Gatlinburg With Kids: Top Family Attractions and Activities

Family holidays often find Gatlinburg, tucked away in Tennessee’s stunning Smoky Mountains, a preferred location. Kids and adults alike will find something here that perfectly balances adventure with enjoyment. Whether your interests include hiking, sightseeing, or simply lounging, Gatlinburg offers a wealth of indoor and outdoor pursuits to make your vacation special.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Families would find a wealth of outdoor activities ideal in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Though they are small hikers, there is no shortage of methods to expose your children to nature, with over 800 kilometers of paths. Choose family-friendly paths like the 1.9-mile one-way level Gatlinburg Trail, which boasts picturesque river vistas and is simple. Perfect for a brief but worthwhile journey, the Laurel Falls Trail is a 2.6-mile round trip leading to an amazing 80-foot waterfall. Children will like seeing from a safe distance deer, turkeys, and even black bears. Make sure you pack a picnic. Picnic sites in the park, including Chimneys or Metcalf Bottoms, offer a lovely backdrop for a dinner among mountains. Pack snacks, games, and lots of water to help to keep things kid friendly.

Take a Ride on the Gatlinburg SkyLift

The Gatlinburg SkyLift and SkyBridge are must-do activities for amazing vistas and a thrill that little children will appreciate. Start with the SkyLift, which, on a picturesque chairlift ride, whisks your family up to Crockett Mountain. A peaceful way to start your day and a fantastic picture opportunity, the modest climb offers panoramic views of Gatlinburg and the Smokies. Once at the summit, the SkyBridge presents a heart-stopping but secure journey. Rising to a glass-floor part at its highest point and spanning 680 feet, the bridge allows you to promenade over the breathtaking mountain scene. Although certain sections might cause parents a little adrenaline surge, children will find it exciting and unforgettable. To relax and take in the surroundings before descending, the SkyLift Park also boasts gift stores and sitting sections. This is a special approach to mix adventure with breathtaking scenery.

Get Up Close with Marine Life

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies will leave your children wide-eyed with astonishment if they find aquatic life fascinating. Over 10,000 aquatic creatures abound in this award-winning aquarium, housed in interactive displays that both inform and delight. Many families find great delight at the Shark Lagoon, where a moving boardwalk leads one through a tunnel encircled by vivid fish, stingrays, and sharks. Visit the Discovery Center, where children may handle horseshoe crabs and jellyfish for hands-on enjoyment, or try the Penguin Playhouse, where they may crawl through tunnels for a close-up view of active penguins. Unique events like the Glass Bottom Boat Adventure allow your family to float over the biggest tanks at the Aquarium.

Enjoy the Thrills of Anakeesta Adventure Park

The best mountaintop location for family entertainment in Gatlinburg is Anakeesta Adventure Park. Starting with a picturesque Chondolaride or Ridge Rambler vehicle, the trip leads to the top of the park, where a universe of activities awaits. You can also book Gatlinburg cabins while staying here as well. The Treetop Skywalk, a sequence of suspended bridges high in the forest canopy allowing children to feel like explorers, will be beloved. For young explorers to burn off their enthusiasm, the TreeVenture play area has climbing frames and rope courses. The Dueling Zipline Adventure offers an exciting means for families with older children to soar across the mountains. Dining choices with amazing views, leisurely strollable gardens, and even gem mining operations abound in Anakeesta.

Learn and play at Ober Mountain

The all-season family playground for Gatlinburg is Ober Mountain. Though there are lots to do year-round, it is well-known for its skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing in the winter. For a picturesque journey to Ober, where activities for every interest abound, use the Aerial Tramway. Children may have a wildlife experience, including native species such as river otters and black bears, in warmer months. Additionally, there’s an exciting alpine slide where you can go down a curved course with breathtaking mountain views all around. Mini-golf and the maze bring younger children hours of enjoyment. Following a day of excitement, visit Ober’s stores or eat at one of the on-site eateries. This adaptable location keeps the family occupied all year round.

Conclusion

One family trip with lots of chances for connection, excitement, and learning is Gatlinburg. Every family member will discover something to enjoy from the combination of outdoor pursuits, exciting events, and instructional entertainment. So be ready for an amazing family vacation in Gatlinburg by packing your luggage, assembling your crew, and heading off!