Top Things to Do with Family in Gatlinburg for an Unforgettable Trip

Last summer, we packed up the car and headed to Gatlinburg with the kids for what turned out to be one of our best family vacations yet. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect of Gatlinburg family activities because Tennessee mountain towns can be hit or miss when you’re traveling with children. But Gatlinburg is what completely won us over.

Tucked right at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains, this little town manages to balance that authentic mountain charm with enough family entertainment to keep everyone happy. 

There are so many things to do with family in Gatlinburg and here’s what we discovered during our week there, along with some lessons learned the hard way.

Ghost and Haunt Tours of Gatlinburg

Family Adventures in Gatlinburg: A Parent’s Honest Guide

The Great Smoky Mountains

I’ll be straight with you, before this trip, my kids thought “nature” meant the local park with a playground. Getting them excited about hiking seemed impossible. But something magical happens when you’re standing at the base of these ancient mountains.

Clingmans Dome became our first victory. Yes, it’s touristy, and yes, the parking lot can sometimes get crowded by mid-morning during busy summer days. But watching my 8-year-old’s face light up when we reached that observation tower was indeed priceless. 

The half-mile walk isn’t exactly a “hike,” but it felt like conquering Everest to them. Pro tip: go early or late in the day, not just for the crowds, but because the light is incredible for photos. Therefore, this is surely one of the things to do with family in Gatlinburg. 

Laurel Falls was where we really hit our stride. This 1.3-mile walk is paved the whole way, which meant our youngest could manage it without the usual complaints. While the waterfall itself is gorgeous, what surprised me was how much the kids enjoyed the journey. They spotted chipmunks, collected interesting rocks, and actually put their phones away for most of the walk!

The wildlife encounters were completely unexpected. We saw a black bear on our second day from a distance while we were safely in our car, of course. My teenager, who’d been sulking about the “boring nature stuff,” suddenly became a wildlife photographer, snapping dozens of photos through the car window.

That SkyLift Experience Everyone Talks About

The Gatlinburg SkyLift was probably our biggest splurge among Gatlinburg family activities that we chose, but boy did it deliver. My wife has a mild fear of heights, so she was nervous about the chairlift ride up. The kids, predictably, loved every minute of the scenic ride, given the adventurous ride.

The SkyBridge is genuinely impressive as you get to walk across what they claim is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America feels like a real achievement. The views are stunning, though it can get windy up there. Our middle child, who’s usually fearless, got a bit nervous halfway across, but the other families were encouraging and patient.

We spent more time on the SkyTrail than expected. It’s basically a gentle walk through the trees with overlook points, but the kids turned it into an adventure game. Sometimes the simplest activities work best.

Indoor Backup Plans That Deliver

Ripley’s Aquarium saved us on a rainy Tuesday. I’d read mixed reviews as some people calling it overpriced, others raving about it. We fell somewhere in between because it is a bit expensive, but we enjoyed the experience. This should be on the top things to do with family in Gatlinburg, particularly if you’re heading there with kids and need a backup in case of a rainy day.

The Shark Lagoon tunnel walk-through is genuinely cool. Even my jaded teenager admitted it was “pretty awesome” watching sharks glide overhead. The kids pressed their faces against the glass for ages, completely mesmerized with all the sea creatures. 

What really won them over was the Penguin Playhouse. We ended up watching those goofy birds for almost an hour. There’s something hypnotic about penguins – they’re simultaneously graceful and completely ridiculous to watch waddle around.

The touch tanks were hit or miss with our kids. Our youngest loved feeling the stingrays’ smooth skin and what made the experience even better was the staff’s patience and knowledge.

Adventure Parks

Anakeesta was our big adventure here. The treetop skywalk is pretty spectacular because you’re literally walking through the forest canopy. My wife conquered her height fears here, though she gripped the railings pretty tightly.

The alpine coaster was the clear winner. All three kids rode it multiple times, and honestly, the adults had just as much fun. It’s not terrifying, but it’s thrilling enough to get your heart racing.

When You Have Little Ones

Our friends joined us for part of the trip with their 4-year-old, so we got to test some of the toddler-friendly options.

Ripley’s Davy Crockett Mini-Golf was a hit. It’s not just mini-golf,  it’s like a little adventure course with caves and waterfalls. Their preschooler managed the whole course with minimal frustration, which is saying something.

The Gatlinburg Space Needle worked well for mixed-age groups. The elevator ride to the top is quick, the views are great, and there’s an arcade downstairs for when attention spans wane.

Food Discoveries

Let’s talk about food, because honestly, this is one of the best things to do with family in Gatlinburg, because food can make or break a family trip that includes kids. 

The Pancake Pantry lives up to its reputation, but expect a wait, especially on weekends. While their sweet potato pancakes are genuinely special for most of the crowd, the kids’ favorite, as expected, was the chocolate chip.

We stumbled onto Crockett’s Breakfast Camp on our last morning, and I wish we’d found it sooner. The atmosphere is fun without being over-the-top themed, and the portions are generous. Plus, the staff was patient with our indecisive 6-year-old.

For dinner, The Park Grill surprised us. We expected typical tourist food, but the steaks were actually excellent. The kids’ menu had real options beyond the usual chicken nuggets.

What We’d Do Differently

Our best days were when we picked two or three activities and left time to just wander around town. However, looking back, we probably tried to pack too much into each day initially. The kids got overwhelmed. 

We learned to always carry light jackets, even on warm days, as the weather can change quickly in the mountains.

Parking downtown can be challenging during peak times. We found it easier to park a few blocks away and walk, the kids didn’t mind, and it was actually nice to explore the side streets.

We should  also have opted for a ghost tour that would’ve excited the kids, and honestly, also us. Ghost and Haunt Tours offers unmatched ghost tours and the knowledgeable guides deliver real stories and keep you engaged throughout these interactive tours. 

Final Thoughts

Gatlinburg worked for our family because it offered something for everyone without trying too hard. The natural beauty speaks for itself, the attractions are genuinely fun (not just marketing hype), and the town has managed to stay relatively authentic despite its tourist popularity.

Would we go back? Absolutely. There’s still plenty we didn’t get to, and the kids are already asking when we can return. For a destination that needs to satisfy three kids, two adults, and varying energy levels, Gatlinburg delivered in ways I didn’t expect.

Sometimes the best family vacations happen in places that don’t overthink it, they just offer good experiences in a beautiful setting. That’s exactly what we found in Gatlinburg.