ITINERARIES
Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN
1 Week Including Dollywood and Great Smoky Mountain National Park
The areas of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in East Tennessee have many family-friendly attractions and are next to Great Smoky Mountain National Park so you can enjoy the beauty of the Appalachian mountains. We go to this area almost every year and have compiled our favorites into this 1-week itinerary that combines attractions and enjoying natural beauty. You could also cut this itinerary down to fit a smaller time frame.
Deciding when to go
- We most enjoy visiting in the shoulder seasons – fall and spring – when the weather is nice but not too hot and the crowds are less.
- Summer is also a good time to go. It will get hot but you can enjoy waterparks and wading in cool mountain streams to cool down.
- Winters are usually cold and there could be snow, but it doesn’t snow as often as you might think, so if your goal is to see snow you may be disappointed. But there are snow tubing places and a small ski resort in the area. There are also plenty of indoor activities to make it a fun winter escape!
Flights if Needed
If you need to fly, your closest airport is the McGhee Tyson Airport near Knoxville (TYS). Compare prices on airlines >
Car Rental
If you can drive to the area instead of fly – do it! But if you can’t, you will need to rent a car for this trip.
We recommend comparing prices on multiple companies at booking.com to find the best deal with free cancelation.
I recommend renting a minivan if you have a family of 4-6 people. I don’t care if you think minivans “aren’t cool”, they are the most spacious and convenient for road trips with kids and have plenty of room for luggage.
Check the prices on car seat rentals at your car rental place. I have rented before and sometimes got great seats and other times did not. Sometimes they are unavailable or too pricey and it may be better to bring your own. You can pack them in a car seat travel pack or a big suitcase and check them as luggage.
Lodging
You will find every hotel brand in the area, but you’ll also find some unique resorts and great cabin rentals. As much as we like collecting hotel brand points, we don’t stay in a typical Marriot when we come here. Try one of these instead:
- Wilderness of the Smokies – A waterpark resort! There are a variety of room types to choose from and they all come with access to the outdoor AND indoor waterparks making this place fun year-round! If you enjoy water parks – pick this one! Check availability and prices >
- Dollywood Resorts – There are two Dollywood hotels – HeartSong and DreamMore. The biggest perk to these hotels is you get TimeSaver passes included with your stay so you can skip the regular lines at Dollywood. If Dollywood is your main priority and you’re visiting during a busy time, this perk alone might make this worth it. They are also lovely hotels!
- Rent a Cabin – There are a lot of cabin rentals in the area. SO so many that it’s hard to recommend a few in particular. Look around on AirBnB, VRBO, and Booking.com and find one that works for your family. You’ll find cabins with mountain views, cabins by streams, cabins with hot tubs and pools, cabins that can fit large groups, and much more.
- Other Hotels/Resorts – you can find cheaper places to stay than the hotels above if you want to keep your budget smaller. If deciding between what area to stay in, we prefer the quaintness and mountains of Gatlinburg over the busy highway of Pigeon Forge.
- PRO-TIP: Consider a split-stay. It can be a pain to pack-up and switch hotels, but you could do a Dollywood hotel for a night to get the included TimeSaver passes, then switch to Wilderness for a few days to enjoy the waterpark, then stay somewhere cheaper in Gatlinburg for a few days so you’re closer to the National Park. It could help maximize your time, your fun, and your budget.
Other Things to Purchase in Advance
- National Park Pass – there is a flat fee of $5/day or $15/week to park for more then 15 minutes in the National Park. You can pay this online and print your pass to avoid having to wait in line at the Visitor’s Center to get one. Buy your pass here >
- Dollywood – you can usually save by buying your tickets in advance online. You will also save time not buying tickets at the gate.
- Smoky Mountain River Rat Tubing – reserve your tubing day and time in advance to save.
Some other attractions and dinner show can also be reserved online in advance, but typically nothing sells out if you want to wait and book things the day before based on the weather. There are also some combo ticket deals out there. If you can decide what attractions you want to see in advance, check to see if they have a combo discount. Ripley attractions, Dolly’s Stampede + Titanic Museum, etc. often have combo deals.
- If you have kids age 5 or under, I recommend bringing a stroller for Dollywood and possibly other attractions. Something like this >
- If you have toddlers or babies, I highly recommend bringing a backpack carrier for hiking. This is the one we used and liked >
- Clothes that match the weather. The mountains can have cool evenings and hot days.
- Athletic shoes (something good for walking and hiking)
- Tevas or other shoes that can get wet and won’t fall off (you’ll need these for tubing and if you want to play in streams and creeks.
- All Toiletries
- Fanny Pack, cross-shoulder bag, or backpack (I love a fanny pack for packing the essentials and staying hands-free and not putting stress on shoulders)
- All chargers – phones, watches, tablets, etc.
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Medicines
- Coats/jackets
- Ponchos or raincoats
- Bug spray
- Sound machine (if you’re sharing a hotel room with your whole family a sound machine really helps!)
Prices are always going to vary! But here are some ranges/estimates to help you budget:
- Flights (if needed) – $300-600 per person
- Rental Minivan for 1 weeks (if needed) – $500-700
- 7 hotel or rental nights – $150-400 per night
- Food (if you’re eating breakfast at your hotel and not doing fancy dinners every day) – $60-80/adult per day, $30-40/kid per day
- Gas – this will really depend on the car you rent and the price of gas, but keep it in mind!
- Shopping – this can vary a lot depending on your shopping habits. It’s best to have a shopping budget in mind to stick to.
