4 of the Best Gatlinburg Activities for Toddlers

Gatlinburg, TN is one of the most toddler-friendly vacation destinations in the country! Our Smoky Mountain city is full of great attractions that will thrill your little ones (and the older members of your family). To help you make the most of your getaway, Stony Brook Cabins has put together a guide to four of the best Gatlinburg activities for toddlers.

1. See What’s Under the Sea at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Toddlers typically love animals, so a trip to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is an absolute must! This award winning aquarium is home to over 10,000 sea creatures, so your little ones will be able to make plenty of new fishy friends.

One of the most popular exhibits at the aquarium for toddlers is the Penguin Playhouse. This special habitat for Ripley’s African Penguins is equipped with see-through passageways that young guests can crawl through to get an up-close look at the birds.

Ripley’s Aquarium also frequently hosts “Mermaid Shows”, where professional divers wear realistic mermaid tails over their legs. Your toddler will be ecstatic when she has the chance to meet a real-life mermaid!

2. Have Breakfast at the Pancake Pantry

If your toddler has a sweet tooth (and what toddler doesn’t?!), be sure to plan a breakfast at the Pancake Pantry. This restaurant is the state of Tennessee’s first pancake house, and it has remained in business for well over 55 years because it is simply the best. All of the dishes at the Pantry are made from scratch with real butter and the finest ingredients.

Toddlers will love digging into the Pancake Pantry’s famous hotcakes, which come in a number of kid-friendly varieties. The Silver Dollar Pancakes, Swiss Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Wild Blueberry Pancakes, and Sugar n’ Spice Pancakes never disappoint!

3. Ride the Gatlinburg Trolley

Riding the trolley is another one of the best Gatlinburg activities for toddlers! The city of Gatlinburg offers a fun trolley system that costs $2.00 for an all day pass or just 50 cents per ride. The trolleys travel all around the downtown area, and certain routes make stops at the Arts & Crafts Community, Dollywood, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. During the summer months, the trolleys on the Parkway are usually free of charge.

Whether you have a destination in mind or you’re just looking to enjoy the ride, your little ones will have a blast on the trolley. If you will be visiting during Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic Celebration, be sure to take the Trolley Ride of Lights, a special nighttime trolley tour of Gatlinburg’s beautiful holiday lights.

4. Have Fun at Ober Gatlinburg

While Ober Gatlinburg is most famous for its skiing and snowboarding, it is also a great amusement park with year-round fun. Ober is home to a number of wonderful toddler-friendly activities, including:

• A Wildlife Encounter with otters, bears, bobcats, and other animals.
• A great indoor carousel ride.
• A fun Kiddie Land with chutes, ladders, swinging bridges, tunnels, and more.
• An excellent arcade and redemption center.
• A popular mini golf course.

When you stay at Stony Brook Cabins, you will be just a short drive from all of the best Gatlinburg activities for toddlers. With everything from 1 bedroom cabins to 6 bedroom cabins, we are guaranteed to have the perfect property for your vacation. To start planning your next getaway, browse our selection of Gatlinburg cabin rentals!