In 1950, the Herschend family and a handful of dedicated employees (hosts) took a small cave tour operation in the Ozark Mountains and grew it into a thriving family business. Over 70 years later, Herschend is the world’s largest family-owned themed attractions company, with 12,000 hosts serving 15 million annual guests across North America.
The heart of Herschend’s success has long been the world-renowned hospitality that’s rooted in our DNA. We call it Heartspitality. It’s a unique culture that blends our ethos of Leading with Love and our purpose of Bringing Families Closer Together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating® to create real impact and joy that spreads through our hosts to our guests and out into our communities.
Herschend’s portfolio of more than two dozen wholesome family entertainment brands includes iconic award-winning destinations such as Dollywood® Parks & Resorts, Silver Dollar City® Company, Adventure Aquarium®, Callaway Resort & Gardens®, Kentucky Kingdom®, Newport Aquarium®, The Vancouver Aquarium® and Wild Adventures®. In addition to its premier themed attractions, Herschend is proud to steward the World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters® legacy and provide immersive content and experiences through our Herschend Entertainment Studios® and Pink Adventure Tours® brands.
Herschend is dedicated to creating and sustaining welcoming destinations filled with adventure and memory-making fun. Governed by an outside board of directors, Herschend has been family-owned and operated since the beginning. It’s always been our goal to have each guest leave with two things: a smile and a deeper connection with each other.
All in a Manner Consistent with Christian Values and Ethics
