There is a sweet spot in the Smokies before peak summer crowds fully arrive. For families staying with Eden Crest Vacation Rentals, our cabins in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Wears Valley, and Sevierville place you close to seemingly endless ideas for family summer vacation fun. With full kitchens, private decks, game rooms, hot tubs, and dog-friendly options, Eden Crest helps families enjoy the Smokies without feeling boxed into a hotel room.
We also offer guests complimentary access to a rich assortment of attractions that travelers of all ages will love. You can learn more by checking out our Passport to Paradise page!
4 Ideas for Family Summer Vacation Fun in the Area
1. Spend a Day at Dollywood Theme Park
Dollywood Theme Park has plenty of family-friendly ideas for a full-day summer vacation outing. Wildwood Grove and Big Bear Mountain are great for younger riders, and there are plenty of bigger thrills for older kids. Everyone will be able to love the live entertainment, craft demonstrations, Southern food, and shaded areas woven throughout the park.
The new NightFlight Expedition, a first-of-its-kind indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride in Wildwood Grove, adds another exciting way to cool off during sunny summer days.
2. Try Zorbing at Outdoor Gravity Park
Located in Pigeon Forge, this one-of-a-kind attraction is the only zorbing park in the USA, sending guests ages 5 and up rolling down a 1,000-foot hill inside an 11-foot inflatable orb. Up to three riders can share an orb, with three different tracks to choose from, GoPro video options, and a water-filled ride that feels part waterslide, part downhill adventure.
Plan to bring a swimsuit, a towel, and a change of clothes because you will get wet!
3. Explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
One of the most delightful ideas for a family vacation is visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during spring and early summer. Explore the trails and breathtaking views without the crowds and cooler weather.
Cades Cove is a favorite for families because the 11-mile loop road boasts mountain views, historic cabins and churches, wildlife viewing, hiking trails, and picnic spots in one outing. Sugarlands Visitor Center and Metcalf Bottoms offer easier access to riverside walks, visitor information, and places to stop near the water.
4. Cool Off With Water Fun
There are plenty of family-friendly water-based vacation ideas to enjoy once summer weather settles into the Smokies. Families can spend the day at Dollywood’s Splash Country, try high-energy rides at Soaky Mountain Waterpark, or plan a guided Pigeon River rafting trip, with gentler Lower Pigeon floats and more adventurous Upper Pigeon rapids.