Planning a family adventure everyone will love can be a daunting task. But, the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee offer a plethora of fun activities for adults and kids of all ages. With exciting thrill rides, up-close encounters with marine life, and a replica of a famous ship, there’s something for the whole family! 

Rollercoasters and Ziplines 

Kids of all ages will love a scenic adventure on an alpine coaster, an exciting zipline through a forest canopy, or a thrilling ride on a rollercoaster! Thrill seekers of all ages will love these family fun destinations. 

Alpine Coaster 

The Alpine Coaster in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is an exciting and unique attraction that offers a thrilling ride through the beautiful Smoky Mountain landscape. Located at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains, this alpine coaster provides a fun and scenic adventure for visitors of all ages. 

The ride features a winding track that descends through the forest, allowing riders to experience the natural beauty of the area from a new perspective. The coaster is designed with individual cars that can be controlled by the riders, allowing them to adjust their speed and control the thrill of the ride. With a variety of curves, drops, and twists, the Alpine Coaster promises an exhilarating experience as you glide through the trees. 

The coaster operates year-round, providing a different experience in each season. In the summer, riders can enjoy the lush green scenery, while in the fall, the vibrant colors of the changing leaves add to the spectacle. Winter offers a unique chance to ride through a snowy landscape, adding a touch of magic to the adventure. 

The Alpine Coaster in Pigeon Forge is a popular attraction for families, thrill-seekers, and anyone looking to enjoy a fun and scenic ride in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. 
smokymountainalpinecoaster.com 

 

Anakeesta 

Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is a family-friendly adventure park nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. The park offers a range of outdoor activities and attractions designed to immerse visitors in the natural beauty and excitement of the region. 

At the heart of Anakeesta is its scenic Chondola ride, which transports guests from the base of the park to the mountaintop village. The ride provides stunning views of the Smokies and the surrounding area. Once at the top, visitors can explore the whimsical Treehouse Village, featuring a network of elevated walkways and treehouse structures that offer fantastic views and playful experiences for children and adults alike. 

Anakeesta also boasts a variety of other attractions, including the Adventure Tower, which houses a treetop skywalk and a zipline course, allowing guests to soar above the forest canopy and take in breathtaking aerial views. For those seeking a more relaxed experience, the park offers charming gardens, beautiful floral displays, and peaceful walking trails. 

In addition to its outdoor adventures, Anakeesta features dining options and gift shops in the mountaintop village. The park’s design emphasizes a blend of natural beauty and fun, with a focus on creating memorable experiences for visitors of all ages. 
anakeesta.com 

 

Dollywood 

Founded by country music legend Dolly Parton, Dollywood offers a diverse range of attractions and experiences for visitors of all ages. 

One of Dollywood’s main draws is its collection of exciting rides and roller coasters. The park features several high-energy rides, including the Lightning Rod, a high-speed wooden coaster, and the Wild Eagle, an impressive wing coaster that provides an exhilarating flight-like experience. For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, there are also family-friendly rides and attractions scattered throughout the park. 

In addition to its rides, Dollywood is renowned for its live entertainment. The park hosts a variety of musical performances, theatrical shows, and seasonal events, showcasing everything from traditional country music to gospel and bluegrass. The shows often feature talented performers and elaborate stage setups, contributing to the park's vibrant atmosphere. 

Dollywood also emphasizes its connection to Southern culture and heritage. The park includes themed areas that celebrate Appalachian traditions, including crafts, food, and historical exhibits. Visitors can explore craft shops where artisans demonstrate traditional skills, sample Southern cuisine at various dining locations, and experience the warmth of Southern hospitality. 

The park's beautifully landscaped grounds are also a highlight, with lush gardens, scenic views, and seasonal decorations that enhance the overall experience. During special events like the Smoky Mountain Christmas, Dollywood transforms into a winter wonderland with festive lights and holiday-themed attractions.  

Dollywood’s thrilling rides, engaging entertainment, and cultural experiences make it a standout destination in the Smoky Mountains region and a must-visit for families and theme park enthusiasts 
dollywood.com 

 

Winter Sports 

If your kids love the snow, these destinations in the Smokies have you covered! Go snow tubing in an indoor winter wonderland, or test your snowboarding skills in the scenic Smokies. 

Pigeon Forge Indoor Snow Park 

Pigeon Forge Snow Park in Tennessee is an indoor snow park that provides a winter wonderland experience year-round. Located in Pigeon Forge, this family-friendly attraction offers a unique opportunity to enjoy snow-related activities regardless of the season. 

The park features a range of snow activities, including tubing down snowy slopes. Visitors can ride individual or multi-person tubes and experience the thrill of sliding down the park’s snow-covered hills. For younger guests, there are designated areas with smaller hills and gentler slopes to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time. 

