Category: Things to Do

This father’s day surprise dad with a memorable trip to Sevierville. There are numerous activities the whole family can enjoy this father’s day including Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum. The museum lets dad come face to face with a collection of over nine million dollars in American muscle cars. From Shelby Mustangs to Big Block Chevys and Mopars, Garrett’s has a bit of everything for the car enthusiast including rare engines and specialty cars like a 1940 Ford Coupe that was confiscated for running moonshine. Floyd Garrett’s museum has been featured on My Classic Car, Shadetree Mechanic, Speedvision, TNN’s Motor Trend, in Super Chevy Magazine and in Muscle Car Review.

Further down the parkway is the NASCAR SpeedPark. The park offers eight thrilling tracks from the kid friendly Baby Bristol to the Smoky Mountain Speedway. Riders must be 16 years of age with a valid state-issued license to ride the Smoky Mountain Speedway and stand at least 64” tall to ride in the 5/8 scale NEXTEL Cup style cars. For those without a driver’s license, and who are 54” tall, the track can be driven in a Rookie car, which doesn’t go as fast.

Take dad to the skies at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation. This aviation museum features a flyable warbird aircraft and an ever-changing cast of aircraft from Russian MiGs and Thunderbolts to the PBY Catalina. The museum is located at Sevierville’s airport. If the Tennessee Museum of Aviation inspires dad to see the Smoky Mountains from the sky, try a flying tour with Scenic Helicopter Tours.

Maybe it’s the outdoors that are calling dad. Make sure he has the right gear with Sevierville stores like Bass Pro Outdoor World and the Orvis Company Store. It’s easy to get outfitted for a day of hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains or fishing on Sevierville’s very own Douglas Lake. Dad can also visit the 88,000 square foot knife showroom at Smoky Mountain Knifeworks and even look through the National Knife Museum which is housed there.

Still, Sevierville’s best treasure is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – America’s most visited national park and the only one that is absolutely free. This 800 square mile park is an International Biosphere Reserve and contains over 10,000 discovered species. Programs like Smoky Mountain Field School help everyone learn more about the amazing diversity in the Great Smoky Mountains. While there, enjoy fishing, hiking, horseback riding or even a simple picnic under the sun.

Head underground to cool off this summer – literally.

One of Sevierville’s most renowned attractions, Forbidden Caverns, stays a cool 58 degrees year round and is the ideal family stop if you’re headed toward the Great Smoky Mountains.

Forbidden Caverns was once only known to the Eastern Woodland Indians who roamed East Tennessee’s forests and mountains in search of good hunting grounds. In the winter the cave was used as a shelter and the river running through it provided a constant supply of water.

It is believed that the source of the water stems from an underground lake located beneath English Mountain. English Mountain has since become famous for it’s spring water. If you’re familiar and you look closely, chert or flint can be found here, but in limited quantities. Each was at one time used to create arrowheads, knives and scrapers by local Indian tribes. There are also many unique calcite formations that are still growing in the cave/ Other rare rock formations found in the cave include the largest wall of rare cave onyx or dripstones known to exist.

There is an interesting Indian legend that details an Indian princess’ fate who was lost in a “hollow mountain of two streams”…” which is forbidden”.

From the early 1920s until 1943, moonshine was made in the cave. Its never-ending supply of water and the isolated location was the perfect spot for moonshiner’s to brew their homemade whiskey.

In 1964, a group of businessmen began the initial planning and vast undertaking of opening Forbidden Caverns to the public. Following three years of excavation and development of the vast area, Forbidden Caverns opened to the public in June 1967.

Today, a picturesque valley leads you to the caverns. This route affords all guests a beautiful view of majestic Mount LeConte and English Mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains. A quaint old grist mill-museum, primitive farm houses, and a trout farm are among the many sites visitors might take an interest in along this route.

Forbidden Caverns is but a 35-minute drive from Gatlinburg, 45 minutes if you’re traveling from Knoxville, and should be a stop along the way as you enjoy beautiful East Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains. Most guided tours average only 55 minutes. Free parking is provided for cars and buses and there is a souvenir shop on the premises, refreshments, and a picnic pavilion.

If you’re going to being spending some time in Sevierville anytime soon and looking to have a bit of fun/unwind, NASCAR Speedpark is as good a place as any in the Smokies to really let your hair down and bring out that inner child again. With 8 tracks to choose from, there’s a course for everyone in your family or group. But that’s not all, the Speedpark also has bumper boats, an arcade, a climbing wall, putt-putt golf, a kids coaster, adult roller coaster, and a handful of other rides to keep you entertained for hours.