- Possible Activity costs (pick and choose some of these, but there are plenty of free activities in the mountains):
– National Park: $15 for the week
– Dollywood – 1-day ticket: $92/adult, $82/child, 2-day tickets: $119/adult, $109/child
– River Tubing – $22/adult, $17 child (add $5 per ticket if you don’t purchase in advance)
– Parrot Mountain – $30/adult, $20/child
– Titanic Museum – $45/adult, $15/child
– Rowdy Bear’s Smokey Mountain Snowpark – $34 for one hour, $44 for two hours
– Ripley’s Aquarium – $40 for 12 and up, $25 for ages 6-11, $15 for ages 2-5
– Ripley’s 3 Attraction pass – $70 for ages 12 and up, $48 for ages 3-11
– Annakeesta – General Admission – $37/adult, $25/child. Mountain coaster – $17/person. Zip Line – $60/person. Astra Lumina – $16/person.
Attractions
There are SO many attractions in this area. And honestly, most of them are tourist traps and not worth the money. The best “bang for your buck” attraction is Dollywood. No, it’s not cheap, but it’s a full day full of great rides, shows, and food. You can also do 2-day tickets that are an even better value. I would choose a second day at Dollywood over many other attractions in the area. With that said, we have included alternative attractions for several of the days in this itinerary. You could also have a great trip to this area without doing any attractions and just enjoying the National Park.
Outdoor Activities
This itinerary has a combination of attractions and natural beauty. Even if you don’t consider yourselves outdoor people, we recommend trying a little! We have purposely picked outdoor activities that are easy and safe for kids to do.
Jump to a Day
Day 1
Arrive in the Area, Enjoy Your Resort/Cabin
- Depending on which way you’re coming from, you’ll arrive in the area by Highway 441 or 321 and should have some lovely mountain views to enjoy along the way.
- Check in to your hotel or rental.
If your resort, hotel, or cabin has a pool or waterpark or other fun things to do – enjoy them!
You could eat in at your hotel/resort/cabin, or try one of these family favorites:
Gatlinburg:
- Smoky Mountain Brewery (Pizza, wings, etc.)
- Crystelle Creek Restaurant (Steak, seafood)
- The Park Grill (American)
- Calhoun’s (BBQ)
- Smoky Mountain Trout House (Trout, Southern)
- Alamo Steakhouse
Pigeon Forge:
- Local Goat (American)
- Blue Moose Burgers and Wings
- Mel’s Classic Diner
- The Old Mill Restaurant (Southern)
- Alamo Steakhouse
Dinner Shows:
- Pirate’s Voyage Dinner and Show (Our kids #1 pick. This is a fantastic show in a great theater with plenty of food. Also owned by Dolly Parton.)
- Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Show (Our second favorite. Similar to the Pirates show but with horses instead of Pirates and mermaids.)
- Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show (If you want something more themed to Appalachia – this is a winner! )
- Paula Dean’s Lumberjack Feud Dinner Show (You eat before the show, then the show is outside in covered bleacher seating. Fun and affordable, but not as good as others in our opinion.)
Day A
Dollywood
The order in which you do these days doesn’t matter. Reorder them to fit the weather and your desires.
Eat breakfast at your hotel or cabin and get ready for a great theme park day!
Dress for the weather and pack a small bag with essentials. Every ride at Dollywood has a place for you to put bags so you don’t need to worry about getting a locker or leaving them with a non-rider.
Bring a bathing suit or change or clothes if it’s a hot day and your kids like to get wet. There are two splash play areas in the park and 2 water rides (log flume and white water raft ride).
Bring a stroller for kids 5 and under – it’s a big park with lots of hills!
If staying at a Dollywood resort, use their free transportation to reach the park entrance.
If driving, general parking is $25 and is pretty far from the park entrance so it will require you to use a tram. We highly recommend splurging on Preferred Parking for $50. I don’t love spending that much on a parking spot, but Preferred Parking means you can walk to the park without having to wait for a tram. The lines for the tram can get really long, especially at the end of the night, and are difficult to get a stroller on. You also get a special entrance so you’ll have shorter lines getting into the park. Trust us, it’s worth the extra $25.
Crowds
Crowds can vary a lot. You would think the weekends are the worst, but weekdays can be really busy with school groups. I have often found less crowds on a Friday or Sunday vs. a Tuesday. Crowds are also worse in the middle of the day. The first hour of park opening and the last 2 hours before close are the best times for shorter crowds. If you get to the park late and leave early – you’re missing out!
Tickets
One day tickets are the most expensive, but also the most common. You can typically do most of the park in one day if you stay the whole day. Two day tickets are a better value. For only $30 more you can have an entire second day to spend in the park. Compared to other attractions in the area, $30/person for another day at Dollywood is a great value! If you like waterparks, you could also do one day at Dollywood and one day at Splash Country, which is also a better value then 1-day tickets. Dollywood also makes a big push toward annual passes. If you want to spend more then 2 days at Dollywood or will be back for at least one more visit within a year, then the annual pass is the past value for sure.
Do I need a TimeSaver Pass?
The TimeSaver is the name of Dollywood’s skip the regular line pass that works on SOME attractions. It’s an additional $60-99/person which can really add up for a family with multiple kids. In my opinion, it’s not worth it. If you can arrive at the park before it opens, follow one of the plans below, and stay through closing, you should have no problem getting most things done on normal crowd days. Another thing to consider is buying a 2-day ticket (only $30/person more than a 1-day ticket) and you can enjoy 2 days in the park with plenty of time to get things done vs. spending an extra $60-99/person to do it all in one day. HOWEVER – if $60-99/person is in your budget and you only have 1 day to spend in the park – go for it! Just know that it does not work on every ride! Review the list of eligible rides and see if it makes sense for your family.
