Sep 35 min read

10 Exciting Family-Friendly Activities to Make the Most of Your Smoky Mountain Visit

When planning a family vacation, it’s important to find a destination that offers something for everyone—whether it’s exciting adventures for the kids, relaxing spots for the adults, or activities that the whole family can enjoy together. The Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Great Smoky Mountains area is one such destination, offering an array of experiences that cater to all ages. Here’s a guide to some of the top family-friendly activities you won’t want to miss during your visit.

1. Explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a must-see for families visiting the area. With over 800 miles of trails, the park offers hiking opportunities for all skill levels. Clingmans Dome is a favorite for families, offering a paved, half-mile trail leading to an observation tower with breathtaking panoramic views of the Smokies. For a more kid-friendly adventure, consider Laurel Falls Trail, a relatively easy 2.6-mile round trip hike to a beautiful waterfall. The park also features plenty of picnic areas, making it a perfect spot for a family day out in nature.

A family of four, wearing casual outdoor clothing, hikes along a scenic trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, surrounded by lush greenery and distant mountain peaks.

2. Dollywood

Dollywood, located in Pigeon Forge, is an amusement park that blends thrill rides with Southern charm. It’s perfect for families, offering something for every age group. Younger children will love the Country Fair section, with classic rides like the carousel and Ferris wheel. Older kids and adults can enjoy the more thrilling coasters like Thunderhead and Lightning Rod. Don’t miss the live shows, featuring everything from bluegrass bands to acrobatic performances. During the holiday season, Dollywood transforms into a winter wonderland, complete with millions of twinkling lights and festive parades.

A vibrant shot of Dollywood amusement park, featuring colorful roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, and a lively crowd enjoying the attractions under a clear blue sky.

3. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Located in the heart of Gatlinburg, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is an exciting and educational experience for the entire family. Kids will be thrilled by the interactive exhibits, including the Penguin Playhouse and the Touch-A-Ray Bay, where they can touch stingrays as they glide by. The Shark Lagoon is another highlight, featuring a glass tunnel where visitors can walk through while sharks, sea turtles, and other marine life swim overhead. It’s an engaging way to learn about marine creatures while having a blast.

An interior view of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, showcasing a large glass tunnel with sharks and other marine life swimming overhead, with visitors walking through the tunnel.

4. Anakeesta

For a unique blend of adventure and relaxation, head to Anakeesta, an outdoor family theme park in Gatlinburg. Start with a scenic ride on the Chondola or Ridge Rambler to reach the summit. Once at the top, you can explore the Treetop Skywalk, a series of connected suspension bridges high in the forest canopy, or take a thrilling ride on the Rail Runner Mountain Coaster. There are also playgrounds and a splash pad for the little ones, as well as peaceful gardens and seating areas for adults to relax and take in the stunning mountain views.

A view of the Treetop Skywalk at Anakeesta, featuring connected suspension bridges high among the treetops with visitors walking along, surrounded by dense forest and mountain vistas.

5. The Island in Pigeon Forge

The Island in Pigeon Forge is a family entertainment complex that has something for everyone. Ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel offering incredible views of the area. The Island also features a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions, including the Island Ropes Course, Arcade City, and the Escape Game. Don’t miss the Island Show Fountain, which offers a mesmerizing water and light show choreographed to music, happening every 30 minutes.

A close-up of the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at The Island in Pigeon Forge, with its brightly lit gondolas and the surrounding entertainment area filled with shops and attractions.

6. Gatlinburg Skylift Park

For a bird’s-eye view of Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains, visit Gatlinburg Skylift Park. The park’s iconic yellow chairlift takes you up to the SkyDeck, where you can take in panoramic views. The SkyBridge is a highlight—spanning 680 feet across a deep valley, it’s the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America. There’s even a section with glass flooring, offering a thrilling view of the drop below. The park is a great spot for family photos, especially at sunset.

The SkyBridge at Gatlinburg Skylift Park, captured from a distance, showing visitors walking across the long suspension bridge with stunning mountain views in the background.

7. Cades Cove

Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The 11-mile loop road takes you through a lush valley surrounded by mountains, with opportunities to spot wildlife such as deer, black bears, and wild turkeys. The area also features historic buildings, including log cabins, churches, and a working grist mill, providing a glimpse into the region’s past. Families can explore the area by car, on foot, or even by bike, making it a versatile option for all ages.

A picturesque view of Cades Cove, featuring a wide-open valley surrounded by mountains, with a winding road leading through the landscape and deer grazing in the distance.

8. Ober Mountain

Ober Mountain offers year-round family fun with activities for every season. In the winter, the resort becomes a hub for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. During the warmer months, you can enjoy the alpine slide, scenic chairlift rides, and wildlife encounters at the Wildlife Encounter area. The amusement park also features mini-golf, a rock climbing wall, and an indoor ice-skating rink, making it a great place to spend the day with the whole family.

A bright and sunny image of Ober Mountain’s alpine slide, showing visitors gliding down the track on sleds with the lush, green mountains in the background.

9. Horseback Riding

Experience the Smokies from a different perspective with a family-friendly horseback ride. Several stables in the area offer guided rides through the scenic landscapes of the Smoky Mountains. Sugarlands Riding Stables in Gatlinburg and Five Oaks Riding Stables in Pigeon Forge are two popular options, offering gentle rides suitable for beginners and children. It’s a peaceful and memorable way to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of the mountains.

A serene scene of a group of riders on horseback, traveling along a wooded trail in the Smoky Mountains, surrounded by tall trees and dappled sunlight.

10. Take a Scenic Drive

If you’re looking for a relaxing way to take in the sights, consider one of the area’s many scenic drives. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a 5.5-mile one-way loop road that winds through lush forests, past waterfalls, and historic cabins. The Newfound Gap Road offers stunning views as it climbs to an elevation of 5,046 feet, with several pull-offs for photo opportunities. For a longer drive, the Foothills Parkway provides breathtaking vistas of the Smokies, especially during the fall when the leaves are at their most colorful.

A car driving along the Foothills Parkway, with a breathtaking view of the Smoky Mountains in the background, featuring vibrant fall foliage and expansive vistas.

BONUS: Outdoor Gravity Park

Outdoor Gravity Park in Pigeon Forge offers a unique and exhilarating experience that you won’t find anywhere else in the Smoky Mountains. This one-of-a-kind attraction lets you roll down a hill inside a giant, transparent orb—an activity known as zorbing. Choose between the wet and wild Hydro ride, where you’ll slip and slide inside the ball as it rushes down the track, or the dry option, which provides a bouncy and thrilling descent. With multiple tracks to choose from, including the Extreme Zig-Zag course, Outdoor Gravity Park is an unforgettable adventure for kids and adults alike. Whether you’re seeking a heart-pounding ride or a fun and quirky experience, this attraction is a must-visit during your stay in Pigeon Forge.

Kids in giant plastic bubbles rolling down a green, grassy hill

Book Your Family Adventure Today!

With so many incredible activities to enjoy, the Smoky Mountains area is the perfect destination for your next family vacation. After a day of exploring, there’s nothing like coming home to a cozy cabin nestled in the mountains. At Great Escape Shop, we offer a selection of beautiful cabins that are perfect for families. Whether you’re looking for a spacious retreat with stunning views or a charming cabin close to all the action, we have the perfect place for you.

Book your stay today and start planning your unforgettable Smoky Mountains adventure!