Best Spring and Summer Activities in East TN

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the kids are itching to get outside for a little fun! Thankfully, this fantastic guide to spring and summer activities in East Tennessee will help you and your family create fun and lasting memories all season long!

Categories include popular articles, county guides, scenic hiking, exciting outdoor attractions, the seasons’ best festivals and events, and fantastically fun games and crafts for kids.

Most Popular Spring and Summer Activities in East Tennessee

These are the absolute most popular articles for spring and summer including hiking, sunflowers, movies, splash pads, summer camps, and of course FREE things to do.

Best East Tennessee Summer Camps in Knoxville, and the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge

This huge list of summer camps is just what you need to find the perfect excursion for the kids. With so many options, it will be hard to choose!

Splash pads in Knoxville and East TN

Find a FREE or inexpensive splash pad in

Best Smoky Mountain Water Parks, Mom Explores The Smokies

Discover the area’s best water parks including locations in the Smoky Mountains, Knoxville, and throughout East Tennessee!

Pick-your-own farms are a great way to have fun and make memories while supporting a local business! Find a u-pick farm in

Best Beaches Near Tennessee, including Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida

Kick those summer memories up a notch with a fun beach vacation within a day’s drive from East Tennessee. Whether your family likes to keep busy or simply enjoy rest and relaxation, there is a great option for you!

From fun music festivals to quaint town gatherings, summer fun lives here! The best part is the concerts are totally FREE! Find one in

County Guides

We know that even when money is tight, your family still expects to have fun. Am I right? So, we created these fabulous guides showcasing free and cheap things to do in Sevier, Knox, and Blount counties. More Counties to come!

FREE Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Mom Explores The Smokies

You might be surprised that there are so many FREE things to do in our very own Smoky Mountains!

Discover the best things to do in Knoxville this spring and summer including many FREE options!

Blount County may be small, but it still has a lot to offer in terms of FREE family fun and entertainment!

Hiking

There is no better way to enjoy the warm weather in East Tennessee than with a fun scenic hike. All of the hikes featured here are totally family-friendly. Many are short and easy, while others are more moderate, for those with older/more capable kids. These hikes incorporate a variety of spectacular features including waterfalls, scenic overlooks, wildflowers, and viewing towers. Enjoy!

Discover the top 20 family-friendly hikes in the Smoky Mountains. They each have something different to offer!

Best Smoky Mountain Wildflower Hikes in Tennessee, USA

Treat your family to a stunning display of vibrant natural colors on your next spring or summer hiking trip!

Grotto Falls

Being able to walk right behind Grotto Falls gives this hiking trail a little bit of extra magic. It’s sure to delight!

Outdoor Attractions

These fun outdoor attractions will help you make the most of the gloriously sunny days that lie before you. With a variety of water parks, farms, petting zoos, parks, playgrounds, and more, East Tennessee has all the outdoor spring and summer fun your heart desires!

Stargazing in the Smoky Mountains

Warm nights under the stars are some of the most magical. Find the perfect stargazing spot for your next adventure!

These stunning botanical gardens are great spots for family photos, flower gawking, and wildlife viewing.

Events and Festivals

In East Tennessee, it seems like there is always an amazing festival just around the corner. Of course, spring and summer are the most action-packed times. Many of the events are free to the public so there’s no reason to miss out on the fun!

Take a stroll downtown in Market Square and grab some lunch as you enjoy the art at this fun chalk festival!

This Great Smoky Mountain festival‘s claim to fame is the gorgeous balloon glow that happens at the end of the night.

Enjoy live music, delicious food, local vendors, and a kids’ area at the Townsend Spring Festival!

Kids Crafts and Learning

Keep the kids entertained and engaged all season long with a variety of fun family crafts, learning activities, and more!

Mud Leaf Prints Kids Craft, Mom Explores The Smokies

This fun mud painting craft doesn’t even require real paint!

These bright and colorful pine cones are delightfully fun to make!

Step by Step Guide to Setting up a Nature Table with Free Nature Sorting Printables, Mom Explores The Smokies

Bring the magic of nature indoors with these great nature table ideas!