Gatlinburg: A Perfect Family Vacation Destination

Featured in this Article

Must-Visit Indoor Family Attractions in Gatlinburg, TN
Which Outdoor Adventures Should Families Experience?
Where Can Families Find Educational Entertainment?
What Are Some Family-Friendly Dining Options?
Beyond Gatlinburg: Nearby Family Attractions
Planning Tips for Your Gatlinburg Family Vacation

AI disclosure: This article was written with the assistance of the following AI tools: Google Gemini, Open AI, and Claude. These AI tools were used to organize the article’s flow as well as curate preliminary information about things to do, attractions and restaurants listed below. Our human editors thoroughly fact-checked and wrote content to create a more robust article. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development will continue to use Google Gemini, Open AI, and Claude with a disclosure in the spirit of full transparency, while also providing pertinent travel content efficiently and quickly.

• Features interactive exhibits like coral reefs and rainforest habitats.

• Penguin Playhouse with crawl tunnels and pop-up domes for close encounters.

• Shark Tunnel where families walk beneath gliding sharks and rays.

• Touch tanks for hands-on experiences with horseshoe crabs and jellyfish.

Hollywood Star Cars Museum

• Famous movie vehicles from Batman, Fast & Furious, and more.

• Interactive displays with fun facts and behind-the-scenes info.

• Photo opportunities inside select vehicles and themed backdrops.

• Treetop Skywalk featuring 880 feet of hanging bridges.

• Rail Runner mountain coaster with kid-friendly speed controls.

• Scenic chairlift ride to Firefly Village and panoramic mountain views.

• TreeVenture Challenge Course with climbing zones and adventure nets.

• Families exploring Anakeesta can spend the whole day enjoying its unique blend of nature and adventure with views of Mount Le Conte.

Ober Mountain

• Ober Mountain's aerial tramway offers scenic views of the Smokies.

• Seasonal ski slopes and snow tubing in winter months.

• Alpine slide twisting through hillside forest trails.

• Wildlife encounter featuring native animals like black bears and river otters.

Gatlinburg SkyPark

• Scenic SkyLift ride to the top of Crockett Mountain.

• SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America.

• 30-foot glass-floor section for thrilling mountain views.

• SkyDeck with seating, fire pits, and panoramic overlooks.

• 407-foot observation tower offering 360-degree views.

• Educational exhibits on the history and geography of the Smokies.

• Panoramic views with telescopes for interactive sightseeing.

• Interactive learning stations and arcade games at the base.

Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum

• World's only dedicated salt and pepper shaker collection.

• Historical significance tied to global design trends and culture.

• Cultural education through 20,000+ pairs from around the world.

• Interactive displays that encourage curiosity and fun.

• Breakfast served all day in a cozy chalet setting

• Kid-friendly menu featuring classics like chocolate chip pancakes

• Historic atmosphere—Tennessee’s first pancake house

Mama's Chicken Kitchen

• Family-style Southern dining just outside the downtown bustle

• Southern comfort food like fried chicken, mac and cheese, and green beans

• Kid-sized portions and takeout options for easy meals

• Whether you're craving breakfast, barbecue, or comfort food classics, you'll find plenty of Gatlinburg restaurants to satisfy the whole family.

• Theme park rides for all ages, from kiddie coasters to thrill rides.

• Live entertainment with music, theater, and seasonal storytelling.

• Seasonal festivals like Smoky Mountain Christmas and Harvest Festival.

• Dollywood's Splash Country water park featuring slides, wave pools, and toddler splash zones.

The Island in Pigeon Forge

• Great Smoky Mountain Wheel offering panoramic mountain views.

• Choreographed fountain shows with music and lights.

• Family-friendly shops with toys, sweets, and souvenirs.

• Various restaurants and snack spots with plenty of kid-friendly options.

WonderWorks – Pigeon Forge

• More than 100 hands-on exhibits across science, art, and imagination.

• Indoor ropes course suspended three stories high.

• 6D motion ride simulating thrilling adventures.

• Space Discovery Zone with astronaut training challenges and trivia.

SkyLand Ranch – Sevierville 

• Scenic Horizon Skyride chairlift to the top of the ranch.

• Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster, the longest in the Southeast.

• Miniature animal encounters with goats, alpacas, and more.

• Live entertainment, shopping, and classic ranch-style dining options.

Soaky Mountain Waterpark – Sevierville 

• 50-acre waterpark featuring slides, wave pools, and a lazy river.

• Soaky Surge wave pool with swells up to six feet.

• Boomer’s Bay and The Hive for kid-friendly splash zones and slides.

• Cabana rentals and multiple dining options throughout the park.