4 of the Best Summer Activities in Gatlinburg for the Family
Gatlinburg and the Smokies are two of the top destinations for many families during the summer time. While vacationing in the area, you’ll find an unlimited amount of fun and places to explore, but we wanted to give you a few ideas to help you get your itinerary for this year planned! We hope that a few activities spark your interest and that we welcome you as our guest soon!
Visit Attractions and Museums
Every kid loves a day of hands on learning and exploring fun and interesting places. In Gatlinburg, you’ll find numerous top rated attractions that are kid-friendly and museums that are not only a great place to play but also to learn. Our Ripley’s Aquarium was voted #1 Aquarium in the nation again in 2019 in USA Today’s 10BEst Readers’ Choice vote and is one of the most loved spots in town. Families will also enjoy many other Ripley’s attractions in town, including the Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum. The Hollywood Star Cars Museum is another downtown Gatlinburg attraction that is highly rated among guests. Take time on your next trip to visit one, a few or all!
Play a Round of Mini-Golf
A little friendly family competition is always fun! On your next vacation in the Smokies, try your hand at a round of Ripley’s Davy Crockett’s Mini-golf, located directly beside our hotel. The course is filled with silly challenges that are sure to keep the family laughing. Plus, if you get a hole in one on the 18th hole, you’ll receive a free game! It’s a fun spot for kids of all ages!
Adventures at the Top!
A trip to Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains, isn’t complete if you don’t take in our stunning views of the mountains! In Gatlinburg, we have many choices of ways to access the top of our mountains not only for the view, but for that fun that waits at the top as well! Take a ride on the Gatlinburg SkyLift to check out the new SkyBridge, the nation’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge will be opening mid-May and is sure to be a hot spot this summer for thrill seekers! If you’re looking to cool off with some ice bumper boats, ice skating or on some amazing water rides, you’ll want to spend the day at Ober Gatlinburg. To find the perfect place for ziplining, shopping, dining and more, head up to Anakeesta for a day of fun!
Explore the Outdoors
When visiting Gatlinburg with the family, a trip into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a must! During the summer, you’ll find plenty of trails to add to your Smokies adventure as well as never ending streams to cool off in. Stop in the Sugarlands Visitors Center for details on the park and events that are free to the family, as well as the junior ranger program. If it’s a hot day, head up to the higher elevations of the park and you’ll find much cooler temps. Take a walk up to the top of the Clingmans Dome observation tower, hike to the Alum Cave Bluffs or out to Andrews Bald. You’ll find beautiful wildflowers throughout the park, wildlife enjoying the warmth of the year and you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime.
Another great summer activity in Gatlinburg, is a stay at our hotel! We have an indoor pool with a hot tub but also an outdoor pool with a slide, picnic tables and a splash pad that’s perfect for the little ones. On cool summer nights, you’ll enjoy relaxing by our firepits and every afternoon when you come back from a morning of exploring you’ll find complimentary cookies. Each morning will start off with waking up well rested from our comfy beds and a free healthy breakfast to get your day kicked off. We have free parking, access to the trolley and free downtown parking passes for our guests. Above all, we can guarantee that you will have a very authentic and unique experience with us at your home away from home.
We hope to see you soon! Book a room!
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