Make sure the kids get the most out of their time in the Smoky Mountains with our quick guide to The Best Kids & Family Things To Do in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area. Here are some of the notable outdoor adventures for people with energy to spare, as well as some indoor attractions that will get the kids laughing with fun. When the kids are having fun, the whole family is happy, and that’s what a Gatlinburg vacation is for!
Posts Tagged: family fun
Great Arcades in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
On your whirlwind trip through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, you can always count on the local arcades for fun and excitement. The pinball machines, arcade cabinets, and carnival games are the star of the show, for sure, but the entertainment doesn’t end there. Go-karts, laser tag, and mini golf promise to keep you on your toes as well. Ready to have a great time? Here are some ideas on just where to go.
Top Attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
When it comes to family-friendly attractions and entertainment, the neighboring East Tennessee towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have plenty of options available for active families. With Great Smoky Mountains National Park right next to the two towns, deciding which of these attractions are the best can be difficult, based on your personal tastes and interests, but we’ve come up with a list of five top-rated attractions in the area to help you plan your next vacation.

Family Reunions & Gatherings in the Smoky Mountains
We see a lot of family reunions in the Smoky Mountains, where several generations stay in one large cabin, or some smaller cabins close to each other, and where they organize a celebration in our Conference and Wedding Reception Facility. In fact, of course, weddings are one of the great reasons for extended family and friends to meet up again in one place.
When multiple generations and larger groups of people stay in the same resort area, they don’t want to be crammed together in a hotel room. They want the spaciousness of a cabin, with multiple floors and areas for fun, and separate nooks and bedroom suites for quiet time, and communal areas where everyone can come together over a meal or a game or just a sprawling conversation.

Picnic Areas in the Smoky Mountains
With diverse forests, babbling brooks and unforgettable scenic mountain views, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers plenty of spots for a picnic. Learn about some of our favorite spots to open up your basket and spend some quality time with your loved ones in the great outdoors.

Holiday Activities for All the Family
The weather is cooler and the nights are longer, but the holiday seasons brings a special kind of energy to the Smoky Mountains, and there is much to see and do with your entire family. Check out some of the holiday highlights happening throughout the area, and start planning your festive Smoky Mountains vacation today!
Fun Family Attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
With one or possibly two zillion things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, here are a few of the attractions and activities that you may want to try out during your visit here.

Image courtesy of Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud
Smoky Mountain Vacation Photographers
When you’re making lifetime memories in the Smoky Mountains, it’s easier than you may think to get a professional photographer to help make those photographs truly outstanding for generations to come. One local company that makes this easy is Gatlinburg Photo Studios, a team of photographers who come to where you are, or provide studio settings, to capture the essence of your trip in the Smokies.

Images copyright and used by permission ©
Mountain Rides: Up and Down in the Smokies
Of the many things to do in the Smoky Mountains, some of the most fun are the various rides up and down the mountain: the lifts and gondolas up, the coasters and slides down, and the ziplines in between. Here’s a guide to all the mountain rides in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area.
Mountain Experience at Anakeesta
Anakeesta is one of the newest attractions in Gatlinburg, and is gaining attention thanks to its diverse collection of family-oriented activities and beautiful mountain views.
Opened in summer of 2017, Anakeesta is a mountain top destination with a shopping and dining village, a children’s tree house playground, a tree canopy walk, and several other activities, including ziplines, a coaster down the mountain, and a chair lift and gondola that goes both up and down. And since the Anakeesta Mountain location has not been open previously, for many people the views from Anakeesta are unique.

Image courtesy of Anakeesta