12 Fun Things to Do in Tennessee with Kids: Top Family Attractions
In Tennessee, your family vacation could take a number of different engaging routes.
It’s not surprising as the state is a particularly sunny and festive place with a wide array of eventful family resorts.
You can choose among Nashville, Memphis, Knoxvillle, Chattanooga, or many others that end up on your trip.
Don’t worry. You will definitely find the best tours and activities that fit the interest of the little ones who get to discover the history, wildlife, wild nature, music, and so much more.
Here are 12 fun things to do in the great state of Tennessee with kids.
- Nashville Hop-on Hop-off Trolley
What You’ll Experience
Explore Nashville with this popular 90-minute trolley tour.
This tour takes place every hour beginning at 10 a.m. daily.
You’ll see over 100 points of interest along the way, including the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the Parthenon, Vanderbilt, and much more.
This tour includes stops at Bicentennial Square / Farmer’s Market, where you’ll learn about the history of Nashville and enjoy free samples of local foods.
Recommended Ages
This tour fits kids across all age brackets
- Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
What You’ll Experience
There are plenty of activities for children to enjoy, too.
Kids can splash around in the water, play games, watch movies, listen to music and even learn about marine life.
They can also explore exhibits like the Ocean Voyager exhibit, where they can see what the ocean looks like from space.
Recommended Ages
Ripley Aquarium is friendly to kids of all ages.
- Smoky Mountain Deer Farm & Exotic Petting Zoo
What You’ll Experience
Smoky Mountain Deer Farm & Exotic Petting Zoo is home to over 100 hand-tamed white-tail deer, as well as many exotic creatures like bison, and llamas.
The farm features pony rides for children and guided trail rides on shaded and well-maintained trails for adults.
There is plenty of room to explore and enjoy the outdoors while enjoying some of the best views in Western North Carolina.
Recommended Ages
Smoky Mountain Deer Farm & Exotic Petting Zoo easily suits kids of all ages.
- Chattanooga: Historic Downtown Segway Tour
What You’ll Experience
The kids will experience the city like never before as they take a guided tour of Chattanooga’s most popular tourist spots.
They will learn how Chattanooga became one of the fastest-growing cities in America and why it is a great place to live.
The kids will experience the city like never before as they take a guided tour of Chattanooga’s most popular tourist spots.
They will learn how Chattanooga became one of the fastest-growing cities in America and why it is a great place to live.
Recommended Ages
Chattanooga’s historic downtown area offers plenty of things to do for teens, including shopping, restaurants, museums, and events.
- Panther Creek State Park
What You’ll Experience
Your children can enjoy exploring nearly 1.5 acres of land at the Holston River Valley.
The Holston River Valley National Recreation Area in East Tennessee offers many activities for visitors of all ages.
From hiking and fishing to swimming and camping, there is something for everyone here.
Whether it’s exploring the natural beauty of the rugged mountains or taking advantage of the recreational opportunities offered within the park, families will love their experience here.
Recommended Ages
The park is open to everyone, including children under 12, and encourages families to enjoy themselves together.
- Ijams Nature Center
What You’ll Experience
The park features a wide array of activities for children and adults alike, from a butterfly garden to a labyrinth maze, a ropes course, a climbing wall, and much more.
Kids will enjoy playing on the playground and running around the grounds while parents relax in one of the picnic shelters or enjoy a meal at the restaurant.
Recommended Ages
Ijams Nature Center is a great place for families with kids 3-years old and older to enjoy nature and explore the outdoors together.
- Smoky Mountains: Roaring Fork Jeep Tour
What You’ll Experience
This tour allows visitors to explore some of the best views of the Smoky Mountains National Park without ever having to step out of their vehicle.
Guests are guided along the trail by a knowledgeable and friendly driver and naturalist who shares fascinating facts about the park and the wildlife living within.
Along the way, guests enjoy breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountain peaks and valleys while learning about the region’s history and geology.
Recommended ages
Kids aged eight years and above get a chance to experience the thrill.
- Titanic Museum, Pigeon Forge
What You’ll Experience
You can choose to go on a full tour, where guides lead groups through the exhibit halls.
Or, you can opt for a self-guided experience, where you’ll simply follow the audio guide and explore on your own.
Regardless of the type of tour, everyone gets to participate in special activities such as taking photos, reading letters written by passengers, and learning about the history of the Titanic.
Recommended Ages
This museum is open to kids aged eight and above.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
What You’ll Experience
There are plenty of places to explore here, including hiking, biking, fishing, camping, bird watching, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, rock climbing, and much more.
There are several ways to enjoy the park.
One way is to take a guided hike. Another option is to go it alone and follow a trail.
If you want to see the best views, try taking a scenic boat ride.
Or, if you prefer to relax, you can rent a cabin or tent site. And don’t forget about the animals! They’re everywhere!
Recommended Ages
If you’re looking for someplace where children can enjoy nature without having to be too close to animals, this is a good place to visit.
- Raccoon Mountain Caverns
What You’ll Experience
From the towering waterfalls to the unique formations, there is no better way to learn about our planet’s history than on foot.
You’ll start off by learning how to identify the different types of rock formations found throughout the park.
Then, you’ll head into the park’s main attraction – the Waterfall Dome. There, you’ll see the tallest naturally occurring waterfall in North America.
Afterward, you’ll walk along a trail to explore the rest of the park. Along the way, you’ll discover the largest collection of columnar basalt domes in the world.
If you are looking for fun places for kids who aren’t well acquainted with wildlife, this is a great opportunity to admire all kinds of species that call these ancient mountains home.
Recommended Ages
Among the many Tennessee family attractions, Raccoon Mountain Cave is one of the most popular. It’s an enlightening adventure for kids ages five and older.
- McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture
What You’ll Experience
Kids can also participate in hands-on activities such as fossil digging, animal identification, and interactive displays.
There are also special events like story times, art projects, and science experiments.
Recommended Ages
This museum offers hands-on experiences for children ages 3–12. Kids can see real fossils, play games, make crafts, watch live animal presentations, and enjoy special events
- Memphis: Haunted Walking Tour
What You’ll Experience
It’s a wonderful thing to walk through old neighborhoods with a knowledgeable local who can show you some of the city’s most interesting spots.
Recommended Ages
Memphis is a perfect spot for teenagers.