Height Requirements
Many rides at Dollywood have height requirements. There is a place when you first enter the park where you can measure your kids and kid a color-coded wristband based on their height. This is not needed. It usually takes up precious time during morning hours so skip this. They will measure kids at the rides, but don’t wait in line for a ride your kid may not be tall enough for. Use the height measurement at the entrance and if you kid is close but not exactly tall enough – sorry! Don’t wait in line for disappointment.
- 55″ – Drop Line
- 50″ – Wild Eagle
- 48″ – Barnstormer, Lightning Rod, Dizzy Disk, Mystery Mine, Tennessee Tornado, Thunderhead
- 42″ – Blazing Fury, Daredevil Falls, Demolition Derby, Sky Rider, The Waltzing Swinger
- 39″ – Big Bear Mountain, Dragonflier, FireChaser Express
- 36″ – Black Bear Trail, Great Tree Swing, Shooting Star, Smoky Mountain River Rampage, The Mad Mockingbird, The Scrambler, Whistle Punk Chaser
If you have kids with varying heights, use Parent Swap
Most rides with a height requirement will allow you to do a parent swap where one parent (with or without big kids) can ride while the other parent stays with smaller kids, then swap. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy or obvious as at Disney parks where there is a person to check in with at the start of each queue. Wild Eagle has a dedicated Parent Swap area and a person to check in with inside the queue, but with other rides you may have to have the non-rider wait in the queue with you or go through the exit to talk to a staff person and ask them to help you do a swap as the first adult exits the ride.
Train
There is a real train you can ride at Dollywood and that may seem like a fun idea, but unless you have a kid who just LOVES trains, skip the train ride! I love trains at other parks, but I don’t love this train because
1. It’s a real coal train that spits out embers and they fly back and get stuck in your eyes and are painful.
2. You have to show up 30 minutes or more earlier to get seats, then sit there for a long time before the ride starts, then the ride itself last 20 minutes and kids get bored.
3. There’s nothing much to see on the train ride – it doesn’t take you past anything interesting, there’s no nice mountain views, there’s no show or scenes, it just takes you up to a big loop where they blow the train whistle, then back.
4. The train whistle is really loud and the blow it for a long time and most kids cover their ears and some cry.
Recommended touring plan to save time in lines without too much walking:
Get to the park 30 minutes before park opening time. Gates open early.
1. Walk to Wildwood Grove
When you enter the park, head LEFT and go UP the big hill. Keep walking toward Mystery Mine and then turn left and enter the Wildwood Grove section of the park. It’s a long walk to start the day but there won’t be many people back there!
2. Big Bear Mountain
This steal coaster only has a 39″ height requirement but all teens and adults will love it too! It’s super smooth, has 3 accelerated launch starts, it’s a decently long ride, and has nice views and a soundtrack. It’s the newest coaster at Dollywood and it’s fantastic!
3. Dragonflier
An inverted coaster with only a 39″ height requirement. It is a bit intense so some kids that are tall enough may find it too much, but it’s not a super long ride and a lot of fun!
4. Leave Wildwood Grove
There are lots of other kid rides and a play area in this part of the park, but to really beat the crowds on the bigger attractions, leave this section and come back to it later.
5. FireChaser Express
This is a fun little steal coaster with a 39″ height requirement that goes forward, then stops, then goes backward. There are no huge drops but is plenty of fun!
6. Wild Eagle
This one has a 50″ height requirement but has a nice parent swap area inside the queue if needed. This is a unique wing coaster where two people sit on each side of the track so you have no track above or below you and it feels like you’re flying!
7. Tennessee Tornado (maybe)
If the wait time is over 30 minutes, consider coming back to this one later. This coaster has a low capacity so the line can get long, but in the last few hours of the day it will have little to no wait. This is a classic steel coaster with 3 loops. It’s a little rough, especially in the back, but kids don’t seem to notice. It has a 48″ height requirement.
8. Blazing Fury
This is the oldest “roller coaster” in the park and I’ve been riding it since I was a kid! It has a 42″ height requirement. It is an indoor coaster that actually goes very slow and takes you through scenes of an old town that is catching fire. It’s like a lost Disney attraction that hasn’t been updated in a long time. It’s strange and wonderful. There are 3 small drops which make this one a “roller coaster,” but not really.
9. Lunch
Get some delicious BBQ pork, turkey legs, chicken tenders, and more at Hickory House BBQ. Mobile ordering is available. Then find a seat near the Eagle Sanctuary and watch the eagles as you eat!
10. Daredevil Falls
If it’s a warm day and you’re up for getting wet, try out this fun log-flume ride with a 60-foot drop. It has a 42″ height requirement. You will get wet, but not soaked. Lift your feet up or slip your shoes off to avoid having wet shoes the rest of the day.
11. Slow it down – Shows, shopping, sightseeing
At this point in the day the lines are usually long so it’s a good time to walk around Craftsmans Valley and see the different craftsman and walk in the shops. You can watch blacksmiths, candle-makers (you can dip your own candle!), glass blowers, and more.
You could also check out the Wings of America Bird Show. You’ll want to get seats about 10-15 mintutes before it begins and the show only last about 15-20 minutes.
Stop at the Grist Mill to purchase some Cinnamon Bread. It’s a Dollywood classic!
There are sometimes music acts in the chapel you can watch or head to the Back Porch Theater. Check the app for showtimes and acts.
12. Barnstormer
This thrilling ride sends you swinging 81 feet in the air on a giant pendulum. There is a 48″ height requirement and there is a playground next to it for kids who aren’t tall enough to ride.
