A mountain town is the perfect place to visit with the whole family because there is something for everyone!!
It can be hard to find activities and restaurants that everyone from from the youngest kids in the family to the "most mature" members of the family will all enjoy. Grandparents usually sacrifice and do whatever the kids want to do because they just want to spend time with them. But in Gatlinburg, there are so many things that are fun for grandparents too!
The Old Mill Restaurant - This southern family style restaurant is sure to please everyone in the family, even the pickiest eater in the group. Grandparents will appreciate the historic setting and the comfort food will take them back to their childhood memories of family dinners when time moved a lot slower. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and there are even tables that overlook the river. Check out their menu HERE.
3 Bears General Store - This general store has everything...ice cream, candy, clothes, jewelry and more! One of my favorite treats to get is the handcrafted fudge that is made daily (there are so many flavors to choose from) or a funnel cake. After grabbing a snack and doing a little shopping, the kids can let some energy out in the arcade. But one of the best things for the family to enjoy is the 11 scene old time photo studio. This is always a favorite for grandparents. This is a one stop destination for food, fun and souvenirs. Get a sneak peak at all they have in the store HERE.
Motown Show - The Soul of Motown show at the Grand majestic Theatre is a performance you will not forget! The cast of the show are all true entertainers and you will be inspired by their voices and their dance moves on the stage. It's a tribute to the Motown legends and yes it will appeal most to the grandparents, but really all of the family will enjoy this show. You will be singing along to classics like 'My Girl' and will also enjoy some family-friendly comedy and magic. It's nice to be able to sit back, relax and be entertained! Check out the details about their shows HERE.
Gatlinburg, TN is my favorite destination for family fun and one of the biggest draws to this place for our family is that it caters to the young and the old. So plan a trip with the grandparents and let them have a little fun!!

Gatlinburg is the perfect place to getaway for spring break, Easter break or just a spring vacation! The weather is great and there is so much to do with the family.
When you stay at the Giving Cabin you are conveniently located to a variety of activities, restaurants and shopping. But if you don’t want to make your way into town, there is also plenty to do right there at the cabin.
Here are a few of our favorite spring activities in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area:
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Smoky Mountain Deer Farm
This venue is a farm, exotic petting zoo and horseback riding stable. No reservations required to visit, however, reservations are required for horseback riding. You will get the chance to pet the deer at the Deer Farm and you can also walk among them and hand-feed them…it’s a great experience for the whole family. There are also so many other animals to see up close like horses, camels, zebras, zonkies (yes that is a cross between a zebra and a donkey), pygmy goats, rocky mountain elk, and more! Make sure to bring your camera because you are sure to get some great pics. The whole family will love the environment in the beautiful foothills spanning over 140 acres. Click HERE to find more info, pricing and hours.
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Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo
Want to visit some animals but it’s raining out or you just don’t want to spend time outside? Then the Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo is a perfect place to bring the family.
This zoo is in the heart of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, near both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and it’s open year round! They have over 600 live animals, representing over 130 species. There are lots of unique and beautiful rain forest creatures from around the world that call this place home, and it’s right here in our backyard! The facility is accessible so all ages can enjoy; bring your strollers, wheelchairs, etc. Visitors can interact with the animals and talk with the caregivers which makes it very educational for the kids, which is always a plus. There is a fun show at the beginning to kick things off. We are sure this will be a hit with your crew. Learn more about this unique experience HERE.
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Shopping at Tanger Outlets
It’s always fun to do a little shopping when you are on vacay and the Tanger Outlets have the best stores for the whole family. The outlets are clean and organized for a enjoyable shopping experience. You can find stores for the whole family like Nike and North Face, stores for the kids like the Disney store, stores that have yummy treats like the Fudgery and Ben & Jerry’s, and they even have mini-golf and arcade games.
You could easily spend a whole day here shopping, eating and having some family fun. The outlets are conveniently located right in the heart of town so you can easily swing by before or after your other planned activities. Find a store map, hours and more info HERE.
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Fun at The Giving Cabin
Last but not least, one of our most favorite spring activities in the Great Smoky Mountains is spending time at the The Giving Cabin! You don’t even have to leave the property to have some spring time fun!
The spacious yard, play set with tree house, swings and slide are perfect for the kids to run around and play! Hanging by the fire pit or in a rocking chair on the porch are favorite spots for the adults to relax and watch the kids play. Anytime, day or night, is the perfect time to enjoy the hot tub and it’s covered so you can even enjoy it on a rainy day. Inside the cabin there is space to gather to cook or bake some treats, spread out on the couch and watch a movie, or head down to the game room and challenge each other in foosball darts or a board game. We have so much to do at the cabin you never have to leave if you don’t want to.
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So what are you waiting for? It’s time to plan your spring getaway and have some fun in Gatlinburg. Book the Giving Cabin now, spring dates are filling up fast!!