Visiting the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg with Kids

Vanessa M.:  Voted the most kid-friendly restaurant in the area, Big Daddy's Pizzeria is a family-friendly restaurant serving handmade, brick-oven pizza, plus sandwiches, salads, and desserts. Check out the menu online. With three locations, you can stop by wherever your family adventures take you. Kids especially love the Pigeon Forge location as it offers a video arcade.

Katie G.:  The Sunliner Diner is a vintage 1950s style restaurant located on the main strip in Pigeon Forge. Enjoy breakfast favorites like eggs, pancakes and waffles any time of day or indulge in a classic cheeseburger, meatloaf, BLT, club sandwich for lunch or dinner. Grab a fountain soda or milkshake to round out your meal. The staff is friendly and crazy at the same time dancing and singing along to your favorite jukebox tunes. There are two real cars inside the restaurant that guests can sit in to enjoy their meal, but be prepared to wait, as this is very popular for visiting guests.

Vanessa M.:  I knew Dollywood had a good reputation, but they really blew us away! The park was immaculate, the rides were great, and the atmosphere was so family friendly. We can't wait to go back!

Shila:  There's a lot of opportunities to play mini golf in the area, but this venue sold our choice when we smelled cotton candy infused "smoke" puffing out the choo-choo train at putting green #6 (or whatever hole it was!). There are two courses (indoor/outdoor), both candy land themed. If you love sweets, or want to treat the kids to a sugar rush, popping into this place will create 19 holes of fun memories.

Other notable aspects: indoor mini bowling, milkshake bar, ice cream, sweet shop, stroller-friendly, and the course is open late.

Vanessa M.:  Southern style bar-b-que is a must-have when visiting Gatlinburg. Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que offers delicious hickory smoked pork, chicken, and ribs in their special mouth-watering sauce. Meat is smoked for up to 14 hours! Kids love the great options on the children's menu, including their special "Dirt" Dessert, chocolate pudding, crushed oreos, and gummy worms.

Vanessa M.:  It just isn't a family vacation without an ice cream cone or two, right? Maddog's Creamery & Donuts is a great local place to stop with your family for a sweet treat. With 24 ice cream flavors, choose from cones, sundaes, shakes, or their popular funnel cake a la mode. Freshly made donuts are made on site in flavors like Blueberry Cake, Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Icing, and Caramel with Sea Salt. Furry canine friends are welcome too, with gourmet doggy donuts and other dog treats available.

Vanessa M.:  If Dolly has her name on it, you know it's going to be great! Dolly Parton's Stampede is a family-friendly dinner entertainment extravaganza featuring a four-course feast, live Bluegrass and Country music, live animals, special effects and stunts, and comedy and action for the whole family to enjoy.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Enjoy a unique lodging experience in Gatlinburg by staying in one of Pete Nelson's specially designed treehouses at Treehouse Grove. Your family will connect with nature while enjoying all of the comforts of home in these beautifully decorated luxury treehouses. The property offers easy secluded access to Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Vanessa M.:  Kids will never forget a trip on this thrilling coaster that twists and turns down the scenic mountainside. Individual speed controller lets you set the speed of your downward journey! Come back at night for a whole new experience with twinkling lights lighting your path.

Vanessa M.:  If you are feeling a bit adventurous, try whitewater rafting on the Big Pigeon River with Smoky Mountain rafting. An experienced guide accompanies guests in each raft, ensuring the highest level of safety for kids and adults. Choose your own adventure, from gentle rapids to more extreme trips down the river. Inflatable kayaking is also available as a great way for older kids and parents to experience the rapids in a one-man vessel with a guide.

Vanessa M.:  One of the things my kids enjoyed most about visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was becoming a junior ranger with the park's Junior Rangers Program. Simply visit any Visitor's Center to pick up a booklet and complete the activities, then kids can return to claim their own junior ranger's badge. It's a great way for kids to explore the Smoky Mountains and learn about nature in the process! Free special events are led by park rangers. Check the daily schedule here.

Parents, feeling left out? The park's Not So Junior Ranger Program is for ages 13-130!

Vanessa M.:  Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is a world-class aquarium, with lots of underwater creatures to see! Kids will love touching stingrays, a ride on the glass-bottom boat, watching sharks swim overhead in the glide-through tunnel under Shark Lagoon, and observing penguins at the Penguin Playhouse.

Vanessa M.:  Pancake Pantry is a local favorite located in the heart of Gatlinburg, offering delicious breakfast creations the whole family will love. The adorable kids menu offers kid-friendly fare such as M&M Pancakes and Bears in the Snow (bear shaped pancakes topped with powdered sugar). Lunch is available too with sandwiches, burgers, soups, and salads.

Vanessa M.:  For a stunning aerial view of the Great Smoky Mountains, head to Ober Gatlinburg for a ride on the aerial tramway. There is lots more to do once you are there! Skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and mountain coaster, alpine slide, indoor ice skating, wildlife encounter, kiddie-rides, water rides, and more are open year-round and will keep your family busy all day.

Vanessa M.:  All that fresh mountain air can really make your family hungry! Eat at Crockett's Breakfast Camp for a delicious, stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal in a family-friendly, rustic ambiance. On the menu, you'll find the Waffle of Insane Greatness dusted with powdered sugar and topped with fresh berries, Crockett's Mountain Omelet packed with sausage, bacon, ham, and veggies, and Fried Cinnamon Rolls made with freshly baked cinnamon rolls pan-fried until they are golden brown.