So you’re wanting to try your hand at the big time? Well, the Smoky Mountains Speedway is it. This quarter-mile D-oval shaped course is where the pros go to race at NASCAR SpeedPark. You’ll get the chance to drive a 3/8 scale version of an actual NASCAR Sprint Cup car. The only stipulation – drivers must be at least 5 feet tall and have a valid driver’s license.

The Competitor is the next track down from the Smoky Mountains Speedway, but don’t let it fool you. This oval short track’s high banks and side by side racing don’t leave much to the imagination as you try to fend drivers off around every turn. These Eagle cars require a minimum height of 54” to drive while double karts require persons at least 5 feet to drive and 40″ to ride as a passenger. Drivers also must be 18 years of age.

The Intimidator track is  a monster in itself. Hence, it’s name. Drivers must be at least 54” tall, no exceptions. This one’s a “must race” for anyone coming to the Speedpark and one that many will come back to, thinking this time I’ll get the best of The Intimidator.

A 750-foot slick track, Slidewayz features hard, tight turns. It’s highly polished surface provides for a teeth-grinding, white-knuckle race every time out. Come test your mettle at Slidewayz, you won’t be sorry. To drive Slidewayz, you must be at least 54” tall. Drivers must be at least 60” tall and 18 years of age and passengers must be at least 40” tall on the two-seaters.

Family and Kids rides:

Family 500 – An hourglass shaped road course for rookies and pros, this track features single and double seat cars. On the two-seaters, drivers must be at least 60” tall and 18 years of age and passengers must be at least 40” tall. On the single-seaters, drivers must be at least 48” tall. This track is definitely built for fun for the entire family.

Young Champions – This 1,100-foot track is a fan favorite for all visitors. Drivers must be at least 54” tall. On the two-seaters, drivers must be at least 60” tall and 18 years of age and passengers must be at least 40” tall.

The Qualifier – At this beginner’s track drivers must be at least 48” tall.

Baby Bristol – Kids love NASCAR too – and they’ll love the chance to drive their very own car around this 200-foot starter track. Children must be at least 40” tall to drive.

For hours and additional information visit nascarspeedpark.com/tn_hours.aspx. To order tickets, visit nascarspeedpark.com/tn_tickets.aspx.

With the yearly Rod Runs, Pontiac gatherings, yellow Mustang shows, and all-Chevy weekends, it would seem that Sevierville and the neighboring cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN have the market cornered when it comes to classic car events. Sevierville even boasts a classic car museum showcasing some of the most popular and collectible hot rods in the world – Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum.

Around here, when you’re talking muscle cars Floyd Garrett‘s name is synonymous with anything big block and V8.  In his museum, 60’s and 70’s high performance automobiles are on display in their finest form. And when it comes to “Muscle Cars” Floyd’s 40 years of hands-on experience is rivaled by no one. Originally from Fernandina Beach Florida, a hobby turned into a love affair for Floyd. It all started with a black 1970 Chevelle he purchased in 1975 and the rest is history as each visitor can attest. It’s a collection that’s ever-growing.

The collection of American muscle found at the museum has attracted the likes of Spike TV, the Speed Channel, My Classic Car, The History Chanel, Super Chevy Magazine, Mopar Muscle, and Muscle Car Review just to name a few. Countless stories have been written and the museum has been featured on television so many times that Floyd’s probably lost count.

You’ll never see a more impressive collection of American muscle than at Floyd Garrett’s! This collection has been valued at over $8 million! The 90 cars on display represent the best of Detroit during the 50s, 60s, and 70s – a time when muscle didn’t mean biceps, but the number of horses under each hood.

If you grew up during the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s you know it was the high water mark for the American automobile industry. New technology around every corner and car makers were literally racing to improve on their designs. It was the golden era of the American “muscle car”. Since opening on April 26, 1996, Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum has become a destination for car lovers traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding towns of Sevierville, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Come and see the cars, but don’t leave without checking out the different engines and other muscle car memorabilia – over 5,000 items related to the classic American automobile. Stop by the gift shop on your way out as well. There are plenty of  T-shirts, die casts, posters, and much more to choose from. There’s something for every Ford, Chevy, and Pontiac enthusiast. As Floyd said, “If it has “muscle” we have it waiting for you!”

Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum
320 Winfield Dunn Parkway
Sevierville, TN
37876
865-908-0882