Is your family thinking about visiting the Smoky Mountains? In this post, our local team names our favorite family-friendly hotel experiences in the Smoky Mountains. Whether you plan on shopping in Pigeon Forge, visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or walking the strip in Gatlinburg, our hotel picks have you covered!
Here are some of the best family-friendly hotels in the Smokies:
1. Dollywood DreamMore Resort & Spa
Parents are sure to love the high-quality restaurants, spacious rooms, luxury spa, and the high-end feel of the Dollywood DreamMore Resort. The kids are guaranteed to have non-stop fun in the kids area of the hotel room, large splash park, arcade with dozens of games, huge playground, and at the lushly landscaped 4,000 square foot pool complete with waterfalls and a lazy river. During the summer months, there is a great view of Dollywood’s nightly fireworks from the porch and pool area. The kids will love watching the fireworks, but Mom and Dad will equally love not having to fight the crowds to get out of a theme park late at night.
The Family Suite at DreamMore Resort, which comfortably sleeps a family of four, features a king-sized bed and a separate room with twin bunk-beds. Need more room for a larger family? DreamMore has the perfect option that sleeps up to six comfortably in the Junior Suite. The perfect combination of luxury, kid-friendly amenities, location, spacious suites, combined with the priority access to Dollywood makes this hotel the perfect home-base for any family vacation.
2. Riverstone Resort & Spa
There are several room types to choose from at Riverstone Resort & Spa ranging from a 600 square foot one-bedroom suite to a spacious 1,400+ square foot three bedroom condo that comfortably sleeps six. Each of the rooms feature an upscale kitchen, dining room, stone fireplace, private balcony, and great sleeping arrangements.
With beautiful weather much of the year, the outdoor lazy river, playground, BBQ areas, picnic tables, and riverside walk are sure to be appreciated! However, if Mother Nature decides to rain on your party, your family is sure to enjoy the indoor pool, workout facility, game room, and other indoor amenities.
3. The Resort At Governor’s Crossing
Photo Credit by @theresortgc on Instagram
The Resort At Governor’s Crossing is a kid’s dream come true! This hotel is located near Dollywood, Tanger Outlets, tons of restaurants, and everything else the area has to offer.
The indoor water park features a toddler splash zone, two high-speed slides, humongous hot tub, water volleyball, water basketball, and a zero entry pool. The outdoor water park features an 80 foot water slide, super-sized swimming pool, children’s pool, hot tubs, 250 foot lazy river, and a dry pirate ship playground. Depending on the size of your family, the resort offers everything from a studio suite to a 1,700+ square foot, three-bedroom suite.
4. Wilderness at the Smokies
A resort made for those water-loving families. Wilderness at the Smokies Resort not only has a huge indoor pool area with a large number of waterplay activities, but the resort itself has suites, villas, and lodges. Book a stay with them and add in an adventure package (which includes mini-golf and a laser maze) or simply have fun in the splash and play area. The Wilderness at the Smokies has a large number of options to choose from in regards to stay or play.
5. Margaritaville Resort
Photo Credit by @margaritavilleresortgatlinburg on Instagram
Consistently rated as one of the top hotels in the area, Margaritaville Resort is a luxurious resort that caters to all audiences. Not only is there a pool with ample play and splash time, but the rooms are quite clean and spacious, perfect for a group of families to get together during a Smoky Mountain Vacation. This Gatlinburg hotel is near popular attractions like Ripley’s Aquarium, while the Pigeon Forge Margaritaville RV Resort is nearby Dolly Parton’s Stampede. There are a range of family suites available for families wanting plenty of space.
6. The Inn at Christmas Place
Photo Credit by @innatchristmasplace on Instagram
If your children are big fans of the Christmas holiday, then the whole family is bound to love an inn where it’s Christmas all the time. The Inn at Christmas Place is filled with the Christmas spirit in every aspect and offers experiences like cookie decorating, story times by Santa, and annual lighting ceremony. If you have a larger family, there is a Christmas Suite and Santa Suite that offers a free range of space and even more Christmas jubilee.
7. When These Hotels Won’t Do… A Family Cabin Will
This family cabin sleeps up to 23
There are several different cabins over the Smoky Mountain area that offer a fun family-friendly experience. If none of the above Smoky Mountain hotels will do, looking at some cabins may be the better option for you. Stay in a log cabin with an indoor pool, a hot tub, bunk beds for the kids, a game room, or an indoor theater. We have several options for these cabins no matter which area you choose.
10 Great Ideas For Your Smoky Mountain Family Vacation
Dollywood Summer
Now that you found the perfect hotel for your upcoming family vacation, it’s time to start planning your trip! Here are ten ideas to get you started:
- Enjoy A Smoky Mountain Picnic
- Laugh A Ton At Comedy Barn
- Visit Cades Cove For A Day
- Have An Unforgettable Breakfast At Crockett’s Breakfast Camp
- Go To The Highest Point In The Smokies
- Spend A Day At Dollywood
- Don’t Let A Rainy Day Ruin Your Plans
- Hike Laurel Falls Trail
- Feed A Zebra At The Exotic Petting Zoo
- Visit Mad Dog’s Creamery For Ice Cream
