Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum in Gatlinburg TN

July 23, 2025

Top 5 Museums in Gatlinburg, TN

There are so many fun things to discover in Gatlinburg TN! Are you interested in learning something new? Are you looking for a fun indoor activity? Gatlinburg is home to a number of interesting museums with hands-on exhibits and interactive learning opportunities. These museums cater to all ages and interests, so you’ll be able to find something for every member of your family or group! Keep reading to learn more about some of the top museums in Gatlinburg TN that you won’t want to miss.

1. Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum

The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum is one of the most unique museums in Gatlinburg TN. This museum features more than 20,000 one-of-a-kind sets of salt and pepper shakers as well as a huge collection of pepper mills from around the world! You can see shakers in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Admission to the museum costs only a few dollars and kids ages 12 and under are free, making this one of the most affordable museums in town! After your tour, the small admission fee is applied toward a purchase in the gift shop so you can bring home your very own unique salt and pepper shakers!

2. Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Ripley's Believe It or Not! exterior

Explore the unbelievable at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! This is one of the most popular museums in Gatlinburg, and it is home to more than 35,000 rarities from around the world! This three-story attraction features immersive and interactive experiences so you can experience the extraordinary firsthand and put your imagination to the test. You can touch a meteorite, explore interactive maps of the Smokies, see shrunken heads, stand shoulder to shoulder with the World’s Tallest Man, and so much more! As one of the best Ripley’s attractions in Gatlinburg, this museum always has something new to discover and offers unique experiences for all ages and interests!

3. Hollywood Star Cars Museum

If you love movies and cars, you definitely need to visit the Hollywood Star Cars Museum in Gatlinburg TN! This attraction showcases famous cars and vehicles from your favorite movies and TV shows. You can see these cars on display in recreated settings straight from the big screen that are brought to life with lights, sound, and action! Grab a photo with popular vehicles such as The Munsters Drag-u-la, Herbie, Batmobiles, the DeLorean Time Machine, General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard, Ghostbusters ECTO-1, various cars from the Fast and Furious movie franchise, and so many others! A tour through this Gatlinburg museum is a trip through some of the most famous movies and TV shows over the last 50 years!

4. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg TN

Do you love animals and the sea? Head over to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies! This aquarium is essentially a living museum in Gatlinburg, featuring amazing marine life from rivers and oceans around the world. This is your chance to see some of the world’s most beautiful creatures up close, and you can even interact with some of them! Watch live shows to learn more about your favorite aquatic animals and see how various creatures move in the water. Explore an underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks and fish, and get face to beak with playful penguins! Kids and adults alike love the hands-on exhibits at the Discovery Center, and there’s even a multi-story play area just for the little ones!

5. Bodies Human

One of the newest museums in Gatlinburg TN is Bodies Human. This unusual museum takes you on a journey into the complexities of human life! As you explore the exhibits, you will come face to face with more than a dozen real human bodies as well as hundreds of anatomical displays that have all been masterfully preserved for educational purposes. This Gatlinburg museum is perfect for anyone who is interested in science or wants to learn more about how the human body works. During your visit, you can see the power of the human body in motion and gain a deeper understanding of the miracle of human life!

More Things to Do in Gatlinburg, TN

You’ll definitely want to visit these museums in Gatlinburg to learn something new and enjoy hands-on fun! Are you looking for more fun things to do during your vacation? Whether you’re interested in educational opportunities, outdoor adventures, or unique experiences, there’s something for everyone! Make sure you check out these must-see attractions in Gatlinburg TN and the Smoky Mountains to help you make the most of your trip!