13. Carnival Time!
Head down the hill to the Country Fair section of the park. There are several carnival-style rides in this area as well as carnival games. The rides here never SEEM to have long lines, but they are low capacity and can move really slowly, so you may have to pick and choose which rides you want to do.
NOTE: While you’re in this area you’ll probably notice the train. Unless you have a kid who just LOVES trains, skip the train ride! I love trains at other parks, but I don’t love this train because
1. It’s a real coal train that spits out embers and they fly back and get stuck in your eyes and are painful.
2. You have to show up 30 minutes or more earlier to get seats, then sit there for a long time before the ride starts, then the ride itself last 20 minutes and kids get bored.
3. There’s nothing much to see on the train ride – it doesn’t take you past anything interesting, there’s no nice mountain views, there’s no show or scenes, it just takes you up to a big loop where they blow the train wistle, then back.
4. The train whistle is really loud and the blow it for a long time and most kids cover their ears and some cry.
14. Jukebox Junction
This 1950s-themed section has two rides – the Rockin Roadway which are little cars on a track that little kids will enjoy, and Lightning Rod – a truly awesome hybrid wood coaster! Lightning Rod has 48″ height requirement and is more intense than it looks! Our daredevil kid did it for the first time at 8, the others didn’t try it until they were 11. I highly recommend trying it – even if parents have to switch off. I ride a LOT of roller coasters and this one has been in my top 5 since it opened – it’s fantastic!
15. Appreciate Dolly
Feel free to skip this, but if you admire Dolly Parton (as one should), check out the Dolly Parton Experience for a bit to learn more about her life.
16. Get some dinner and/or treats
There are lots of food options around Showstreet including food booths with seasonal specialties, a delicious bakery, a confectionary, and an ice cream shop.
17. Thunderbird and or Whistle Punk Chaser
Walk back up the hill you walked up this morning (sorry!) and ride Thunderbird, a really fun wooden coaster with a 48″ height requirement. For smaller kids, check out the Whistle Punk Chaser, a small kids coaster with only a 36″ height requirement.
18. Dropline (55″ height requirement)
You’ll get some beautiful views of the mountains before you drop 20 stories.
19. Mystery Mine
The line should be short by this time of day for this unique roller coaster with a 48″ height requirement. This is an indoor/outdoor coaster with 2-row/8-person runaway mine carts that take you upside down and through quick turns and vertical drops. There is one point inside that is very dark and could be scary for some kids. The ride is a little rough and can leave you with a headache if you’re prone to that. (This is one I usually skip and let Dad ride with the kids.)
20. Back to Wildwood Grove
If you’d like, you can come back to this section of the park you started in this morning and do some of the smaller rides here like the classic swinging pirate ship and the Mockingbird. There is also an outdoor splash area and an indoor play area that are fun to let kids run around and play in. These areas get crowded and crazy earlier in the day but by evening they are much more calm.
21. Last Ride(s) of the Night!
You do not need to be heading for the exit because it’s getting close to closing time! It’s actually the perfect time to ride one last ride (or more) with little wait. As long as you are in line one minute before the official park closing time, you get to ride! If there was a line you skipped earlier because it was too long – go ride it now! Or if there was a favorite that you want to ride again – go do it! We once got to ride Big Bear Mountain 5 times in a row at the end of the night and it was a great memory!
22. Head to Your Car
Enjoy walking through the park with little crowds and grab some good photos! You can also stop by the Emporium (the main store at the exit) to do some shopping. If you parked in Premium parking you can use the dedicated exit to easily walk to your car. If you used general parking, walk through the Emporium to the tram area, get in line for a tram, ride the tram to your stop, then walk to your car.
Recommended touring plan to save time in lines without too much walking:
Get to the park 30 minutes before park opening time. Gates open early.
1. Walk to Wildwood Grove
When you enter the park, head LEFT and go UP the big hill. Keep walking toward Mystery Mine and then turn left and enter the Wildwood Grove section of the park. It’s a long walk to start the day but there won’t be many people back there!
2. Wildwood Grove Rides
There are several good kid rides in this section of the park that can get long lines later in the day and can get miserable during the heat of the day, so riding them in the morning will save time and sweat! Try Treetop Tower, Black Bear Trail, The Mad Mockingbird, and any others your kids are interested in.
3. Wildwood Grove Play Areas
Once you have done the rides in the area without long waits, now is a good time for some free play! If it’s getting hot, explore the splash pad area! Or head inside the Hidden Hollow – a really fun indoor play area for kids 12 and under. This might be the best part of the day for some kids!
4. Lunch
Enjoy lunch at Till & Harvest Food Hall. You can do a mobile order before you arrive to save time. This restaurant has a lot of shaded outdoor seating and lots of kid favorites such as mac n’ cheese, chicken tenders, PB&J, burgers, and more. Plus they have salads, tacos, and rice bowls for adults.
5. Whistle Punk Chaser
Head out of the Wildwood Grove area and head right back down the hill. Stop on the way to ride the Whistle Punk Chaser if your kids want to try a small kids coaster.
6. If your kids will let you (or while they take a nap…)
Go to a show at the Palace or Dreamsong theaters. Check the app for show schedules. Or you could explore the Dolly Parton Experience area to learn more about Dolly!
7. Get a Sweet Treat
Showstreet has a delicious bakery, a confectionary, an ice cream shot, and seasonal food booths so it’s a great time a a treat!
8. Drive a Car
Head to the Jukebox Junction area and let your kids drive a 1950s car (on a track) at the Rockin’ Roadway. (Tip – if any adults love roller coasters, ride Lightning Rod while another adult takes the kids on this ride. If you’re going to ride one roller coaster here – make it Lightning Rod!)
