Top 20 fun family activities for kids and for kids at heart!

Written By Taryn Schroder

At our Smoky Mountain cabin Emerald View Escape, you are perfectly positioned just 15–25 minutes from the best of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Wears Valley. Discover top-rated wildlife encounters, thrilling mountain coasters, and indoor waterparks tailor-made for big crews and active, multi-kid families.

High-Energy Thrills & Amusements

  1. Dig'n Zone Theme Park: Let your younger kids operate real, heavy-duty construction equipment! It’s a totally unique and highly interactive experience for children Dig'n Zone Theme Park.

  2. NASCAR SpeedPark: Perfect for families with multiple kids of varying ages, this park offers everything from junior go-karts and bumper cars to high-speed tracks for older teens NASCAR SpeedPark Smoky Mountains.

  3. Sevier Air Trampoline & Ninja Warrior Park: Burn off some serious energy! This mega-facility features massive trampoline grids and ninja courses Sevier Air.

  4. WonderWorks: An indoor "amusement park for the mind" that’s packed with over 100 hands-on exhibits to challenge and entertain older kids and tweens WonderWorks Pigeon Forge.

  5. The Island in Pigeon Forge: Enjoy a multi-day pass to rides like the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, free outdoor shows, and plenty of dining choices under one roof The Island in Pigeon Forge.

Wildlife & Outdoor Encounters

  1. Smoky Mountain Deer Farm & Exotic Petting Zoo: Take a leisurely stroll and hand-feed camels, zebras, and deer. It’s an incredibly accessible and fun outing for toddlers and pre-teens alike Smoky Mountain Deer Farm.

  2. RainForest Adventures Discovery Zoo: Home to over 600 live animals ranging from tropical birds to lemurs RainForest Adventures Discovery Zoo.

  3. Adventure Park at Five Oaks: Saddle up for a scenic guided horseback ride or take a thrilling canopy zipline tour through 70 acres of trees Adventure Park at Five Oaks.

  4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Pack a gourmet picnic and drive just a few minutes down the road to access family-friendly hiking trails National Park Service Great Smoky Mountains.

Action-Packed Coasters

  1. Moonshine Mountain Coaster: An exhilarating alpine coaster that zips through the trees. You can control your own speed, making it great for both thrill-seekers and those who prefer a gentler ride Moonshine Mountain Coaster.

  2. Rocky Top Mountain Coaster: One of the longest alpine coasters in the region, offering special discounts for repeat rides Rocky Top Mountain Coaster.

  3. SkyLand Ranch: A unique combination of a scenic chairlift, a mountain coaster, and miniature animals on a 100-acre ranch SkyLand Ranch.

Indoor Splashes & Exploration

  1. Wild Water Dome at Wilderness at the Smokies: Beat the weather and splash around in Tennessee’s largest indoor waterpark, featuring a lazy river, wave pool, and thrilling drop slides Wilderness at the Smokies.

  2. Soaky Mountain Waterpark: Featuring massive water coasters and a massive wave pool, this is a surefire hit for your older kids and teens Soaky Mountain Waterpark.

  3. Forbidden Caverns: Escape the summer heat and explore Tennessee’s underground beauty on this guided, fully paved cave tour Forbidden Caverns.

Family Shows & Entertainment

  1. The Comedy Barn Theater: A fantastic, clean comedy variety show that caters beautifully to audiences of all ages The Comedy Barn.

  2. Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud: Enjoy a hearty Southern feast while watching competitive cloggers, stunts, and comedy Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud.

  3. Dolly Parton's Stampede: A spectacular dinner show with horses, special effects, and great food Dolly Parton's Stampede.

Unique Local Bites

  1. The Apple Barn Cider Mill & General Store: After a day out, stop here for a legendary fried apple pie, homemade ice cream, and fresh apple cider The Apple Barn.

  2. Cruze Farm: Head over to the Sevierville location for locally made soft serve ice cream and dairy treats Cruze Farm Dairy.

Taryn Schroder