Gatlinburg Museums Are Amazing
By Leif Palmer
Posted on February 20, 2020
Celebrating everything from the mundane to the unbelievable, the museum attractions of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, should be a high priority for anyone visiting this tourist town on the doorstep of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. No matter which one (or ones) you choose to visit, you're in for a fascinating tour that just about everyone in the family can enjoy. So come along as we take you on a guided tour of some of Gatlinburg's most amazing attractions, and hopefully, next time you go there for a visit, you'll add at least one of them to your itinerary.
Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Odditorium
This Parkway attraction has been around for decades, and it continues to impress visitors with its collection of one-of-a-kind exhibits from around the world, including a real shrunken head, a car that's completely covered in crystals and a dragon made of recycled scrap metal. The museum's 500 exhibits, artifacts and oddities occupy three stories and offer plenty of opportunities for guests of all ages to interact, learn and enjoy.
Hollywood Star Cars Museum
Also located on the Parkway, Star Cars showcases some of the most famous vehicles from television and the movies. Look for the Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters, the Drag-u-la from The Munsters and the General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard. Many of the cars are the creations of the legendary George Barris, who was responsible for bringing us so many of the legendary vehicles from Hollywood's onscreen history.
Christ In The Smokies Museum
This religious-themed attraction on River Road tells the story of Jesus Christ through a series of three-dimensional diorama scenes that are complete with life-size figures and dramatic lighting, music and special effects. You can see many of your favorite Bible stories come to life and get an up-close look at a rare collection of biblical artifacts.
Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum
That's right. There's a museum in Gatlinburg devoted exclusively to the humble salt and pepper shaker. This collection features hundreds of sets of shakers from all over the world, and they come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
Gatlinburg Pinball Museum
Hey, if there's a museum for salt and pepper shakers, why not one for pinball machines, right? And that's exactly what you'll find on Historic Nature Trail in downtown Gatlinburg. They have an amazing collection of pinball machines from decades past, and you even get to play them! How many museums do that?
Most of these attractions are within walking distance of several of our parking lots in downtown Gatlinburg. Look elsewhere on our website to learn more about our Gatlinburg parking garage rates. For more attractions click here.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in Gatlinburg. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.