Boomsday is an East Tn tradition held on the Sunday before Labor Day. It's one of the largest Labor Day firework show in the U.S. The fireworks are wonderful and synchronized to music which is played over PA and on local radio stations. By far the best displays are the "smoke on the water" and the waterfall. The fun starts around noon and continues until the big show at 9:30. There is music, food, children's activities, and more. Get there early to get a good spot to see the show. There is a no outside food or drink rule, as well as a few others, which you can find by visiting www.boomsday.org. One of the best yearly attractions in Knoxville.

Laurel Falls is a beautiful spot just a quick hike from the parking area down a paved trail. It can get you a little out of breath in some places, but there are spots to rest. It's a family friendly walk that most kids will have no problem doing even if you don't have a stroller. It does get pretty crowded some days, so plan accordingly. The falls are really pretty, and if you still have energy left you can continue pass them up a steeper hike which we didn't. It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

Located right beside the Knoxville Zoo is a quiet little hands-on discovery center for kids. It isn't as big as some children's museums, but it is still pretty nice. There are several exhibits on simple machines, aquariums, a spaceship, and many other activities. The little kids area is a really nice spot with a big lego table and more interactive exhibits. They even have planetarium shows at different times (call ahead for schedule). The price is really low, too. It's a fun way to spend a couple of hours with the kids while sneaking in some educational info they don't seem to mind learning.

We really enjoyed the Atlanta Zoo. We went for the pandas since we don't have those in our zoo, but enjoyed all of the exhibits. The food is kind of expensive, but no more so than most other zoos. They have a nice assortment of animals, enough to keep the kids excited about what they'll see next without being bored.

We visited Carowinds while on vacation visiting with family. It was really nice. The roller coasters are awesome, and little kids will love the Nick theme and characters. The prices are a little steep, but it was worth the trip to us. Overall an enjoyable day out with the family.