9. Country Fair time!
Head down into the country fair area where you will find lots of kid-friendly rides! The carousel is at the top of the hill, but everything else is at the bottom of the hill. Try out more thrilling rides like the Scrambler, the Sky Rider, and Demolition Derby and/or classic slow-spinning rides like Dumbo and Lemon Twist (teacups).
10. Do a bit more exploring
Depending on how tired your kids are, you can explore more of the park or call it a day! You could:
- Look at the replica of Dolly’s childhood home
- Watch the glassblowers in the Glassblowing shop
- Play at the playground in the Owen Farm area (next to Barnstormer)
- Check out other craftsmen and shops in Craftsman Valley
- Watch the eagles in the Eagle Sanctuary
Enjoy walking through the park with little crowds and grab some good photos! You can also stop by the Emporium (the main store at the exit) to do some shopping. If you parked in Premium parking you can use the dedicated exit to easily walk to your car. If you used general parking, walk through the Emporium to the tram area, get in line for a tram, ride the tram to your stop, then walk to your car.
A note about things not included in this itinerary:
- The train. See my note under “General Dollywood Advice” about why we skip the train.
- Smoky Mountain River Rampage. This is a typical white water rafting ride where you can get very soaked. If you have a change of clothes or bathing suits with you then go for it! But if not, then super wet little kids, especially as they get tired aren’t always. Also this line moves slow and gets very long in the middle of the day and it’s a pretty short ride.
- Roller coasters. There are a lot of fantastic roller coasters at Dollywood! And when your kids are older I highly recommend doing them all! But this plan is purposely geared toward families with littles who are not tall enough. But feel free to divide and conquer a few times and slip away to let adults try a few coasters. Personal favorites: Lightning Rod and Wild Eagle.
- Dinner. If you stay through dinner time and want to eat in the park, great! But it may be easier to just snack in the afternoon, leave when your kids get cranky, and get dinner outside the park.
- The Bird Show. It’s mainly not included because there aren’t many other little-kid things in the part of the park where this show is and it’s a long walk to get there. But it’s also a little boring for young kids. It’s only a 15 minute show and the birds usually don’t fly around and it can be hard for littles to see the birds well.
Day B
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Gatlinburg
Check the weather and dress in what you will be comfortable hiking in.
If you think you or your kids will want to play in the creeks, consider wearing Tevas, Chacos or other hiking sandals so you can hike and splash in the same shoes. Or wear good athletic sneakers or hiking sneakers (hiking boots aren’t necessary) and bring water shoes with you.
I also recommend packing a change of clothes and/or having your kids wear a bathing suit under their clothes in case they do more than just wading in the creeks. My kids always get wetter than I expected!
Eat breakfast where you’re staying or grab breakfast out somewhere. Aim to be at the Visitor’s Center around 10am so you have time to enjoy an easy waterfall hike before lunch.
Drive to the Sugarlands Visitor’s Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The parking lot can get full but if you arrive in the morning you should be able to find a spot. Make sure you have your National Park parking pass visible in the dash of your car.
Go inside the Visitor’s Center and check out the exhibits that showcase animals that live in the park. There is also a gift shop to explore.
This is the perfect waterfall hike for young kids, people who don’t love to hike, or people who don’t want to drive far and struggle to find parking at one of the other waterfall hikes in the area.
It’s a flat and only 1.1 miles round trip. The trail starts near the bathrooms of the Visitors Center. Follow the signs for the nature trail and stay to the left at the fork.
The trail takes you along the bank of a creek and there are several spots where you can stop and play in it. Playing in mountain creeks is a great activity on a hot day!
You will then get to the falls and if you’d like, you can climb to the top. Young children should not climb to the top and older children should use caution and go with a parent!
Drive into Gatlinburg and get some lunch. These restaurants are good, family-friendly options that have free parking close to the restaurant:
- Smoky Mountain Brewery (Pizza, wings, etc.)
- The Park Grill (American)
- Calhoun’s (BBQ)
The Roaring Fork Loop is a driving loop that starts in Gatlinburg and leads you into the National Park toward Mount LeConte. The loop will take you past old cabins, vista views, several popular trail heads, a gorgeous mountain creek, and waterfalls.
- Stop at Ogle Cabin and do the nature trail
Check out this old cabin and imagine what life would have been like to live here! If you’d like, there is a nature trail loop in back of the cabin that is easy to hike and takes through a lovely part of the forest toward the creek. If you don’t plan to do one of the bigger hikes, then this is a good alternative. You can venture off the trail just a bit to reach the creek and go hopping on rocks! - Stop at the Overlook
There are 2 great overlook stops that will give you stunning views of the mountains without having to hike or pay to ride a chairlift. - Optional: Pick a waterfall hike!
