WonderWorks turns Fun Upside down at its Museum Attraction

First off, we must deal with the legend.

Otherwise, how can you explain why there’s a building that looks like it’s upside down along the parkway in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.?

So, as the story goes, it seems scientists attempted to harness the power of a man-made tornado, but this experiment in the Bermuda Triangle went horribly wrong.

The giant, swirling vortex adopted a lifeform of its own, unleashed its power and then, allegedly, ripped the research facility from its foundation and sent it through space.

Alas! This “Wonderworks” building finally landed, upside down, yet still remained functionally intact, at Pigeon Forge, according to Rich Benjamin, the marketing and sales director at Wonderworks.

Of course, this is all just a story.

But it sets the stage for all the oddball offerings of this indoor amusement park, where you’ll find a giant piano and a laser harp, crazy mirrors, a simulated roller coaster ride and an art gallery full of optical illusions.

“There are all kinds of hands-on exhibits,” Benjamin said.

Still, much of what you’ll find focuses on what it takes to make science fun for kids of all ages.
Look for an earthquake simulator called the “Quake Cafe,” and a hurricane simulator called the “Hurricane Hole.”

The “Titanic Exhibit” shows how cold the water of the icy Atlantic Ocean was when the Titanic sank nearly a century ago.

There’s also a rock-climbing wall, a “Wonders of Space 3-D Movie” and the “Virtual Hockey Wonder Dome,” in which you use your hand and play hockey with a laser.

Located at the site of the former Music Mansion theater, the 55,000-square-foot Wonderworks complex also features the “Hoot N’Holler Dinner Show,” a family-themed production with slapstick performances and humorous songs.

Now, during the holiday season, the show features Christmas themes, like a comical quest to find “Baby Santa.”

“We try to look at the world just a little bit different,” Benjamin said. “But what we do with our show is to have fun and laughter and have a good time.”

Information courtesy of Bristol Herald Courier