How to Keep the Young and Young-At-Heart Busy on Your Next Trip to Gatlinburg

Planning a vacation to the mountains involves many moving parts: transportation, maps, food, lodging and, most importantly, entertainment. When traveling with children, especially older children, it is imperative to plan ahead how to keep them busy and happy during their stay.

Smart parents know that there is so much to do in Gatlinburg that will keep both them and the youngsters active and out of trouble; in short, the sweetest versions of themselves. There is always hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains, rafting, horseback riding and other outdoor activities, but when the weather turns gray or the children simply need another outlet of play, bring the whole gang downtown and check out all of the exciting places that can put a smile on their face.

Rowdy kids with ants in their pants will love the Motion Ride Movie Theater where they can enjoy eight movie rides all for one low price. Set them loose in Fort Fun where laser tag and bumper cars provide endless hours of good, safe fun for kids of all ages. If they haven’t tuckered out just yet bring them to the Amazing Mirror Maze to get lost in and see all different versions of themselves; be sure to accompany the youngest in your family, it can be overwhelming when first entering this mirrored funhouse.

One of the only towns in America to offer the franchise, Ripley’s Believe It or Not offers not just one but eight places to get your fun on. Start with the museum that started it all, full of oddities and strange finds from around the world that will keep you amazed for hours. The faint at heart better stay away from the Haunted Adventure, it is sure to elicit a few screams and moans from even the horror veteran. Don’t miss out on the rest: the Super FunZone, Penguin Playhouse, Moving Theater, Marvelous Mirror Maze & Candy Factory and Mini-Golf. It is hard to pick just one place to visit; you might want to plan on trying them all!

Older kids will want to try Earthquake The Ride, an unbeatable experience and much safer than the real thing. The Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway provides a great way to spend the afternoon; after a short ride up the mountain on a ski lift, they can go around the Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park with their friends or even family. If they love to be outdoors (as most kids do!) your kids will love the Ziplines Family Adventure where they can soar through the mountaintops and get an unbelievable treetop view of the area.

When you plan your trip to Gatlinburg this year, you might want to tack on an extra day stay at your luxury Gatlinbug cabin rental. You just might need it to fit in all of the fun things that this mountain town has to offer!