There are 3 waterfalls you can hike to from the Roaring Fork Loop. Parking is limited at all of them, so that could determine which you do. None of them are super easy like Cataract Falls, but all are doable with kids.A. Rainbow Falls – This trail is 5 miles out and back which can be a bit too long for some kids. It will take about 3-4 hours to do so plan accordingly. But the waterfall at the end is beautiful, especially during spring or after a rain! Make sure you wear proper closed-toe hiking shoes and I’d recommend brining walking sticks/trekking poles if you have them to help navigate rocks and inclines. Learn More >B. Grotto Falls – I will vote this one as easiest to do with kids. But it’s also the most popular! Parking can be hard to find, but if you can reach this one in the late afternoon you could find a spot from people leaving. This is a 2.6 mile out and back trail that leads to a beautiful waterfall that you can sometimes walk behind. Learn More >
C. Baskins Creek Falls – This one is less popular which is nice. It also has two trails to get there. You can start near the Rainbow Falls Trailhead and do a 3.7 mile out and back hike or you can continue on the Roaring Fork Loop and park near the Grapeyard Ridge Trailhead and take that trail 3.1 miles out and back to reach the falls. The trail is more rugged so you will have to do some scrambling around rocks and downed trees, but that makes it fun! From Rainbow Falls Trailhead > From Grapyard Ridge Trailhead >
- Drive with your windows down and hear the roar
We recommend driving the back half of the loop with your windows down and your radio off and enjoy the roar of the mountain creek. - Admire the Place of a Thousand Drips
Near the end of the loop you will reach a roadside waterfall with lots of little dripping cascades. Park on the side of the road and walk to get a close look or just drive by slowly.
Gatlinburg is a fun town to walk around and people watch and check out some shops. If you have time or interest, you could explore downtown Gatlinburg before or after dinner in the area.
There are many dinner options downtown including some chain restaurants, but our downtown favorites are:
- Smoky Mountain Brewery (Pizza, wings, etc.)
- The Park Grill (American)
- Calhoun’s (BBQ)
- Smoky Mountain Trout House (Trout, Southern)
Or drive a little further from the downtown strip and try these great restaurants:
- Crystelle Creek Restaurant (Steak, seafood)
- Alamo Steakhouse
If you’re not too tired after dinner, you could go to one of the many mini-golf places around, or head back to your hotel to swim if they have a pool.
Fun mini-golf places in Gatlinburg:
Hillbilly Golf – Ride up an incline railway and then play fun and challenging holes as you work your way down a mountain.
Ripley’s Davy Crocket Mini Golf – Fun and well maintained golf course with animatronics and sounds. The real perk of this one is if you plan to do other Ripley attractions, you can buy a combo ticket and save.
Day C
River Tubing and Cades Cove
- You can eat breakfast at your hotel or cabin, but if you like going out for breakfast there are lots of good breakfast places in the area you could check out!
- Dress for the day by wearing or packing a bathing suit, plus a change of clothes for after tubing. Wear shoes that can get wet but won’t fall off such as Tevas, Crocks, or water shoes. The bottom of the river is rocky and you’ll be glad you have footwear.
- You can purchase food at the river tubing place later for lunch, or you can pack a picnic. I also recommend packing snacks for the day.
Drive to River Rat Tubing in Townsend. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Gatlinburg. Free parking is available on site.
- When you arrive, check-in at the check-in building. You will need to show the ID of the person who made the reservation online. You can purchase a tether for kids 5 and under so their tube will be attached to yours.
- Leave any clothes or items you don’t want to get wet in your car. Put on sunscreen before hand. You can take a phone if it’s in a waterproof case (they sell waterproof cases if you need one). Drop off your keys at the key drop in the check-in building so you don’t lose them on the river!
- Get a life jacket. Kids must wear life jackets at all times and I highly recommend that adults do as well. You may be a good swimmer, but if you flip over in fast-moving water, you will be thankful you have it on!
- Get a tube! They have kids tubes that have a closed bottom that is much more comfortable and safe for kids. Adult tubes have open bottoms so you need to be careful around rocks.
- Head down the path to the river and line up your tubes so you family can all get in the river around the same time. Once you start down the river it can be hard to stick together. You can try to hold on to each other’s tubes but sometimes it’s easier and less stressful to let everyone go at their own pace.
- About 1/3 down the river there is a place where you can stop and climb a rock and jump off into a deep area.
- There will be employees near the exit point to help you exit the river and get your tube.
- Board the bus back to the outpost.
- There is a food truck and picnic tables at the outpost if you want to get some food.
- You can go down the river again, or you can try out the upper part of the river. The upper part leaves from a different outpost that you will have to drive to. The upper part has more rapids and more age restrictions depending on the water level.
- When you’re done they have nice changing rooms where you can get out of your wet clothes.
- Drive to Cades Cove, a beautiful driving loop through a valley surrounded by mountains.
- The driving loop is closed on Wednesdays for bikes only.
- If you’re hungry, the only food around is the grab-and-go deli at the Cades Cove Campground. It is open until 9 in the summer so you can stop here either before or after you do the Cades Cove driving loop.
- Traffic can get backed up on the loop as people stop to observe wildlife or wait for parking spots. Be patient, drive slowly, and enjoy looking for wildlife. You can roll down your windows, let your kids sit up front in your lap, or even sit in the back of a truck if you have one so they can get a better view. Wildlife is more active near dusk. You can usually find deer, bears, turkeys, and occasionally elk.
- There are also several places you can stop and get out and explore which I highly recommend doing to keep kids from getting too restless in the car.
About the Attraction: Avatar Flight of Passage
This is one of my top 3 attractions in all of Disney World! This is a simulator ride that will make you feel like you are riding on the back of a banshee through the beautiful land of Pandora from the Avatar movies. I don’t like all simulator rides, but this one is smooth, does not make me nauseous, has air blowing on your face, and really feels real. I literally cried tears of joy the first time I rode this ride!
Things to know:
Height Requirement: At least 44″ tall. May not be able to accommodate some tall/large guests.
Queue: The queue is part of the experience! The first part is outdoors and provides you with gorgeous views of the land and the floating mountains and waterfalls. The second part takes you into the “human-built” buildings where you find the scientific labs. The second half is much less beautiful, but if you’ve seen the movies, you’ll know that the contrast is purposeful. A highlight of the queue is the life-size avatar in a liquid chamber.
