Educational opportunities abound for Kids and Families in the Smoky Mountains. Find educational opportunities everywhere you look! We have collected some of our favorite educational, kid friendly, teen friendly attractions to discover. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the #1 Educational attraction in our area. Start at the Sugarlands Welcome Center at the Gatlinburg entrance to the Park. It is filled with information in regard to the animal and plant life you will find in the park and so much more. It is an excellent stop for all ages.
These amusements may be educational for your kids!
Beyond the Lens! Family Fun
2115 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 366-1609
https://beyondthelens.com/
Official Summary:
“Exploring the best of pop culture with interactive games, amazing photo ops and intriguing exhibits. Experience two unique attractions: Beyond The Lens! featuring over 150 interactive exhibits and FLYRIDE, a state-of-the-art fully immersive adventure.”
TITANIC Museum Attraction
2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 868-1197
https://titanicpigeonforge.com/
Official Summary:
“Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge is a celebration of the ship, passengers and crew! It is said that the best way to respect and honor those who gave their lives is to simply tell their stories.”
Alcatraz East Crime Museum
2757 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 453-3278
https://www.alcatrazeast.com/
Official Summary:
“Explore American history from a different perspective in five unique galleries that burrow deep into criminal profiles, the penal system, victim’s stories, crime prevention, forensic science, law enforcement and our justice system. The museum is 25,000 square feet, spread over 2 floors and includes over 100 interactives.”
Parrot Mountain and Gardens
1471 McCarter Hollow Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37862
(865) 774-1749
http://www.parrotmountainandgardens.com/
Official Summary:
“This attraction has it all whether you’re 2 years old or 90 years young. Parrot Mountain and Gardens is nestled on four acres of beautiful landscaped gardens. Hundreds and hundreds of beautiful tropical birds and thousands and thousands of flowers and plants and trees. Our birds are housed outside in beautiful English Style cottages, where they can enjoy sun, rain and fresh air as in their natural habitat.”
Mountain Wildlife Museum
2530 Parkway #4, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 365-2233
https://www.mountainwildlifemuseum.com/
Official Summary:
“We are a premiere taxidermy museum dedicated to providing a memorable indoor wildlife experience for the entire family! Discover wildlife education, preservation, classification, and the importance of some of wildlife’s greatest creatures.”
WonderWorks Pigeon Forge
100 Music Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 868-1800
https://www.wonderworksonline.com/pigeon-forge/
Official Summary:
“One of the top things to do in Pigeon Forge, WonderWorks Indoor Amusement Park, is one of the best Pigeon Forge attractions. With over 42,000 square feet of “edu-tainment,” WonderWorks is an amusement park for the mind. The attraction combines education and entertainment with more than 100 hands-on exhibits that challenge the mind and spark the imagination.”
Tennessee Museum of Aviation
135 Air Museum Way, Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 908-0171
https://www.tnairmuseum.com/
Official Summary:
“Travel off the beaten path and explore the fascinating realm of flight at this hidden treasure in the Great Smoky Mountains. Airworthy Warbirds are the foundation of this 50,000 sq ft facility. The Tennessee Museum of Aviation is located on the Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Airport (GKT) in Sevierville.”
RainForest Adventures Zoo
109 Nascar Dr, Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 428-4091
https://www.rfadventures.com/
Official Summary:
“Located in the heart of the beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, near both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, RainForest Adventures Zoo is open year-round with lots of things to see and do! RainForest Zoo has been themed by one of the nation’s finest zoological contractors, whose work includes the Animal Kingdom at Disney World.”
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
88 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 430-8808
https://www.ripleyaquariums.com/gatlinburg/
Official Summary:
“Enter into an underwater world of wonder at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies! Soar through moving glide paths alongside rays, sea turtles, and sharks, and soak up the beautiful colors of exotic fish. Get up close and personal with Ripley’s feathered friends at Penguin Playhouse!”
Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum
461 Brookside Village Way, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 430-5515
https://thesaltandpeppershakermuseum.com/
Official Summary:
“The World’s only Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum is in Gatlinburg, TN, Gateway to the
Great Smoky Mountain National Park. When you find yourself in this part of the world stop by and see over 20,000 sets of Salt and Pepper Shakers from around the world, and a huge Pepper Mill collection!”
Dollywood
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd,
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
https://www.dollywood.com/
Official Summary:
“At Dollywood we celebrate the best of life as we light up the Smokies with rides, slides, music, food and laughter – day and night. We invite you to our Tennessee home where you can hold on tight to those you love most in the great outdoors in each beautiful season of the year. Voted the #1 Theme Park in the United States by Tripadvisor, Dollywood offers more than 50 world-class rides, high-energy entertainment, award-winning dining and the friendliest park atmosphere in the world!”
Sugarlands Visitors Center
1420 Fighting Creek Gap Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-1200
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm
Official Summary:
“Near Gatlinburg, TN, Sugarlands Visitor Center is an excellent starting point as you enter the park’s North District. Learn about the park’s plants and animals with natural history exhibits. Enjoy ranger-led programs conducted seasonally. Peruse the park bookstore and shop. Access public restrooms and drink vending machines. The Backcountry Permit Office is here, too.”
Hollywood Wax Museum
106 Showplace Blvd Unit A
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
https://www.hollywoodwaxentertainment.com/pigeon-forge-tn-attractions/hollywood-wax-museum/
When was the last time you walked the red carpet with an A-List star or stepped into the spotlight with Hollywood royalty? Get a ticket to Hollywood Wax Museum for your chance to pose with your favorites using our fun props and costumes for the best pics from your vacation! Swooning is totally in order as you catch a Hollywood hunk or leading lady looking right at you. Yes, their lifelike qualities are stunning due to the detailed process our artists use to make a wax figure. Along the way, you’ll also get to know more about the stars, from their pets to their pet peeves… from their charity work to their side businesses… and lots more.
XPERIA: Ocean Journey
1645 Parkway #780
Sevierville, TN 37862
https://www.xperiaupclose.com/
XPERIA: Ocean Journey is a revolutionary new way to experience the wonders of the ocean. It combines stunning visual effects and cutting-edge technology to transport guests into the depths of the ocean for an unforgettable experience with marine creatures, including a life-sized humpback whale in 3D, giant battling humboldt squids, a stealthy thresher shark, life-like dancing sea lions, and more. XPERIA: Ocean Journey is the ultimate underwater voyage with visual effects created by the Oscar winning VFX artists behind Game of Thrones, Wonder Woman, and Westworld.
Tuckaleechee Caverns
825 Cavern Rd, Townsend, TN 37882
(865) 448-2274
https://tuckaleecheecaverns.com/
Tuckaleechee Caverns of Townsend, TN. Known as the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies” are the highest rating Cave or Cavern of the Eastern United States. Carved inside the earth’s oldest mountain chain and estimated to be between twenty to thirty million years old, the Caverns are rich in history and lore in recent years as well. You will find the “BigRoom” on one end of the tour that could almost fit a football stadium inside it. On the other half of the tour you get to view “SilverFalls”. It falls 210 feet from top to bottom and the tallest subterranean waterfall in the Eastern US . Millions of formations are viewed along the 1.25 mile round trip adventure.
