17 Places
Museums
Explore a diverse collection of museums in the Smoky Mountains area, featuring unique exhibits from history and crime to pop culture and human anatomy. Each museum offers a distinct experience that brings the stories and curiosities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville to life.
Titanic Museum Attraction
Moving Titanic history experience
Alcatraz East Crime Museum
Explore 5 centuries of American crime
Hollywood Wax Museum
Realistic celebrity wax figures
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Bizarre exhibits & oddities
Cooter's Place Pigeon Forge
Dukes of Hazzard memorabilia & cars
Hollywood Star Cars Museum
Famous movie vehicle collection
Bodies Human Museum
Interactive anatomy exhibits of human bodies
Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum
Over 20,000 pairs of salt & pepper shakers
Ripley's Illusion Lab
Optical illusions and interactive exhibits
Little River Railroad & Lumber Museum
Historic railroad and lumber museum
Tennessee Museum of Aviation
Aircraft spanning aviation history
Tennessee Bible Museum
Biblical history and artifacts
Mountain Farm Museum
Open-air farm exhibits near Cades Cove
Gift Gallery - Handblown Glass & Wax Hands
Artisan-made glass and wax hand molds
Twisted Vessel Art Gallery
Unique handcrafted local art exhibits
Truth Traveler Pigeon Forge
Virtual reality biblical stories for families
Hannah's Maze of Mirrors
Disorienting mirror maze adventure
Picking the Right Museums for Your Group
For Families with Young Kids
Cooter’s Place Pigeon Forge offers fun, interactive exhibits based on a popular TV show that kids enjoy. The Hollywood Wax Museum also provides engaging photo opportunities with life-sized celebrity figures, making both stops entertaining and memorable.
For History Buffs
The Titanic Museum Attraction brings to life the stories of the ill-fated ship with detailed artifacts and immersive exhibits. Meanwhile, Alcatraz East Crime Museum presents a fascinating look at American crime history and law enforcement.
For Pop Culture Fans
Visit the Hollywood Wax Museum and Hollywood Star Cars Museum for a glimpse at famous movie stars and iconic vehicles. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not offers a variety of oddities and unusual artifacts that intrigue visitors of all ages.
For Science and Anatomy Enthusiasts
The Bodies Human Museum provides a close-up view of human anatomy with real specimens, offering an educational experience for older visitors interested in biology and health sciences.
For Collectors and Quirky Interests
The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum showcases an extensive collection of unique and rare salt and pepper shakers, perfect for those who enjoy niche collections and unusual displays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the museums in the Smoky Mountains suitable for children?
How many museums are there in the Smoky Mountains area?
Can I visit multiple museums in one day?
Do the museums require advance tickets?
Are there museums related to crime and law enforcement in the area?
Which museum features celebrity wax figures?
Is there a museum focused on the Titanic in the Smoky Mountains?
Vantage Stays · Smoky Mountain Guide
Museums
Discover 17 unique museums in the Smoky Mountains area including Titanic Museum, Alcatraz East, Hollywood Wax Museum, and more. Explore history, pop culture.
Scan for live
hours & details
The Checklist
| Place | Rating | Hours | Phone | Address | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatlinburg | |||||
| Ripley's Believe It or Not! | 4.4 ★ | 9 AM - 11 PM | (865) 436-5096 | 800 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 | |
| Hollywood Star Cars Museum | 4.5 ★ | 9 AM - 10 PM | (865) 430-2200 | 914 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 | |
| Bodies Human Museum | 4.3 ★ | 10 AM - 8 PM | (865) 436-5080 | 205 Airport Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 | |
| Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum | 4.4 ★ | 10 AM - 4 PM | (865) 430-5515 | 461 Brookside Village Way, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 | |
| National Park | |||||
| Mountain Farm Museum | 4.8 ★ | Sunrise - Sunset | 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719 | ||
| Pigeon Forge | |||||
| Titanic Museum Attraction | 4.7 ★ | Mon-Sat: 9AM-9PM, Sun: 9AM-5PM | (800) 381-7670 | 2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 | |
| Alcatraz East Crime Museum | 4.6 ★ | Sun-Thu: 10AM-9PM, Fri-Sat: 10AM-10PM | (865) 453-3278 | 2757 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 | |
| Hollywood Wax Museum | 4.3 ★ | Daily: 9AM-10PM | (865) 428-5228 | 106 Showplace Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 | |
| Cooter's Place Pigeon Forge | 4.6 ★ | 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM | (865) 366-1950 | 177 E Wears Valley Rd # 23, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 | |
| Ripley's Illusion Lab | 4.3 ★ | 10 AM - 9 PM | (865) 436-5096 | 1950 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 | |
| Tennessee Bible Museum | 4.4 ★ | 10 AM - 6 PM, Closed Sunday | (865) 428-4999 | 135 E Wears Valley Rd #1, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 | |
| Gift Gallery - Handblown Glass & Wax Hands | 4.5 ★ | 10 AM - 10 PM | 865-868-1600 | 131 The Island Dr, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 | |
| Twisted Vessel Art Gallery | 4.6 ★ | 10:30 AM - 5 PM | (865) 774-8040 | 3335 Old Mill St, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 | |
| Truth Traveler Pigeon Forge | 4.6 ★ | 1 PM - 5 PM | 2680 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 | ||
| Hannah's Maze of Mirrors | 3.9 ★ | 10 AM - 10 PM | 865-868-7467 | 110 Showplace Blvd Unit B, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 | |
| Sevierville | |||||
| Tennessee Museum of Aviation | 4.7 ★ | 10 AM - 5 PM | (865) 286-8738 | 135 Air Museum Way, Sevierville, TN 37862 | |
| Townsend | |||||
| Little River Railroad & Lumber Museum | 4.6 ★ | 10 AM - 5 PM | (865) 448-2211 | 7747 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882 | |
Picking the Right One for Your Group
For Families with Young Kids
Cooter’s Place Pigeon Forge offers fun, interactive exhibits based on a popular TV show that kids enjoy. The Hollywood Wax Museum also provides engaging photo opportunities with life-sized celebrity figures, making both stops entertaining and memorable.
For History Buffs
The Titanic Museum Attraction brings to life the stories of the ill-fated ship with detailed artifacts and immersive exhibits. Meanwhile, Alcatraz East Crime Museum presents a fascinating look at American crime history and law enforcement.
For Pop Culture Fans
Visit the Hollywood Wax Museum and Hollywood Star Cars Museum for a glimpse at famous movie stars and iconic vehicles. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not offers a variety of oddities and unusual artifacts that intrigue visitors of all ages.
For Science and Anatomy Enthusiasts
The Bodies Human Museum provides a close-up view of human anatomy with real specimens, offering an educational experience for older visitors interested in biology and health sciences.
For Collectors and Quirky Interests
The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum showcases an extensive collection of unique and rare salt and pepper shakers, perfect for those who enjoy niche collections and unusual displays.