Pigeon Forge Museums: Where to Interact and Have Fun

From Southern culture to the unusual, Pigeon Forge museums bring originality to the Smoky Mountains. Each one offers a fun place to explore, see new things and interact. If some indoor excitement sounds like the perfect vacation addition, check out these top picks.

Top 6 Pigeon Forge Museums Vacationers Should Visit

Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge

Titanic Pigeon Forge ranks as the world’s largest Titanic Museum attraction. Upon arrival, admire the life-size luxury liner that lets passengers become part of its famous story. Each guest receives a special boarding pass and access to see over 400 artifacts from the original ship.

The museum also offers interactive ways to play. Touch an iceberg, shovel coal in the boiler room, sit in a lifeboat while hearing stories, and learn how to send an SOS signal. Regardless of age, everyone has a blast at the Titanic while reliving the event and hearing genuine stories.

SGMA Hall of Fame and Museum

Located in Dollywood, Southern Gospel Music Association (SGMA) Hall of Fame and Museum features Southern gospel pioneers and their achievements. Browse exhibits that include pianos, wax figures, tour buses, wall of fame, sheet music, fashion and memorabilia. For over 20 years, the museum has aimed to preserve, protect and promote Southern gospel music’s heritage.

Additionally, guests visit SGMA Hall of Fame and Museum when they buy tickets to Dollywood, and this attraction follows Dollywood park hours.

Alcatraz East Crime Museum

Like a little drama? Visit Alcatraz East Crime Museum, home to five galleries that showcase American criminals, victim’s stories, crime prevention and cases on two floors. The museum houses over 100 interactive exhibits dedicated to criminal activity, ranging from pirates and Old West favorites to September 11 and getaway cars. Visitors even get a peek at forensics, learn how to solve crimes, and see how law agencies serve the U.S.

Fun fact: Alcatraz East Crime Museum features a design blend that mixes Alcatraz with the Tennessee State Prison built in 1898.

Hollywood Wax Museum

As the only wax museum dedicated to celebrity figures in the U.S., Hollywood Wax Museum offers two stories of famous faces from movies, sports and music. It’s a pop culture-lover’s dream come true.

See wax figures so life-like they seem real. Notable mentions include Anne Hathaway, Brad Pitt, Elvis Presley, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and dozens more. The museum honors the U.S. film industry and people who have become part of America’s pop culture. While touring exhibits, learn about celebrities’ accomplishments and stop by the gift shop for a special souvenir.

Tennessee Museum of Aviation

Those who enjoy all things aviation should drive 5 miles to nearby Sevierville, home to Tennessee Museum of Aviation. The museum sits on the grounds of Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Airport and houses a large collection of aviation exhibits, engines, military vehicles, and a variety of aircraft.

See training planes, fighters, jets, helicopters and amphibious aircraft. While enjoying exhibits, see historical artifacts and a 52-foot wall that traces aviation’s history. Don’t forget to swing by the hanger, home to 35,000-square-feet of aircraft and watch flight demonstrations.

Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum

While in Sevierville, head to Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum. This muscle-car mecca ranks among the best Pigeon Forge museums and houses over 90 American-made cars spanning 50-plus years. In addition, cars change often so guests browse different makes and models each time. Expect to see GTOs, Firebirds, Camaros and rare muscle cars from 1950s-1970s.

The museum is owned and managed by Floyd Garrett, a muscle car expert who has spent over 40 years building his collection.

Enjoy reading about the top Pigeon Forge museums? Check out more family-friendly attractions in Pigeon Forge.

Don’t forget to book a spacious Pigeon Forge vacation home for the group.