Rainy Day Kids Activities in Gatlinburg

Don’t let rain stop the fun

When the Sky of Gatlinburg rains and tells you to sit back in your homes and cancel your plans, that’s exactly when you need to leave your couch and enjoy the fun indoor activities in Gatlinburg!

If your restless kids need a good outing in the rainy season, don’t worry, Gatlinburg is still home to many indoor attractions that are suitable for them. Whether they love to explore educational museums, cute aquariums, arcades, or pancake shops, the indoor attractions in Gatlinburg will make your kids wish for more rain!

Visiting the Aquarium is one of the best activities you can do with kids when the sky starts to leak. Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg is an enormous 80,000 sq ft aquarium featuring almost 10,000 aquatic species and is considered one of the best aquariums in America. To give you a visual idea, this aquarium is home to more species than Gatlinburg is home to actual people. Kids here can enjoy interactive exhibits, but we recommend visiting during off-hours on rainy days since the aquarium is crowded.

A long drive in the rain is a match made in heaven, and here in Gatlinburg, families and individuals can enjoy a trolley ride through downtown Gatlinburg for just $0.50 to $2. On rainy days, when the city becomes more lush and beautiful with moist breezes flowing in every corner, these rides become a must-try without letting your car tires get dirty. We recommend bringing change if you want a hassle-free experience.

We know every kid is low-key a car lover, especially boys. So if your kids are car enthusiasts, Hollywood Star Cars is the best available option on a rainy day. Kids can enjoy a new and old collection of cars used in famous movies and TV series, such as the Batmobile of Batman and the car from the popular movie The Dukes of Hazzard. Guides are available in the museum to tell you the fun facts and history of the displayed vehicles, so don’t be hesitant to ask for assistance from them.

Located a short drive from downtown Gatlinburg, this ice skating attraction is well known for its water slides, skiing rink, tubing, and mountain coaster. However, if it’s a rainy day, we especially recommend the ice skating rink where kids can enjoy skating and all the essential equipment and footwear are provided.

The 407-foot-tall Gatlinburg Space Needle is a known observation tower that offers many indoor activities apart from providing a gorgeous sky view of the Smoky Mountains. It’s among the greatest things to do in Gatlinburg, as visitors get to learn about the natural habitat and beauty of the surrounding areas of Gatlinburg. The inside exhibits are suitable for all age groups, featuring displays related to local wildlife, geology, and Gatlinburg's history. Especially for kids, there are live activities happening where they can learn about many different topics and satisfy their curiosity. One of their best highlight is the observation deck at the top of the tower, which gives a 360-degree view of the area.

In the middle of Glades Road, visitors can find the Alewine Pottery business, a well-regarded place to visit where the magic of handcrafts and pottery can be seen live. Visitors can watch every stage of pottery-making—from the potter molding the clay, adding decorations, to glazing the piece, and finally firing it into the finished product. Don’t forget to enjoy the big fire, which is one of the highlights of this visit. Guests can also purchase pottery items or explore the works of other craftspeople creating magic right there on the property. Also, there are many different artists who have interior galleries where they do everything from photography to glassblowing, so don’t forget to check them out (or get your picture clicked as a token of memory on a rainy day).

Need something more kid-friendly? No worries! Try visiting Gatlins in Gatlinburg, a popular indoor mini golf course arena, where guests can also enjoy other activities like bumper cars, an indoor laser tag game, a video game arcade, a fun laser maze, and enough entertainment to spend a whole evening, and you still wouldn’t be done.

Who doesn’t like a good skit or a live comedy performance that takes your breath away (out of laughing)? We welcome you to Sweet Fany Adams Theater, a place full of live performances and shows which include variety shows, musicals, and comedy shows. Families visiting with kids can expect a time full of laughter and giggles, plus it’s a great place to enjoy on a rainy day. The performances here become more fun due to live interaction between artists and the audience. Visitors are also allowed to enjoy snacks during the show, like drinks, chips, or popcorn.