Since Discovery Park of America opened its doors in 2013, millions of children and adults have benefited from the big idea of Robert Kirkland and the community of Union City, Tennessee, to create a 100,000-square-foot museum on a beautifully landscaped, 50-acre heritage park.
From the students that visit for a hands-on, state-of-the-art learning experience to families that travel from around the world to discover something new, Discovery Park is making a big difference in the lives of the communities we serve. This couldn’t happen without individuals and organizations who support the mission with their time, talents, and financial resources.
As one guest wrote after their visit, “It’s like your favorite millionaire uncle took a trip through time and around the world and built you a living postcard in your backyard to tell you the story.” The exhibits, galleries, programs, concerts and hands-on experiences at Discovery Park are specifically designed and implemented to open the eyes of the children and adults who visit and to inspire them to want to learn more about the world around them. A visitor to Discovery Park will experience the visual, literary, music and performing arts; interactive STEM exhibits; and opportunities to learn about the cultural heritage of the region and more.
Discover something new at Discovery Park of America
You literally never know what is right around the next corner. One minute, you will discover exhibits on natural history, technology and aviation, while the next you will explore a man-made river flowing through the extensively landscaped property, along with waterfalls, bridges and other water features.
Discovery Park also includes an aquarium, a collection of rare, vintage automobiles, Native American artifacts and even dinosaur fossils and life-size replicas. If you have thrill seekers in the family, you will want to leave time for the Earthquake Simulator to experience the earthquake that formed Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee’s only natural lake. Follow that by sliding down the enormous Man Slide in the Simmons Bank Children’s Exploration Gallery or watch a 3D film at the newly renovated Discovery Theater. Finally, don’t miss Cooper Tower, the observation deck at Discovery Park that reaches 199 feet into the air. On a clear day, you can see 15 miles to the Kentucky border.
Plan a visit to Discovery Park of America
Union City is about two hours from Memphis and less than three hours from Nashville. Two nearby hotels – The Meadows Hotel, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Union City, Sleep Inn and Mainstay Suites – make it easy to plan a visit and stay awhile. Visitors will find lots of food options in Sabin’s Cafe, the museum’s on-site restaurant. And be sure to check out the museum’s calendar of events to plan the perfect time to go.
Beginning Jan. 2, 2024, museum and park will be open Tuesday through Sunday. From March through August, Discovery Park will be open seven days a week. Children receive free admission from Jan. 1, 2024 through Feb. 10, 2024. It’s a great year to visit the park and celebrate a decade of discovery!
