Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee are real finds when it comes to things to do with kids in the area. Families seeking an action-packed getaway can spend their days skiing and snowboarding in the winter, then in warmer weather go hiking, horseback riding, fishing or splashing around at a water park.
Kids are sure to enjoy family-friendly hikes in the Smoky Mountains, imagination-sparking attractions like Gatlin’s Fun Center and Dollywood’s colorful kiddie rides and heart-racing roller coasters, and eccentric museums such as the Titanic Museum.
The cheerful creation of country superstar Dolly Parton
Ideal para: Famílias, História
There’s something to amuse and excite families of all ages at Dollywood. Let the wee ones take a whirl on such rides as the Busy Bees merry-go-round or scramble over fire engines in the Firehouse play yard. For older kids there’s the Mystery Mine roller coaster that races through an abandoned mine and many other thrill-inducing rides like the free-falling Drop Line and Shooting Star.
Families could also explore the area’s history and landscape by hopping aboard the Dolly Express for a scenic train trip or stopping at the 1890s Calico Falls schoolhouse. If visiting from the second week of November through December, you’ll be treated to vacation parades and the festive Santa’s Village exhibit.
Localização: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, USA
Telefone: +1 800-365-5996
Dollywood
The little ones will love the Kiddie Land train
Ideal para: Famílias, Foto
Ober Gatlinburg’s ski resort offers 10 trails for skiers and snowboarders to explore, with equipment rentals and lessons available. Beyond its winter activities, Ober is a fun place for families year-round with amusement park rides, a huge indoor ice-skating rink, mini-golf and water raft rides.
The easiest way to get here is by catching the aerial tram ride from downtown. There’s an admission fee for each attraction, so you’ll save money by buying a wristband that allows entry into several places.
Localização: 1339 Ski Mountain Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Telefone: +1 865-436-5423
Ober Gatlinburg
Crazy big breakfasts in an old-time country setting
Ideal para: Famílias, Alimentação
Known for its hearty breakfasts, Crockett’s Breakfast Camp serves up inches-thick pancakes, the grandly-named “Waffle of Insane Greatness”, and skillets spilling over with sugar cured ham and pecan smoked bacon. And so much more. If you’re counting calories, you’ll probably get your week’s worth with the biscuits and grits alone.
Aside from the food, Crockett’s earns its family-friendly credentials with its frontier-style cabin setting complete with a roaring fireplace, hay bales and rustic wood from old barns. It feels more like the first stop of a mountain adventure journey than a restaurant. There’s no children’s menu but one order of a scrambler or skillet could easily be shared by 2 or 3 kids.
Localização: 1103 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Abre: Daily from 7 am to 1 pm
Telefone: +1 865-325-1403
Crockett’s 1875 Breakfast Camp
A museum shaped like the ship and featuring recovered artifacts
Ideal para: Famílias, História, Viagens alternativas
Enter the Titanic museum and you’ll be handed a boarding pass of an actual Titanic passenger or crew and you’ll find out their fate in the museum’s memorial room. Walk up the exact replica of Titanic’s grand staircase and explore the stunning galleries and exhibits. You’ll discover over 400 personal and private artifacts recovered from the wreck and you get to shovel coal in the boiler room and learn how to send an SOS distress signal. This thrilling museum also features an age-appropriate and interactive area for younger sailors.
Located conveniently in the Pigeon Forge center, you’ll find fun dining and accommodation options nearby. Do book your museum visit well in advance as the tickets tend so sell out fast.
Localização: 2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, USA
Abre: Hours vary by season
Telefone: +1 865-868-1197
Titanic museum
You can book a pavilion for your family picnic
Ideal para: Famílias, Econômico, Aventura
Herbert Holt Park is ideal for a budget-minded family to enjoy the great outdoors and to run around in walking trails, playgrounds and the leafy green spaces. Kids can try their luck casting a line from the children’s fishing pier along the creek, which is stocked weekly with rainbow trout from the park’s fish farm.
