Winter in the Smokies is a magical time! From spending time out in the snow to relaxing in the warmth of your cabin, there are all kinds of great ways to spend your time this winter. Just because the weather is chilly doesn’t mean that you can’t have a blast, and to help you plan we’ve put together a list of the top 4 Gatlinburg TN winter activities that you and your kids will love!
1. Experience Gatlinburg Winter Magic
Celebrate the winter season by viewing the millions of holiday lights throughout the city! Kids love seeing these fascinating sparkling lights, particularly the lit up holiday displays in fun arrangements like festive icons, wildlife, and even animated scenes like the "12 Days of Christmas". It's one of the most family friendly Gatlinburg TN winter activities since all ages can enjoy the beauty and creativity. You'll quickly find yourself in the holiday spirit. You can find these lights along the Parkway as well as surrounding areas. If you want to stay warm, hop in the car and drive around downtown to see all the lights.
2. Visit a Museum
If you’re looking for Gatlinburg TN winter activities that are both educational and tons of fun, there are lots of great Gatlinburg TN museums to check out. And don’t worry, your kids won’t get bored because these museums are entertaining for people of all ages!
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium is the only place in the world to see shrunken heads and robots, crazy sculptures and artwork and experience hands-on interactive exhibits!
If you love movies featuring fast, flashy cars, you’ll love the Hollywood Star Cars Museum. A couple featured cars are the DeLorean from Back to the Future and Sir Paul McCartney’s Cadillac!
For an experience that you can only have in Gatlinburg TN, visit the Gatlinburg Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum! That’s right, this is a museum featuring over 20,000 salt and pepper shaker sets from all over the world! Kids 12 and under get in free with a paying adult!
3. Go Skiing or Snow Tubing at Ober
Spending the day skiing and snowboarding at Ober Mountain is the most classic and well known of all Gatlinburg TN winter activities. There are instructional courses if you’re a skiing beginner, as well as ski slopes for all levels from beginner to expert.
If you like the idea of playing in the snow but don’t want to ski or snowboard, you and your kids will have a blast snow tubing in Gatlinburg! You get 90 minutes of non-stop tubing fun! You can also spend the afternoon enjoying Ober Mountain’s other family friendly activities like ice skating, riding the scenic chairlift, enjoying the thrills of a mountain coaster and even experiencing a wildlife encounter! There’s also a Family Snow Zone where the kids can run around, build snowmen and make snow angels.
4. Relax in Your Cabin
When you’re worn out from all these awesome Gatlinburg TN winter activities, head back to your Gatlinburg TN cabin for a fun and relaxing retreat. Our cabins have everything needed, such as fully loaded game rooms and theater rooms, to keep your kids happily entertained while you spend some time relaxing, unwinding and enjoying the beautiful winter scenery around you. You can relax on the couch in front of the fireplace, curl up with a cozy blanket and a favorite book or enjoy a drink while soaking in the bubbling hot tub on your cabin’s deck. No matter how you choose to spend your time in your cabin, we promise you the vacation you’ve been dreaming of.
More Gatlinburg TN Winter Activities
These are just some of the fun things to do in Gatlinburg during the winter. Whether you want to spend time at indoor attractions or explore the great outdoors, you can do it in Gatlinburg. Take the kids for a hike along the Gatlinburg Trail, go shopping with them at The Village Shops, or take a ride up to the Gatlinburg SkyPark! You can also enjoy interactive experiences in Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies or dine at one of the many family friendly Gatlinburg restaurants, like the Pancake Pantry. Gatlinburg is full of winter activities for the whole family to enjoy! Want even more ideas for what to do with your kids? Check out these top things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge with your kids!
Don't forget about these Gatlinburg TN winter activities when building your family's itinerary! To ensure you both a relaxing and affordable escape in our Gatlinburg TN cabins, we always have seasonal specials and savings to help you make the most of your vacation budget. Check them out, and book your family’s trip today!
