Laura Kasting
Laura Kasting
Great Smoky Mountains Travel Agent Specialist
With a mix of outdoor activities, family attractions, and scenic beauty, the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee offer a variety of options for a memorable family vacation.
There is a range of accommodations, from cozy cabins in the mountains to family-friendly hotels and resorts.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee offers a plethora of outdoor activities for vacationers to enjoy. Whether you prefer hiking, wildlife viewing, scenic drives, or water adventures, there's something for everyone. The Clingmans Dome Trail is a paved path leading to the highest point in the park. The Clingmans Dome Observation Tower offers panoramic views. A scenic drive along Cades Cove Loop Road provides opportunities to spot wildlife, including deer, black bears, and wild turkeys. Discover beautiful waterfalls throughout the park. Grotto Falls, Abrams Falls, and Rainbow Falls are popular choices. Enjoy horseback riding on designated trails. Cades Cove Riding Stables and Sugarlands Riding Stables offer guided rides.
Dollywood is a popular theme park and entertainment complex located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, near the Great Smoky Mountains. Owned by entertainer Dolly Parton, the park offers a mix of thrilling rides, live entertainment, and Southern hospitality. If you are a thrill seeker, be sure to get in line for the Lightning Rod, a wooden roller coaster with a launch that propels you to 73 mph, making it the fastest wooden coaster in the world. Various theaters across the park host live musical performances, including bluegrass, country, and gospel shows. One such is Dolly's Stampede Dinner Attraction, a family-friendly dinner show featuring horse-riding stunts, and a hearty Southern meal. No matter what time of year you are planning your vacation for there is always something special happening here. Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival is a springtime event featuring vibrant floral displays and a variety of culinary experiences. Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas is a festive holiday celebration with millions of lights, holiday shows, and a nightly parade. The adjacent water park, Dollywood's Splash Country, offers water slides, lazy rivers, and a wave pool for refreshing fun in the summer.