Trying to decide where to take the whole family where everyone will have fun? Look no further than these Tennessee attractions. There’s something for everyone at these spots sprinkled throughout the state. Wherever you find yourself in Tennessee, add these locations to your list for great family memories.
Ober Gatlinburg – Gatlinburg
Have winter family fun skiing and snowboarding that open early to mid-December through early to mid-March each year. Tickets for the Ober Gatlinburg slopes are now available.
Family members who have never skied or snowboarded before can sign up for a lesson before going on the slopes. Snow tubing is another activity that can be just as exciting.
Ice skating ($9) can be found inside Ober Gatlinburg’s indoor mall along with lots of shopping options.
Kids and adults love the Wildlife Encounter, home to native wildlife that can be found in the Smokes: flying squirrels, bobcats, black bears, raccoons and much more.
Museum of Appalachia – Clinton
Family aged four to 94-years-old can make memories at this living history museum, a pioneer mountain farm and village that tells the story of early Tennesseans.
More than 250,000 objects from baskets, quilts and musical instruments to Native American pieces and art can be seen. Children can meet the farm animals on site, see how kids learned in pioneer schools and explore 35 log cabins, barns, churches, gardens and more.
Take a piece of Tennessee with you from The Shop at the Museum of Appalachia that sells locally-made honey, handmade pottery, books from Southern authors, decorations and much more.
Stop in the Museum Restaurant for a hot and tasty lunch served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and sandwiches, drinks and desserts served until 3 p.m. during operating hours. Weekly menus are shared so everything is fresh and locally-sourced.
Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. November to February, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends March to May, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. June to October. Families can get a group rate on admission (two adults and children 5-18) for $42. An adult group rate (20 or more) is $15. Adults (18-64) are $18 and senior citizens (65+) tickets are $15. Youth (13-18) are $10 and children (5-12) are $6. Children under 5 years old with a parent are free.
Oaklands Mansion – Murfreesboro
The nationally-registered, historic landmark was the site of a Civil War battle, a president’s visit and many other important events from 1815 to 1859. Hear the stories of this home, from its days of having 1,500 acres of crops before the Civil War to the formation of the museum it’s known as today. While here, enjoy some fresh air by exploring the Native Tree Arboretum, the Heritage Flower & Vegetable Gardens, Maney Spring & Walking Trails and more.
Oaklands Mansion is closed Mondays but open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. The last tour tickets are sold at 3 p.m. Tickets for adults are $15, $12 for AAA/AARP and military members and $6 for students and children. Children 5 years old and younger are admitted free.
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum – Nashville
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2017, the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum dazzles everyone of every age and generation with its 350,000 square feet of state-of-the-art galleries, interactive exhibitions and memorabilia from legends like Elvis Presley and Waylon Jennings to today’s stars like Kelsea Ballerini, Tim McGraw and Eli Young Band. Cap off your visit with a family photo in the Rotunda with the iconic “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”
Your tour can include a visit to the legendary letterpress company, Hatch Show Print and Historic RCA Studio B on Music Row, Nashville’s oldest surviving recording studio.
The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week. Tickets are $24.95 for adults, $22.50 for seniors (65 years old and older), $14.95 for children 6-12 years old and free for children five years old and younger.
Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum – Jackson
Learn about the man behind the legend when you take your family to Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum. Train conductor Casey Jones became internationally known for his heroic deeds of saving all of his passengers April 30, 1900. The exhibitions are dedicated to his life, filled with photos, artifacts and even three authentic rail cars that kids and adults can explore. Step inside the historic home where Jones was living before his death.
Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $6.50 for adults, $5.50 for senior citizens, $4.50 for children 6-12 years old and free for children five years old and younger.
Tour the museum grounds that also include a 1905 village chapel, the Wellwood Store full of local early 1900s artifacts, and the Old Country Store that serves up Southern-style foods and even has an 1880s authentically-recreated ice cream parlor.
Reelfoot Lake State Park – Tiptonville
Gather the family together to take an eagle tour every day in January and February at Reelfoot Lake State Park! The American Bald Eagle makes its annual journey to Reelfoot Lake, delighting visitors of all ages on these interpretive tours led by state park naturalists. Reelfoot Lake has one of the largest wintering populations of Bald Eagles outside of Alaska. Additionally, more than 100,000 ducks, 6,000 Canada Geese and 254 kinds of birds can be spotted on the tour.
Eagle tours are two hours and depart 10 a.m. Mondays to Fridays and 10 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from the Visitor Center. Reservations are highly recommended. Tickets are $10 per person.
