Bring 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.