Right in the center of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg stands out like a dream town. Among foliage of different colors due to the majestic nature surrounding it and buildings between modern and others stopped in time, Gatlinburg is a must-see destination, especially for families.
Originally known as White Oak Flats, its current name was adopted in 1856 in honor of Radford Gatlin, who opened the first store in the area. But it would not be until 1930 that this city in eastern Tennessee would begin to become what it is today.
What makes Gatlinburg just as interesting as Colorado Springs and Wyoming, is that it is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is the most visited national park in the US. Because of this fact, here you will find all kinds of things to do in Gatlinburg with kids, from hiking, fishing, camping, or just soaking up the breathtaking beauty of this town.
But this town isn’t just for outdoor and nature lovers. You will also find fun things to do with kids in Gatlinburg, such as amusement parks, excellent restaurants, and all kinds of attractions for the whole family to enjoy.
Here, we bring you a complete guide to the best things to do with kids in Gatlinburg, TN! Don’t miss out on the many opportunities this magical place has to offer!
TOP 15 Things to Do in Gatlinburg, TN, with Kids
1
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Take your kids for an incredible trip into a magical aquarium filled with plenty of cool exhibits and attractions like the Ocean Realm, where you get to explore the wonders of the sea with schooling fish, camouflaged flounders, and many more. There are also special features where you can meet marine species. Basically, there are lots of things to do in Gatlinburg with kids!2
Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park and Ski Area
Ober Mountain is not only perfect for going skiing in the winter, but you can enjoy it all year round! Some of the attractions you will find include the Aerial Tramway, which takes you to the top of the mountain; Spider Jump, a bungee trampoline; the Mountain Coaster, among other fun things to do in Gatlinburg with kids!3
Anakeesta
Anakeesta is not just any adventure park; it is THE park! With tons of cool and exciting attractions, Anakeesta is perfect when looking for things to do with kids in Gatlinburg! Take a ride on the Chondola to the top of the mountain; challenge yourself on the many courses at TreeVenture where you can climb, crawl, and slide, all in a magnificent mountain setting! You can walk through a botanical garden with over 3,000 plants and flowers! It's simply a magical place in the heart of Gatlinburg.4
Gatlinburg Space Needle
One of Gatlinburg’s landmarks is the Space Needle. It is a 407-foot tower where you can enjoy an amazing 360-degree panoramic view of the entire area. At the observation deck, kids can play in an arcade full of games and simulators. You can also visit the Iris Theater, for unique shows, or have a wonderful carbonara at the Slice Pizza Bakery, well known for its Italian cuisine.5
Hollywood Star Cars Museum
The Hollywood Star Cars Museum is filled with an iconic collection of over 40 vehicles, and there is one in particular that your child will absolutely love: the Batmobile from the 1966 TV show! You can also see Hollywood cars like the Ghostbusters Ecto-1, and the DeLorean from Back to the Future! This is simply one of the best things to do in Gatlinburg with kids!6
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
On the Sky Trail, you will enjoy the breathtaking surroundings of the Great Smoky Mountains. If you want a bit more adventure, the SkyLift will take you to the top of Crockett Mountain, but what’s better is that it is perfect if you’re looking for free things to do in Gatlinburg with kids! There is also the SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America.7
The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum
Gatlinburg is not all nature and panoramic views. As we've seen, the city has several museums, and one in particular cannot be overlooked when looking for things to do in Gatlinburg with kids! The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum is quite rare. Check out over 20,000 sets of salt and pepper shakers, a collection of pepper mills, and many other interesting exhibits. The museum is open to all ages and children under 12 get in free!8
Mysterious Mansion of Gatlinburg
Are you in town for Halloween? Then look no further and check out the Mysterious Mansion! It is a haunted house that has been scaring locals and visitors for over 40 years. They offer unguided tours, and you can go with your older kids for a spooky experience! Walk through three floors of secret passageways, dark corridors, and rooms that will give you goosebumps.9
Treasure Quest Mini Golf
Looking for fun things to do with kids in Gatlinburg? Then, Treasure Quest Miniature is the perfect destination to go and have a great time with the family! The facility features an 18-hole indoor course filled with unique scenarios. And for a more exciting experience, there are five holes in Black Light.10
Fannie Farkle's Family Fun Parlor
Fannie Farkle's is the place to go with the family for a fun time! Since 1981, this has been a destination for parents looking for things to do in Gatlinburg with kids. Why is that? Because it boasts a wide selection of arcade games, delicious food such Ogle Dogs as and many more! It’s truly a great destination for all!11
Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen
The Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen has been making homemade taffy for over 50 years! They have 33 different flavors to choose from, including the famous Moonshine Taffy! What makes this place exciting is that the kids can watch the making process and of course get a bag of many flavors, making it one of the best things to do with kids in Gatlinburg!12
Gatlin's Escape Games
Looking for a different experience filled with adrenaline and a lot of thinking? Gatlin's Escape Games has it all! The venue boasts six different escape rooms for all ages. The Masters of Magic, The Legend of Atlantis, Moonshine Hill Hootenanny, are just some of the coolest options you have! If you're looking for things to do in Gatlinburg with the kids, this is a must!13
Hillbilly Golf
Enjoy an 18-hole course with over 40 years of history! Hillbilly Golf stands out among the coolest things to do with kids in Gatlinburg! This mini golf course is located on a hillside and features rustic decor. Try to pass through obstacles like waterfalls and wooden bridges while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains!14
Arcadia
Packed with arcade games, Arcadia lives up to its name! It offers 30,000 square meters of pure fun! Not only does it have video games, but it also has immersive simulations and a pizzeria to enjoy some delicious food before leaving. Arcadia is the place to go for fun things to do in Gatlinburg with kids.15
Moonshine Mountain Coaster
One of the best things kids can do in Gatlinburg, TN, is ride the Moonshine Mountain Coaster. Both children and adults will have a fantastic and unique experience on this roller coaster! What makes it unique is that it allows riders to control their speed! Moonshine Mountain Coaster is open all year round and accessible to everyone's budget.When looking for activities to enjoy with the family, it is important to have a variety of options for different ages, tastes, preferences, accessibility, among others. Of course, it is perfectly understandable for parents to put their tastes in second place and let the kids decide where to go! However, it is essential to check if the place or activity is really kid-friendly.
Thankfully, there are all different and awesome places to visit with kids across the US, as well as plenty of things to do with kids in Gatlinburg! Next time you’re passing by this beautiful town, now you know where to go!
