friendly patio seating at this trendy downtown Sevierville eatery. The large patio also features cozy fire pits, cornhole boards and a stage area for live music on weekends.

Red’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream , is a blast from the past serving up craft sodas, ice cream, and more in historic Downtown Sevierville. This charming 1940s-inspired soda fountain pays homage to Red’s Cafe, which previously operated in the building across the street from the current establishment. For ice cream connoisseurs and Dolly fans alike, Red’s Cafe is often connected with Dolly Parton, who frequented the original cafe as a small child. Today, Red’s Soda Fountain offers delicious hand-dipped scoops in 14 flavors of locally made ice cream plus hand-mixed sodas, phosphates, milkshakes, malts, sundaes, and more. Be sure to also pick up one of their delicious grab & go food offerings made daily from the nearby restaurant, Seasons 101.

Add gourmet Italian to the growing list of cuisines in historic Downtown Sevierville at DŌ Scratch Made Pizza & Pasta , Pronounced “dough”, the upscale eatery serves classic Italian fares, including hand-crafted, fresh pasta and stone-fired pizzas. The house made dishes pair well with a chic yet approachable atmosphere and is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or grab drinks with friends.

Nights are getting livelier in downtown Sevierville with the addition of The Pines Downtown, an entertainment venue featuring duckpin bowling, snookball, foosball and more. A top notch cocktail menu and elevated pub food make it a great place to hang out with friends and family - and photos in front of the Dolly Parton mural painted inside The Pines are even more special when you know that the building was also the original Pines Theater where Dolly played her first paying gig at the age of 10.

The public art scene in historic downtown Sevierville is expanding. Of course, the bronze statue of Dolly Parton is sure to remain the city’s most iconic photo op, but two new sculptures have joined that famous feature. The Tracks of Time was made by a local metalworker using railroad tracks from The Old Slow & Easy railroad that once ran along Bruce Street. A second sculpture by regional artist Mary Ruden depicts Bertie the Bird Dog who delivered his owner’s business deposit to the bank every day by himself and returned with the deposit slip held safely in a money pouch between his teeth.