Did you know the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge cost $25 million to build? The 2-hour self-guided tour is worth the ticket price as you get to be a part of the Titanic story and see hundreds of artifacts.
Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge is part of two Titanic-themed museums that celebrate the lives and artifacts connected to the sinking of the original Titanic. The other Titanic Museum attraction is located in Branson, Missouri, at 3235 76 Country Boulevard and Highway 165.
The attractions are operated by Cedar Bay Entertainment, the company behind the Titanic Museum Attraction brand.
The RMS Titanic sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912. The White Star Line-operated ship hit an iceberg during its maiden voyage, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,500 of the roughly 2,200 passengers and crew aboard. The ship was the largest passenger ship in service at the time, making the disaster a public story that still fascinates people today.
Movies have been made about the disaster or its well-known passengers like the 1997 Titanic directed by James Cameron, 1964 The Unsinkable Molly Brown movie by Charles Walters, and 1980 Raise the Titanic by Jerry Jameson. A lot of replicas and replica projects have been made or announced over the years to resemble the original design.
However, the main attraction that was inspired by the RMS Titanic tragedy is the Titanic Museum attractions in Pigeon Forge and Branson, Missouri. Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge is the largest permanent Titanic Museum attraction that brings you a titanic experience with several attractions.
Attractions at Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge
- Address: 2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Located near Wonderworks and Mountain Valley Vineyards
- Website: Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge
- Telephone Number: 800-381-7670
- Business Hours: Hours vary by date; check the official schedule or ticket calendar before visiting
The Museum opened on April 8, 2010, where guests came to see the half-scale model of the original RMS Titanic. The Museum has more than 400 artifacts connected to the Titanic and its passengers. These artifacts are held in 20 galleries around the establishment.
The entire scale model is situated on top of a pool that is meant to give you the illusion of being at sea on the Titanic. The whole tour is designed to provide a realistic yet elusive illusion of being a passenger on the esteemed Ship from 1912.
The décor, crew, and ambiance of the property resemble the culture and mood of the 1912 era. You will get to guide yourself through the entire museum tour, which will take you about 2 hours to finish. The tour starts with you receiving a boarding pass. Instead of your name, the ticket is given the name of a passenger who boarded the original Titanic. It also includes the class they were traveling in.
Needless to say, you will get to learn the individual stories of these passengers, especially the one whose ticket you hold. You will know a little about their backgrounds, occupation, and much more. The tour will then take you to the Titanic Memorial Room, where you will get to know if your ticketed passenger survived the horrible tragedy.
The permanent interactive experience will let you touch a real iceberg and get your hands into 28-degree water. There are sloping decks on which you will get to stand, and the Grand Staircase exists with its original design and dimensions. All of this is meant to give you a first-hand experience of being aboard the RMS Titanic.
The 400-plus artifact collection you will get to see includes items connected to the Titanic and its passengers. John Joslyn, one of the figures behind the Museum in Pigeon Forge, co-led a 6-million-dollar expedition that led them to dive into the Atlantic Ocean in 1987 to document the wreck.
That expedition helped bring the Titanic story to television audiences and eventually to the Titanic-themed museums.
The Titanic’s Grand Staircase, on the other hand, cost $1 million to construct, and one can only wonder how much it cost to build the Sloping decks that give you a view of the Ship’s stern as it descends.
You will experience other things at the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, including shoveling coal replicas in the Titanic’s boiler room. You will also get to learn how an SOS distress signal is sent. The 30,000-square-foot attraction is educational, primarily on the history of the Titanic.
You can also see the Grand Piano, a 1900 design inside the grand first-class stateroom. Take the Wheel on the Captain’s Bridge to see highlights of the voyage in action. Walking on the Grand Staircase replica will invite you to appreciate the woodwork and ironwork of impressive artisans who brought the original design to life.
There is a gift shop at the Ship where you can buy Titanic-themed souvenirs, books, collectibles, jewelry, and other gifts. Online shopping is also available, but selection and special shopping events can change.
Special Events at the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge
Apart from the 2-hour tour, the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge holds special events, temporary displays, and ceremonies to celebrate various occasions and people. These events change throughout the year from season to season. One recurring seasonal theme is Celebrate Sweetheart Month at The Titanic in February, which has featured a one-of-a-kind Valentine vow renewal.
Other programming can include temporary exhibits, passenger and crew tributes, military recognition, and holiday events such as Christmas at the Titanic. Check the current event calendar before planning around a specific event.
Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge Hours
Titanic Pigeon Forge hours vary throughout the year. The schedule changes from time to time, and hours can vary by day, season, holiday, special event, and maintenance needs. Check the official schedule or ticketing calendar for the exact entry times available on the day you want to visit.
Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge Tickets and Prices
The cost of admission changes from time to time, so check the official ticketing page for the current price before you go. Adults are considered to be individuals age 13 and above. Children ages 5 to 12 have a separate child ticket, and a family pass can give you a discount for two adults and up to four qualifying children.
The audio tour is available as an optional add-on, but its price and available language options are shown at checkout and can change. The audio tour is well made to cater to the adult and young audience.
Check out their website for more updates on the tickets and prices.
Testimonials: What Visitors Say
- “There are some interactive parts such as feeling the actual temperature of the water the night the Titanic sunk. This part I won’t give away, because this you’ll have to experience for yourself. In the end, it was worth the trip, the entry fee, and the experience. I would say, definitely worth visiting at least once in your life.” – Karen D, Yelp Review.
- “I’m a huge Titanic nerd. I love the history behind it, and this Museum truly captures everything about it. The staff is super into character, they know what they are talking about, and all around this is a good place for children to come learn about the history of the Ship.” – Cheyanne L, Trip Advisor Review
- This Museum I just great. People dressed in period costumes, moving from room to room, gives you a new surprise each time. The reconstructed grand staircase and the bridge make you feel really there. I highly recommend this be on your list of things to do in Pigeon Forge.” – Schaumberg, Trip Advisor Review
- “The Museum itself was beautiful and had a lot of pictures and stories of real-life passengers. I think it was super cool that you get a “boarding pass” with a real-life person’s name that was on the Titanic at the beginning of the tour. At the end of the tour, you find out whether they survived or not. I think my favorite part of the tour was seeing the replica of the beautiful staircase and also touching water that was as cold as the water was when the Ship sank. “– Kenia L, Yelp Review.
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Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge: FAQs
1. How to get to Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge?
As you move along the main Parkway in Pigeon Forge, you will notice that the Museum is situated between traffic lights 1 and 0. If you do not see it, proceed to look at the Hatfield & McCoy dinner Show, the Titanic Museum is right next to them.
2. How long does it take to go through the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge?
The entire self-guided tour at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge will take you about 2 hours. This will be enough time to go through the 400-plus artifacts on display, and you can add an audio tour if you want more guided narration during the visit.
3. Can you take pictures inside the Titanic Museum?
The Titanic Museums serve as moments of reflection. Like a tribute to the past of the crew, passengers, and the RMS Titanic. In that regard, photography is not allowed in any of its museums to safeguard the artifacts and their authenticity.