Tag Archives: Gatlinburg attractions

Smoky Mountains for the Kids!

Smoky Mountain Kids, attention Moms and Dads…… what is fun to do in the Smokies with kids?  Everything!  We always like to encourage outdoor activity and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park as the #1 activity to consider when visiting the Smoky Mountain Area. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the reason these communities have grown and become a vacation destination so we hope that you might visit the park and learn and teach your children about the beauty of the park and it’s importance to our well being. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is an excellent place to take the children or the family!. You will find stop off locations for short walks or light picnics, you will find trail heads to water falls such as Rainbow Falls and Grotto Falls, along with gorgeous scenery and wildlife. At the beginning of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is Mynatt Park, which we can highly recommend for free kids fishing and a picnic. At the end of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail you will find Ely’s Mill, a very unique and memorable top. There are many favorite locations in the Smokies, Metcalf Bottoms and more so take your time and do some exploring!

It is not difficult to find information about Dollywood, Anakeesta and The Island.  We know there are mountain coasters and mini-golf, we want to share with you some of the small businesses in the area that are fantastic. Small business Smoky Mountains we could call it! These choices are for kids of ages up to 12.

Gatlinburg:

Izzy BeesIzzy Bees Stuffed Friends
Build a bear or a forest animal at Izzy Bees, located in the Mountain Mall in Gatlinburg.  This store is locally owned and operated and has really cute options to build your own friend and dress the friends and choose among many options.  Prices are the best in the area and this is guaranteed fun for the kiddos and will make an excellent memory and souvenir.

 

Hillbilly Golf
Located on the parkway as you enter Gatlinburg you will find Hillbilly Golf on the left before you see stoplight #3. Hillbilly Golf recently celebrated their 50th anniversary and it is long time staple in Gatlinburg for kids and family fun.  It’s the original, give it a try the kids will love it.

Pigeon Forge

Toy Box Mini Golf
Located at 112 Dollywood Lane, Toy Box Mini Golf is one of the newest mini golf amusements in the area and seems to be a real hit with the kids.  It is full of nostalgia in its decor and loaded with all kinds of amusements and fun for the family.  Find it on Dollywood Lane in Pigeon Forge.

The Smoky Mountain area has many free parks and we know kids love parks.  Outside of the main park, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in which you will find hiking and fishing and all kinds of exploring as mentioned above, these parks are community parks that the kids will love and have no admission fee!

Smoky Mountain Free Area Parks.

For Kid Friendly Restaurant Choices and favorite Family Restaurants in the Smokies, visit here with just a click!

The Hidden Gems Of The Arts and Crafts Community

The Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community of the Smoky Mountains is the first major attraction other than the mountains themselves to bring people in from all around the United States and get to know more about the artisan soul of our region. Artists of all kinds reside here – painters, woodcrafters, potters, glass makers, sign makers, quilters, candle makers, upcyclers, jewelers, stone crafters… the list goes on.

Much is written about the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community and some stores are already well-known. In this article, we wanted to showcase some of the lesser-known shops from the Community that we visited lately and can recommend as part of your Gatlinburg visit. Take a look:

Shaconage Stone Art & Jewelry
170 Glades Road
Gatlinburg, TN, 37738
865-719=3999
http://www.shaconagestoneartandjewelry.net/

“Our unique product lines from the Stone Art to the Jewelry are made by local artists. Most of the items are Native American made. We are extremely proud of our artist and products.Our products are made by local artisans. The unique stone art is made by Walking Bear. Our jewelry is designed by Vidars Custom Jewelry, and Matoka. Our hand knapped arrowheads, bows and arrows are by Stone Bear. Walking Bear, Stone Bear and Les Coffee make our unique knives. Our herbal teas, oils and soaps are by Nuwati. We also carry products by other Native Americans. Each item is unique and one of a kind.”

Hills Creek Gallery
170 Glades Road
Gatlinburg, TN, 37738
865-430-7778
https://www.hillscreek.com/

“Est. 1991 Featuring the Award Winning Smoky Mountains Scenic, Wildlife and Nature Photography of M&D Hills. Enjoy unique handcrafted gifts, jewelry, art glass, kaleidoscopes, paperweights, metalwork, & pottery. Don’t miss our one of a kind selection of glass pendants and earrings by artist J. Hills. Plus so much more.”

Elk River Gifts and Crafts
608 Glades Road
Gatlinburg, TN, 37738
865-412-1028
https://www.facebook.com/elkrivercraftsandgifts/

Ownby’s Woodcraft
704 Glades Road
Gatlinburg, TN, 37738
865-436-5254
https://www.etsy.com/market/ownbys_woodcraft

“Since the late 1800’s the Ownby’s carry on a long family tradition, turning native wood into beautiful wooden fruit, bowls, flowers, baskets, cutting boards, stools, birdhouses, bears, old timey games, toys & much more.”

Hand-n-Heart Creations
170 Glades Road
Gatlinburg, TN, 37738
865-412-1156
https://www.facebook.com/handnheartcreationsgatlinburg/

“We are a shop in the Arts & Crafts Community of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We feature a wide variety of unique, hand-crafted, artisan items from regional artists in a pleasant atmosphere.”

White Buffalo Native American Gifts
601 Glades Road Suite 2
Gatlinburg, TN, 37738
865-335-9762

Jams, Jellies, Nuts & More
170 Glades Road
Gatlinburg, TN, 37738
865-436-8911

Firefly Glass Studio
830 Moyers Dr,
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 206-6083
https://www.gatlinburg.com/listing/firefly-glass-studio/516/

“Nancy Huff creates contemporary fused glass art. Ths studio offers a “You Create” experience for all ages. Stop by and design your own masterpiece that will be fired and shipped.”

JJ Signs and Gifts
170 Glades Road, Suite 22,
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(260) 705-1058
https://www.facebook.com/HancevilleAL/

“Artist Joyce Branch free hands signs, paints acrylic paintings and creates unique art with glass and resin. Joyce is able to paint a sign for you while you wait or create a special unique piece of art for your home or business.”

Lil’ Bit of Gatlinburg
575 Proffitt Rd.,
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 430-4280
https://www.lilbitofgatlinburg.com/

“Come explore our unique sampling of craft and whimsy. We offer so much for the casual gift shopper, as well as the refined collector. From novelties to candles to pottery to paintings and handcrafted items from local artisans. Gift Wrapping Services offered here. Save time and hassle. Bring all of your gift wrap needs to us. If it’s more than a few, we’ll come to you. Call for more info and availability.”

Smoky Mountain Gold 2
601 Glades Rd # 8,
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-6805

The Rampant Lion – A Pub & Wine Bar
734 Powdermill Rd,
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 567-5217
http://www.therampantlionpub.com/

“A Celtic Pub and Wine Bar on the outskirts of Gatlinburg, nestled in the Arts and Crafts Community Centre. Starting with a wide selection of Whisky’s, ciders, wine coolers and cheeses, plus a tapas restaurant with offerings from around the world.”