Top 8 Best Things to Do as a Family in Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is the perfect family destination, with something for everyone. Check out these eight all-ages attractions.

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

All ages delight in the wildlife, historic sites, waterfalls, and fresh mountain air here. Bring a picnic. Walk the Gatlinburg Trail, an easy stroll for even the youngest kids, or visit Fighting Creek Nature Trail to spot ghostly remains of long-gone settlements. Go wading at the Greenbrier swimming hole or The Sinks.

2. Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Leave the screens at home--see weird oddities in real life. With more than 500 exhibits and artifacts of the strangest animals, objects, and people, the Odditorium will fascinate kids and teens.

3. Anakeesta

Escape to this mountaintop theme park where the theme is natural beauty. Enjoy the chairlift ride (look for black bears!). At the top, the view takes your breath away. Traverse the Treetop Skywalk, where you’ll walk among the leafy canopy 60 feet off the ground. The kids will love playing at TreeHouse Village Adventure, cooling off at the splash pad, and mining for real gems and fossils!

4. Play Putt-Putt at Hillbilly Golf

If you’ve got any serious golfers in your party, get ready to see them frustrated to high heaven, because the Hillbilly Golf course is designed to steal more golf balls than you can carry. Since every hole is on a downward slope there’s no forgiveness for those without perfect aim, and there’s a John Deer tractor about midway down that seems to be a magnet for golf balls. As frustrating as this sounds, it’s all in good fun. So in the name of bonding with family and friends, get ready to lie on your scorecards!

5. Play Arcade Games at Fannie Farkles

Love classic arcade games? Fannie Farkle’s has plenty, including ghost-chasing Pac-Man, old-school Skee Ball, and thrilling racing games where you’re the driver. Want to try the latest new games? Defend the planet from evil robots when you play Robot Storm, Show the crane claw you’re the boss as you play Ticket Time to win prize tickets. Demonstrate your skill at Sink It as you bounce balls into targets. There are loads more games to conquer at Fannie’s.

6. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Touch a stingray, spy on penguins, shudder as sharks glide past, or ride in a glass-bottomed boat. This state-of-the-art aquarium with 10,000 creatures is an unforgettable day out.

7. Take in the View on the Tram

If you're looking for a fun and scenic way to see Gatlinburg, then take a ride on the Ober Mountain Aerial Tram. The tram will take you on a journey up the mountain to the amusement park, providing stunning views of the Tennessee landscape along the way. Once you reach the top, you can explore all that Ober Gatlinburg has to offer, including skiing, snowboarding, games, arcades, ice skating, chair lifts and shopping. So next time you're in Gatlinburg, be sure to check out this unique attraction!

8. Relax at Your Gatlinburg Family Cabin

Play pool, tell tales by the fire pit, watch movies or break out a board game. Make family memories in your vacation cabin. Book a Gatlinburg cabin today!