You’ve Seen the Movie. Now Visit the Titanic Museum During Your Gatlinburg Trip!
If you’re passionate about American history, Gatlinburg is a great area to visit. Along with the historic buildings nestled among the Great Smoky Mountains and the world’s only salt and pepper shaker museum, Gatlinburg is also just a stone’s throw away from the Titanic Museum.
If you’re looking for a glimpse into history, let’s talk about all you can experience when you check out the Titanic Museum in Gatlinburg!
RMS Titanic’s Imprint on History
The well-documented and widely known tragic tale of the RMS Titanic’s maiden voyage has captivated people worldwide since it first sank in 1912.
The “unsinkable” RMS Titanic was considered one of the most sophisticated technological advancements of its time, and the news of its sinking was met with shock and disbelief. The beauty of the ship and the magnitude of the lives lost left a deep impression on people – which is still felt today.
There are several attractions throughout the world that offer a glimpse into the RMS Titanic’s tragic tale, such as our Tennessee’s sister-museum in Branson, Missouri. However, few can rival the immersive and grand experience that our Titanic Museum in Gatlinburg offers, and none can give visitors the added bonus of the beauty of the Smoky Mountains.
The Titanic Museum in Historic Tennessee
Tennessee is a state full of natural beauty and grand history, and the Titanic Museum is no exception. While there are other Titanic Museum attractions in America, the Titanic Museum in Gatlinburg is the largest permanent one.
Tennessee’s Titanic Museum was opened in 2010 and delivers an authentic experience that allows you to feel like real passengers.
The experience begins even before you even walk through the door. It’s easy to spot the Titanic Museum from Parkway as you draw near – the Titanic Museum Attraction is a half-scale replica of the RMS Titanic!
Built in a pool, there’s an illusion that the Titanic is at sea. And as you approach, you’re transported back to 1912 for the RMS Titanic’s maiden voyage.
Features of the Titanic Museum
Educational and awe-inspiring, the Titanic Museum Attraction offers interactive exhibits, a view of authentic titanic artifacts, and special events to honor those who were aboard the RMS Titanic.
Feel the Real Passenger Experience
When entering the museum, you are greeted by museum workers who are dressed as crew members. Step back in time when you’re given a boarding pass and assigned the identity and passenger class of one of the 2,240 people who were aboard the ship in 1912.
Learn about their lives and what became of passengers in the Memorial Room, which gives each visitor the ability to form a personal connection to the history of the RMS Titanic as they move through the museum.
Interactive Exhibits
The Titanic Museum Attraction gives you the ability to explore first-class and third class cabins, send SOS signals, and even take the wheel at the Captain’s Bridge.
See an authentic iceberg, and feel the sensations passengers did by dipping your hands in 28-degree water – the same temperature of the ocean when the RMS Titanic sank. Sit in actual-sized lifeboats, and experience walking on sloping decks that recreate the feeling of the RMS Titanic sinking.
The interactive exhibits even go as far as playing the grand piano and hearing the music that passengers would have heard (you can even shovel “coal” in the boiler room!).
Grand Staircase Replica
One of the most awe-inspiring pieces of the museum is the replica of the Titanic’s grand staircase.
The grand staircase is a full-scale replica of the RMS Titanic’s own staircase built from the ship’s actual blueprints. Intricate oak carvings and the vaulted ceiling have even been recreated.
Over 400 Titanic Artifacts
The Titanic Museum in Tennessee isn’t just the largest permanent Titanic Museum Attraction in the United States – it also has the largest display of Titanic artifacts worldwide!
There are 20 galleries in the museum and over 400 pre-discovery artifacts from the RMS Titanic. The Titanic Museum has deckchairs from the maiden voyage, keys to passengers rooms, a surviving passenger’s lucky tooth, and a pocket watch that stopped exactly 15 minutes after the RMS Titanic sank.
You can even take a look at pictures taken from cameras that were recovered from the Titanic on its maiden voyage.
The total collection of Titanic artifacts at the Titanic Museum is valued at over $4.5 million, and many of the items are on display for the first time ever. This one-of-a-kind experience is a must-see for any history-lover, giving you an authentic glimpse back into 1912.
Self-Guided Audio Tour
While exploring inside the Titanic Museum, you have access to a self-guided tour. Set your own pace as you explore the replica rooms and interact with the exhibits, while learning about the history of the RMS Titanic.
Audio tours are available in English, Spanish, German, and Mandarin.
First Class Experience for All Ages
There’s a special audio tour available to children who visit the Titanic Museum. Additionally, children are assigned a young passenger from the RMS Titanic that survived the sinking of the maiden voyage.
There’s also the interactive Tot-Titanic, designed for children who are 8 and under, and the world’s largest LEGO Titanic replica. It’s made of 56,000 bricks and built to scale.
Planning Your Titanic Museum Attraction Trip
For the best trip to the Titanic Museum, make sure to plan ahead! Here’s all the information that you need to make sure your RMS Titanic experience is a success.
Buying Your Ticket
The best way to buy your museum ticket is online at www.titanicpigeonforge.com. While it’s possible to buy your ticket at the Titanic Museum on the day-of, there’s a risk that the museum will be sold out.
General admission tickets are typically $35 for adults, $15 for children between 5 – 12, and free for children under the age of 4. There are also family passess available for 2 adults with up to 4 children for $115.
Group tickets and specials are available on the Titanic Museum’s website. Often the Titanic Museum Attraction partners with the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show and Dollywood to offer discounts for guests visiting both during their time in the Smokies.
The Titanic Museum’s Hours of Operation
The Titanic Museum is open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Hours during special events and holidays are subject to change – another reason it’s good to plan ahead. A trip to the Titanic Museum typically takes 2 to 3 hours.
The Best Time to Visit the Titanic Museum
The museum is busiest during its peak season in the summer. To have the smallest crowd present during your visit to the Titanic Museum, it’s best to go in the early morning right when they open, or after 6 p.m.
If you’re headed to Gatlinburg in the winter, this museum has an Edwardian Christmas experience, which makes for an unforgettable trip when combined with a Gatlinburg cabin and skiing trip!
The Titanic Museum’s Location
The Titanic Museum Attraction is an easy 10-minute drive from Gatlinburg in neighboring Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The Titanic Museum is located on Parkway, a major road that connects the two cities.
The address is: 2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863.
On the way from Gatlinburg to the museum, you’ll pass by other attractions like Ripley’s Mountain Coaster, the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, Ripley’s Davy Crockett Mini-Golf, Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Super Show, and more.
Gatlinburg Is Waiting for You!
If you’re looking for history and beauty, Gatlinburg has what you need.
With the stretching, natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains, hiking trails, shopping and museums, Gatlinburg is the relaxing, inspiring vacation you’ve been looking for – no matter your budget!
If you’re looking for something to do after you visit the Titanic Museum attraction in Pigeon Forge, check out all of the info and insight we have to offer right here on Relax Gatlinburg! What are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to the jewel of the Smoky Mountains today.