Gatlinburg City Guide | 5 min read
Family Fun Gatlinburg City Guide
Discover Gatlinburg, Tennessee, a family-friendly destination with fun activities and attractions for all ages. Explore the great outdoors, enjoy theme parks, and immerse in the local culture.
Lisa Downs
10 Jul | read
Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a delightful family destination that promises a mix of outdoor adventure and engaging indoor attractions. With its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, families can immerse themselves in nature's beauty on scenic hikes or capture awe-inspiring vistas from Ober Gatlinburg's aerial tramway. This charming town brims with southern warmth and hospitality, easily catering to family needs with kid-friendly dining options and exciting attractions.
Beyond the natural wonders, Gatlinburg showcases a rich cultural side with its vibrant Arts & Crafts Community. Here, families can browse handmade goods and even partake in crafting workshops. The Gatlinburg Trolley makes it convenient to explore all corners of the town, ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable visit.
Whether you're looking for thrilling adventures, cultural experiences, or simply a serene place to relax, Gatlinburg offers a myriad of options suited for families. Explore the warmth and charm of this Tennessee gem on your next family holiday.
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Top Fun Things for Families in Gatlinburg
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a haven for nature-loving families. With over 800 km of trails, the park offers paths for every skill level. Kids will love exploring the easy, scenic paths like the Laurel Falls Trail, where a beautiful waterfall awaits at the end.
In spring and summer, capture the stunning wildflowers or participate in a family-friendly ranger-led program. For a breathtaking vista, drive up to Clingmans Dome, but remember a stroller for little ones.
With no entrance fee, it's an affordable adventure. Pack a picnic and make a day of it, keeping an eye out for deer and black bears!
Ober Gatlinburg is an amusement park and ski area offering year-round fun for families. In winter, try skiing or snow tubing. Warmer months bring bear encounters at the wildlife encounter and thrilling rides.
The aerial tramway ride to the adventure park provides stunning views of the Smokies, perfect for capturing family memories. Little thrill-seekers will enjoy the Alpine Slide and the Ober Coaster, a mountain coaster ride with stunning scenery.
Plan for at least half a day here. Accessible for strollers, it's a comfortable outing for all. Don't forget your camera!
Explore the deep with a visit to Ripley's Aquarium. Featuring interactive exhibits, it’s a favourite for curious children. Walk through the underwater tunnel and marvel at sharks swimming overhead, or touch a stingray at the Touch A Ray Bay.
Educational programmes and live shows ensure that children of all ages remain engaged. With so much to see and do, it’s easy to spend several hours here.
Located right in Gatlinburg, this is an ideal indoor activity on a rainy day. Parking is available nearby, making it a convenient family stop.
Enjoy panoramic views of Gatlinburg from the Gatlinburg Space Needle. Families can ride the glass elevator to the top for a birds-eye perspective of the picturesque Smokies.
At the base, Arcadia offers a family amusement centre with games suitable for all ages. The on-site performances and music acts complement the experience, making it a full-fledged family outing.
Set aside a couple of hours for this visit. Open year-round and stroller-friendly, it’s accessible to families with young children.
The Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community is a delightful 13-km loop brimming with local artisanal crafts. Families can watch craftspeople at work and choose unique souvenirs to take home, from handcrafted pottery to intricate jewellery.
Some studios offer workshops for kids to create their own crafts, making it a hands-on experience. Parents can enjoy browsing while young artists explore their creativity.
Open year-round, it provides a peaceful retreat from the bustling downtown. Consider visiting on weekdays for a quieter exploration.
Famous Faces from Gatlinburg
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton, a beloved country music icon, hails from the region near Gatlinburg. Her larger-than-life presence and contributions to music have made her a household name worldwide. In addition to her music career, she has made significant charitable contributions and founded Dollywood, a popular family amusement park near Gatlinburg.
Her music and philanthropy continue to inspire families, offering a rich cultural connection to the area. Visiting Dollywood can offer families a taste of her enduring legacy.