One of the highlights of Pigeon Forge Snow Park is its snow play area, where guests can engage in activities like building snowmen and having snowball fights. The snow is made from a special snow-making process that ensures a consistent, powdery texture, providing a realistic snow experience even in the middle of summer. 

In addition to snow activities, the park offers amenities such as rental equipment for tubing, food and beverage options, and comfortable seating areas for relaxation. The facility is climate-controlled, ensuring a comfortable environment for visitors to enjoy the snowy fun regardless of outside weather conditions. 

Pigeon Forge Snow Park provides a magical escape into a snowy environment, making it a popular destination for families, especially those who may not have the chance to experience snow in their local area. Whether you're tubing down the slopes or enjoying a snowball fight, the park delivers a memorable winter experience all year long. 
pigeonforgesnow.com 

 

Ober Gatlinburg 

Ober Gatlinburg is a popular year-round attraction located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, nestled in the scenic Smoky Mountains. The resort offers a diverse range of activities and amenities, catering to visitors of all ages and interests throughout the seasons. 

During the winter months, Ober Gatlinburg transforms into a vibrant ski resort. It features a variety of ski slopes and snowboarding runs suitable for different skill levels, from beginner to advanced. The resort also offers snow tubing, where visitors can glide down specially designed lanes on inflatable tubes, and ice skating at its indoor rink. For those looking to learn or improve their skiing or snowboarding skills, Ober Gatlinburg provides lessons for all ages. 

Ober Gatlinburg is accessible via a tramway from downtown Gatlinburg, providing a scenic and convenient way to reach the resort. The tramway ride offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding landscape, adding to the overall experience of visiting the resort. 

The resort also includes a range of dining options, shopping opportunities, and family-friendly attractions. From its year-round activities to seasonal events and stunning mountain views, Ober Gatlinburg offers a versatile and enjoyable destination for those looking to experience the beauty and adventure of the Smoky Mountains. 
obermountain.com 

 

Shows and Other Attractions 

Enjoy dinner and a show or turn your family trip into an educational experience. Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show is exciting for all ages, educational attractions like Ripley’s Aquarium and WonderWorks make learning fun, and the historic Old Mill offers a glimpse into the past. 

Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show 

Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud Show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is an entertaining and action-packed live performance that showcases the traditional skills of lumberjacks in a fun and competitive format. The show is designed to captivate audiences with a combination of athletic prowess, humor, and audience interaction. 

Set in a rustic and lively atmosphere, the Lumberjack Feud Show features a team of professional lumberjacks who compete in a series of exciting events inspired by classic lumberjack sports. These events include log rolling, axe throwing, and pole climbing, each performed with impressive skill and speed. The competition is often presented in a humorous and engaging manner, with plenty of interaction between the performers and the audience. 

The show is presented in an arena-style setting, allowing for close-up views of the action and ensuring that everyone has a great seat. Throughout the performance, guests can enjoy the high-energy antics of the lumberjacks as they showcase their strength, agility, and precision in various feats. 

In addition to the main show, Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud often includes pre-show activities and themed entertainment that enhance the overall experience. The show offers a family-friendly environment and aims to provide a memorable experience for visitors of all ages. 
lumberjackfeud.com 

 

WonderWorks 

WonderWorks in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is a unique and interactive museum that combines education with entertainment. Known for its distinctive upside-down building, WonderWorks offers a wide range of hands-on exhibits and activities designed to engage visitors of all ages in science, technology, and fun. 

Inside the attraction, you'll find over 100 interactive exhibits spread across several themed areas. These include physics, natural disasters, space exploration, and more. Some popular exhibits allow guests to experience the sensation of being in an earthquake, test their strength against a robot, or simulate flying a fighter jet in a virtual reality environment. 

One of the standout features of WonderWorks is its "Physical Challenge Zone," where visitors can test their physical abilities through various challenges, including a ropes course, climbing walls, and laser tag. Additionally, the "Imagination Lab" offers creative activities such as designing and playing virtual sports or engaging in interactive digital art. 

The attraction also features a 4D motion theater, which provides an immersive movie experience with special effects that correspond to the action on the screen. The theater's shows are designed to be both entertaining and educational. 

WonderWorks is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and its emphasis on making learning fun. Its unconventional building design and interactive exhibits make it a popular destination for visitors looking to explore, play, and discover in Gatlinburg. 
wonderworksonline.com/pigeon-forge 

 

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies 

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is a renowned marine attraction that offers an immersive experience into the world of aquatic life. The aquarium features a diverse array of marine species from around the globe and provides a variety of engaging exhibits and interactive experiences. 

