Family Explorer Pass
Two days of adventure for the whole crew — nature, music, and discovery
Why This Tour
Families are Sullivan County's largest potential visitor segment, but they need packaged value and clear itineraries. The Family Explorer Pass bundles the three most family-friendly attractions at a significant discount, with enough flexibility that parents can adjust on the fly. Kids who visit Bays Mountain's wolves and the Birthplace Museum's interactive exhibits become Sullivan County advocates for life.
Coming Summer 2026 · Preview availability now
Your Itinerary
Day 1 is all about Bays Mountain — and your kids will thank you. Wolves, bobcats, a planetarium, a lake barge, and 3,550 acres of Appalachian forest make this one of the most family-friendly attractions in the entire Southeast. Time your visit for wolf feeding (check the schedule — it's the highlight of any kid's trip), ride the barge across the lake, catch a planetarium show, and hike one of the easier trails. Pack a lunch and eat by the lake — the mountain does the rest.
- • Wolf and bobcat feeding time — kids absolutely love this
- • Lake barge ride across the 44-acre mountain lake
- • Planetarium show — learn the constellations over Sullivan County
- • Nature center with reptile and bird exhibits
- • Easy hiking trails suitable for families
Day 2 starts at Steele Creek Park in Bristol — 2,696 acres of municipal park with a lake, nature center, playgrounds, and the beloved park train ride. Let the kids run off energy at the playground, paddle around the lake, visit the nature center's animals, and ride the train that Bristol families have loved for decades. It's unstructured fun in a beautiful natural setting.
- • Park train ride — a multi-generational Bristol tradition
- • Nature center with live animal exhibits
- • Playground and paddleboating on the lake
- • Easy lakeside hiking trail
Drive to downtown Bristol (15 minutes) for the museum and lunch.
The Family Explorer Pass finishes at a place that surprises families every time. The Birthplace of Country Music Museum isn't just for country music fans — it's an interactive, immersive experience where kids can pick up instruments, step into a recording studio, and hear the story of how music from this very town changed the world. The Smithsonian-affiliate exhibits are designed to engage all ages, and the interactive elements ensure that even reluctant museum-goers leave with a smile.
- • Interactive exhibits that let kids play instruments and record music
- • The story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions told at kid-accessible levels
- • Hands-on recording studio experience
- • Smithsonian-affiliate museum quality
Sites in This Tour
Logistics
Bays Mountain Park, 853 Bays Mountain Park Road, Kingsport (Day 1) → Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol (Day 2)
Total driving: Approximately 50 miles over 2 days
Day 1: Outdoor/hiking clothes and sturdy shoes. Day 2: Casual — mix of outdoor park and indoor museum.
What to bring:
- • Sunscreen and bug spray
- • Comfortable shoes for all ages
- • Water bottles for everyone
- • Picnic supplies for Bays Mountain (Day 1)
- • Stroller if needed (works at nature centers, not on trails)
- • Camera — your kids will do memorable things
The Family Explorer Pass is designed for families who want to fill two days with diverse Sullivan County adventures without breaking the budget. Day 1 takes the crew to Bays Mountain Park for wolves, a planetarium, and a lake barge ride. Day 2 hits Steele Creek Park for outdoor play, then the Birthplace of Country Music Museum where kids can step into a real recording studio. It's structured enough to keep everyone moving, flexible enough to accommodate nap schedules, and priced for families who count their dollars.