Don’t let the rain get you down while you’re on vacation with your family! While you may not want to head out into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or walk around downtown, you still have plenty of fun things you can do together! Look at these 5 things to do in Gatlinburg with kids when it rains:
1. Visit the Aquarium
If it’s nasty outside, visiting Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is the perfect way to spend a rainy day! Your kids will love all of the unique creatures they’ll see, from flounder to Japanese spider crabs. They can get hands on with stingrays, moon jellyfish, and horseshoe crabs. Watch penguins play together, and go under Shark Lagoon on the glidepath that takes you under the tank full of sharks, fish, and even a sea turtle. Ripley’s Aquarium also has a ton of extra activities, such as the Glass Bottom Boat Adventure and Penguin Paintings and Encounters, you can pay for to extend the fun of the aquarium for everyone!
2. Ice Skate at Ober Gatlinburg
If you’ve ever been to Ober Gatlinburg before, you know how many things there are to do there! While most of the activities are outdoors, you still have plenty of fun indoor activities you can do on a rainy day. One of the most popular things to do in Gatlinburg with kids is to ice skate at Ober Gatlinburg. The rink is in the enclosed mall, ensuring you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Everyone will have a blast traveling around the ice rink together. Plus, you can also take the ice bumper cars for a spin after you’ve skated!
3. Play at Gatlin’s Fun Center
Gatlin’s Fun Center is at the heart of the Reagan Terrace shopping center in downtown Gatlinburg. Some of the fun things you can do at Gatlin’s are outside, but there are even more fun things to do inside! Want to play mini golf? Gatlin’s has a blacklight mini golf course that is ocean themed. Take your kids to play a game or two of laser tag in the arena. Test everyone’s critical thinking and puzzle skills at any of the 4 escape games. You can also play the Lazer Maze or Atomic Rush.
4. Check Out the Hollywood Star Cars Museum
Do your kids love cars? When it’s raining out, take them to the Hollywood Star Cars Museum . You’ll walk around and see some of the most famous vehicles from movies and TV shows from the past 50 years. The cars are set up against backdrops from their movies, providing you with the perfect picture! There are cars from the Fast and the Furious movies, the Batmobile, and the General Lee. Everyone will have a blast seeing these cool cars.
5. Go to Arcadia
Another fun thing to do in Gatlinburg with kids is to take them to Arcadia . It’s at the bottom of the Gatlinburg Space Needle. All kids love playing arcade games, from skee ball to games where you stop the light on the jackpot. Your whole family will have fun for hours playing together and earning points. At the end of your day, you take your points and trade them for prizes, such as stuffed animals, plastic toys, and candy. Spending quality time together at Arcadia is a great way to spend the day when it’s raining.
Curious about what some things to do in Gatlinburg with kids are when it’s not raining? Check out these other Gatlinburg attractions your whole family will love!