One of the main highlights is the Shark Tunnel, a 340-foot-long glass tunnel that allows visitors to walk through a tank filled with sharks, rays, and other sea creatures, providing a 360-degree view of these magnificent animals as they swim overhead. The aquarium also boasts a large collection of exotic fish, including colorful reef fish, jellyfish, and sea turtles. 

In the "Penguin Playhouse," where visitors can observe playful penguins both above and below the water. The exhibit includes a crawl-through tunnel for children, allowing them to get up close and personal with these fascinating birds. 

Ripley's Aquarium also offers touch pools where visitors can gently interact with horseshoe crabs, jellyfish, and rays. The "Discovery Center" provides educational programs and hands-on activities that teach visitors about marine biology, conservation, and the importance of protecting ocean ecosystems. 

For those seeking a more adventurous experience, the aquarium offers special encounters such as the "Penguin Encounter," where guests can meet and interact with a penguin up close, and the "Shark Dive," which allows certified divers to dive into the shark tank. 

In addition to its marine exhibits, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies hosts various events and educational programs throughout the year, making it a dynamic and engaging destination for visitors of all ages. Its combination of interactive exhibits, diverse marine life, and educational opportunities make it a must-visit attraction in Gatlinburg. 
ripleys.com/attractions/ripleys-aquarium-of-the-smokies 

 

Titanic Museum 

The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge is a captivating attraction dedicated to the history and legacy of the RMS Titanic. This museum offers a unique, immersive experience that allows visitors to relive the grandeur and tragedy of the ill-fated ship's maiden voyage. 

The museum is designed to resemble the Titanic itself, with a half-scale replica of the ship's bow and exterior features. Inside, the museum houses an extensive collection of authentic artifacts and exhibits related to the Titanic. Visitors are given boarding passes with the name of an actual Titanic passenger or crew member, adding a personal connection to their journey through the museum. 

Exhibits cover various aspects of the Titanic's story, from its construction and launch to the luxurious accommodations and the lives of the passengers on board. Visitors can explore detailed recreations of the ship's interior, including the Grand Staircase, first-class cabins, and third-class quarters, providing a glimpse into the different experiences of those who sailed on the Titanic. 

Interactive displays enhance the educational experience, allowing visitors to touch an iceberg, shovel "coal" in the boiler room, and try to balance on the sloping decks as the ship began to sink. These hands-on activities help bring the historical events to life and offer insights into the challenges faced by the passengers and crew. 

The museum also features a memorial room dedicated to the 2,208 people who were on board, honoring both the survivors and the 1,517 souls who lost their lives. Personal stories, photographs, and artifacts help convey the human side of the tragedy, making the experience both moving and memorable. 

The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge is a comprehensive tribute to one of history's most famous maritime disasters, offering an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages. Its blend of authentic artifacts, detailed recreations, and interactive exhibits makes it a must-see attraction for anyone interested in the Titanic's history. 
titanicpigeonforge.com 

 

Old Mill 

The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge is a historic landmark and a popular destination for visitors seeking a glimpse into the area's past. Built in 1830, this gristmill has played a vital role in the local community for nearly two centuries, providing flour, cornmeal, and other essential products. 

The mill is powered by the Little Pigeon River, using a massive waterwheel to grind grains. This traditional milling process, which has remained largely unchanged since the mill's inception, is still in operation today, producing fresh, stone-ground products that visitors can purchase. 

The Old Mill complex includes several attractions and amenities that enhance the visitor experience. The Old Mill Restaurant, housed in the same building as the mill, offers hearty Southern cuisine made with ingredients produced on-site. Guests can enjoy dishes such as fried chicken, pot roast, and homemade biscuits while taking in views of the river and the mill's workings. 

Adjacent to the mill is the Old Mill General Store, where visitors can purchase a variety of products made using the mill's stone-ground grains, including flours, pancake mixes, and grits. The store also features a selection of local crafts, souvenirs, and gourmet foods. 

The Old Mill Square, a charming area surrounding the mill, hosts several additional shops and eateries. The Old Mill Creamery serves homemade ice cream, while the Old Mill Pigeon River Pottery showcases handmade pottery crafted by local artisans. The Old Mill Candy Kitchen offers a sweet selection of candies and treats made on-site. 

The Old Mill is also home to seasonal events and activities, such as the Harvest Festival and Christmas celebrations, which add to its appeal as a year-round destination. Visitors can enjoy live music, crafts, and special menus during these festive occasions. 

The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge is not only a historic site but also a vibrant hub of activity that combines history, culture, and Southern hospitality. Its scenic location, traditional milling operations, and array of attractions make it a must-visit spot for anyone exploring the Smoky Mountains region. 
old-mill.com