Indoor Winter Activities in Tennessee

Featured in this Article:

Indoor Activities in and near Memphis
Indoor Activities in and near Nashville
Indoor Activities in Chattanooga
Indoor Activities in and near Knoxville
Indoor Activities in the Smokies
 

More than 40 new films and 260 historic pieces the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis guides visitors through 500 years of history from slavery to the start of the Civil Rights Movement and the events that inspired the world to stand up for equality. The Lorraine Motel’s Rooms 306 and 307 have been preserved and tell the story of Dr. Martin Luther King’s last hours April 4, 1968. On average, two hours or more are spent at the museum. The museum is open everyday except for Tuesdays. Timed tickets are sold online only with the last ticket sold at 4:15 p.m. 

Cordova - Urban Air Trampoline Park

Get some serious air at the Urban Air Trampoline Park to burn some energy flipping and bouncing through courses, climbing walls and playing Ultimate Dodgeball in Cordova, about 24 miles outside of downtown Memphis. Have fun at the Slam Dunk Zone, The DROPZONE, the APEX, tumble track and much more. There’s also an arcade, cafe and indoor ropes course. Guests typically enjoy two to three hours of play each visit. Urban Air is open every day and the purchase of Urban Air Socks are required. Check out hours of operation and ticket prices.

Jackson - Legends of Tennessee Music Museum

Dive into the rich history of Jackson, Tennessee at Legends of Tennessee Music Museum, about 87 miles east of Memphis making it a great day trip from the city. Ideal for adults, you'll find a rich mixture of blues, country music and rock as Jackson was the site of the first rock music ever heard on earth. Learn about the songwriters and famous musicians who were born here and played here while standing at ground zero for the birth of rock n' roll. Plan to spend about 1-2 hours for the museum. Your ticket includes a guided tour and complete access to all rooms and displays. The Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.

Union City - Discovery Park of America

Hands-on science, accessible exhibits keep kids of all ages entertained for hours at Adventure Science Center. Nanoscience, physics and vortexes are explored with interactive elements. Learn the science behind space through the Star Walk, an imaginary galaxy, and see what it’s like to walk on the moon with Moon Walker. Have a full-dome, immersive outer space experience by catching a show at the Sudekum Planetarium. Tickets include access to all exhibit galleries, with Sudekum Planetarium and Max Flight Full Motion Simulator tickets sold separately. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Nashville - Music City Kartplex

Race friends and family for bragging rights by taking a drive around the go-kart track at Music City Kartplex, a great indoor activity in Nashville. The quarter-mile track inside the 77,000 square-ft. facility is fast-paced indoor fun winter activities for kids and adults. The karts can reach up to 40 mph but speed limits are available for younger drivers. After a few races, keep the energy up with Blacklight Mini-Golf, a ride on the mechanical bull and the MeltDown challenge course. Reservations are strongly recommended. For safety, racers must be 58 inches or taller and standard rental karts can accommodate racers up to 265 lbs while the Big Foot kart can accommodate racers up to 400 lbs. Weekday tickets for races begin at $30 and at $35 Friday-Sunday. See full pricing on their website.

Nashville - SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland

Perfect for snowy days, the indoor-outdoor luxury water experience that is SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland Resort elevates the waterpark experience for kids and adults. Book an overnight Soundwaves Experience package to enjoy this ideal indoor winter activity. Open year-round, the 111,000-square feet of upscale water attractions include Stage Dive, a body sliding adventure; two lazy rivers; a multi-level play structure called Half Note Cove that has spray features, small and medium slides and shallow water; and Record Launch which features two experiences - a tubing bowl with 16 LED lights and four music speakers; and a two-person serpentine water ride. Dining, shopping and virtual reality games can also be enjoyed. 

Clarksville- ArtLink

Do something creative for a fun indoor activity for adults and families alike near Nashville. ArtLink in Clarksville, about 50 miles north of Nashville, is a creative arts program that provides adults and kids of all artistic skills to learn and explore various art mediums through creative classes and workshops. It's a great place to go if you're looking for winter activities for kids, too. Sign up for one of the many workshops highlighting stained glass, candle making, macrame, watercolor, crochet and painting among others hosted throughout the year. Walk-ins are welcome with no membership required. Check out the upcoming events for workshops and classes that include individual pricing and hours.

Smithville - Harmony Lane Farm & Creamery

If you're looking for things to do inside in Chattanooga, get some exercise at Chattanooga's High Point Climbing & Fitness with sport climbing, bouldering and auto belays. The Kid Zone includes 3,000 square ft. of climbing fun including 15 auto belays and a 10-foot kid’s boulder area. Climbing classes are available and recommended for beginners, which covers climbing technique and practice. Yoga and fitness classes are also hosted throughout the year. Day passes and 7-day passes are available with tickets that include climbing gear also offered. Chattanooga has two High Point locations in downtown and Riverside, so check out the most convenient location for you.

