11 Gatlinburg Family Activities You'll Love

Vacation towns don’t get much more family-friendly than lively Gatlinburg. Kids and teens will love these 11 engaging activities and attractions.

1. Ride a Mountain Coaster

Gravity pulls you downhill, zig-zagging around a curving, corkscrewing track. Coasters include Rowdy Bear Mountain Alpine Coaster, Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster, and Anakeesta’s Rail Runner.

2. Play Mini Golf

Hunt treasure in a jungle temple at Treasure Quest Golf. Play on two outdoor courses and an indoor blacklight course at Gatlin’s Fun Center. At Hillbilly Golf, ride a tram up the mountainside to two mountaineer-themed courses.

3. Conquer an Escape Room

Follow clues while you race the clock. Escape haunted houses, explore Atlantis, steal a moonshine still, and much more! Gatlin’s Escape Games and Breakout are just two of Gatlinburg’s escape rooms.

4. Explore the Mountains

In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, rangers offer kids’ programs all year. Kids ages five through 12 can become Junior Rangers and learn about this historic natural wonder.

5. Hit the Slopes

Ober Gatlinburg features snow tubing, ice bumper cars, skating, and snowboarding. In warmer months, visit animals at Wildlife Encounter, try kiddie rides, or jump on the mountain coaster. 

6. Get Close to Sea Creatures

All ages enjoy the 10,000 creatures, from penguins to sharks to clownfish, at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Ride in a glass-bottomed boat, touch a stingray or watch penguins paint at this world-class aquarium.

7. Drive Like a Movie Star

At the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, imagine you’re Batman or a Ghostbuster, taking on bad guys and bad ghouls in your fabulous ride. Kids and teens can see dozens of vehicles used in films and on TV.

8. Experience SkyLift Park

Dare the kids to walk over a valley with nothing but glass between them and the ground! At SkyLift Park, the amazing SkyBridge is a safe stroll over the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America. The views will make you gasp! 

9. Zip Through Treetops

Sail through the forest and spend hours without touching the ground. Gatlinburg and surrounding areas boast plenty of family-friendly ziplines, some for kids as young as three.

10. See Ripley’s Believe It or Not

Investigate wildly weird exhibits, from a scrap-metal dragon to shrunken human heads. Kids will talk about the “Odditorium” for years. 

11. Make Memories in a Gatlinburg Cabin

Bake cookies together. Play pool or arcade games in a cabin with a game room. Hang out by the fire pit, making s’mores. Your cabin is family central! Browse our Gatlinburg cabins today.