Best Family Activities in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is an especially convenient family destination because you can combine outdoor adventures in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with attractions, games, entertainment, and kid-friendly activities throughout town.
Families can spend one day hiking through the mountains, another exploring an aquarium or mountaintop attraction, and another enjoying mini-golf, museums, or other downtown activities. Whether you're traveling with toddlers, school-age children, teenagers, or a multigenerational group, there are plenty of ways to build a Gatlinburg vacation around activities everyone can enjoy.
Top Family-Friendly Activities
The best family itinerary usually combines several different types of experiences. Give kids opportunities to explore, play, learn, and simply enjoy the scenery.
National Park
Choose an easy trail, visit a waterfall, explore a mountain stream, take a scenic drive, or stop at an overlook in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Ripley's Aquarium
Kids can see sharks, rays, penguins, and the new 2026 Dragons exhibit. It's also an excellent backup for rainy weather.
Anakeesta
Mountaintop adventure featuring treetop experiences, gardens, play areas, and new experiences like the Crystal Express gondola.
Mountain Coasters
Instead of sitting on a traditional amusement-park ride, older kids and teens can control their speed as they travel along a mountain track.
Mini-Golf
One of the easiest activities to enjoy together. Themed courses add some relaxed competition between larger attractions.
SkyPark & Space Needle
Take in mountain scenery from above at Gatlinburg SkyPark, or get 360-degree views from the 400-foot Space Needle.
Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities
Gatlinburg isn't just about indoor attractions and amusement rides. Some of the best family memories can happen outdoors.
- Go on an Easy Hike: Choose a short trail with a stream, waterfall, historic structure, or scenic destination that's enjoyable for young children.
- Look for Wildlife: The Smokies are home to a variety of wildlife. Teach children to observe from a safe distance.
- Take a Scenic Drive: A drive lets the entire family experience mountain scenery without requiring everyone to hike, complete with overlooks and picnic stops.
Activities by Age & Interest
Toddlers & Preschoolers
- Aquarium exhibits
- Scenic rides & Easy walks
- Children's play areas
- Interactive museums
Older Kids & Teens
- Mountain coasters
- Ziplining & Rafting
- Adventure courses
- Escape rooms
Rainy-Day Options
- Ripley's Aquarium
- Interactive museums
- Arcades & Indoor games
- Downtown shopping
Free & Budget-Friendly
- National Park hikes
- Downtown Parkway walks
- Family photo adventures
- Arts & Crafts community
A Two-Day Family Itinerary
Not sure how to organize your activities? Here's a simple starting point that combines outdoor experiences, attractions, meals, and entertainment.
Start with breakfast before an easy hike in the National Park. Have a picnic for lunch, then visit an aquarium in the late afternoon. Finish by walking the Parkway for dinner and entertainment.
Head to a mountaintop attraction like Anakeesta in the morning. Enjoy mini-golf or a mountain coaster in the afternoon, and take in the views with a relaxing downtown dinner.
Tips for a Gatlinburg Family Vacation
- Plan Around Energy Levels: A vacation doesn't need to be a race from one attraction to another. Leave room for breaks and spontaneous stops.
- Check Requirements: Some coasters and ziplines have age, height, or weight restrictions.
- Have an Indoor Backup: Keep at least one indoor activity in mind for sudden mountain rain.
- Start Outdoors Early: Popular trails become busier later in the day during peak seasons.
- Don't Forget the Smokies: The mountains are the biggest reason to visit—make time to explore them!
Why Gatlinburg Is Great for Family Vacations
Gatlinburg makes family travel relatively easy because you don't have to choose between an outdoor vacation and an attraction-filled vacation. You can have both. The variety makes Gatlinburg useful for families with different interests—one child may love animals, another may want adventure, while parents may prefer scenery and relaxation.