The Kid-Friendly Tennessee Attractions You Should Visit

Bike wheels rolling over wooded trails. Laughter among Tennessee's lush gardens located around the state. The pure adrenaline rush you feel as you fly along the tracks of the world's fastest wooden coaster. The awe of the vast scenic landscapes, history, and exhibits that transform learning into a fond memory. Check out these kid-friendly places for the ultimate Made in Tennessee family vacation.

Kid Friendly Spots Near Bristol

Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium – Kingsport

Among the top things to do with kids in Tennessee, explore Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium's 3,500 acres along beautiful hiking trails and mountain bike trails. See artifacts from the earliest families who settled on Bays Mountain in the mid 1800's. Take a trip through space or catch a glimpse of bobcats, wolves, river otters, turtles or white-tail deer. 

Family Things to Do in and Near the Smokies

Dollywood – Pigeon Forge

Dollywood is home to the world's fastest wood coaster, Lightning Rod. Breaking coaster barriers are what Dollywood does best, which also has Wild Eagle, America's first wing coaster, and FireChaser Express, America's first dual-launch family coaster, launching them forward and backward. Dollywood's newest coaster, Big Bear Mountain, is a family-friendly coaster with a mix of twists, turns, and scenic views. Couple that with plenty of gentle rides and fun family activities for younger kids, musical performances & award-winning Broadway style productions, delicious dining options serving up traditional southern food, the picturesque setting nestled the Smoky Mountains, and wonderful seasonal festivals and you have the perfect theme park you'll enjoy year-round.

Soaky Mountain Water Park - Sevierville

Opening for endless summer fun starting in May every year, Soaky Mountain Waterpark in Sevierville has thrills and fun for kids of all ages. For the little ones, go to Boomer's Bay which has smaller versions of the big kid rides including a wall ride, twisting slides and more. There's also a Mini Mayhem featuring kid-sized gravity challenging walls, with a big splash finish. The Hive has multiple water play features including a water bucket dump, body slides and body bowl slides. Adolescents and teens will love Hang 10essee, a dual FlowRider surf system; American Racer's Rush featuring translucent slides with stars and stripes and a fireworks finish; and Holler!, a body slide that has a heart-thumping drop. Soaky is the place to visit in Tennessee for families to cool-off and have a blast. 

Ober Mountain - Gatlinburg

Plan a visit to Ober Mountain and have winter family fun with activities like skiing, tubing, and snowboarding. Their slopes are open early to mid-December through early to mid-March each year. Family members who have never skied or snowboarded before can sign up for a lesson before going on the slopes. Snow tubing is an exhilarating activity for kids and adults of all ages. Ice skating can be found inside Ober Gatlinburg’s indoor mall along with lots of unique shopping options. The whole family will love the Wildlife Encounter, home to native wildlife that can be found in the Smokies: flying squirrels, bobcats, black bears, raccoons and much more.

Anakeesta - Gatlinburg

Discover a mountain of family fun and adventure at Anakeesta, Tennessee’s award-winning outdoor attraction nestled above and in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains. Begin your adventure at Firefly Village, a whimsical mountain town with quaint shopping, cozy atmosphere, and scenic views. Stroll through the scenic Treetop Skywalk, a series of 14 hanging bridges more than 50 feet in the air and get a bird’s eye view of the forest floor below. Kids will love the imaginative play at Treehouse Village and will challenge their skills at BearVenture and TreeVenture challenge courses. Anakeesta even offers a dueling zipline adventure as well as a thrilling mountainside coaster ride that the whole family can enjoy.  And if you're planning on staying late, definitely be sure to check out AstraLumina, a one-of-a-kind nighttime illumination and sensory experience along their winding trails that truly amazes. 

Things to do with Kids in Chattanooga

Rock City – Chattanooga

From being able to see Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina atop Lover's Leap to discovering Fairytale Caverns and Mother Goose Village, the kids will love expelling some energy among the beautiful gardens at Rock City, one of the top things to do with kids while in Chattanooga. Take them along the 180-ft. suspension bridge, a perfect place to snap a picture of the Chattanooga Valley. Timed entry tickets are available online or at the ticket window when you arrive. 

