A Back-to-School Guide to The Smokies
Happy new school year! We love our kids for their curiosity, energy, and never-ending sense of wonder. And while the end of the summer is usually busy with preparations for the new semester, we invite you to take a breather and come to the Smokies for some family fun and learning.
We wrote this guide to help you plan your late summer and early fall adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains. We hope that these hand-selected family-friendly activities in the Smokies will help you navigate Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Townsend area for a memorable getaway.
1) Visit The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
Family adventure has long been a staple at Tremont, a fifty-year-old educational park facility that’s set to investigate the diversity of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and connect folks with nature. The institute offers a nature laboratory site, ongoing residential programs, and educational events for all ages.
Now that the campus has reopened for educational activities, you may join the staff on an awesome outdoor adventure and in-depth learning experience that fosters a lifelong appreciation of nature, from backpacking trips to learning about different salamander species.
Find the program that fits your unique needs and age group by visiting the Summer Youth page on their website.
2) Don’t Miss the Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Fest
Now in its fourth year, the Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival sets high expectations by visitors coming to Townsend, TN, a town located just at the entrance to the National Park and within a short drive from Elvira’s Cafe. The festival will be held at Townsend Visitor Center from 4 pm to 10 pm on Saturday, August 21. It will feature professional balloonists, food trucks, arts and crafts, face paintings, and various play activities for children of all ages.
More than 10,000 viewers are expected to participate at this year’s event, so come early and stop by Elvira’s for a pre-game dinner. The cost of the festival is $5 to get in and $25 to park. VIP packages are also available.
3) Take a Bike Stroll in Cades Cove
Cades Cove is a popular destination for motor tourists but there are also plenty of opportunities to take a family bike ride up and down the hills of this historic open-air museum. In order to accommodate bicycle traffic, the 11-mile loop road will be closed to motor vehicles every Wednesday and Saturday until 10 am from mid-May to mid-September. You can bring your own bikes or rent them at the nearby rental shop. Route options range from a 4-mile ride with an exit at Sparks Lane to an 8-mile ride vis Hyatt Lane, or a full 11-mile loop covering most of Cades Cove.
4) Go Horseback Riding
There’s nothing more fun than exploring the mountains on the back of the horse! Thankfully, there are so many options to choose from when it comes to selecting the riding stable. There are a few locations that offer hassle-free booking and friendly customer service, depending on the area you plan to visit.
We highly recommend Five Oaks Riding Stables in Sevierville featuring an hour-long ride on a shady 3.5-mile trail surrounded by beautiful scenery, natural streams, and even a moonshine still! In addition to horseback riding, they suggest an adventure package that offers a thrilling zipline tour before you hop on your horse for a tranquil ride through the mountain scenery.
5) Tube The Little River
Located only a few minutes away from Elvira’s Cafe, Townsend is the ultimate destination for river-tubing. The Little River flows alongside the main road and offers exciting rapids, swimming holes, and more calm waters where you can just sit back and enjoy a relaxing pastime.
Lately, some of the parts of the river became a little shallow and tubers often have to wade to navigate the entire route. But now, the latest Townsend Outfitter, Smoky Mountain Outdoor Center, offers octagonal-shaped tubes to help you skirt over the rocks and continue an uninterrupted floating experience. While the weather is hot, we invite you to head to the river for some tubing fun then stop by Elvira’s for a nice meal.
No matter which outdoor adventure you choose to end your summer with the bang, families are always welcome at Elvira’s Cafe. In addition to our full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu, children of all ages can enjoy our kid’s menu featuring chocolate chip and marshmallow crepes, hotcakes, grilled cheese sandwiches as well as cheeseburgers and chicken tenders.
We can’t wait to see you!