About Tennessee Museum of Aviation
Most Smokies attractions ask you to look at scenery or ride something. The Tennessee Museum of Aviation asks you to stand under the wing of a real warbird and read about the people who flew it. It is a quiet, uncrowded stop in Sevierville that works well on a rainy day or when the Parkway traffic has worn you down.
What you will see
The museum fills a 50,000-square-foot facility at the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport, and the collection centers on airworthy warbirds, meaning aircraft kept in flying condition instead of parked for good. Alongside them are fighters, trainers, jets, helicopters, amphibious aircraft, aircraft engines and military vehicles. The museum says vintage aircraft are sometimes seen in unscheduled flight demonstrations, so keep an ear out for engines even on an ordinary day.
Plan on about two hours if you like reading placards, less if you are towing kids who want to see the biggest plane and move on. Children who already love aircraft will be happy. Younger ones without that interest may be done sooner, so this is a better fit for ages 6 and up.
Hours and admission
- Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from March 1 to November 30, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from December 1 to the end of February. The museum is closed Sunday and Monday, and the last tickets are sold 45 minutes before closing.
- Admission: adults $18, seniors (60 and older) $15, current or former military with ID $13, children 6 to 12 $12, and children under 6 free. Sevier County residents get a special rate with photo ID.
Prices and hours change, so check the museum's website or call (865) 908-0171 before you drive out. The Sunday and Monday closure catches people who only have a weekend.
Getting there
The address is 135 Air Museum Way, Sevierville, on the grounds of the airport, a short drive from the Pigeon Forge end of the Parkway. Parking is on site. Because it is a working airport, you may see light aircraft coming and going outside, which is a nice bonus for plane people.
Making a day of it
The museum pairs easily with other Sevierville stops, including the outlet shopping and the courthouse square downtown. If you are heading into Great Smoky Mountains National Park afterward, you will need the park parking tag ($5 daily, $15 weekly, $40 annual; federal passes do not replace it) for any stop over 15 minutes. Buy it ahead and you will not be standing at a kiosk with the car idling.
Closed days and seasonal hours are the main thing to plan around. Go on a Tuesday through Saturday, give yourself a couple of hours, and you will see why people who live nearby treat it as a local favorite.
Good to know
- How much does Tennessee Museum of Aviation cost?
- Tickets typically run $12-$18. Check the official website for current prices and online discounts.
- How long should I plan for my visit?
- Plan on about 2 hours.