Family Attractions in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina

rafting the rapids on the NantahalaBring the whole family to the North Carolina Smokies to spend quality time together and explore all the mountains have to offer. Parents, grandparents and children of all ages will love outdoor adventures on hiking and biking trails, zipline tours and area waterways. Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City is a popular spot for whitewater rafting, ziplining, or just enjoying a family meal beside the beautiful Nantahala River.

Learn about the culture and history of the Smoky Mountains at an area museum. Or take a trip back in time as you ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad as it twists through scenic Nantahala Gorge. Visit a clear mountain stream or a local trout farm to experience the thrill of catching your first trout, or mine for precious stones like ruby and sapphire at a gem mine. Pick berries and apples from a mountain orchard, or make friends with bison, llamas and goats at a local farm.

Indoor attractions are fun in any season — even on rainy days! Jump for joy at a trampoline park and engage in a fun family competition at the bowling alley, arcade or go-kart track.

Check out these favorite family attractions, and begin planning your next family vacation to the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.

Andy's Trout Farm
Nestled on 325 beautiful acres at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains, Andy's offers it's guests a tranquil respite with three different types of lodging, fishing, recreation for all ages, a slew of accommodation options, and SO much more!
115 Andy's Trout Farm Road Otto, NC 28763 (706) 746-2550 www.andystroutfarm.com Get Directions
Buffalo Creek Vacations
* See American Bison, Llamas & Mini Horses * Tour Agapeland Station Model Trains * Mini Donkey Excursions * Mini Horse Rides * Feed the Goats * Purchase Bison Meat Please call 828-550-0960 for pricing & availability Non-Guest Passes are available for Mon-Friday, 9:00-11:00am only www.buffalocreekvacationsNC.com Clyde, NC
Call or Check Website Clyde, NC 28721 (828) 550-0960 buffalocreekvacationsNC.com Get Directions
Fontana Marina Excursions & Boat Rentals
Rental choices include pontoon boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards. Pontoon Boat Shuttle Services are available for hikers and trout fishermen wanting to explore Eagle Creek, Hazel Creek, or any of the North Shore of the Fontana Lake. Get out on the Southern Boundary of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park with easy access to the mountains or just a short trip back to luxury of the Fontana Village Resort. Pick-up and drop-off services are available.
300 Woods Road Fontana Dam, NC 28733 (828) 498-2129 fontanavillage.com Get Directions
Foxfire Museum
Discover Foxfire! Come hike through history at our Appalachian village, made up of over 20 historic log structures and artifacts dating as far back as the 1820s. Get hands on with history by visiting one of our on-site demonstrators, from weaving to blacksmithing. Open Monday through Saturday, 9 am - 4:30 pm and Sundays 12 - 4:30 pm.
98 Foxfire Lane Mountain City, GA 30562 (706) 746-5828 www.foxfire.org Get Directions
Friends of the Greenway-TN River Frog Quarters
Greenway information, coffee and local arts and crafts supporting Little Tennessee River Greenway.
573 E. Main St Franklin, NC 28734 (828) 369-8488 www.littletennessee.org Get Directions
Goats on the Roof
Goats On The Roof is a fun family stop! Lots to do, we carry Amish foods, Amish Furniture, unique gifts, T-Shirts, homemade fudge, award winning nitro ice cream, gem mining and rock crushers!! You can even feed the goats and become an official Goat Ranger! You can sit back and relax in one of our Amish Adirondack rockers by the fire pit roasting marshmallows! There's always a surprise at Goats!! Be sure to follow us on Facebook & Twitter for contest and special events.
3026 Hwy 441 South Tiger, GA 30576 (706) 782-2784 goats-on-the-roof.com Get Directions
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
All aboard for a historic and scenic journey. That's an invitation to a delightful journey through the majestic mountains and colorful countryside of Western North Carolina, over a sprawling lake, past rushing rivers, through a deep mountain gorge and into dark mountain tunnels. The railroad operates year-round, with schedules varying seasonally. All trains depart Bryson City.
45 Mitchell Street Bryson City, NC 28713 (828) 586-8811 www.gsmr.com Get Directions
Hillside Orchard Farms, Inc.
Families Welcome!!! We have a 100 acre farm where we grow, can and sell items here on the farm. We have Apples, Blackberries, Muscadines and More. WE Produce over 700 Jams, Jellies, Cider and more. We have A fully Commercial Bakery where we are always making bread, Pies and fritters to enjoy. For the Kids we have Ice Cream, corn maze, fried pickles, hayrides, train, Gem mining and field trips. We have our Barnyard and our Farm Themed Playground. There is also a Pavilion for birthday parties and family get togethers.
18 Sorghum Mill Drive Lakemont, GA 30552 (706) 782-7848 hillsideorchard.com Get Directions
Nantahala Outdoor Center
NOC’s main campus is located at the intersection of the Appalachian Trail and the Nantahala River, just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, NOC’s 500-acre campus boasts plenty of exciting adventures to keep your group happy & active. Whitewater raft, explore Fontana Lake in a kayak or canoe, zipline, or mountain bike and hike! Check out NOC’s new aerial playground – Treetop Adventure Nets, perfect for kids ages 3 & up. Between adventures, check out NOC’s riverfront restaurants and retail stores, and even spend the night in a cozy trailside cabin.
13077 Hwy 19 West Bryson City, NC 28713 (828) 785-5082 www.noc.com Get Directions
Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center
7420 Dillard Road Scaly Mountain, NC 28775 (828) 526-3737 scalymountain.com Get Directions
Smoky Mountain Train Museum
Catch the spirit of model railroading. Museum ranked in top ten in U.S. Owned and operated by the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.
100 Greenlee Street Bryson City, NC 28713 (828) 488-5200 gsmr.com Get Directions
Ultra Star Multi-Tainment Center-Cherokee
Harrah’s Cherokee, hottest new arcade games, Strikes Lounge, boutique bowling, billiards, packages, events, parties. FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!!! Located in the north side of the Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort. Hours of Operation: Bowling/Restaurants Friday: 11am-2 am/11am-12am Saturday: 10am-2 am/11am-12am Sunday: 10am-11pm/11am-10pm Mon-Wed: 11am-10pm/2 pm-10pm Thursday: 11am -12am/2 pm-12am
777 Casino Drive Cherokee, NC 28719 (828) 497-8818 ultrastarnc.com Get Directions