Steve Daugherty
Steve Daugherty, a notable contemporary artist, is known for his stunning landscape paintings that capture the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. His work often features elements unique to the Gatlinburg area, drawing inspiration from its picturesque vistas.
His contributions to the local art scene make him a significant figure in Gatlinburg’s cultural landscape, showcasing how creativity thrives amidst the natural beauty of the region.
Fun Facts about Gatlinburg
- Gatlinburg is named after Radford Gatlin, who opened the second general store in the town in the mid-1800s.
- The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to an estimated 1,500 black bears, making it a top destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
- The Gatlinburg Trolley covers over 50 km of the area, providing an eco-friendly and scenic way to see the town.
- Every spring, the town hosts the Gatlinburg Flower Festival, showcasing colourful blooms from local gardens.
- Gatlinburg is a popular location for destination weddings due to its stunning natural landscapes.
- The Smokies are known for their misty look, caused by the large number of vapour-emitting plants.
Free Things to Do in Gatlinburg
Explore Cades Cove
Cades Cove is a beautiful valley accessible via an 11-mile one-way loop road that's open to cars, bikes, and hikers. It's one of the best places to view wildlife in the Smokies, and children will love spotting deer and maybe even a bear.
The loop offers accessible hiking trails, so bring a picnic and enjoy the historical buildings and scenic views along the way. Early mornings and weekdays provide the best chance for a tranquil experience.
No entrance fee makes it a top choice for budget-conscious families looking for adventure.
Gatlinburg Trolley Rides
The Gatlinburg Trolley offers transport throughout the city for a donation, allowing families to explore without cost. Kids will enjoy the ride, and it's a stress-free way to visit various attractions.
Trolleys run regularly, and routes cover key areas including downtown Gatlinburg, making it a practical and enjoyable option for seeing the sights. It’s stroller-friendly, ensuring convenience for families.
A great option on a budget, you can catch a ride and see where the day takes you.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail provides a self-guided driving tour through lush forests and rushing streams, perfect for families who enjoy nature spotting from the comfort of their car. The 8-km loop is particularly beautiful in spring and autumn.
With various scenic spots and hiking trails accessible along the route, it's ideal for stopping and exploring at your own pace. Keep an eye out for historic homesteads along the way.
This nature trail is open seasonally, usually from mid-March through November.
Visit the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Loop
The Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Loop offers an artistic feast for the eyes with no charge to browse. The 8-mile trail features numerous galleries and shops where artisans display their wares.
Families can enjoy seeing unique crafts and perhaps engaging in a conversation with the artists themselves. A wonderful way to spend a leisurely afternoon learning about local craft traditions.
Consider visiting during weekdays for a quieter experience and the chance to see artisans at work.
Wildlife Watching at the Sugarlands Visitor Center
The Sugarlands Visitor Center, located at the park entrance, is an excellent resource for families interested in learning more about the Smoky Mountains. Inside, find exhibits on the area's flora and fauna and an informative 20-minute film.
The surrounding trails offer opportunities for wildlife watching, so be sure to bring binoculars. The nature trails are accessible and suitable for small children.
The centre is open all year and serves as a helpful starting point for your adventures in the park.
A Perfect Family Day in Gatlinburg
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at a local café, fuelling up for an adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Spend the morning hiking the Laurel Falls Trail, perfect for families with its gentle incline and breathtaking waterfall.
For lunch, enjoy a picnic in Cades Cove, where the stunning scenery provides a perfect backdrop. Make sure to drive the loop road to spot wildlife and explore historical sites.
In the afternoon, head back to Gatlinburg for a visit to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. Engage with the marine life, and let the kids marvel at the interactive exhibits.
Wrap up with dinner at a family-friendly restaurant downtown, before heading to the Gatlinburg Space Needle for sunset views and some arcade fun at Arcadia.
Written by Lisa Downs
Lisa has been a content writer for Family Days Out for nearly 10 years, and a keen travel writer for nearly 20. She loves experiencing the best of a city, discovering the many things to do and immersing herself in the culture, and sharing these experiences with others through her writing.
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