Your Fall Family-Friendly Travel Guide to Tennessee

Featured in this Article:

Kid-friendly Attractions in and around Memphis
Kid-friendly Attractions in and around Nashville
Kid-friendly Attractions in and near Kingsport, the Smokies and Chattanooga
Kid-Friendly Waterparks in Tennessee
Things to Do in Tennessee State Parks
Tennessee Zoos
Children's Museums in Tennessee
Farm Fun in Tennessee
Family-Friendly Seasonal Events in Tennessee
 

Looking for things to do with the kids this fall break in Tennessee? For kids age five or 15 – these family-friendly things to do will leave everyone smiling. Check out the attractions below that have harvest decorations, host fall-themed events and get you close to foliage for all your Instagram-worthy moments. 

Kid-Reviewed Attractions in Tennessee

• What to Expect: Tours of Elvis Presley’s mansion, gardens, personal jets, and car collection.

• Additional Experiences: Elvis Presley’s Memphis campus with immersive exhibits, restaurants, and gift shops.

• Access/Transportation: Located just south of downtown Memphis with ample visitor parking.

• Reservations & Tickets: Multiple ticket packages available; advance reservations encouraged during peak times.

Memphis Pyramid 

• What to Expect: America’s tallest freestanding elevator, 360-degree views, and an immersive Bass Pro Shops experience.

• Additional Experiences: Indoor bowling alley, wildlife exhibits, dining options, and the Big Cypress Lodge hotel.

• Access/Transportation: Located along the Mississippi River in downtown Memphis with parking and public transit access.

• Reservations & Tickets: Entry to most experiences is walk-in; some activities may require separate admission.

Children’s Museum of Memphis 

• What to Expect: Hands-on exhibits designed to spark creativity and learning through play.

• Additional Experiences: 1909 Grand Carousel, splash park, FedEx plane cockpit simulation, and rotating exhibits.

• Access/Transportation: Centrally located in Memphis with on-site parking.

• Reservations & Tickets: Open year-round with flexible ticketing; special events may require advance registration.

Shelby Farms Park – Memphis 

For a fun-filled fall break, take your kids to Shelby Farms Park to enjoy the many activities offered by Go Ape. Choose from the treetop adventure which includes 40 obstacles and a 624-foot zipline or the treetop journey which has 25 obstacles and a 190-foot zipline (you can also enjoy this track at night during Nights at Height). Axe throwing, Gorilla Golf and a new Forest Escape, an interactive, outdoor experience where you put your problem solving skills to the test, round out the fun. Shelby Farms Park also offers paintball and laser tag, horseback riding, biking trails, boat and paddle board rentals and hiking trails.

Discovery Park of America- Union City

Bring the kids to Cheekwood Estate & Gardens for Cheekwood Harvest, a six-week celebration of all things fall. Pick out the perfect pumpkin, explore the three pumpkin houses at the pumpkin village and find scarecrows throughout the garden. Your children will love exploring the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden where they can explore nature, art and history. Then, go to the Trains! exhibit to experience an enchanted train station combining a traditional depot with the natural form of a tree.

Oaklands Mansion – Murfreesboro

Take a self-guided tour of Oaklands Mansion to experience a slice of Tennessee history. Oaklands was built in four phases over two generations of the Maney family from 1815 to before the Civil War. Inside, you’ll see a collection of furnishings, artwork and personal items. After your tour, step outside and explore the Native Tree Arboretum, heritage flower and vegetable gardens and walking trails. You can even marvel at a 250+ year-old history white oak tree. During the fall months, the Mansion hosts a family-friendly Oktoberfest, Fall Art & Craft Fair, and you can experience the macabre traditions surrounding death in the nineteenth century during A Mansion in Mourning.  Oaklands Park is also open to leashed dogs.

Soar Adventure Tower - Franklin

Stretch your legs and enjoy autumnal scenes during the kids' fall break at Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium in Kingsport. See animal habitats like wolves and owls, take a barge ride with a naturalist to learn about the park history and wildlife like beave lodges, blue herons, black bear and more. Kids will love the adventure course, featuring three different adventures with high and low ropes and a zip line. Over 40 miles of hiking trails snake through the 3,650-acre park and 32 miles of biking trails that provide fun for mountain bikers of all skill levels. 

Rocky Top Mountain Coaster - Pigeon Forge

Have a fright on the ride of your life during Coasts & Goblins at Rocky Top Mountain Coaster. Kids 13 and up can enjoy 20 acres of bone chilling fun on Tennessee's longest mountain coaster weekends now through Oct. 31. Control your speed to fly by to escape the goblins out to get you or slow down for creepy close ups. 

