outdoor attractions - Pitstops for Kids

Six kid-friendly tourist attractions to visit in Pigeon Forge

November 9, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Travel can be challenging right now. If you decide traveling is right for your family, be sure to social distance, wear masks, and quarantine upon your return.

If you’re ready to hit the road and take your family on an adventurer’s journey, here are six incredible kid-friendly tourist attractions to visit in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Ziplining through the Great Smoky Mountains

One of the best adventures your kids can enjoy in Pigeon Forge is a ziplining tour in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The adrenaline rush of swinging above the treetops on a hanging wire is pure exhilaration. Besides the fun and action-packed ziplining experience, your family can also discover the forest’s diverse wildlife, breathtaking streams, and indigenous flowering plants.

Fat Daddy Arcade

Fat Daddy Arcade is the real definition of having fun and building strong family bonds. Packed with all sorts of classical games and fun things like the milk jug toss, dueling basketball hoops, the Clown, Plinko, and more, this one’s always a hit with kids. This event offers you an opportunity to have fun with your family and still win big.

Take a Hike

There is no better way to spend a summer afternoon with the kids than to connect with Mother Nature. The beautiful and welcoming hiking trails provide the best kids adventure and what you need to enjoy a peaceful hike with your loved ones.

Furthermore, exploring new places and unlocking new experiences is an excellent way to stay active, spend quality time, and bond with your family. With some snacks and drinks, you’re ready to hit the trail and explore the fascinating scenic routes in the Forge area.

Xtreme Racing Center

Your trip to the Forge area isn’t complete without the kids visiting the Xtreme center. The Xtreme center is dedicated to providing tourists with the ultimate Pigeon Forge go-kart excursion with various thrilling course alternatives. The track is also packed with exciting adventures, narrow straightaways, and winding turns. Your children will treasure and appreciate the time spent zooming around the sharp corners of the race tracks and competing for first place forever.

Watch the Island Show Fountain

The Island show fountain is a state-of-the-art presentation that showcases a beautiful water dance and light. The exhibition is carefully choreographed to a stunning fourteen pieces of music. Over 89 vertical nozzles cause movement and six motion-based nozzles also form detailed water sprays that dance to the music.

The Titanic Museum

How about giving your kids a bit of a history lesson? Visiting the Titanic museum is a pure eye-opener. You and your family will learn more about the titanic ship, its crew, and passengers. You will have an opportunity to walk your family through the inside and experience how it felt like to walk the cabins, hallways, grand staircases, and parlors. Visit the memorial room to discover the 2,208 names on the historic wall and let the kids connect with history.

Final word

Road tripping is indeed a one-of-the-kind adventure. Besides unlocking new experiences, road trips can improve family bonds. However, you should be aware of the mishaps that might occur when road tripping with your kids and figure out how to combat them. You may need to carry car spare parts and medicine in case of a car breakdown or if one of your family members gets car sick.

Guide to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks with kids

April 11, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

On a recent tour through several California National Parks, I heard the same thing over and over again from fellow guests and even park employees: “We love Yosemite, but we’ve actually never been to Kings Canyon.” Or, “We come to Yosemite annually, but haven’t experienced Sequoia, yet.” This tells me two things: Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular in the nation (no surprise there), and neighboring Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will be vastly less congested nearly all year long. Are they worth visiting? Absolutely!

Park overview:

Sequoia and Kings Canyon are two distinct national parks with one planning site. They have separate entrances, though the same entry fee will get you into both. They sit side-by-side along the General’s Highway off Highway 198 (accessed from Fresno, California) and sit at impressively high elevation: between 6,000 and 8,000 feet for the most part. We suggest at least two days in the parks in the off-season, and three in summer, with the majority of your time spent in Sequoia.

