Planning a trip to Gatlinburg with your family? There is so much for you to see and do! Whether you want to see the sights, go on rides, or visit an aquarium, you can do it all in Gatlinburg. Each year, families come to Gatlinburg to experience everything the city has to offer. Everyone from the kids to the grandparents will love exploring the different attractions. If you’re looking for help deciding what to do on your family vacation, look no further! Keep reading to learn about the can’t-miss things to do in Gatlinburg with your family.
1. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Located at the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies has hands-on activities for kids and adults alike. Get up close and personal with manta rays at the Touch a Ray Bay or watch playful penguins all day at the Penguin Playhouse. The Discovery Center lets kids get hands-on experience with horseshoe crabs and learn about other creatures of the deep. You can also stick around for live shows where divers feed fish and sharks. One of the most popular activities at the aquarium is the 340-foot-long glide path that takes you through Shark Lagoon — be sure to keep an eye out for Sally the Sea Turtle!
2. Ober Gatlinburg
No matter the time of year, there are always family-friendly things to do at Ober Gatlinburg. From mid-December to March, kids and adults can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing on the slopes. Even on the hottest summer day, the whole family can go ice skating in the indoor arena. The Aerial Tramway will take you from downtown Gatlinburg up to the amusement park and ski area. An alpine slide and mountain coaster wind down the mountain for exciting rides, and the chairlift provides scenic views without the hike during all seasons. You’ll never run out of things to do at Ober!
3. Anakeesta
To get to Anakeesta, you must board an open-air gondola that takes you up the 600-foot Anakeesta Mountain. At the top, you will find restaurants and shops in the Magical Firefly Village. Kids of all ages will enjoy the Treehouse Village Playground, and the whole family can take a nature walk in the Vista Gardens. If your crew likes adventure, be sure to book a zipline ride through the trees or take a ride on the Rail Runner, the only single-rail mountain coaster in the country.
4. Gatlinburg Space Needle
To see one of the most incredible mountain views, you should check out the Gatlinburg Space Needle. The Space Needle stands at 407 feet tall and overlooks downtown Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. A glass elevator takes you to the 360-degree observation deck, where you can find impressive mountain views during the day and city lights at night. After admiring the view, you can play games in the arcade or test your skills at an escape room.
Find More Things to Do in Gatlinburg
When planning your vacation, these 4 popular attractions should make the top of your list. If you would like some other ideas on what you should do while you visit us, take a look at more things to do in Gatlinburg, TN.