From historical sites to interactive museums, the Smoky Mountains offer so many great ways to learn something new! Your entire family will have a great time learning about everything from early settler life to scientific wonders to unique animals and more! Here are some of the top educational activities in the Smokies you won’t want to miss:
1. Visitor Centers
If you want to learn more about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the best educational activities in the Smokies is stopping at one or more of the park’s visitor centers. There are four visitor centers in the national park: Cades Cove Visitor Center, Sugarlands Visitor Center, Oconaluftee Visitor Center, and Kuwohi Visitor Center. These centers provide resources to help you navigate the park and have exhibits that showcase the park’s natural history as well as mountain life and culture. These visitor centers also feature bookstores where you can purchase educational resources, and some even offer the opportunity to speak to a park ranger!
2. Museums
Another one of the fun educational activities in the Smokies is exploring the many museums in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville! WonderWorks features hands-on exhibits that demonstrate scientific wonders, ranging from natural disasters to optical illusions. If you’re interested in the history of crime and forensics, you need to visit Alcatraz East Crime Museum. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! takes you on an unusual journey with one-of-a-kind artifacts and record-breaking feats. History buffs love exploring the Titanic Museum, where you’ll step aboard a replica of the famous ship and explore artifacts and interactive exhibits. Other must-visit museums in the Smokies include the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum and the Tennessee Museum of Aviation.
3. Forbidden Caverns
Forbidden Caverns is one of the best educational activities in the Smokies! This Sevierville attraction features spectacular natural caverns that feature towering chimneys, sparkling rock formations, grottos, and a crystal-clear underground stream. Special lighting effects highlight these structures and make this a truly enjoyable experience for all ages! Your tour guide will provide interesting facts and history about the caverns and their structures, and they can answer any questions you may have. As an added bonus, the caverns are a cool 58 degrees all year long, providing a great escape from the heat in the warmer months!
4. Animal Attractions
There are a number of animal attractions in the Smokies where you can see and learn more about all sorts of animals! Parrot Mountain and Gardens gives you the chance to interact with a variety of exotic birds surrounded by lush landscapes. Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo is home to over 130 species of tropical animals from around the world, including primates, snakes, frogs, birds, and others. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies takes you on a journey into the oceans and rivers of the world, surrounded by colorful sea creatures. To learn more about local wildlife, visit the Wildlife Habitat at Ober Mountain and see Smoky Mountain animals like black bears, otters, bobcats, owls, and more!
5. Cades Cove Historical Structures
Exploring the many historical structures at Cades Cove is one of the most immersive educational activities in the Smokies. As you make your way along Cades Cove Loop Road, you’ll come across a number of structures that were built by early settlers around 200 years ago! These structures include log cabins, churches, barns, and even a grist mill. Some of these structures can be seen from the road while others can be reached with just a short walk. Many of them are open so you can explore their interiors and see what pioneer life was like!
More Things to Do in the Smokies
These are some of the best educational activities in the Smokies where you can learn something new while having fun. Are you looking for more things to do in the Smokies? Check out these hidden things to do in Pigeon Forge during your next vacation!
