Outdoor attractions and activities to explore in East Tennessee 2021

The weather is getting warmer and wanderlust is setting in, but travel restrictions, testing and other safety protocols are putting vacation plans on pause.

Experts are encouraging travelers to explore places close to home instead of visiting far away destinations during the pandemic.

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If you’re searching for safe, spacious places to go in 2021, these attractions — all in East Tennessee — are the ones to visit next.

Ijams Nature Center

Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville has outdoor adventures for everyone. From hiking and biking on the more than 12 miles of trails to paddling and swimming in Mead’s Quarry, visitors can easily spend a day at Ijams.

Navitat Knoxville, an adventure park in the trees also is located inside Ijams. Explore ziplines, bridges, nets, tunnels, and more starting at $35.

Zoo Knoxville

Travel the world without leaving Knoxville by visiting Zoo Knoxville. See hundreds of exotic animals and explore a variety of habitats in one day. Visitors can go from the grasslands of Africa to the jungles of Asia just a short walk away.

Tickets are less than $20 and available at zooknoxville.org.

865 Axe Throwing

Have an ax to grind? Try throwing instead at 865 Axe Throwing, Knoxville’s first outdoor ax-throwing range. Families, couples, corporate events and kids’ groups are all welcome. Even better, 865 Axe Throwing allows visitors to bring their own food and drink to enjoy while on site.

Tickets start at $25 and are available at 865axe.com.

Dollywood

Dollywood recently reopened for its 36th season with some major improvements in the park, a full lineup of seasonal celebrations and new entertainment options. Whether you’re a roller-coaster enthusiast or like to relax while listening to live music, there’s something to do at Dollywood.

Tickets and passes are available at Dollywood.com/Tickets.

More:Bigfoot, blossoms and bunnies: What to do in East Tennessee during spring 2021

Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show & Adventure Park

Watch lumberjacks show off their strength and skills at Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show and then try competing yourself at the adventure park. Learn to be a lumberjack on The Flying Ox, a zipline roller coaster, The High Woodsman Challenge, a themed rope course, and other attractions.

Purchase tickets at lumberjackfeud.com.

Outdoor Gravity Park

For a truly unique trip, visit Outdoor Gravity Park, a zorbing park in Pigeon Forge. Visitors can keep cool by adding water to their ride down Outdoor Gravity Park’s 1,000-foot hill. Zorbing is an unforgettable experience and all outdoors.

Go to outdoorgravitypark.com to plan your trip.

More:Here are some of the best day and weekend trips within driving distance of Knoxville

Dubby’s Attractions

Dubby’s Attractions in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge offer a variety of outdoor experiences for visitors and include Legacy Mountain Zipline, Adventure Park at Five Oaks, LazerPort Fun Center, Xtreme Racing Center and SpeedZone Fun Park. The outdoor attractions have mini golf, go-karts, ziplining and more.

Check out all the Dubby’s Attractions and buy tickets at legacymountainziplines.com.

Anakeesta

See the Smoky Mountains and explore 70 acres of outdoor adventure at Anakeesta, a nature-themed park in Gatlinburg. Relax above it all at Vista Gardens or play in the trees on the Treetop Skywalk. Anakeesta hosts seasonal celebrations throughout the year with fresh menus and music.

Plan your trip to the park at anakeesta.com.

Gatlinburg SkyLift Park

Since 1954, SkyLift Park has been a visitor favorite, but improvements in recent years like the SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and SkyTrail, a scenic walkway that will connect each end of the SkyBridge, make it more popular than ever.

Tickets are available at gatlinburgskylift.com.

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