While Gatlinburg is known to be an entertainment mecca and nature-lovers haven, it is also a great education destination (with entertainment and nature mixed in, of course!) With a mix of award-winning museums and history steeped into its roots, Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains are full of unique opportunities for educational and fun field trips.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the SmokiesÂ
Give your students a hands-on learning experience they won’t forget at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. In addition to all that the aquarium has to offer, there are also grade-specific educational opportunities from Pre-K through high school. These programs range from studying coral reefs and marine fossils to dissecting squids and sharks! You can also book a behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium or even sleep with the sharks! These immersive programs are designed to develop each student’s understanding of the aquatic world and a passion for marine stewardship.
*Groups can buy tickets to other Ripley’s attractions in the area at a discounted price when you purchase the aquarium tickets.Â
Titanic MuseumÂ
Take a trip back in time at The Titanic Museum. The museum is designed to give visitors a completely immersive tour through the ill-fated ship as they learn more about the people who were on board. At the beginning of the tour, each student is assigned a real person who was aboard the colossal ship, providing a personal context to their lives and the culture of the times. Throughout the tour there are several real artifacts recovered from the Titanic, as well as an “ocean” visitors can dip their hands into to feel the temperature of the frigid waters.
Specifically designed for school groups, there are educational guides that include an interactive scavenger hunt to make exploring the museum even more fun. In addition to the tour telling an important piece of history, the educational guides focus on other subjects including arts and social studies, math, geography and science.
ArrowmontÂ
If you don’t immediately think of Gatlinburg as an arts destination, let Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts prove you wrong. For more than 100 years, Arrowmont has been a center for traditional and contemporary arts and crafts education offering numerous gallery exhibitions, workshops for all ages and skill levels and an acclaimed Artist-in-Residence program.
With such a strong emphasis on hands-on learning it’s no surprise that Arrowomont welcomes countless school groups throughout the school year. Working with school’s individual needs and time restraints they offer programs ranging from hour-long tours of their studios and galleries, to a half day tour, lunch and presentation option to a full day ArtExperience day where students can take their own art workshop!
For more information about booking a field trip, email Rebecca Buglio at [email protected].
AnakeestaÂ
From its inception, Anakeesta has made education an integral part of their mountaintop experience. Informational plaques about the area’s history, the native animals, and plant life are scattered throughout the property.
Students can search for “species highlights” as they walk across the nation’s longest skybridge treetop walk, learn about birds’ habitats as they play in the larger-than-life birdhouses at Birdventure, learn about forest fires at the Fire Memorial Walk, identify mountain ranges and peaks from atop the Anivista Observation Tower, and run any extra energy off at four different adventure course playgrounds!
When you’re ready for a break, Anakeesta offers box lunch options and picnic areas to host large groups! For more information visit https://anakeesta.com/group-rates
Ranger-led field trips through the Smoky Mountains National ParkÂ
Oftentimes the best learning is done outside, and who better to lead the charge on exploring a national park than a park ranger? The National Parks Service offers ranger-led tours of different areas of the Smokies. These free curriculum-based programs provide hands-on learning experiences of the habitat and history of the mountains using the park’s cultural and natural resources as teaching tools.
As you can see, fun AND educational field trips are possible. Just head to Gatlinburg where students will be too busy having fun, they won’t even realize they are learning too!
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