What to do:

Giant Forest:

Most of us come to Sequoia for the Giant Sequoia trees. And yes, they’re absolutely worth the trip. These towering giants reside in this region because of the ideal conditions: they cannot grow like this anywhere else in the world. Take the Big Trees Trail to walk amid these giants (you’ll find the hush of the forest soothing…unless you have restless kids with you!). The General Sherman Tree is the largest tree in the world. Bear in mind: the General Sherman is not the tallest tree in the world, but rather the biggest, measured in circumference around its trunk. The nearby Giant Forest Museum is worth a stop (in the off-season, it opens at 10 am).

Moro Rock:

Absolutely plan an hour or so at Moro Rock in the high season. This overlook includes a short but steep hike up the cliff-like rock, which will feel unsettling to anyone with fear of heights. I fall into that category, but had no problem with this short hike, because guard rails are set at key locations. There’s nothing to stop small children from wandering, however, so extreme attention is necessary. From the top of Moro Rock, the views are unparalleled. It’s possible to see the valley floor from one side of the viewing platform, and the peaks of the Sierras from the other. Point out the tops of the Giant Sequoias to kids: they look like bunches of broccoli from this height. Tip: after Moro Rock, continue a very short distance on the same road to drive through Tunnel Log and picnic in Crescent Meadow. Wolverton Snow Park is another nice resting stop in any season.

Crystal Cave:

I had no idea hundreds of caves lay under the surface of Sequoia National Park! The only cave available to tour is Crystal Cave, and it’s only accessible in summer. If you visit during the high season, this should be on your list.

Tip: Take a tour with Sequoia Sightseeing Tours with Paul Bischoff! Paul is a long-time resident of the area, and runs the best sightseeing tour I’ve taken from a private concessionaire in a national park. We spent a full morning with Paul, and learned more about the parks in a few hours than we ever could have guessed. Paul knows where the animals are, the best ways to avoid crowds, and can walk guests right to the most interesting trails and natural wonders.

Grant Grove of Giant Sequoias:

In Kings Canyon, the Grant Grove offers the General Grant Tree, plus a nice, easy hiking loop of additional Sequoias which includes some naturally downed trees. This is a great place for kids to see the root system of these giants, crawl through a fallen Sequoia log, and walk through a Sequoia tunnel! The Grant Grove Visitors Center is nearby as well, but we found it to be pretty limited.

Tip: While staying at Kings Canyon, catch the John Muir impersonation program by talented Frank Helling. Frank performs most Fridays at the Grant Grove evening campfire program during the summer months. I learned more about John Muir from Frank than I have before or since, and it was entertaining for all ages. Check at the Grant Grove Visitor Center to find out exactly when he’ll be performing during your summer visit.

Kings Canyon:

In summer, families can drive into the famed canyon, stopping for short hikes along the way. Kings Canyon is home to fabulous backcountry as well: if you plan to backpack in Kings Canyon or Sequoia, apply for a free backcountry permit. The good news: they’re far easier to get than Yosemite permits!

Tip: if you have the opportunity to listen to the storytelling of John Muir impersonator Frank Helling, make time to do this! Frank is absorbing and entertaining, and I learned more about John Muir in the 45 minutes I listened to him than I have before or since! Frank conducts his performances when available; as a park ranger or at the John Muir Lodge about opportunities to hear him speak.

Where to stay:

Kings Canyon offers the busiest ‘village’ of tent cabins, lodging, general stores, and visitors centers at Grant Grove Village. In the off-season, it’s quiet and we recommend the adjacent John Muir Lodge. However, in the height of summer, we’d opt for the less congested Wusachi Village of Sequoia National Park, where you’ll find Wusachi Lodge. This village center houses only the lodge and its restaurant (no adjacent camping and conveniences), which makes it somewhat quieter year-round. Read reviews of John Muir Lodge and Wusachi Lodge.

How to get here:

Access either park from Highway 198 from Fresno California. If you’re doing a loop of Sequoia and Kings Canyon as well as Yosemite National Park (called the Majestic Mountain Loop and highly recommended), you’ll need to depart Kings Canyon and return to the valley floor, then loop around to Yosemite via Highway 41. It’s not possible to drive over the Sierras, which is a good thing for all of us enjoying the parks!

