Families with children visiting Gatlinburg specifically, often in combination with a Pigeon Forge stay
Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg with Kids
Gatlinburg is the smaller, more charming neighbor to Pigeon Forge — less developed, more atmospheric, and directly at the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For families with kids, Gatlinburg punches well above its size with world-class attractions including one of the best aquariums in the Southeast, the stunning Anakeesta mountaintop park, a ski and wildlife resort at Ober Mountain, and the iconic SkyLift Park suspension bridge. Pair a Gatlinburg day with a Pigeon Forge itinerary for the complete Smokies family experience.
Top Picks
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Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Water Park4.7
$$All ages
- Walk-through 340-foot underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks and rays
- Penguin playhouse with live penguin encounters and feeding shows
- Interactive touch pools where kids can handle horseshoe crabs and stingrays
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Anakeesta
Outdoor4.8
$$$All ages (best for 5+)
- Scenic chondola (chairlift + gondola) ride to the mountaintop for stunning panoramas
- Treetop Skywalk with multiple suspension bridges through the forest canopy
- AnaVista Tower offers 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains
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SkyBridge Gatlinburg
Outdoor4.7
$$5 and up
- North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge at 680 feet
- Glass-panel floor sections that let you look straight down into the gorge below
- Accessed via a scenic chairlift ride from downtown Gatlinburg
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Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
Outdoor4.7
$$All ages
- Classic chairlift ride up Mount Harrison provides memorable views even before you arrive
- Home to North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge at 680 feet
- Stunning views of downtown Gatlinburg and the surrounding mountain ridges
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Ober Mountain
Outdoor4.5
$$All ages
- The only ski resort in the Smokies with slopes for all skill levels in winter
- Aerial tramway from downtown Gatlinburg provides a scenic ride to the summit
- Wildlife Encounter featuring black bears, river otters, and native Appalachian animals
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Laurel Falls Trail
Outdoor4.8
$All ages
- Most visited waterfall in the most visited national park in America
- Fully paved 2.6-mile round-trip trail accessible even for young toddlers
- Gorgeous 80-foot two-tiered waterfall as the dramatic payoff at trail's end
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Clingmans Dome
Outdoor4.7
$All ages (strenuous hike for seniors)
- Highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains at 6,643 feet above sea level
- Iconic spiral observation tower with 360-degree views on clear days
- Above the clouds experience — literally walk through the clouds on misty mornings
Pro Tips
- 1.Parking in Gatlinburg is extremely limited — arrive before 9 AM or use the park-and-ride shuttle from the Traffic Control Center to avoid frustration on busy days.
- 2.Ripley's Aquarium and SkyLift Park are best visited on the same day since they are within easy walking distance of each other on the main Gatlinburg Parkway.
- 3.Ober Mountain's aerial tramway from downtown provides a magical ride for kids who have never been on a gondola — book it as an experience in itself, not just transportation.
- 4.Laurel Falls Trail starts 3.5 miles from downtown Gatlinburg — drive it rather than walk from town, and arrive early for parking.
- 5.Calhouns Restaurant in Gatlinburg is an excellent family dinner choice — the creekside setting and casual atmosphere handle energetic children well.
Where to Eat Nearby
Calhouns RestaurantOld Mill RestaurantPaula Deen's Family Kitchen