When some people think of museums, the first thing that comes to mind are typical art displays and sculptures. However, when you vacation in the Smoky Mountains, there are plenty of exciting attractions with unbelievable artifacts and history! Whether you want to learn about the history of the area, see something incredibly unique, or have your mind blown, there is an incredible museum calling your name! Here are 4 of the most fascinating Gatlinburg museums you need to visit:
1. Hollywood Star Cars Museum
If you love hot rods or movies, you don’t want to pass up the opportunity of visiting the Hollywood Star Cars Museum. While you are there, you can tour through some of the most famous movie and television cars in history! Have you ever wondered what they do with the cars after filming is over? Well, some of the most famous vehicles have ended up in this museum in Gatlinburg. Some of the cars you will see include the 1969 Dodge Charger from Dukes of Hazzard, the original Batmobile from the 1966 Batman movie, and the 1977 Pontiac Trans AM from the television series Smokey and the Bandit!
2. The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum
You might be wondering how exciting salt and pepper shakers can be. Well, this is one of the Gatlinburg museums that is more than just what is inside. The most interesting thing about the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum is the story behind it. One day, the owners discovered they didn’t have a pepper mill at home, so they went out looking for one to use. During their search, they discovered that each shaker was shaped differently and had different features than the previous one they had looked at. From there, it became a small collection until one day the idea of opening a museum turned into a reality. Today, the museum holds more than 1,500 pepper mills from all around the world!
3. Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
As the saying goes, some things you just have to see to believe! You will find yourself uttering this phrase many times when you visit Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Some of the incredibly wacky things you will see during your visit include a car covered in crystals, a dragon made of recycled scrap metal, authentic shrunken heads, and so much more! We guarantee this is a museum unlike any other you have seen before! In the 16 themed galleries, your family can explore over 500 mind-blowing exhibits and artifacts!
4. Smoky Mountain Art Gallery
While you will see some unbelievable artwork at the Smoky Mountain Art Gallery, you can also support local artists! The gallery has displays from over 35 artists who reside in the Smoky Mountains. It is not uncommon to see the artists hanging out in the museum or even working on their next masterpiece. The friendly artists and staff at the museum are more than happy to answer any questions you have about the pieces. So, if you want to support local artists and see some unbelievable artwork, be sure to stop by the Smoky Mountain Art Gallery on your next trip to Gatlinburg.
Now that you know about some of the fascinating Gatlinburg museums, be sure to check out our free Smoky Mountain attraction tickets to help you save money on your next trip to see us! We look forward to seeing you soon!
