11 Best Museums In Tennessee

Tennessee's museums punch well above their weight. A full-sized replica of the Titanic sits landlocked in a Smoky Mountain town, a Greek temple rises from the heart of Nashville, and a former motel in Memphis serves as one of the most important Civil Rights memorials in the country. From Chattanooga, where you can still ride a steam locomotive along historic rails, to Oak Ridge, a town that didn't appear on any map until 1942, Tennessee's institutions span history, science, music, and the wonderfully bizarre. These 11 museums are the finest the state has to offer, and more than a few of them will genuinely surprise you.

Titanic Museum, Pigeon Forge

A much-touristed far-inland mountain town might be the last place on earth you’d ever expect to find a full-sized replica of the Titanic, but Pigeon Forge is full of surprises that way. Don’t ask yourself what the most famous sunken ship in history has to do with Pigeon Forge: just let yourself be immersed in a truly exceptional recreation of the Titanic as it would have looked when it sailed, complete with real artifacts. Interactive features include the awarding of boarding passes made out to real Titanic passengers (you can find out at the end of your visit if you would’ve survived) and the chance to feel just how cold 28-degree seawater really is. Far from the kitschy themed attraction it may seem, the Titanic Museum aims to immerse visitors in the ins and outs of life on board. Meticulously researched, yes — but also engaging, enjoyable, and informative for all ages.

National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis

Memphis has a storied past that’s made it famous for a wide variety of cultural exports: blues music and barbecue especially stand out. But to reduce Memphis to its nationally-known hallmarks is to forget the city’s far weightier historical impact as a center of the African-American Civil Rights Movement in the mid-20th century. Preserving that history is the aim of the National Civil Rights Museum, which is built around the site of the motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968 and now serves as an educational institution and memorial alike. At once a sobering reminder of some of Memphis’ darkest moments and an invitation to reflect on the problems and promise of its present, it’s a necessary stop for anyone passionate about American history or seeking to truly understand Tennessee’s vibrant second city.

Tennessee State Museum, Nashville

Tennessee's got a lot going on: that could be the unifying theme of the eclectic displays at the Tennessee State Museum, which chronicle the state’s natural and human history through permanent and temporary exhibitions covering just about every Tennessee topic from its geological history to its participation in the American Civil War. Wandering the halls from exhibitions on the area's Native American cultures to tributes to its modern pop culture legends, you'll no doubt be surprised by many of your finds. Where else are you going to find fossils displayed in the same collection as a costume worn by Tennessee icon Dolly Parton? It's that delightful mishmash that makes the Tennessee State Museum such a rewarding visit for history buffs, groups with diverse interests, and any curious visitor looking to kill some time.

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, Chattanooga

If you’re not from Tennessee, there’s a good chance you first heard the name ‘Chattanooga’ in the 1941 smash-hit song “Chattanooga Choo-Choo.” So, where else in Tennessee could someone have more fittingly decided to build an excellent museum about trains?

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is dedicated to the preservation of historical railway artifacts, up to and including entire trains. And yes, you can even ride them. The once-bustling railway hub of Chattanooga may no longer welcome crowds of train passengers every day, but a section of historic rail and some of the vehicles that once operated on it have been preserved in working condition for riders.

So, if you're the kind of railway fan who's always lamented being born too late to experience the heyday of the steam locomotive, don't fret: this place has you covered. Check the museum’s schedule to coordinate your visit so you won’t miss out on riding the rails.

Museum of Salt & Pepper Shakers, Gatlinburg

When was the last time you even thought about the tableware you use every time you cook, let alone its potential as a source of fun and whimsy? We're willing to bet it was a long time ago. But after a visit to Gatlinburg’s little-known but oh so fun Museum of Salt & Pepper Shakers, you might just start looking at your dish cabinet a little differently. Read into it and it's a celebration of the untapped creative potential of everyday objects to make our lives a little less mundane. Don't, and it's still a thoroughly fun diversion in an already-popular tourist spot.

Over 20,000 sets of salt and pepper shakers from around the world, in every shape and style imaginable, gather in this offbeat museum that provides a totally unexpected and yet delightful diversion from the outdoor activities most travelers to Gatlinburg visit. Gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, sure — but also home of a truly impressive collection of whimsical kitchenware. That it’s worth the visit for the novelty alone is beyond question.

