5-Day Family Road Trip Adventure Itinerary

Begin your second day at the renowned Houston Museum District. Visit the Children's Museum of Houston, which offers interactive exhibits that are perfect for kids. Enjoy breakfast at Buffalo Grille, known for its hearty morning meals.

Spend your afternoon exploring Hermann Park, where you can take a leisurely train ride or paddle boat on McGovern Lake. Don't miss out on visiting the nearby Houston Zoo to see various animals from around the world. For lunch, head over to Pinewood Cafe located within Hermann Park itself.

Wrap up your day with an exciting adventure at iFLY Houston-Memorial First-Time Flyer Experience. This indoor skydiving experience is safe and thrilling for both kids and adults. Afterward, enjoy dinner at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, famous for its Cajun-style seafood dishes.

Kick off your third day with a visit to the iconic Space Center Houston. Explore interactive exhibits about space exploration and even get a chance to see real spacecrafts. Have breakfast at Snooze an A.M. Eatery before heading out.

Continue your space-themed adventure with the combined tour:  Tunnel Tour & NASA Space Center Admission with Shuttle. This tour offers an in-depth look into NASA’s operations along with access to Houston’s famous underground tunnels. For lunch, stop by Luby's Cafeteria which offers kid-friendly meals.

End your day by visiting the serene surroundings of  Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park where you can relax by the cascading waterwall—a perfect spot for family photos! Enjoy dinner at  The Capital Grille, known for its fine dining experience.

Start your road trip early from Houston towards the Smoky Mountains. Make sure to pack some snacks and entertainment for the kids. The drive will take approximately 12 hours, so plan for several stops along the way. Your first stop can be in Baton Rouge, LA, where you can have breakfast at Coffee Call, known for its delicious beignets and coffee.

Continue your journey with a stop in Birmingham, AL. Here, you can stretch your legs and visit the Birmingham Zoo, which is a great way to let the kids burn off some energy. Have lunch at Saw’s BBQ, famous for its Southern-style barbecue dishes.

As you approach the Smoky Mountains, consider stopping in Chattanooga, TN for dinner at The Terminal Brewhouse. This family-friendly restaurant offers a variety of dishes and craft beers. After dinner, continue your drive to reach your accommodation near the Smoky Mountains.

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg, TN. This iconic eatery is known for its wide variety of pancakes and other breakfast favorites. Afterward, head into Great Smoky Mountains National Park and start with a visit to Clingmans Dome, the highest point in Tennessee offering breathtaking views.

Spend your afternoon exploring more of what the park has to offer by taking one of its many family-friendly hiking trails such as Laurel Falls Trail or Grotto Falls Trail. These trails are relatively easy and provide beautiful scenery along with opportunities to see wildlife. For lunch, enjoy a picnic within the park; pack sandwiches from Old Dad’s General Store before heading out.

In the evening, head back into Gatlinburg and visit Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies which features interactive exhibits that are perfect for kids. Conclude your day with dinner at The Peddler Steakhouse, known for its delicious steaks and cozy atmosphere.