If you’re looking for something fun to do indoors, a Gatlinburg museum is the perfect option! Whether it’s a rainy day or you’re just looking to get out of the summer heat for a while, here are the top Gatlinburg museums you must visit, after a delicious breakfast at our restaurant, of course!
1. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium
Probably the most well-known museum in Gatlinburg is Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, and with good reason! Open 7 days a week and with 3 stories of interactive exhibits and out-of-the-ordinary artifacts, kids and adults alike will love exploring this “odditorium”. A few of the things you might see include authentic shrunken heads, a vampire killing kit, a match stick Hogwarts, and the famous floating kugel ball fountain. Anything is possible at this Ripley attraction, and we guarantee you’ll never forget the experience!
2. Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum
A must-stop along the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community is the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum! They’re open 7 days a week and have over 20,000 sets of salt and pepper shakers and over 1,500 pepper mills – there’s nothing like it anywhere else in the world! Plus, it’s one of the most affordable things to do in the Smoky Mountains. Admission is free for children 12 years old and under, and everyone else must pay $3, which actually goes toward any purchase of a salt and pepper shaker set from the gift shop!
3. Hollywood Star Cars Museum
Movie, TV, or car enthusiasts have to stop at the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, which features some of the most famous cars in TV and movie history! They’re open 7 days a week from 9 am to 9 pm and are located right on the Parkways near our downtown Gatlinburg restaurant. View collections from Fast and Furious, Back to the Future, and several Batmobiles, including the 1966 Original TV Show Batmobile. They also have many cars driven by celebrities, such as Micahel Jackson’s Mercedes Benz 500, Dolly Parton’s Cadillac, and Mike Tyson’s Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster. You definitely won’t want to skip this incredible attraction!
4. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
One of the Gatlinburg museums you might not know about is the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. Open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm, Arrowmont features local artwork of all skill levels, ages, and backgrounds, providing a diverse and unique community that appeals to anyone that appreciates Appalachian history and art. They have a permanent collection and gallery while also showcasing many ever-changing exhibits as well as workshops, conferences, and other events highlighting local artisans.
Now that you know the best Gatlinburg museums to add to your itinerary, find out the top places to go shopping in Gatlinburg. We hope you’ll make plans to start your day at Crockett’s before heading out to enjoy a day in the Smoky Mountains!