Ruby Falls - Chattanooga

Descend 260 feet into Lookout Mountain to see the tallest and deepest underground waterfall, Ruby Falls. See unique rock formations along the cavern trail and learn the story behind the discovery of the cavern. Above ground, you can enjoy shopping at the Village Gift Shop filled with curated gifts, a rock candy mountain and more; High Point ZIP Adventure featuring amazing views of Lookout Mountain and beyond; and dining at The Back Porch, Ruby's Kitchen and the Cavern Cafe. Walk up to the Blue Heron Overlook to see views of the Tennessee Valley. Here, you'll also find a colorblind viewfinder outfitted with Enchroma lenses, designed to alleviate red-green colorblindness. 

Tennessee Aquarium - Chattanooga

Discover the magical world of life under the sea at one of Tennessee's top aquariums. With a number of engaging exhibits and interactive features, visiting the Tennessee Aquarium is a perfect thing to do with kids in Chattanooga. From touch tanks where kids can gently touch and feel sea creatures like starfish and sea urchins to the Penguin Playhouse, where children will love watching the resident penguins swim and interact with each other in their habitat, there is endless fun to be had at this aquatic attraction. 

Fun Family Activities In and Near Knoxville

Ijams Nature Center - Knoxville

From ziplining at the tree-based adventure park Navitat Knoxville to rock climbing, fishing and biking, you can find adventure just a few minutes from Knoxville's downtown. Ijams is a 315-acre urban greenspace with more than 12 miles of natural-surface trails. There are also more than nine miles of mountain bike trails in the Mead's Quarry and Ross Marble Natural Area. Cool off in Toll Creek, discover Mead's Quarry Lake by canoe or kayak or take a swim in the quarry. Outdoor Knoxville can supply all the equipment you need to have a great outdoor adventure. So, get outside along the blueways and greenways, parks and natural areas and enjoy all the outdoor family activities Knoxville has to offer.

Museum of Appalachia - Clinton

The Museum of Appalachia is home to 36 historic log structures, exhibits filled with thousands of authentic Appalachian artifacts, gardens and free range farm animals keep kids of all ages entertained for hours. Learn how life was like for the first Tennessee settlers.

Museum of Scott County – Huntsville

The Museum of Scott County is a museum built, curated and maintained by students, for students (and the general public) is making its mark on Scott County. Exhibits are vast, ranging from the prehistoric era to coal mining and  a Pioneer Playroom where children can dress up and participate in "hands on" experiences. Couple that with historic structures and farm animals for a uniquely educational visit.  

Kid Friendly Spots in and Near Nashville

Adventure Science Center – Nashville

Exploration and fun for the whole family awaits at Adventure Science Center with interactive activities that are found in the Adventure Tower where Earth Science, Creativity and Innovation, Sound and Light, Air and Space, and Health and Energy are blended to create non-stop fun. Continue on to Space Chase where cosmic rays, the Star Walk and Infrared Wall can be found. Be sure to catch a performance in the planetarium. 

Carnton – Franklin

Civil War history comes to life with the stories that are included with the tours at Carnton. Learn why the Battle of Franklin was significant, travel up the wooden stairs to the second floor where it was said body parts of soldiers reached the second story window. The floors are still stained with these men's blood. Take in some fresh air in the Garden at Carnton and extend your tour with a silent walk through the Carnton cemetery.

Discovery Center at Murfree Spring - Murfreesboro

Children can have fun learning and playing at the Discovery Center in Murfreesboro. Interactive exhibits include the great outdoors, learning about the five senses, phosphorescence where kids can play with shadows and a tiny town complete with a postal center, music store and more.

Soar Adventure Tower - Franklin

Kids and adults can challenge themselves mentally and physically on 4 levels of adventure courses featuring over 110 climbing elements at Soar Adventure Tower. Enjoy two hours of climbing and maneuvering the course with the Tower Adventure Pass, or spring for the Twilight Pass during the last two hours of the day for $30 to enjoy the sunset while you navigate. Soar also has mini golf for families to enjoy. 

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - Nashville

Among the top family friendly places in Nashville, the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum dazzles all ages and generations with its 350,000 square feet of state-of-the-art galleries, interactive exhibitions and memorabilia from legends like Elvis Presley and Waylon Jennings to today’s stars like Kelsea Ballerini, Tim McGraw and Eli Young Band. Cap off your visit with a family photo in the Rotunda with the iconic “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” Your tour can include a visit to the legendary letterpress company, Hatch Show Print and Historic RCA Studio B on Music Row, Nashville’s oldest surviving recording studio.

