Field trips are a great way to reboot a bad homeschooling week, get out of the house when everyone has cabin fever, and learn about your local area. Before heading out, check out Jeanne's tips for improving homeschool field trips.
Our listing of Tennessee field trips for homeschoolers is ordered alphabetically by city. If you would like to submit a Tennessee field trip destination, you may do so using the red button above.
Port Royal State ParkAdams
Port Royal State Historic Park is small, but it holds a large story. The town of Port Royal was established in 1797, one year after Tennessee Statehood. The creation of a tobacco inspection point and flatboat yard led to the town’s role as a regional tobacco town—one that relied on dark-fired tobacco as currency and saw flatboats leave down the Red River to New Orleans by the dozens every year. Learn about Port Royal's role in state and national history with historical interpretive tours with a Park Ranger.
McMinn County Living Heritage MuseumAthens
Relive more than a century of the rich, turbulent history of Southeast Tennessee at the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum in Athens, Tennessee. Thirty permanent exhibit areas depict life from the Cherokee Indians and early pioneer settlers through 1940 as well as several changing exhibits and programs throughout the year. Exhibits that will captivate, and programs and events that educate and entertain, await you.
Backyard Terror's Dinosaur ParkBluff City
The Dino Park currently has over 50 prehistoric creatures (with more coming soon). They are open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tours are self-guided, and maps are available; photos and videos are permitted. There is a picnic area and the local Pizza Plus delivers here. They have a small gift shop and are a donation-based attraction, so they don't currently charge any admission to get in. Donations are greatly appreciated.
Cordell Hull Birthplace State ParkByrdstown
The Cordell Hull Birthplace and Museum consists of a representation of Hull's log cabin birthplace, an activities center and a museum housing documents and artifacts. Also on the park is beautiful Bunkum Cave Trail leading to an overlook and the actual entrance of historic Bunkum Cave where Cordell Hull's father made moonshine years ago. The collection includes his Nobel Peace Prize that is on display.
Audubon AcresChattanooga
Environmental and Nature based field trips. Guided and Self Guided Options available. They offer a variety of educational programs for schools and homeschool groups. All programs can be customized to fit your curriculum and the needs of your group.
National Medal of Honor Heritage CenterChattanooga
The National Medal of Honor Heritage Center in the heart of downtown Chattanooga brings to life the amazing stories of ordinary people who demonstrated extraordinary heroism under the most difficult circumstances. Spending an hour or more here will inspire your group with the values demonstrated by Medal of Honor recipients - Patriotism, Citizenship, Courage, Integrity, Sacrifice and Commitment. Your group is sure to leave encouraged knowing that they too have the potential to be a hero. Your visit can be tailored to reinforce and expand on content covered in your "classroom".
Reflection Riding ArboretumChattanooga
Our educational programs aim to cultivate and inspire an interest in science and the importance of nature with hands-on, experiential learning that leaves a lasting impact on kids of all ages. Field Trips can be self guided $5.50 per Student and $10 per Adult for Self Guided. Please Call for rates on Guided Programs. Full list of Programs on website.
The Coker Museum at Honest Charley Speed ShopChattanooga
The Coker Museum is located inside World Famous Honest Charley Speed Shop. Inside you will find vintage cars, hot rods, motorcycles, trucks, buses, airplanes, rare engines, and memorabilia. You will also be able to view our working woodshop, fabrication area, paint booth, and machine shop. With over 100 vintage cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, and even 3 airplanes hanging overhead, the history that can be found here is very impressive. Cost is $12 for adults, $8.00 for children 4-11. Free for children under 4.
Raccoon Mountain CavernsChattanooga
Geology made fun with a active live eco-system cave, Gem Mining & snack / lunch area! We are a 1-stop field trip adventure. The Crystal Palace Tour is a 45–55-minute guided walking tour through the first 1/4 mile of the cave. Education and geology are the focus of our tours, and your guide will explain how caves form, provide the history of the cave, and point out a wide variety of formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, and much more, including rare shield and helictite formations. Wild Cave Expeditions are our famous “get muddy” tours, which visit the deeper, undeveloped sections of the cave. These tours require participants to wear gloves, pads, lights, and helmets — all of which are provided for your use. Wild Cave tours require physical exertion, including crawling, climbing, sliding, and squeezing. With two different offerings, you will surely find the right adventure for your comfort level. Each one has an age and height limit. For ages 4+. We have student pricing.