There’s no fee or fishing permit required but you’ll need to bring your own gear and check the signs for rules and regulations. Entry to the park is free but non-residents are charged a fee to use the pavilions, which must be reserved in advance.
Localização: N Park Ln, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Herbert Holt Park
Outdoor adventures for the whole family
Ideal para: Aventura, Famílias, Foto
Kid-friendly hikes in the Smoky Mountains are a great way to bond as a family, be active, and learn about the outdoor world. The trails vary from short, easy, and stroller-friendly walks to more challenging hikes through quiet forests.
The Elkmont Nature Trail is less than a mile long and filled with opportunities to learn about forest ecosystems. The 1-mile roundtrip to and from Cataract Falls is easy for all ages and the kids will love seeing the waterfall cascading over rocks and boulders. The Laurel Falls Trail features a paved trail suitable for little feet and an impressive waterfall at the end. So, pack some snacks and water and head out for an adventure on the sunny trails.
Kid-friendly hikes in the Smoky Mountains
Two locations for double the fun
Ideal para: Famílias, Foto
Go-kart riding isn’t just for big kids at The Track, which lets little racers have a go on the Kiddie Karts. Older family members looking for an action-packed drive could try Wild Woody, where you’ll zoom up a wooden track 3 and a half storeys before circling back down and navigating a steep heart-racing drop near the finish.
Beyond the go-karts, families will find tons to do here including amusement park rides, kiddie rides, mini-golf and more than 60 games in the arcades.
Localização: 2575 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, USA and 4061 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, USA
Telefone: +1 865-453-4777 and +1 865-409-1077
Go-karting at The Track
Treetop adventures with spectacular views
Ideal para: Famílias, Aventura
Anakeesta is a mountaintop theme park that offers families a good mix of excitement and relaxing down-time with a view. Its Duelling Zipline gives a pair of thrill seekers the chance to fly alongside one another through the air some 131 ft (40 meters) above ground. Take the canopy walk for a sky-high view over the forest across 16 connected bridges in the treetops.
Families could spend hours exploring the park’s Firefly Village and its restaurants and shops, strolling the botanical gardens or running around the Treehouse Village playground. The admission fee includes the gondola ride, with discounts available for kids. Extra charges apply for the zipline and mountain coaster rides.
Localização: 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Abre: Daily at 10 am (closing hours vary by season and weather conditions)
Telefone: +1 865-325-2400
Anakeesta
One of the area’s largest mini golf destinations
Ideal para: Famílias, Foto
Gatlin’s Mini Golf at Gatlin’s Fun Center offers a great opportunity to play out your family battles for mini-golf glory with 2 outdoor stunning courses to conquer. Together these 2 courses boast a whopping 45 holes of fun. The Old Mountain Trail course leads through a scenic hillside landscape, while the Old Towne Square course lets you try some trick shot action in a setting of restored historical cabins.
There’s no need to worry about bad weather wrecking your game with a 9-hole “blacklight” indoor course to try. Or they could check out the laser tag, the frenzied Atomic Rush game, and more. You can buy single activity tickets or an adventure pass which lets you try 6 activities.
Localização: 716 Parkway # 219, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Abre: Daily from 10 am (closing times vary)
Telefone: +1 865-436-2326
Gatlin’s Mini Golf
The town hub for good eats and good fun
Ideal para: Famílias, Econômico
There’s no need for families to spend a lot in Gatlinburg when its lively downtown strip is an enjoyable place to wander around for no cost at all. Colorful shop window displays may tempt you to buy gifts and snacks, but you might be able to score tasty free samples from places like Sugarbaby and Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen.
At Ole Smoky, you’ll certainly salivate while watching its candy makers busily churning taffy like a Willy Wonka fantasy scene. Many of the town’s best attractions are found along the strip, including Ripley’s Believe it or Not, which has a dazzling curio-filled entrance area that’s free to explore.
Downtown Gatlinburg strip
Este artigo inclui opiniões da equipe editorial dos Go Guides. A Hoteis.com remunera os autores dos textos publicados neste site, o que pode incluir custos de viagens e outras despesas.