Pre-show:
The preshow room lines everyone up on circles in a small room and plays an intro video. They also pretend to scan you to link you to an Avatar. I had a friend who’s child was scarred by this room. If you have a sensitive child, it may be good to remind them that it isn’t real, but it’s fun to play pretend at Disney World!
Seats and Glasses:
After the preshow you enter the next room that has the seats. You can show your things in bins in the room. The seats are like riding a motorcycle (one leg on each side) but you are leaning forward with your hands grasping handles in front of you. Once you’re in your seat, a back rest will move into place and can be a bit startling when it hits your back if you’re not expecting it. You will put on your glasses and wait for a bit with a screen on the front of your “bike” that shows you being connected to an Avatar. There will be a series of vibrations as you are “linked” to your Avatar which feels funny to some kids. Once the “flight” begins, you will feel your banshee “breathing” meaning you’ll feel the seat around your legs expand and contract a bit. It’s quite cool! You’ll also have wind blowing in your face to simulate flight and bonus – it helps avoid motion sickness!
Ride Length: 6 minutes
Alternatives to Tubing
Whitewater Rafting – Want more of a thrill or prefer to be with a guide on a river? Whitewater Rafting is a great family adventure! The nearby Pigeon River offers family-friendly rafting. I highly recommend the Upper Pigeon if your kids are over 8 – it has more rapids and fun! But if you have younger kids or are afraid of rapids, the Lower Pigeon is a fun, relaxing ride with smaller rapids. Learn more here >
Play in a creek at Greenbrier – The Greenbrier section of Great Smokey Mountains National Park is a less visited part of the park so it is easier to find parking. You can park at the picnic area or at other areas along the road and walk to the Little Pigeon River where you can wade and rock hop in the gorgeous creek. Map to Greenbrier Picnic Area >
If you like the outdoors but don’t want to get wet:
Clingman’s Dome – it’s a little bit of a drive but so worth it! Here you get incredible 360-degree views of the mountains as you stand at the highest point in the Smokies. You will get great views from the parking lot if you don’t want to walk uphill, but for truly spectacular views you can walk up a fairly steep but paved path to the lookout point. It’s a cardio workout but the views are awesome! Because this point is so high, the pinnacle can be in the clouds, so look at the weather and go on a clear day. Map to Clingman’s Dome >
Laurel Falls – Easy trail, partly paved – 2.4 miles, out and back, with a beautiful waterfall at the end. Parking is the only problem as this is a very popular waterfall not too far from the Sugarlands Visitor’s Center, so get there early. Be sure to watch your kids around falls as it can get crowded and slippery. Map to the parking area >
Grotto Falls via Trillium Gap Trail – a moderate trail that’s 2.6 miles out and back and located off the Roaring Fork Loop. Parking can be hard so get there early. The trail can be muddy during rainy times but the waterfall is most beautiful after rain. When the waterfall isn’t flowing too hard you can walk behind the falls! Map to the parking area >
Baskin Creek Falls – A moderate 3-mile out-and-back trail. This trail is not as popular as some of the others which is nice! There are a few nice vista views along the trail and leads to a lovely waterfall. There are actually 2 trailheads that lead to the same waterfall. Both trailheads are off the Roaring Fork Loop and both have some steep areas. First trailhead > Second trailhead >
Peregrine Peak and Alum Cave Bluff – if you go all the way to the peak this is a 4.5-mile hike, but you can also choose to only do a portion of the trail. The trail will take you through a small cave/arch with stairs through it that kids think is super cool, then on to the Alum Cave Bluff, then you can continue to Peregrine Peak to get some gorgeous mountain views! Turn around after that though if you have kids, otherwise you could keep going all the way to the top of Mount LeConte for an 11-mile trip one-way. Map to the parking area >
Day D
Dollywood Day 2 or Other Activities
Adding a second day at Dollywood is typically only $30 more per person. Adding a day at Splash Country (Dollywood’s water park) is only $27 more per person. Either of these gives you a full day of fun at a great value!
If doing Dollywood again, refer to the tips above from the first Dollywood day. Focus on the things you didn’t do the first day and the things you would like to do again! You don’t have to stay all day for the second day so you could choose to arrive late or leave early.
If doing Splash Country, I recommend either getting there before park opening or staying until close or both if it’s a higher crowd day. Splash Country will never be as crowded as Dollywood but water rides are always lower capacity so the lines move slower. The first and last hours of the day will have the least crowds.
There are SO many things to do in this area! If you don’t want to do a second day at Dollywood or do Splash Country there are many alternatives.
Other attractions that are highly rated by families:
Parrot Mountain – see and feed hundreds of tropical birds in a gorgeous garden. Learn More >
Titanic Museum – learn about the ship, the passengers, and the crew of the RMS Titanic. This museum is built in a half-size replica of the ship. Learn More >
Rowdy Bear’s Smokey Mountain Snowpark – Snow tubing, summer tubing, unique coasters, a cool playground, and more! Learn More >
Or do something free! Outdoor activities we highly recommend:
Clingman’s Dome – it’s a little bit of a drive but so worth it! Here you get incredible 360-degree views of the mountains as you stand at the highest point in the Smokies. You will get great views from the parking lot if you don’t want to walk uphill, but for truly spectacular views you can walk up a fairly steep but paved path to the lookout point. It’s a cardio workout but the views are awesome! Because this point is so high, the pinnacle can be in the clouds, so look at the weather and go on a clear day. Map to Clingman’s Dome >
Play in a creek at Greenbrier – The Greenbrier section of Great Smokey Mountains National Park is a less visited part of the park so it is easier to find parking. You can park at the picnic area or at other areas along the road and walk to the Little Pigeon River where you can wade and rock hop in the gorgeous creek. Map to Greenbrier Picnic Area >
Laurel Falls – Easy trail, partly paved – 2.4 miles, out and back, with a beautiful waterfall at the end. Parking is the only problem as this is a very popular waterfall not too far from the Sugarlands Visitor’s Center, so get there early. Be sure to watch your kids around falls as it can get crowded and slippery. Map to the parking area >
You could also see a dinner show:
- Pirate’s Voyage Dinner and Show (Our kids #1 pick. This is a fantastic show in a great theater with plenty of food. Also owned by Dolly Parton.)
- Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Show (Our second favorite. Similar to the Pirates show but with horses instead of Pirates and mermaids.)
- Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show (If you want something more themed to Appalachia – this is a winner! )
- Paula Dean’s Lumberjack Feud Dinner Show (You eat before the show, then the show is outside in covered bleacher seating. Fun and affordable, but not as good as others in our opinion.)
Day E
Take a Hike and Visit the Aquarium
There are many great hikes in the area! The ones that are most kid-friendly (not too long, not too difficult, and has something interesting to see like a waterfall), are also the most popular.
You will want to get an early start in order to find a parking spot near these trails.
Hike options:
Laurel Falls – Easy trail, partly paved – 2.4 miles, out and back, with a beautiful waterfall at the end. Parking is the only problem as this is a very popular waterfall not too far from the Sugarlands Visitor’s Center, so get there early. Be sure to watch your kids around falls as it can get crowded and slippery. Map to the parking area >
Grotto Falls via Trillium Gap Trail – a moderate trail that’s 2.6 miles out and back and located off the Roaring Fork Loop. Parking can be hard so get there early. The trail can be muddy during rainy times but the waterfall is most beautiful after rain. When the waterfall isn’t flowing too hard you can walk behind the falls! Map to the parking area >
Baskin Creek Falls – A moderate 3-mile out-and-back trail. This trail is not as popular as some of the others which is nice! There are a few nice vista views along the trail and leads to a lovely waterfall. There are actually 2 trailheads that lead to the same waterfall. Both trailheads are off the Roaring Fork Loop and both have some steep areas. First trailhead > Second trailhead >
Peregrine Peak and Alum Cave Bluff – if you go all the way to the peak this is a 4.5-mile hike, but you can also choose to only do a portion of the trail. The trail will take you through a small cave/arch with stairs through it that kids think is super cool, then on to the Alum Cave Bluff, then you can continue to Peregrine Peak to get some gorgeous mountain views! Turn around after that though if you have kids, otherwise you could keep going all the way to the top of Mount LeConte for an 11-mile trip one-way. Map to the parking area >
These restaurants are good, family-friendly options that have free parking close to the restaurant:
- Smoky Mountain Brewery (Pizza, wings, etc.)
- The Park Grill (American)
- Calhoun’s (BBQ)
While some Ripley’s attractions are cheesy tourist traps, the Aquarium is truly a great aquarium and AZA-accredited. It’s located in downtown Gatlinburg and has a parking garage behind it.
Some of the fun attractions include:
- A huge tunnel through a Shark Lagoon
- Pet and feed stingrays at Stingray Bay
- Get up close to penguins as you crawl into their habitat in the Penguin Playhouse
- Climb and play in the multi-story kids play area
Prices:
- Adult – $39.99, Child – $24.99 Buy Now >
- Combo tickets that include the Aquarium and your choice of two other attractions:
Adult – $59.99, Child – $44.00 Buy Now >
Annakeesta is a popular attraction in Gatlinburg where you ride to the top of a mountain on a chair lift and there are shops, restaurants, and a few attractions at the top. The only attractions included in general admission ($35/ages 12+, $23 ages 4-11) are a tower you can walk up to see mountain views, a treetop walk where you walk across bridges connected to trees, and two kids play areas.
Other attractions such as mountain coasters ($17/person for 2 rides), zip lines ($60/person), and gem mining are all additional costs. It also costs $20 to park at the bottom before riding the chair lift up.
Why we don’t consider it a must-do:
While the views from the top are nice, we don’t think the cost of everything is worth it for what you get, plus the lines to ride the chair lift and do any of the attractions can get very long. Another downside is that everything closes if there’s any rain in the area which is common during the summer months. You can get good views for free in other areas and ride cheaper mountain coasters elsewhere. However, some people love it and think it’s worth it so learn more and decide for yourself!
For other alternative ideas, please see the suggestions under Day D.
Since you’ll be in the Gatlinburg area, try out one of the restaurants you haven’t tried yet!
- Smoky Mountain Brewery (Pizza, wings, etc.)
- Crystelle Creek Restaurant (Steak, seafood)
- The Park Grill (American)
- Calhoun’s (BBQ)
- Smoky Mountain Trout House (Trout, Southern)
- Alamo Steakhouse
OR Try a dinner show if you haven’t yet!
- Pirate’s Voyage Dinner and Show (Our kids #1 pick. This is a fantastic show in a great theater with plenty of food. Also owned by Dolly Parton.)
- Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Show (Our second favorite. Similar to the Pirates show but with horses instead of Pirates and mermaids.)
- Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show (If you want something more themed to Appalachia – this is a winner! )
- Paula Dean’s Lumberjack Feud Dinner Show (You eat before the show, then the show is outside in covered bleacher seating. Fun and affordable, but not as good as others in our opinion.)
Day 7
Head home!
Eat breakfast, pack up, and check out of where you are staying.
Travel safely! We hope you enjoyed your week in the mountains!
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