6 Family Friendly Things to Do in Gatlinburg You Don’t Want to Miss

Gatlinburg is full of fun things to do for people of all ages! It’s no surprise that it’s one of the best vacation destinations for families. From amusement parks to aquariums, you will have endless options for entertainment when you visit. To help you decide what to do during your family vacation, we’ve put together a guide of 6 family friendly things to do in Gatlinburg that you don’t want to miss:

1. Anakeesta

Anakeesta is the perfect place to go for your family to experience the magic of the mountains. Your adventure begins with a scenic ride to the summit of Anakeesta Mountain, where you’ll enter Firefly Village. Firefly Village is full of shops, dining, and entertainment. The kids will love running around at the Treehouse Village Playground or trying their hand at gem mining! You can also go ziplining, ride a one-of-a-kind mountain coaster, do the Tree Canopy Walk, and more. Before you leave, enjoy a delicious dinner with a gorgeous view at Cliff Top Bar Grill & Bar.

2. Ober Gatlinburg

Ober Gatlinburg is known for its fun winter activities, but there is something fun for the family all throughout the year. Hit the slopes during the winter, or ride water rides in the summer! You will love seeing animals at the Wildlife Encounter, going ice skating indoors, racing down the Alpine Slide, and so much more. There is even a special Kiddie Land just for the kids where they can have fun on rides, slides, swinging bridges, and more.

3. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies not only lets you see thousands of aquatic animals, but you’ll have the opportunity to interact with them too! Your family can visit the African penguins in their indoor/outdoor habitat, walk through an underwater tunnel and see 12-foot sharks swimming above you, or touch a stingray. Not only that, but your kids will love the opportunity to touch an actual jellyfish! Before you leave, be sure to stop by the gift shop to get your kids a souvenir to take back home.

4. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium is one of the most unique family friendly things to do in Gatlinburg. As soon as you walk through the doors you’ll be stepping into a world of the strange and unusual. You’ll see hundreds of odd artifacts from all around the world. The interactive experiences the odditorium provides make it the perfect place for families to explore. Some things you can expect to find in the museum include shrunken heads, a car covered in crystals, a vampire killing kit, and a two-trunked elephant.

5. Gatlin’s Fun Center

Gatlin’s Fun Center’s name speaks for itself. If you’re looking for hours of fun for the whole family, look no further than Gatlin’s. It is your one stop for family fun in Gatlinburg! Experience mini golf, escape rooms, laser tag, bumper cars, a ropes course, and more. The kids will have a blast experiencing all the fun that this Gatlinburg attraction has to offer.

6. Gatlinburg Space Needle

Make sure you visit the Gatlinburg Space Needle while you’re in town with your family! This 407-foot-tall observation tower provides 360-degree views of Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. The scenery you’ll see from the top is breathtaking. Once you take in the views, ride the glass elevators back down and spend some time in Arcadia, Gatlinburg’s largest arcade attraction. It has over 100 of the hottest games and the chance to win awesome prizes at the redemption center.

More Family Friendly Things to Do in Gatlinburg

These are just some of the many family friendly things to do in Gatlinburg. From rides to magic shows, you and the kids will have a blast making memories that last a lifetime. Check out more family friendly things to do in Gatlinburg and start planning your vacation!