Rock City & Ruby Falls – Lookout Mountain

• What to Expect: Scenic trails, rock formations, and panoramic views from Lover’s Leap and the suspension bridge.

• Additional Experiences: Ruby Falls underground waterfall tour, seasonal light displays, and Fairyland Caverns.

• Access/Transportation: Drive up Lookout Mountain; on-site parking available for both attractions.

• Reservations & Tickets: Entry tickets can be purchased online or at the gate; combo passes often available.

Tennessee Aquarium – Chattanooga 

See exotic and native creatures from Tennessee at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. In the River Journey building you can see native Tennessee fish as well as fish that inhabit rivers around the world. Next door in the Ocean Journey building, see sharks, jellyfish, penguins and even lemurs in the Tropical Cove. Kids will love the butterfly garden, too. ODDtober is a celebration of strange creatures around the world and in Tennessee all October-long. Fun fall touches are in the exhibits, including flickering pumpkins with an eerie glow that flash along with the pulses of an electric eel.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies – Gatlinburg

Home to more than 10,000 creatures, including a cool shark tunnel with a moving walkway — guaranteed to wow even the most unimpressed teens.

Anakeesta - Gatlinburg

• What to Expect: Great Smoky Mountains views, whimsical villages, garden strolls, ziplines, and a mountain coaster.

• Additional Experiences: BirdVenture play zone, Astra Lumina nighttime light walk, live music, and seasonal events.

• Access/Transportation: Ride the scenic Chondola or hop aboard the Ridge Rambler from downtown Gatlinburg.

• Reservations & Tickets: General admission available online or onsite; some experiences may require timed entry.

Dollywood - Pigeon Forge

• What to Expect: More than 60 rides and attractions, live entertainment, artisan demonstrations, and Southern-style dining.

• Additional Experiences: Wildwood Grove with interactive play areas, seasonal festivals like the Flower & Food Festival and Smoky Mountain Christmas.

• Access/Transportation: Easily accessible from downtown Pigeon Forge with parking and shuttle service available.

• Reservations & Tickets: Admission available online or at the gate; lodging packages available at DreamMore Resort and Smoky Mountain Cabins.

Museum of Appalachia - Clinton

Meet farm animals and learn about Appalachian pioneer life at the living history museum, Museum of Appalachia, about 66 miles from the Smokies. Over 250,000 artifacts are housed in three buildings displaying folk art, musical instruments, Native American artifacts, baskets and quilts. The 65 acres outside has 35 log cabins, barns, schools, gardens and churches. During the fall, the museum hosts Fall Heritage Days where guests can experience blacksmithing, wagon rides, basketmaking, bluegrass music and more. 

Soaky Mountain – Sevierville

Rides like the Avalaunch water coaster and Rainbow Revenge make this one of the most fun activities for kids when you're in East Tennessee.

Wilderness at the Smokies – Sevierville

Year-round fun with three distinct water parks.

SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland – Nashville

A great pick for those searching for fun things to do for kids nearby that combine thrills with music and lights.

Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort – Hermitage

A lakeside paradise with rides, beaches, and boat rentals.

Tennessee State Parks have been protecting natural, cultural and historic resources since 1937. Explore mountains, rivers, lakes and historic landmarks at one Tennessee’s incredible state parks, many of which offer overnight lodging in cabins, lodges or campgrounds. If you're looking for a scenic hike or a fun kids activity near you, rock climbing, boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, birding, paddling and horseback riding are all popular outdoor activities at the state’s network of parks.

Memphis Zoo

See sea lions, feed giraffes, and spot giant pandas — one of only three zoos in the U.S. with these rare bears. Established in 1906, it’s home to over 3,500 animals.

Nashville Zoo

Pet kangaroos, feed lorikeets, and soar on the Soaring Eagle Zip Line. Other highlights include Critter Encounter and a playful jungle gym.

Zoo Knoxville

Known for its red pandas and expansive animal habitats.

Chattanooga Zoo

Offers close-up views of chimpanzees, jaguars and more.

Brights Zoo – Limestone

Home to a spotless giraffe — one of the rarest in the world.

Creative Discovery Museum – Chattanooga

Dig for dinosaur bones, experiment with water flow and electricity, and explore hands-on STEM exhibits.

Discovery Center at Murfree Spring – Murfreesboro

Zoom down the 2.5-story super slide, explore a pretend farmers market, and unleash creativity at Creation Station.

Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge

Encourages learning through roleplay and discovery.

Hands On! Discovery Center at Gray Fossil Site

Offers exciting, science-based exhibits on paleontology and more.