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere - Nashville

Add some exotic to the everyday with a family trip to the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere. Children of all ages will be fascinated with the zoo’s Highlighted Habitats. In between your animal adventures, be sure to take a spin on the Wild Animal Carousel, get an elevated view of the Zoo from Soaring Eagle zip line, monkey around the 66,000-square-foot Jungle Gym, or even step back in time on the walking tour at our Grassmere Historic Home and Farm. 

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens - Nashville

Offering a range of family-friendly activities for kids, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens in Nashville is a perfect place to explore nature through the beautifully landscaped Botanical Gardens, the interactive Children's Garden with features like a treehouse and water play area, and the TRAINS! exhibit which transports little ones to a charming forest train depot complete with a main station, model trains, observation dome, and more. Seasonal festivals and events like Cheekwood Harvest and Holiday LIGHTS provide additional fun and special exhibits that kids will love. 

Things to do with Kids in and Near Memphis

Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum – Jackson

Learn the incredible story of the railroad hero Casey Jones through interactive exhibits and artifacts at Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum. Enjoy a meal at the world famous Brooks Shaw's Old Country Store Restaurant; tour the Providence House and The Village Chapel, Casey Jones Mini-Golf and the Shoppes at Casey Jones Village. End your visit sweetly with some confections from the authentically recreated 1890's Ice Cream Parlor & Fudge Shoppe. 

West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center – Brownsville

Plows, fertilizers and planters pulled by mules and horses are on display at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center to help tell the story of West Tennessee's cash crop: cotton. An old roller gin, cotton baskets and sacks are also displayed. Kids can see 11 species of catfish, a model of the alligator snapping turtle, and hear stories from Uncle Luther, modeled after the late Luther Windrow who grew up on the Hatchie River.

Discovery Park of America – Union City

An immersive experience of a wide range of topics is just inside this multi-million dollar museum, Discovery Park of America. Experience the historic 1811-1812 earthquakes that formed Reelfoot Lake; take a 40-minute interactive ride through outer space in the Starship Theater; and see West Tennessee from new heights by climbing up to The Tower and step on the two glass floor panels in side and four panels outside for a different view. Among the most fun things to do in Tennessee for families, this museum truly has something for everyone.

Memphis Zoo – Memphis

Perfect for a fun family day, explore the 70 acres of habitats that house more than 3,500 animals at the Memphis Zoo. Be sure to check out the Zambezi River Hippo Camp, an immersive experience where you can stand on a balcony of a lodge to see hippos and crocodiles. Underwater views and an explorative fishing village are all included in the new exhibit. 

Children's Museum of Memphis - Memphis

At the Children's Museum of Memphis, kids of a variety of ages can play and learn through interactive exhibits and games. For children 4 and under, activities include exploring a school bus, castle, tree house, Little Light Bright and the Mini Airways exhibition spaces. Additional exhibits for kids 5 and up include basketball, learning about earthquakes, dinosaurs, automobiles and more. 

Elvis Presley's Graceland - Memphis

Take you and your family through an unforgettable journey through the most famous rock ‘n’ roll residence in the world. Explore the personal life of Elvis Presley and learn how his revolutionary style and unique sound changed the face of popular music and culture forever. Walk through Elvis Presley’s mansion, see his cars and custom jets, and explore the gardens on his more than 13-acre estate. Head across the street to explore Elvis Presley’s Memphis, a full city block of Elvis-themed museums, exhibits, shops and restaurants. 

Shelby Farms Park - Memphis

Home to a resident herd of buffalo, this 4,500-acre park is one of the largest urban parks in the country.  Featuring over 40 miles of paved and nonpaved trails, more than 20 bodies of water, and multiple playgrounds for kids including the Woodland Discovery Playground and Water Play Sprayground for those hot summer days.  Whether you and your family play the park on foot, on wheels, in the trees, in the open or on the water, this spot truly has something for everyone. 

With so many kid-friendly places for kids of all ages, Tennessee is the best place to explore with your family.