Top Smoky Mountain Family Itineraries: 2, 3, and 4 Day Trips with Kids Beyond Dollywood
Planning a family trip to the Smoky Mountains can feel overwhelming — between Dollywood, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the national park, there’s so much to choose from.
To make it easy, here are ready-to-follow 2, 3, 4, and 5-day itineraries that balance big thrills with relaxed moments. Each itinerary starts with a full day at Dollywood (Top 5 Family Experiences at Dollywood) and weaves in favorite stops from Top 10 Kid-Friendly Things To Do in the Smokies, Anakeesta: A Mountaintop Story, and Top 10 Family-Friendly Trails.
Evenings end at Bearfoot Bliss — your home base in Pigeon Forge with a private pool, hot tub, theater room, and stunning mountain views.
✨ 2-Day Itinerary: Dollywood + Gatlinburg Highlights
📅 Day 1 – Dollywood 🎡
Start your trip at Dollywood, the heart of the Smokies.
Ride Lightning Rod, FireChaser Express, and take the Dollywood Express train early before lines grow.
Don’t miss cinnamon bread at the Grist Mill (go in the morning before it sells out).
Catch a live show or seasonal parade at dusk.
📝 Pro Tip: Arrive 30 min before opening for parking and security. Use the Dollywood app for live wait times and show schedules.
⏰ 10 AM – 8 PM | 🎟 $92 adult tickets | 📍 Pigeon Forge
👉 Read our Top 5 Family Experiences at Dollywood for more ride tips.
📅 Day 2 – Gatlinburg & Anakeesta 🌄
Morning: Ripley’s Aquarium (2–3 hrs). Buy tickets online to skip lines.
Afternoon: Choose Parrot Mountain (seasonal) or WonderWorks (great for rainy days).
Evening: Ride the chairlift up to Anakeesta for treetop bridges, sunset views, and twinkling lights over Gatlinburg.
📝 Pro Tip: Pre-book Anakeesta tickets for sunset — golden hour here is spectacular. Bring a light jacket; it can be cooler on the mountaintop.
🎟 Online reservations recommended weekends/holidays.
✨ 3-Day Itinerary: Add a Pigeon Forge Fun Day
📅 Day 1 – Dollywood
Same as above.
📅 Day 2 – Pigeon Forge 🎠
Morning: WonderWorks (stay 3–4 hrs) — hands-on exhibits perfect for kids.
Lunch: Pancake House → MagiQuest (1–2 hrs) — great indoor activity.
Evening: The Island — rides, dancing fountains, live music, and arcades after dark.
📝 Pro Tip: Parking at The Island is free. Go at sunset when the fountains are lit up.
📅 Day 3 – Gatlinburg & Ober Mountain 🏔
Morning: Ripley’s Aquarium (stay 2–3 hrs).
Afternoon: Ober Mountain Tram + alpine slide. In winter, snow tubing requires advance booking.
Evening: Mini golf and go-karts under neon lights.
📝 Pro Tip: Take the aerial tram from downtown Gatlinburg to avoid parking on the mountain.
👉 Check out our Three Smoky Mountain Towns post to learn more about Gatlinburg’s roots.
✨ 4-Day Itinerary: Add Museums & Sweet Treats
🏰 Day 1: Dollywood
🧪 Day 2: WonderWorks + The Island
🐻 Day 3: Gatlinburg (Aquarium + Ober Mountain)
🕰 Day 4: Titanic Museum + Apple Barn
📅 Day 4 – Titanic & Apple Barn 🥧
Morning: Titanic Museum Attraction (timed entry recommended).
Afternoon: Apple Barn for cider, apple fritters, and local treats.
Evening: Easy packing night or downtime at Bearfoot Bliss.
📝 Pro Tip: Book Titanic tickets at least a week ahead for weekends. The Apple Barn gets busy midday — go early afternoon.
✨ 5-Day Itinerary: Full Smoky Mountain Experience
Days 1–4 same as above, plus:
📅 Day 5 – National Park Adventure 🌲
Morning: Scenic drive through Cades Cove (wildlife, historic churches, mountain views).
Afternoon: Picnic + hike to Laurel Falls — a paved trail with a waterfall reward.
Evening: Parkway stroll, arcades, and ice cream in Gatlinburg.
📝 Pro Tip: Arrive at Cades Cove before 9 AM to beat the crowds.
👉 Read our Top Family-Friendly Trails in the Smokies for hike ideas and maps.
🧭 Quick Family Reference
| Cost | Highlights |
|---|---|
| 🌳 Free | National Park, Parkway stroll |
| 💵 $–$$ | Pancake breakfasts, mini-golf, aquarium |
| 💰 $$–$$$ | SkyLift, Ober Mountain, Anakeesta |
| 🪙 $$$–$$$$ | Dollywood, dinner shows |
Bearfoot Bliss
Whether you’re planning 2, 3, 4 or 5 days in the Smokies with kids, these itineraries give your family the best mix of Dollywood magic, kid-friendly attractions, and mountain downtime.
Evenings always finish at Bearfoot Bliss — your Smoky Mountain home base where kids splash in the pool and parents relax in the hot tub.
