Angelica Kajiwara

Homeschool families love to vacation during the off-season. This year, we took our fall trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We planned to hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but we got rained out all week long. So I had to think fast to make sure all of us enjoyed our week away. To my surprise, Pigeon Forge is a super homeschool-friendly town. Almost everywhere we went offered a homeschool discount, and we learned so much together while we had a ton of fun.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Of course, we wanted to visit this award-winning aquarium from the start. The aquarium offers many educational opportunities for homeschool families. Your crew can explore the different exhibits throughout the facility, participate in daily lab activities or attend monthly educational programs. Thankfully, Ripley’s franchise offers discounts at all the local attractions, not just the aquarium.

Homeschool Rates:

• Aquarium
  • Student & immediate minor siblings living in the household $10.99+tax per person
  • Teaching Parents $19.99+tax per person
  • Children 2-5 $6.00+tax per child
• Believe It or Not!: $15.00+tax
• Mirror Maze: $6.00+tax
• Haunted Adventure: $9.00+tax
• Super Fun Zone Laser Tag: $9.00+tax
• Super Fun Zone Indoor Mini-Golf: $7.00+tax
• Davy Crockett mini golf: $9.00+tax
• Old MacDonald mini golf: $9.00+tax
• Moving Theater: $9.00+tax

Don’t forget to bring one of the following: a Letter of Intent, Attendance Report, School ID.

Pro tip: I print our school IDs through Homeschool Buyers Co-Op.

WonderWorks

On day two, we decided to check out WonderWorks for one of their homeschool days offered from September through November. This family-friendly museum has 100+ hands-on exhibits everyone will love. My kids had so much fun, but they were bummed they didn’t meet the height requirements for most of the more physical exhibits. 

• Homeschool Rate – $12.00+tax per person

We happened to visit on Teacher Appreciation Day. On those days, a teacher and guest get in for free, and everyone else in the group gets in for $10.00+tax. It was packed, though! I wouldn’t recommend visiting on these days unless you’re good with crowds and long lines. Either way, everyone will love this fantastic museum.

Parrot Mountain

My oldest daughter loves birds. She told me she wants to be a “bird doctor” when she grows up. So, of course, we had to visit Parrot Mountain during our stay. My kiddos enjoyed the cages filled with gorgeous birds, but the bird feeding areas and the baby bird nursery won her heart in every way. If I’m honest, I’m not a huge bird person, but watching my little ones’ faces light up made my day. Of course, Parrot Mountain doesn’t offer a big discount, but every little bit helps, right?

• Homeschool Rate: Call for the current rate

This place is the ultimate rainy day spot for your kids to burn off some serious energy after a morning full of worksheets. They have big and little kid ninja warrior courses, trampolines, dodgeball courts, and so much more. There is a concession stand on-site, but you can bring in outside food.

• Homeschool Rate: $10.00+tax for one hour

OK, I’m throwing this one in here without a discount offer, but bear with me. You don’t want to miss this stop with your family. It is a blast! Pigeon Forge Snow is the only indoor snow tubing facility of its kind in the United States. I was worried it was too fast for my little kids, but they loved every minute of it. My husband and I went down at least ten times too.

We couldn’t see it all in a week, so I’ll include a list of the other places we missed that offer a homeschool discount.

Dollywood

Special Rates are available to homeschool students & families during Homeschool Days at Dollywood from August through September.

Reservations must be made at least 72 hours in advance by calling 888-428-6789. Payment in full must be made at the time of reservation. Homeschool tickets are not available for purchase at the front gate.

• Homeschool Rate:
  • Child’s ticket: $37.00+tax
  • Adult tickets are $47.00+tax
  •  Splash Country: child and adult tickets: $37.00+tax
  • Dreammore Resort: $120.00+tax per night

Alcatraz East

Homeschoolers and parents can explore the history of American Crime, Law Enforcement & Forensic Science at a discounted rate!

• Homeschool Rate: $12.00+tax

Restrictions:

• The rate is available only on weekdays when school is in session.
• These special promotional rates cannot be combined with other discounts or offers and are not valid holidays.

Titanic Museum

History, science, geography, language and social studies are fun to learn when boys and girls participate in the “teacher-approved” Titanic Scavenger Hunt at the World’s Largest Titanic Museum Attraction.

• Homeschool Rate: $13.00+tax

Comment below and let me know if you found additional homeschool discounts in the area. I’d love to add them to this list!