In the early 1950s, the Herschend family and 17 hosts – grew a small cave tour operation in the Ozark Mountains foothills into a thriving family business. Today, Herschend is the world’s largest family-owned themed attractions company, with 12,000+ passionate hosts collectively entertaining 15 million families every year. The company is independently operated with a majority-independent board of directors.
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 across North America includes iconic award-winning destinations such as Dollywood® Parks & Resorts, Silver Dollar City Attractions®, 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 Family Entertainment is dedicated to creating and sustaining welcoming destinations filled with adventure and memory-making fun. Governed by an outside board of directors, HFE has been family-owned and operated since our inception. And, it’s always been our goal to have each and every guest leave with two things: a smile and a deeper connection with each other.
All in a Manner Consistent with Christian Values and Ethics