Chattanooga - Tennessee Aquarium

Take a deep dive under oceans and Tennessee rivers to see the creatures that call these waters home for a fun thing to do inside in Chattanooga. At the Tennessee Aquarium, enjoy the playfulness of otters and lemurs, marvel at the colorful fish like Midas Cichlid, flashlight fish and the Tennessee Dace. Learn the importance of conservation and get even closer to sea creatures, constellations and more in the IMAX Theater with tickets at $9.95 for adults and children ages 5-17. At the No. 1 aquarium in the U.S. for overall guest satisfaction, accessibility is important which is why all exhibit galleries are wheelchair accessible. Manual wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Family restrooms and nursing mother/quiet rooms are available for those who prefer more privacy or who need a sensory break. Tickets are $39.95 for adults and $29.95 for kids ages 5-17. Children 4 and under visit free.

Chattanooga - International Towing & Recovery Museum

Did you know the U.S. towing industry began in Chattanooga, Tennessee? Step inside the International Towing & Recovery Museum for a deeper look into this fascinating industry including the first towing and recovery vehicle, a 1913 Cadillac, that is on display. The museum is an ideal Chattanooga indoor activity in winter for adults and families. Towing equipment ranging from 1913 to 2002 are in the showroom that'll excite history lovers and automobile enthusiasts. Visit the museum 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for adults 55 and older, $8 for children 6-14 and children under 5 are admitted free.

A day of art and culture can be spent at Knoxville Museum of Art that hosts nationally-known artistic works. This indoor winter activity is free to experience. Take a few moments to fully enjoy Cycle of Life, a Richard Jolley installation which is one of the largest glass-and-steel artwork in the world. Facets of Modern and Contemporary Glass will stun with the exquisite colors and composition while "Higher Ground: A Century of the Visual Arts in East Tennessee" and its dreamy landscapes of the state will keep you entertained. You'll also love all the contemporary art including sculpture work and photography found in the exhibit "Currents: Contemporary Art from the KMA Collection." The Thorne Rooms, created in the 1930s and 1940s are some of the most well-known miniatures in the U.S. and are inspired by Europe’s museums, historic homes and castles. Deepen your visit by looking for the headphones icon on labels near works of art and hear stories behind the art on your mobile device. Audio Description is available for vision-impaired visitors and is available in English, Spanish and American Sign Language. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. 

Knoxville - Muse Knoxville

Muse Knoxville is where you can let your children have fun as an indoor winter activity in Knoxville or during a rainy day while also learning about science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Your children will have a blast learning of the world around them in exhibits. Learn about the important roles of healthy eating, play with rainbow-colored lights in the Illumination Station and more. Finally, take a trip around the universe in the Planetarium. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday with tickets at $12 for ages 1-64. Admission is $6 for adults 65 and older, Tennessee educators with valid ID, and military members, their spouses and dependents. 

Oak Ridge - American Museum of Science & Energy

Science and history come alive. The American Museum of Science and Energy explores Oak Ridge’s history of the Manhattan Project and how it changed the world. Located about 24 miles west of Knoxville, AMSE’s family-friendly science and exhibits highlight smartphone technology, 3D printing, super-computing and life-saving cancer treatments through interactive, hands-on exhibits and special events. The Museum is open every day 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-17, adults 65 years old and older and active military. Children ages 5 and under are free.

America's first indoor snow tubing park is in Pigeon Forge. Bring your family and friends to Pigeon Forge Snow and experience the snow tubing hills and snow play area. Race each other down the hills, build snowmen and snow forts all year long. The facility is always 60-70 degrees inside, so you don't have to stay bundled up for winter fun. It's one of the best things to do inside in Pigeon Forge, offering a memorable indoor snow activity. For adults, you can skip the line, sign the online waiver and head to the slopes. Individual and combo tickets are available for purchase. Pigeon Forge Snow is open every day.

Pigeon Forge - Beyond the Lens!

Entertainment and technology collide at Beyond the Lens!, home to FlyRide. FlyRide is a sensory experience that gives you an immersive feeling of flight as you soar above 22 national landmarks. You could spend hours playing interactive games, trivia, virtual reality games, an augmented reality scavenger hunt and 2-minute escape rooms. Hunt for Bigfoot and dive into an alien egg ball pit. Take endless selfies in the Selfie Gallery and at other photo-op areas including a press briefing room in the White House. Get a combo ticket to experience the techno-tainment museum and FlyRide for $36.99 for adults and $24.99 for children.

Sevierville - XPERIA: Ocean Journey

XPERIA: Ocean Journey is a new attraction in Sevierville and already making waves as a great indoor winter activity for adults and for kids. A hyper-real experience you will never forget, XPERIA: Ocean Journey is part hyper-real animal interactions, self-guided exploration and cinematic masterpiece all in one. Through digital technologies and immersive storytelling, adults and children can dive under the sea to explore areas of the ocean and interact with some of the most amazing underwater creatures without a wetsuit. Tickets are on sale now.

Looking for more indoor attractions to visit during your Tennessee vacation? Check out our article full of fun, rainy day activities.