Museums can add education and entertainment to any Tennessee Smoky Mountain vacation
Whether you’re seven years old or 70, museums can provide an entertaining afternoon for everyone. Throughout the towns around the Tennessee Smoky Mountains you will find some of the most unique museums, displaying all sorts of interesting exhibits. Take a day to see one of these exciting attractions to make your stay in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains that much more enjoyable, and maybe learn a thing or two.
Museums in Gatlinburg
Hollywood Star Cars Museum
914 Parkway, Gatlinburg | 865- 430-2200 | Website
This museum is like seeing your favorite movies come to life…at least the ones that feature cars. Come out to see some of the most famous automobiles of both the big and small screens. Some favorites include the cars from “Ghostbusters,” “The Dukes of Hazard,” and “The Fast and the Furious.”
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
800 Parkway, Gatlinburg | 865-436-5096 | Website
This “Odditorium” is not your run-of-the-mill museum. Sixteen themed galleries will make you scratch your head or gasp in awe as you view interesting artifacts like shrunken heads or two headed animals. Come witness some of the wonders of the world we live in!
Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum
561 Brookside Village Way, Gatlinburg | 865-430-5515 | Website
With over 20,000 shaker sets from around the world, this surprisingly fascinating and fun museum is the only one of its kind! And for only $3, its worth a look-see.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
88 River Rd, Gatlinburg | 865-430-8808 | Website
One of the world’s top five aquariums, this attraction has everything your family could want in an aquarium! Walk through a tunnel, surrounding yourself with aquatic life on all sides, pet the sting rays, enjoy interactive displays or get a manicure from a swarm of fish. This beautifully designed museum is chock full of fun for the whole family.
Museums in Pigeon Forge
Hollywood Wax Museum
106 Showplace Blvd., Pigeon Forge | 865-428-5228 | Website
The only wax museum in Pigeon Forge dedicated to celebrities of film and music, with figures so life lifelike you would swear they are alive! Each life-size figure is handmade by seven people and takes about three months to make! This two-story museum is great for fun and unique photo opportunities, and will be entertaining for the whole family!
Titanic Museum Attraction
2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge | 417-334-9500 | Website
Honor the memory of those who sailed on the illustrious Titanic over a century ago by visiting this one-of-a-kind, ship-shaped museum nestled at the foot of the Smokies. Visitors will relive the experience of the passengers and crew by hearing their stories and seeing over 300 artifacts left behind. Interactive exhibits allow you to see what it might have been like onboard that infamous night.
Museums in Sevierville
Floyd Garret’s Muscle Car Museum
320 Winfield Dunn Pkwy, Sevierville | 865-908-0882 | Website
Over $8 million dollars worth of American-made muscle cars are on display at this exciting museum. See the automotive changes over the decades, and imagine yourself behind the wheel of one of these rare and beautiful bad-boys.
Tennessee Museum of Aviation
135 Air Museum Way, Sevierville | 866-286-8738 | Website
The lore of historic aviation will ignite your imagination when you visit this museum. And every visit will be fresh, as exhibits and aircraft frequently change. You can even speak to local veterans who will share exciting stories about their experiences in the sky.
Museums in Townsend
Little River Railroad and Lumber Museum
7747 E Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend | 865-661-0170 | Website
Experience the history of the region at the turn of the century, when the Little River Lumber Company expanded the railroads over the Smoky Mountains. A look at this museum, will give you a glimpse into the people who established the Tennessee Smokies.
Cades Cove Visitor Center & Museum
Cable Mill Road, Townsend |865-448-4122 | Website
Cades Cove is not just a beautiful portion of the majestic Great Smoky Mountains National Park, rich history comes alive here. From the Cherokee natives to 19th century homesteaders, if it’s the history of the Smokies you want to learn about, this is the place to do it.
