Planning Your Ultimate Kid Adventures in the Smokies
The Great Smoky Mountains are jam-packed with fun opportunities for the entire family, especially the kiddos! When planning your family-friendly trip to discover the best kid adventures in the Smokies, no matter which beautiful Western North Carolina County you choose to visit, you can use this guide for some pointers sure to satisfy your entire crew.
Waynesville & Haywood County Adventures
- The Smoky Mountain Sk8way and Family Entertainment Center in Waynesville, NC, isn’t called the Fun Zone by accident. Roller skating, video games, snack bar – welcome to 1980 in the best way!
- Waynesville Recreation Center can keep everyone happy with the water play park for the little ones, basketball and racquetball courts, and other various ways to work out that energy, so everyone gets a great night’s sleep.
Maggie Valley & Seasonal Fun
- Stompin Ground in Maggie Valley – Maybe your kids like to get their clogging and bluegrass on? Then, make time to check out this venue where square dancing, clogging, and line dancing are all possibilities on this 4,800 square foot dance floor.
- Cataloochee Ski Area – During the winter months, when most of the outdoor activities come to a halt here in the Great Smoky Mountains, this ski area can offer all your kids a great day of snowy fun skiing and snowboarding.
Bryson City Outdoor Adventures
- Deep Creek Campground offers kids the chance to put down the devices and play outside. This gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Bryson City features waterfalls and trails just steps away, and it’s perfectly located near Fontana Lake to swim, boat, and fish.
- Appalachian Rivers Aquarium – While in Bryson City, this small native species aquarium houses over 4,000 gallons of water with 15 different species of fish.
- Darnell Farms – Plan a visit where your family will be treated to big farm fun with hayrides, field trips, and other family-centric events throughout the year.
- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad – For some super fun on a trail, check out an excursion with this railroad. The whole family can have front row viewing for the 4.5-hour round trip through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala National Forest.
- Nantahala Outdoor Center – For a wide range of trips for any skill level, the NOC is a perfect place to take the family, whether it’s white water rafting, zip lining, kayaking, mountain biking, or tubing.
Hayesville & Clay County Experiences
- Chatuge Dam Trail – When in Hayesville, NC, and you need to release some energy, this trail will do the whole family right. It’s an easy 3.1-mile out-and-back, so plan on this giving you a solid hour of exploration.
- Clay County Park Campground – Sometimes the little ones need some freedom to let off their steam and fly their small wings, and this campground in Hayesville has a beach for swimmers and a playground for the tots.
- Magical Mountain Resorts Enchanted Forest – You won’t want to miss staying at this magical destination. After a stay here among the teapots and toadstools, the occasional dwarf, or a candy-themed cabin, you will be reminded of that oh-so-special kid-like magic and remember that we are all still kids at heart.
Franklin & Macon County Fun
When exploring Kid Adventures in the Smokies around Franklin, NC, in Macon County, you’ll discover how this area knows how to keep the kids busy with amazing attractions.
- The Factory – This dynamo of entertainment has it all. Take your kids, then bask in their gratitude.
- Rose Creek Mine in Franklin will have the youngins mining for native gems in either rain or shine with their covered flume.
Sylva Adventures
- Galaxy Lanes and Games in Sylva, NC – Bowling is great, no matter your age, but especially for kids who get to use the bumper guards! Bowl some games here with a snack bar and arcade-style games for the full family leisure experience.
- Sylva Pipes – If your mini-mes are skateboarders, you can treat them to a rolling good time at this skate park, located behind Motion Makers Bike Shop, and open to the public for a safe environment for all levels of skaters.
Murphy & Cherokee County Attractions
The Murphy area offers some of the most diverse Kid Adventures in the Smokies, ranging from water activities to entertainment centers that will keep your family busy all day long.
- Cherokee Lake Recreation Area in Murphy, NC – Is it a hot day? Head here to pick up a picnic lunch, plan for a walk, maybe do some fishing – no matter what you choose, it will make for a sweet family day.
- UltraStar Multi-tainment Center – Quite the opposite of a picnic and lake day, this center, part of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, will provide all the opportunities for a day of games, kid-friendly gaming, and even bowling.
- Wagonmaster Ranch Resort will keep your little cow-pokes on their toes with all of the panning for gold and mini-golf. And if you are too pooped to make it home quite yet, they also offer several lodging options to make your stay comfy.
- Murphy Riverwalk Greenway – If what the kiddos in your life need is just some space to be themselves and wander a bit, this beautiful greenway will provide just that with its 4-mile loop around the town center of Murphy.