10 Family and Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Gatlinburg This Memorial Day

Start your Memorial Day off right with a sweet treat at Donut Friar. Kids can grab a freshly made donut while the adults indulge in some of the best coffee you’ll find in Downtown Gatlinburg.  If you’re visiting for the weekend, you’ll want to come back more than once to sample their cinnamon bread and pastries. If you’re an early bird, you’re in luck because Donut Friar opens at 5 AM, so you’re sure to get that early-morning caffeine fix. Check out all the sweet treats Gatlinburg has to offer. 

If you are a family with a competitive streak, you’ll want to visit The Escape Game or Gatlin's Escape Games. Get the whole crew involved as you work together and beat the clock with one of their many unique games where each family friendly option includes multiple rooms to explore during this 60-minute escape room experience. Can you defeat the odds and escape? See all the fun things to do in Gatlinburg

After your daring escape room experience, refuel at Fannie Farkle’s, one of the most beloved family-friendly restaurants in Gatlinburg. It’s impossible to walk past this classic institution. You’ll smell its signature Ogle Dogs and Sausage Subs before you turn the corner. Kids (and adults) can explore and play in their vintage arcade before indulging in classic cheesesteaks, hot dogs, and other comfort food.

Experience the most bizarre and curious place in Gatlinburg at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! This out-of-this-world museum allows you to explore jungles, space, and the Great Smoky Mountains all under one roof! Look out for optical illusions, light shows, and exhibits that will spark your curiosity. The Gatlinburg location has been newly renovated and offers over 600 mind-boggling exhibits with 16 themed galleries and hands-on interactive experiences for kids of all ages.

Gatlin’s Rugged Ropes Adventure Course is great for kids of all ages. This action-packed hub is a multi-level aerial obstacle course where you can work together as a family or play solo. You’ll be safely harnessed in an overhead track with thirty-eight challenges to tackle, including suspended ropes and rickety bridges.

Gatlinburg provides a treasure trove of family and kid-friendly activities that make for a perfect Memorial Day weekend. Whether you're indulging in the rich history and culture or seeking thrilling outdoor activities, Gatlinburg promises an unforgettable experience that will keep the whole family entertained and yearning to return.

Since 1976, ages 3 and up can slide their way to fun on Ober Mountain's Alpine Slide. Take the Scenic Chairlift to these sled-like carts that have a push/pull lever so you can control your speed as you wind down either of the 1800’ parallel tracks. Challenge your buddies or take it easy on your descent down the beautiful forests of Mount Harrison and take in the unique views of the Ober Slopes surrounded by the Smoky Mountains. Ober Mountain has many kid-friendly activities to choose from including the iconic Aerial Tramway, indoor ice skating, rock climbing wall, summer tubing and so much more!

Take the kids and ride the yellow chairlift at Gatlinburg SkyPark to one of the best views in Gatlinburg and take a walk across the record-setting SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America. You can take a hike along the 1.5 mile SkyTrail, climb the Tulip Tower to the observation area or relax and take in the scenic views from the SkyDeck amphitheater. Shop in the SkyCenter for souvenirs and grab a meal. 

Children as young as 3 years old and 38″ tall can ride the Moonshine Mountain Coaster. Children may ride as passengers while an adult can control the sled which makes this the perfect ride for families of all ages. With over 3000 ft of track and an altitude difference of 250 ft from top to bottom, this approximately 5 minute long ride allows each driver to control their speed through the whole ride with the ability to reach speeds up to 30 mph. There's plenty of free parking and a gift shop with drinks, ice cream, candy, snacks, cool apparel, and unique souvenirs. 

No visit to Gatlinburg is complete without an action-packed day at Anakeesta, our beloved adventure park that overlooks the Smoky Mountains and provides some of the best views of the National Park.

Admission tickets include all-day access to the park and unlimited use of the “Chondola” chair lift, which climbs over 600 feet to the summit of Anakeesta Mountain. There, you can explore Firefly Village, shop, and take in the scenic vistas of Eastern Tennessee. Beyond rides and games, Anakeesta offers plenty of kid-friendly experiences, including its newly opened BirdVenture Play Area and the Hellbender Coaster. 

Finish off your day with a giant slice of made-from-scratch delicious New York style pizza at Slice Pizza Bakery then take in a night of stunning magic, reality-shattering mind-reading, and hilarious mayhem with Master Mentalist and Magician Erik Dobell at Impossibilities Magic Show. An evening of family fun that's kid-friendly where impossibilities are brought to life right in front of your eyes located right below the iconic Gatlinburg Space Needle.