Ruby Falls, Tennessee

February 3, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’ve ever been within a hundred miles of Chattanooga, Tenn., chances are you’ve seen billboards for Ruby Falls. The signs are big and obvious and might lead you to think it’s a tourist trap, but you’d be wrong. Although it is definitely a commercial operation, Ruby Falls is well worth a visit. It is a tightly-run facility that makes good on its claims of spectacular rock formations and a breathtaking waterfall.

Until the early 1900s, local children played in a cave beneath Lookout Mountain. Eventually it was sealed off during construction of a railroad tunnel. A man named Leo Lambert set out to dig an elevator shaft and reopen it to the public, but in the process he stumbled upon a previously unknown cave, which ended up stealing the show. These limestone passageways contain countless beautiful rock formations. The owners have installed solar-powered electricity and colored lights that highlight the artistry of nature. And all that is before you reach Ruby Falls itself—a 145-foot cascade of water emerging from a crevasse at the top of a cylindrical cavern, a thousand feet below the surface of the mountain. It’s hard to describe the place itself except to say this: it’s worth the wait.

Wait Times at Ruby Falls:

Ruby Falls lives up to its hype, but this means there’s always a crowd. Our tour guide told us that most days, lines form by 8:15 a.m. At any given time there will be multiple tour groups navigating the relatively narrow passageways. The staff does a good job of keeping thing moving, but the sheer number of people trying to coexist in an enclosed space means that inbound tour groups have to hug the wall and wait for outbound groups to pass.

One piece of advice: Because the tour groups are large and get spread out, it’s natural to feel pressured to hurry through the cave. Don’t. There is a lot to see between one tour stop and the next. Give yourself permission to go slow, take pictures, and appreciate the natural beauty of the rock formations. Yes, you are going to hold up the line. But you’re likely to end up waiting anyway. Don’t cheat yourself of the experience.

Location/Accessibility:

Ruby Falls is accessible by car from TN 148, very close to I-24 in Chattanooga, TN. Parking lots, both paved and gravel, stretch around the mountain. The day we visited, three people were coordinating traffic via walkie talkie.

Access to the cave is by elevator, but the cave is not wheelchair/stroller accessible. Although the path is paved, it’s not wide enough, and just before the waterfall there are a handful of low steps to navigate.

Most of the cave is dry, but with a running stream inside it, the floor does sometimes get wet. Passages are high enough to walk in, but tall individuals will occasionally have to duck down, and there is not a lot of ventilation, so it can feel stuffy in the passageways. The waterfall room, however, is cool, breezy and expansive.

Food/Shopping:

Ruby Falls has a sandwich/snack counter inside the building. The day we visited was cold, and they were doing a steady business in candied nuts, which were delicious. Visitors can also bring their own food and drink. There are two gift shops on site as well.

Admission/Hours:

The cave tour generally takes a little over an hour, but plan to spend three hours at Ruby Falls; the line moves fairly quickly, but it’s a long line. According to our tour guide, the best way to avoid the crowds is to come between January and March. Otherwise, there will be wait times both before entry and in the cave to allow outbound tours to pass.

After your tour, you’ll also want to give yourself time to climb the lookout tower and let the kids explore the playground outside the upper gift shop. In the summertime, you can pan for jewels here, too. There’s also a zipline adventure course on-site, and package deals are available to combine a cave tour with the zipline and/or the nearby Incline Railway and Rock City attractions.

Ruby Falls is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily except for Christmas Day, or when heavy rains cause flooding in the cave. Admission costs $18.95 for adults and $10.95 for children ages 3-12.

As I disclose whenever applicable, our visit to Ruby Falls was complimentary, for the purpose of review. All opinions remain my own.

Whale watching in Southern CA with Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching

January 14, 2014 By Sharlene Earnshaw

Luck was with us the late December day we boarded the whale watching boat out of Dana Wharf. Winter is prime time for whale watching in Southern CA, and the ocean was as calm as glass and the sun was shining warmly. I grinned at the many passengers wearing green and sporting Michigan State gear in prep for the Rose Bowl to be held several days later. I was sure they were basking in the warmth of the SoCal sun and 75 degree temps.

