There’s always something fun to do in the Model City. Here are our top 15, in no order, activities and places your kids will love in 2023. If you want to share your experience or find something great not currently on the list, tag us with #thisiskingsport! 

The Kingsport Carousel and Park, 350 Clinchfield St., Kingsport, TN 37660 

The Kingsport Carousel is a beautifully restored 1956 carousel located inside a temperature-controlled roundhouse. As the only traditional carousel in the Tri-Cities, children of all ages – teens and adults included – will enjoy riding the hand-carved, hand-painted whimsical animals. There’s a flying pig, unicorn, frog prince, ballerina cat, horses and more. There are even painted scenes from the city’s history decorated throughout the carousel. An adjacent small green space with a playground provides fun for children up to 12 years old. The carousel is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Enjoy the timeless tradition and classic entertainment of a ride on a carousel for only $1. 

Kingsport Aquatic Center, 820 Meadowview Parkway, Kingsport, TN 37660 

Have fun swimming and splashing around at the region’s most comprehensive indoor-outdoor aquatic facility. With multiple water slides, splash pad, lazy river and climbing structures and play area with water cannons, there will be something for everyone in your family. Beat the heat by renting a private cabana in the outdoor water park. 

Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium, 853 Bays Mountain Park Road, Kingsport, TN 37660 

There’s so much to do at this 3750-acre nature preserve and so many engaging activities to do with kids that it could easily fill the list alone! Here are a few: go to a sun watch or star watch event at the observatory, see the bobcats and other wildlife in the animal habitats, visit the nature center and planetarium, take a hike along the trails and more. Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. The entrance fee is $7 per vehicle or $15 per bus (school bus or larger vehicle than a standard car). Check the website for attraction details and hours. 

Exchange Place, 4812 Orebank Road, Kingsport, TN, 37664 

Take your children on a trip back in time to experience life in the 1800s. Exchange Place is a living history museum where land, animals and goods were once exchanged, and stories now survive. The grounds include period buildings, a blacksmith forge, garden and farm animals along the 62-acre working farm. Guests might see some of the period livestock like Tunis sheep, Milking Shorthorn cattle and Suffolk draft horses. Exchange Place also hosts festivals throughout the year so be sure to check the website for special events and attractions. Passing on the timeless skills and knowledge of yesteryear, tours can be scheduled by calling 423-288-6071. 

The Castle Playground, 1001 Ormond Drive, Kingsport, TN 37664 

Located on the grounds of Andrew Johnson Elementary School, The Castle playground is a wonder to behold. The playground’s large play structure resembles a castle and has a pirate ship, climbing wall, slides and swings for an afternoon of fun. More than 1,000 volunteers teamed up to rebuild the playground in 2019 with the goal of providing a community-funded, accessible, innovative playground for all children in Kingsport. Visit The Castle on weekends and after the school day is completed. 

Kingsport Speedway, 2961 N. John B. Dennis Highway, Kingsport, TN 37660  

If you or your kids are fans of trucks, cars and things that can go fast then the Kingsport Speedway is the spot for you. NASCAR sanctioned and action packed, the 3/8-mile concrete short track features races almost every Friday night. The racing season begins in March and ends in September.  

Kingsport Greenbelt, Kingsport, TN 37664 

The Kingsport Greenbelt is an 11-mile linear walking path among some of the most gorgeous scenery you will ever see. The pathway meanders along gentle streams, wanders through the marshlands, glides across open meadows and passes by historical sites and beautiful landscapes. You might even be greeted by a few ducks along the way. The path is bike-friendly so it’s perfect for a family bike ride. Dogs are allowed so furry family members can come, too! Along the portion of the path near Netherland Inn, there are tables and shelters and a small playground. It’s the perfect place for a picnic with a view of the Holston River. Download a map to find the best entry point to the Greenbelt for you. 

