If your kids think the idea of visiting a museum during a family vacation sounds boring, they have never seen one of the amazing museums in Gatlinburg! These museums are not just rainy day destinations to pass the time, but some of the top attractions in the Smoky Mountains! With unique interactive exhibits and fascinating displays, there is truly something for everyone in the family to enjoy! Here are the top 3 museums in Gatlinburg that are fun for the whole family:
1. Ripley’s Odditorium
One of the wackiest museums in Gatlinburg is Ripley’s Odditorium, a 3-story museum filled with over 500 exhibits, artifacts, and oddities from around the world! The collection includes authentic shrunken heads, cannibal skulls and tons of other weird stuff to check out! While browsing the museum you can get up close to lots of exhibits! There’s a car that is completely covered in crystals! You can see a dragon made from recycled scrap metal and so much more! This is not your average museum, so be sure to put this on your list of fun things to do in the Smokies!
2. Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum
Another one of the awesome museums in Gatlinburg is the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum! This museum is one of the most unique spots in Gatlinburg. Visitors will be able to see over 20,000 sets of salt and pepper shakers from around the world. Kids will love seeing all the shakers that are designed after their favorite characters, like Mickey and Minnie Mouse! Parents will love all the beautifully crafted shakers from different parts of the world. You don’t want to miss this hidden gem while you’re in town!
3. Hollywood Star Cars Museum
If you have family members who are television and movie fanatics, they will be thrilled to visit the Hollywood Star Cars Museum! This unique museum offers a journey through some of the most famous cars from movies and TV shows of the last 50 years! This is your opportunity to see popular cars from big blockbuster movies! There are cars from movies like the Days of Thunder Mellow Yellow race car, the Back to the Future DeLorean time machine, and the Fast and the Furious cars! The most impressive car in the collection is the Batmobile from the original 1966 television program! All of the cars are displayed in recreated settings with lights and sounds to add to all the fun!
Where to Stay
Stay close to all of these museums in Gatlinburg with a vacation at the Old Creek Lodge! Our hotel is situated in an ideal location. We are just far enough off the Parkway to avoid the traffic and noise. Yet, still walking distance to shops, restaurants and attractions in Gatlinburg! While staying with us, your family can take advantage of many excellent amenities including a free cold continental breakfast, complimentary wireless internet access and an outdoor heated swimming pool!
Check out all of our hotel rooms in the Smoky Mountains today to plan your family vacation near these fun museums in Gatlinburg! We look forward to seeing you soon at the Old Creek Lodge!
