On the Way to Check Out Homeschool Friendly Attractions in the Smoky Mountains

I fell in love with the Smoky Mountains the very first time my family visited. I can understand why some family’s choose to flock to the area year after year after year. While we prefer to explore as many places around the country as we can, there is just something about the area that has lured us back on more than one occasion. 

This weekend, my family will drive about eight hours one way to explore some of the homeschool friendly attractions in the Smoky Mountains. A couple of them, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Wonderworks, are old favorites with new exhibits.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, who has been honored with the title of #1 Aquarium in the United States by TripAdvisor, just opened Dinosaurs – When Giants Ruled! an entire exhibit which will transport you back in time.

Not to be outdone, Wonderworks, the self proclaimed amusement park for the mind, is sporting a pretty nifty new exhibit as well. Wonders of Flight, a giant tethered balloon that will take you 400 …gulp…feet into the air. My fear of heights isn’t going to stop me from viewing the breathtaking panoramic view.

While both of these attractions are great for all families, homeschool families will also appreciate special programming, field trips and homeschool rates at both Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Wonderworks. I’ll share more on both of these attractions and a few others next week.

I’ll be posting pictures and nifty tidbits throughout our trip. If you’d like to follow along our journey on Twitter and Instagram just search for #SmokiesRoadTrip.

Have you been to the Smokies? What did you love about the area? If it’s a great mom and pop place to eat, feel free to leave your suggestion, especially if it includes the name “pizza” in the name or on the menu. My teens will thank you.