Discovery Park of America, Union City

There is no museum in Tennessee that defies easy classification more than the Discovery Park of America in Union City. Part nature-and-science museum, part living history attraction, and all hodgepodge, Union City’s flagship attraction wears many hats. All of them, however, make it a favorite among families and anyone looking for a spectacle. The brainchild of a local couple wishing to bring education and entertainment alike to their corner of West Tennessee delivers nothing if not that.

Visitor draws range from military history exhibits (a real Titan missile!) and landscaped gardens, to a full-scale reproduction of a frontier settlement. A class could take four or five entirely different field trips to the Discovery Park of America and never focus on the same educational topic twice, if you want an idea of the scope of this place. It must be seen to be believed, so if you find yourself looking for a diversion in West Tennessee, make this the one.

Country Music Hall Of Fame, Nashville

No place on earth is as strongly associated with country-western music as Nashville, so if you’re going to be in the city, it’s only right to pay homage to its brightest stars at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Founded to preserve and share the history of country music and its most illustrious performers, it’s a vibrant space where exhibitions, educational programs, and — of course — live musical performances are all on the docket.

Maybe you're visiting the city for a bachelorette party or a food crawl, and music isn't on your radar. Maybe you're not a country music fan at all. That doesn't really matter, though: the museum is superbly presented and so quintessentially Nashville that if you’re only going to visit one museum on this list, this should be the one. It's a celebration of pop culture icons you've heard of, whether you love country or not, and its lively retelling of the history of a truly American musical genre makes the Country Music Hall of Fame a worthwhile visit, no matter who you are.

Museum Of Appalachia, Clinton

Far from the big-city glitz of Nashville, Tennessee starts to reveal its many facets. And if you want to get a glimpse of one that is perhaps more overlooked than most, the Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Appalachia in the west Tennessee town of Clinton is a perfect opportunity. Tucked away in the remote eastern Tennessee mountains, this region is easy to overlook; that's what the Museum of Appalachia intends to rectify, shedding light on the fascinating culture of a uniquely isolated and historically rich region.

Both exhibits of artifacts and full-sized replicas of an Appalachian farm and town contribute to the museum’s mission of leaving visitors with a greater appreciation of the Appalachian region’s unique culture and ways of life. If you’re visiting western Tennessee for outdoor recreation but want to learn a little about its culture as well, don’t miss the Museum of Appalachia.

Graceland, Memphis

If you or a loved one has ever been a part of Elvis Presley’s still-passionate fandom, chances are a pilgrimage to Memphis — however hypothetical — has been discussed. But even if you have little interest in the King of Rock ‘n Roll, his house is now a household name, and Graceland is worth a visit for that reason alone.

It goes without saying that die-hard Elvis fans are the target audience at Graceland, a home preserved as-was as a museum. But it's much more than a fandom pilgrimage site: it's a living homage to an iconic figure in American pop culture, an interior-design spectacle, and an iconic piece of local history. Those who aren’t quite content to revel in the thrill of walking through the same rooms that Elvis once did can view artifacts from his storied life and career, step aboard his private jet, and take various VIP tours for additional context even non-fans can appreciate.

Nashville Parthenon, Nashville

A Greek temple plopped down in the heart of the American South: it might sound unlikely, but turn the right Nashville street corner and there it is. It’s hard to ignore the world’s only full-sized replica of the Athenian Parthenon. What’s actually inside, though, is equally worth a look.

The Nashville Parthenon is not only an architectural monument but an art museum, displaying a sizable collection of American art, plaster casts of the original Parthenon marbles, and an array of temporary exhibitions. It’s a great stop for art lovers and anyone who wants to convince their friends back home that they were in Athens without leaving the country.

American Museum Of Science & Energy, Oak Ridge

Until 1942, the town of Oak Ridge couldn’t be found on any map. It practically materialized out of thin air: hastily constructed to serve as a production hub for the Manhattan Project, it had to come together quickly, and with scientific research at its core. Decades later, Oak Ridge’s scientific heritage is still its strongest distinguishing feature, and the Smithsonian-affiliated American Museum of Science & Energy explores that heritage while also educating the public about the scientific work that undergirds Oak Ridge even today, especially in the area of nuclear power.

Whatever the reason you’re looking for something to do in Tennessee, and wherever in the state your travels take you, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be able to find an excellent museum within striking distance. The state is packed with them, and many great options aren’t even included on this list — it’s a stacked field, and we’d be here all day if we didn’t narrow it down a little. So take your pick if you’re short on time, and if you’re not, know that there’s plenty left to explore.