Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee with Kids: The Best Things to Do on a Smoky Mountains Vacation

Submitted by Charlotte B on

Enjoy rides and attractions at the Anakeesta mountaintop theme park. Photo courtesy of Anakeesta

Looking for the perfect family vacation in the mountains? My Florida-based family loves Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, home to endless family-friendly attractions and outdoor recreation opportunities. We've visited this beautiful southern vacation spot several times and always find new things to do in Gatlinburg and new kids' activities in Pigeon Forge for all ages to enjoy.

It helps that both of these Tennessee towns are just moments away from two of the area's top attractions: Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Dollywood. And with so many family-friendly Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge hotels, plus cabins in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, you won’t have trouble finding a great place to stay.

Read on for our extensive list of things to do in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN with kids. Our Southern States Vacation Guide also includes our lists of the best Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg hotels for families and our guide to visiting Dollywood with kids.

50 Best Elf on the Shelf Ideas for 2025: Easy & Funny Ideas to Delight Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on

Uh-oh! The elf tangled up your tree lights! Photo by Mark Baylor, courtesy of Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Elf on the Shelf is back! It's almost the holidays, so it's almost time for Elf on the Shelf. Elves typically arrive sometime after Thanksgiving and return to the North Pole on Christmas Day, giving families about a month to fill with hilarious Elf on the Shelf ideas.

Like any good house guest, your elf should be able to keep mischievous acts mostly mess-free and easy to set up. We've put together a list of 50 easy ideas that are also impressive elf antics that delight kids— including funny Elf on the Shelf ideas, easy Elf on the Shelf ideas, and last-minute Elf on the Shelf ideas for hectic mornings. Did we mention they don't take a lot of time to set up and require very few props?

Find more Christmas activities and crafts for kids, plus other fun things to do this season, in our Christmas and Holiday Fun Guide.

48 Places to Take Pictures with Santa in Atlanta & Picture-Perfect Breakfast with Santa

Rebecca Ruffin Leffler's picture Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on

Tell Santa all your wishes at Bass Pro Shops and snap a few photos! Photo courtesy Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's

Take pictures with Santa Claus without having to travel to the North Pole! St. Nick is all over Atlanta to usher in this magical holiday season with photo ops, meet-and-greets, and Santa breakfasts with your little ones. Dress your kids in cute holiday outfits and take pictures with Santa for lasting memories. Capture candid photos with Santa at tree lightings, holiday festivals, or mealtimes; or reserve a professional Santa photo shoot at a local mall. In some instances, you can even bring Fido for a Santa photo! 

Holiday Craft Fairs and Christmas Markets in Westchester and the Hudson Valley in 2025

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

The holiday market at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts features more than 75 craft and food vendors. Photo courtesy of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Holiday craft fairs and Christmas markets in Westchester and the Hudson Valley are a fun way to shop for seasonal gifts, offering handmade and one-of-a-kind items not found in most stores. Booths are often staffed by the maker, allowing insight into the creative process, and many benefit a charitable cause.

We've rounded up some of the wonderful holiday fairs in the region that are well worth visiting this November and December. Enjoy festivities for the entire family at the White Plains Winter Village and Holiday Market, which features a winter wonderland atmosphere with visits from Santa and live entertainment, including stilt walkers, carolers, and more. Or indulge in apple strudel and other authentic German food and baked goods at Germania of Poughkeepsie's Christkindlmarkt, a German-style Christmas market featuring vendors, caroling, and holiday activities.

Looking for more ways to enjoy the holiday season? You can find plenty more holiday happenings in our Holiday Guide and our constantly updated activities calendar.

Breakfast with Santa in New Jersey in 2025

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

Warm up with Alstede Farms' delicious farm-to-table brunch with Santa. Photo courtesy of the farm

Breakfast with Santa on one of his visits to New Jersey is a great way for your kids to spend quality time with "the big guy." At these events, kids enjoy delicious food and share holiday wish lists with St. Nick.

And, of course, there will be time for some adorable photos. Read on for our roundup of where to have breakfast with Santa in New Jersey this holiday season. 

Want more time with Santa? Book your ticket on a Christmas train ride, and find more seasonal activities in our Holiday Fun Guide.

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