Top 5 Things You Should Do on Your Smoky Mountain Family Vacation
If you’ve never been to the Great Smoky Mountains before, you may be wondering what are the best things to do in the area. You’ll find plenty of fun attractions you’ll want to visit, and you can’t miss out on exploring the national park! There’s something for every family member to enjoy on your trip. Here are the top 5 things you should do on your Smoky Mountain family vacation:
1. Visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
You can’t come here without visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! You can visit the park for free, and there are so many incredible sights to see and things to experience. The most popular activity is to go hiking, and there is a trail for everyone in the park! It doesn’t matter if you’ve never hiked before or you hike all the time, there’s a trail that’s perfect for you. Another fun family activity is to have a picnic! There are several designated picnic areas throughout the park, and you can even cook on the charcoal grills, as long as you bring your own supplies! You won’t want to skip out on visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
2. Walk Around Downtown Gatlinburg
Another fun thing to do on your Smoky Mountain family vacation is to walk around downtown Gatlinburg. This area is known as The Strip, and there are so many attractions to experience, restaurants to try, and places to shop. You won’t want to miss out on Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Anakeesta, or Gatlinburg SkyLift Park for fun activities. When it’s meal time, head to Calhoun’s, Big Daddy’s Pizzeria, or Smith & Son Corner Kitchen. You’ll all have fun exploring downtown Gatlinburg!
3. Experience The Island in Pigeon Forge
One place your family will definitely want to see while you’re in town is The Island in Pigeon Forge. This entertainment complex has a little bit of everything, from an outdoor rope course to family friendly restaurants. Play together in the arcade, or take a ride on The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel. Walk around and browse through the shops for souvenirs, or grab a snack at one of the restaurants. You can all relax after a long day at The Island by watching the show fountain light up at night!
4. Check Out Dollywood
When you visit the Smokies, you probably think about one attraction in particular: Dollywood! This popular theme park is a hit with families since it offers fun for everyone. Small children will have fun playing in Wildwood Grove, while older kids enjoy visiting Country Fair and several thrill rides throughout the park. You’ll find family friendly shows to watch, plenty of shops to look through, and several places to eat at Dollywood!
5. Get Matching Souvenirs
A fun way to celebrate your Smoky Mountain family vacation is to get matching souvenirs before you even leave! You and your kids can have fun exploring these different areas of the Smoky Mountains but still be able to easily spot each other when you’re wearing the same t-shirt or sweatshirt. Plus, you’ll get to represent one of your favorite places in the world, making your trip that much more memorable!
Now you know about some of the fun things to do on your Smoky Mountain family vacation. You’ll all have a blast making memories together, and you won’t forget the fun times you have. Want to start out your next trip by ordering matching clothes? Check out our Smoky Mountain apparel, and grab some for your family now!