Kingsport Public Library, 400 Broad St., Kingsport, TN 37660 

Featuring fun online activities for improving reading levels for young students, the Kingsport Public Library also has a robust catalogue of books for children, young adults and adults. The library hosts multiple family-friendly activities every week and usually more than one activity per day. See a popular movie without the cost of going to the theater, attend a board game night and so much more! 

Kingsport Farmers Market, 308 Clinchfield St., Kingsport, TN 37660 

Take the family to visit Kingsport’s award-winning farmers market. Spend time experiencing the vibrant and diverse assembly of local and regional farmers and artisans engaging with the Kingsport community. Enjoy live music with Market Jams and free cooking demos and samples on Saturdays with the Chef. The Kingsport Farmers Market is open April through November on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Go Crafting 

Learn a new craft or perfect an old one. There are many crafting classes and events in town for children and adults to do together – everything from painting to pottery to sewing to woodworking to jewelry making and more. Enter the enthralling world of ceramics by taking pottery classes at Brixey Studios. If industrial arts, costuming and weaving are your thing, try out classes at The Inventor Center. 

Scott Adams Memorial Skate Park, 2016 Brickyard Park Drive, Kingsport, TN 37660 

The Scott Adams Memorial Skate Park has approximately 10,000 square feet of concrete for skateboarding and bike riding, two bowls, a streetscape course with a grinding rail and steps, and dirt moguls, the last of which are the tiny hills in succession that dirt bike riders like to ride over. The park is only for kids, but there’s a spectator section. Kids can ollie, fakie, nollie and heelflip to their hearts content and you can take pictures. You’ll be the coolest person after taking your kid to this park. Scott Adams Memorial Skate Park is open every day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Warriors’ Path State Park, 490 Hemlock Road, Kingsport, TN 37663 

There’s plenty for families to do at this 8,500-acre state park and like Bays Mountain, all of them could not fit on the list. Kids can enjoy fishing, hiking, mountain biking, camping, horseback riding, boating, swimming and more. Warriors’ Path also is the only park in the state with a boundless playground that is designed to give all people, regardless of abilities, the opportunities to explore and engage in the highest levels of play together. The Warriors’ State Park Boundless Playground features age-specific and developmentally appropriate play equipment for children and adults of all abilities. Another key attraction is the Lions’ Narnia Braille Trail, an environmental maze with interactive exhibits based on “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” The trail includes a wildflower walk, herb garden, rain gardens and the Palmer Center Foundation Amphitheater. Attractions and activities at Warriors’ Path State Park are seasonal so make sure to check the website or call before you head out to the park. The park is open every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

Putt-Putt Fun Center, 346 W. Stone Drive, Kingsport, TN 37660 

Golfers of all ages will enjoy hitting the greens at Putt-Putt Fun Center. This mini-golf location features two authentic Putt-Putt® Golf courses for a total of 36 holes for family friendly competition or just plain fun! The courses are open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. 

Warpath Lanes, 2449 Memorial Blvd., Kingsport, TN 37664 

Throw a strike at Warpath Lanes! Established in 1960, the bowling center has a strong history of entertaining Kingsport families. Three Warpath Lane bowlers are even in the Bowling Hall of Fame. Chase your goals on the lanes and have a friendly competition with your family. 

Disc Golf 

Disc golf, formerly known as Frisbee golf, is a flying disc sport in which players throw a disc at a target. The game is played using rules similar to golf and would be a great active way to keep the kids entertained. Kingsport has two disc golf courses, one for beginners and one for more advanced players. 

Eagle’s Nest Rotary Disc Golf Course is an 18-hole disc golf course made for those newer to the sport. The course is located within Borden Park and is on flat land surrounded by trees. The compact course has holes ranging from 150 to 280 feet, perfect for a kid’s introduction to disc golf. 

Warriors’ Path Disc Golf Course is a fun and challenging course with 22 holes maintained by the local disc golf association. Boasting a great mix of open and wooded holes with many elevation changes and even a hole with water play, the course hosts frequent competitions. 

Kingsport offers countless things to do with kids year-round, rain or shine. It’s easy to find something to please everyone in the family!