The captain of the Dana Pride coasted the vessel north along the shore and we enjoyed seeing the beaches that we love to visit. He stopped at a buoy with sun bathing sea lions that barked and swam in the water next to our boat. It was another 30 minutes or so of smooth cruising as we listened to the captain tell us the pattern of the grey whales we were searching for. Between the months of November and April, they make their migrations north and south from the feeding grounds of Alaska to the warm lagoons where they give birth in Mexico. Typically they swim close to shore and thus we were looking for them there.

The water was so calm that day and the inversion layer so unique that suddenly the captain turned the ship out to sea. He had spotted a whale spout far off the coast. We spent the next 30 minutes speeding out the 5 miles to follow the grey whale swimming south. The boat pulled up alongside the whale and we watched with fascination as it spouted, surfaced several times, then fluked (showed it’s tail), and dove to the bottom to eat. Captain Todd is one of the cofounders of the Grey Whale Foundation and he shared lots of great information with us about their migration, speed, breeding, eating, and more. School groups have the opportunity through the Foundation to get classroom experience and to take field trips with Dana Wharf Whale Watching to see the grey whales in person.

Spotting the whale spout 5 miles off the coast was a truly magical opportunity. We might not have seen a whale that day if it hadn’t been for such calm water. Regardless of the luck of future trips, whale spotting is guaranteed. If a whale isn’t found on a trip, passengers receive free passes for a return trip to spot a whale. As luck would have it, Michigan State won the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. Must have been partly due to the luck of the whale!

Taking kids on a whale watching cruise is a fun experience, but planning ahead can ensure a good trip without some of the difficulties that can arise. It is great for kids at least 3 years or older. It’s helpful if you don’t have to worry about your child running around on a bumpy ship, falling down, or not being interested in seeing a whale (which can be far off and with only the top of it visible).

Wear layers. No matter the weather or sun, speeding along the ocean can feel very cold. Bring beanies to keep their heads warm and tuck long hair into pony tails or braids.
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars, chapstick, and snacks. Drinks, snacks, and burgers are available for sale in the small galley. Salty snacks and full tummies can help prevent seasickness.
Most trips are calm and short enough that seasickness isn’t a problem. We prefer using SeaBands because they can relieve and prevent symptoms without the drowsiness of medications.
Plan on needing to hold your kid’s hand and have your own hand free to hold a rail. It can get bumpy and you will need to walk around (to go inside if it’s too windy and cold, go to the restroom, etc.) Carry a backpack or bag that is hands-free.
Take a few pictures but don’t hold your iPhone over the railing to take a picture. Need I say why? (No, it didn’t happen to me but my heart stopped when I saw other people doing it!)
Don’t stress about getting to the front of the boat. There were way too many people up there for us to get to see anything. Ask a crew member which side of the ship to stand on. They know which side of the whale the captain will pull the ship up alongside.

Grey whale watching season is from November to April but going whale watching is a great experience all year long. Blue whales, humpback whales, fin whales and more can be spotted during different seasons. Dolphins typically are found daily and seeing them swim, jump, and play in the boats wake is a thrilling experience. It’s like a front row seat at a SeaWorld dolphin show.

Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching is one of the first outfitters taking guests whale watching since the 70s. Call (888) 224-0603 or book online for future dates.

Date last visited:

December 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Dana Point is located right on the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1).

Rate:

$45/person. Call Dana Wharf for tour times and departures, or check the schedule here.

Michelle McCoy lives in sunny SoCal with her husband and four kids. They love finding all the quiet corners in Orange County when they have time after school, work, and church. Michelle is the SoCal Destination Guroo for Trekaroo and loves sharing her findings with other families.

Disclosure: Michelle and family experienced whale watching as guests of Dana Wharf, for the purpose of review. All opinions are her own.