Content Produced in Partnership with Visit Sevierville
Known for its rustic charm, stunning mountain panoramas, and quirky attractions, East Tennessee is family-fun central thanks to towns like Sevierville and natural areas like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In fact, the only problem with Sevierville isn’t so much about what it has to offer — there’s plenty — it’s narrowing down the activities you must try while you’re there. Fret no more. Ideal for a date night or a fun afternoon with the kids, these Sevierville activities are a must for any Smoky Mountains family getaway.
Adventure Park at Five Oaks
Hiking isn’t the only way to take in the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Adventure Park at Five Oaks specializes in crafting family-fun activities, including horseback riding and ziplining experiences. Experienced guides will take you over and through the 70 acres of lush greenery, allowing you to take in the beauty of the Smokies at a delightfully fun (and in some cases, fast) pace.
Sevier Air Trampoline & Ninja Warrior Park
Ninja Warrior Games aren’t just for the TV — they’re an activity you can try as a family in Sevierville, too! The city’s newest and largest indoor adventure park has a series of Ninja Warrior courses, trampolines and net systems suitable for children ages two to 10 years old.
Tennessee Museum of Aviation
You’ll want to give yourself roughly two hours to fully explore the amazing collection of historic aircraft at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation in Sevierville. The 50,000-square-foot museum highlights the history of aviation with a series of preserved aircraft and memorabilia. The museum's famous “Warbirds” are featured prominently in the large hangar and can be spotted in the skies during unscheduled flight demos. History buffs and aviation aficionados will not want to miss this museum.
Rainforest Adventures
You might not see monkeys flying through the canopy in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but you can see them every day at Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo. More than 600 live animals, like lemurs and mackaws, call the zoo home throughout the year, and the zoo’s live demonstrations and interactive exhibits allow the family to better understand these magnificent animals.
Forbidden Caverns
Contrary to popular belief, some of the best views of the Smokies aren’t just above ground — they’re right underneath your feet, too. Less than 30 minutes outside downtown, Forbidden Caverns features stunning rock formations, towering chimneys and even an underground stream once used by renegade moonshiners. One-hour guided tours are available daily from April through November.
Tennessee Mountain Paintball
What’s not to like about a place located on Happy Hollow Lane? Tennessee Mountain Paintball Park is one of a handful of facilities in Tennessee that offers low-impact paintball. Low-impact paintball is purposely designed so that players don’t have to worry about getting hurt. Instead, players of all ages and abilities can focus on having fun — just the way it should be!
NASCAR SpeedPark
If you feel the need for speed, NASCAR SpeedPark is a must-have addition to any Smoky Mountains itinerary. Featuring 22 family-friendly attractions including eight go-kart tracks, Sevierville’s NASCAR SpeedPark will have you feeling like a real live NASCAR driver in no time. In addition to its high-speed fun, families can take it easy on the bumper boats, mini golf courses and on-site arcade. With so much to do and see, it’s best to purchase the entire family an Unlimited Ride Wristband so you can really get the most out of your day in the park.
Smokies Minor League Baseball
Featuring themed nights throughout the season, the Tennessee Smokies Minor League team is more than just a sporting event — it’s practically a show. With a summer fireworks series and fun weekday events like Dollar Dog Night every Monday, a Smokies game night is a great daytrip option that will allow you to interact with the locals and root, root, root for the home team while you’re in town.
Wilderness at the Smokies Water Park
If you’re driving into Sevierville from Knoxville, chances are high you’ll see the giant waterslides protruding from Smokies Wild Waterdome just as you enter Sevierville. Home to two outdoor waterparks and the state’s largest indoor water park, Wilderness at the Smokies Water Park Resort is a great place to beat the summer heat and score an adrenaline rush. The water parks are only open to guests staying at Wilderness at the Smokies Water Park Resort, giving you a great excuse to enjoy a locations that offers both family-friendly accommodations and family-friendly fun!
Ripley’s Old MacDonald’s Mini Golf
It’s not truly a family vacation without a game or two of mini golf, right? Proving it’s more than just your average golf course, Ripley’s Old MacDonald’s Mini Golf Course is designed to mimic the farm of Old MacDonald himself. Featuring animated barn animals and 54 uniquely designed holes, the family will have just as much fun walking through the course as they will playing it.