If you plan your next USA family holiday, East Tennessee is a great place to explore! Nature lovers and adventure seekers will not run out of options here, and there are family-friendly hotels scattered throughout the region.
Pigeon Forge
Fab family destinations in Tennessee include Pigeon Forge, best known for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where you can try various activities, including biking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and water sports. Another famous attraction is Dollywood, named after its owner, Dolly Parton. The 150-acre theme park also has a water adventure park known as Splash Country.
Whitewater rafting can also be done in Pigeon Forge for more water fun. Those who prefer an indoor experience can explore WonderWorks, which offers more than 150 interactive exhibits, or the Titanic Museum, where you can taste what it’s like to be aboard the RMS Titanic.
Gatlinburg
Another gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Gatlinburg.
Aside from the various activities offered at the park, you can also try zip-lining down a historic nature trail at Zip Gatlinburg. For a unique experience, drop by Ripley’s Gatlinburg and explore Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium, an 85,000 square feet Aquarium of the Smokies, a 5D Moving Theatre, themed mini-golf courses, and many others.
Golf enthusiasts can also go to Fort Fun Mini Golf & More, which offers Laser Tag, Motion Ride and 3D theatres, bumper cars and video arcades aside from golf.
Plenty of places for tubing close to Gatlinburg, so you can have a fantastic day on the river with your loved ones, filled with enjoyment and fun.
Chattanooga
Nature aficionados will love Chattanooga. Ride the world’s steepest passenger railway, the Incline Railway, up Lookout Mountain, then enjoy panoramic views at the Rock City.
Beauty also lies underground where Ruby Falls, America’s largest and deepest waterfall, is open to the public. Another famous attraction is the Tennessee Aquarium.
Knoxville
Knoxville offers a combination of art, music, history and outdoor adventure. Thrill seekers can go to Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness, which features more than 50 miles of natural bike trails.
Various theatre and music companies downtown offer great entertainment. History lovers can visit several museums, including the Candoro Arts and Heritage Centre.
Memphis
A trip to Memphis won’t be complete without a visit to Graceland, home of Rock and Roll King Elvis Presley. If you can’t get enough of Elvis, tour the Sun Studio, where he first recorded his music.
The city also has several museums dedicated to its rich musical history, such as the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and The Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
Families can go to the Memphis Zoo or the Battlefront Lasertag and Paintball for more kid-friendly activities.
I hope you have found these family destinations in Tennessee helpful for planning your next holiday.