Dunbar Cave State ParkClarksville
Dunbar Cave is a remarkable prehistoric site, not just for Tennessee but for the entire Eastern Woodlands. Dunbar Cave has been used for thousands of years and is the site of significant prehistoric Mississippian Native American cave art dating to the 14th century. Tours of Dunbar Cave are offered seasonally, from May through the end of September (VR tour is available year-round). To go into the cave, you must purchase a tour ticket. Reservations for tour tickets are highly recommended as they frequently sell out.
Red Clay State ParkCleveland
Red Clay State Historic Park encompasses 263 acres of narrow valleys formerly used as cotton and pasture land. The park site was the last seat of the Cherokee national government before the 1838 enforcement of the Indian Removal Act of 1830 by the U.S. military, which resulted in most of the Cherokee people in the area being forced to emigrate west. Eleven general councils were held between 1832 and 1837. Red Clay is where the Trail of Tears really began, for it was at the Red Clay Council Grounds that the Cherokee learned that they had lost their mountains, streams, and valleys forever. Red Clay State Historic Park offers accessible, experiential educational opportunities to both engage and educate students. Choose from varied park programs or work with a Ranger to create a program that meets the Tennessee academic standards in your classroom.
Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive PointsCleveland
The Museum & Cultural Center at 5ive Points is a regional history museum, cultural, and arts center telling the story of the Ocoee Region. We offer field trips to all ages, which include guided tours of the permanent and temporary exhibits, a trunk presentation exploring different topics of historical significance, and a correlating art/craft activity costing a base $2.50/student with an additional cost dependent on the art/craft activity; however, the cost will generally be under $10/student. Groups who bring their own lunch are welcome to eat in our courtyard or education space; however, these spaces may be limited or unavailable during field trips, depending on weather conditions and availability, as the education room is used for activities and meetings. In addition, we offer fun classes with museum staff and trained/vetted volunteers for little to no cost. These programs cover a variety of topics and include engaging, family-friendly activities.
Tenn Pin AlleyColumbia
We are a locally-owned Family Entertainment Center. We offer field trip packages for all ages and all types of schools, tutorials and co-ops. Our facility offers bowling, go-karts, mini golf, laser tag, bumper cars and an arcade. Our field trip educational component is as follows: How Physics Affects Bowling. Bowling is more than just rolling a ball down a lane as fast as you can. We discuss how rotation, friction, momentum, gravity, and center of gravity affect a bowling ball as it travels down a lane and connects with the bowling pins.
Fort Donelson National BattlefieldDover
Unconditional surrender of Fort Donelson created jubilation throughout the North and silence in Dixie. It was the North's first major victory of the Civil War.
Sycamore Shoals State Historic ParkElizabethton
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park is open from daylight to dark each day. The Visitors Center, which houses an interpretive facility with information, historic displays, and a theater, is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Built between 1775-1780, the Carter Mansion may be the only remaining direct link to the Watauga Association and is the oldest frame house still standing in Tennessee. John Carter and his son, Landon, built the home. The finely detailed interior and overmantle paintings place the mansion among the most significant historic houses in the state. Contact the park for tour information.
Nathan Bedford Forrest State ParkEva
The park is home to the Tennessee River Folklife Interpretive Center and Museum situated on one of the highest points in West Tennessee, Pilot Knob. The center features the lifeways and customs of folks on the Tennessee River including musseling, crafts, commercial fishing, and more. Several videos on park history, Civil War history, and river life are shown upon request.
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkGatlinburg
Great Smoky Mountains National Park holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures—houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools, and gristmills—have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park. The best places to see them are at Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Oconaluftee, and along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Self-guiding auto tour booklets are available at each place to enhance your visit.
Hands On! Discovery Center & Gray Fossil MuseumGray
Hands On! Discovery Center is a non-profit, all-ages science center offering fun interactive programs and experiences that include immersive interactive exhibits, a musical Tesla coil, giant building blocks, a 3-story Paleo Tower, and an art studio. Guests are invited to engineer a rocket, create a masterpiece, and uncover something new. Get up close and personal with an active fossil dig site dating back 5 million years with exhibits and programs featuring plant and animal fossils that have been unearthed at the Gray Fossil Site including tapir, red panda, rhinoceros, a 10-ton mastodon, and many more!
Gnome Hollow at Dixon Hill FarmsGreeneville
We are a small farm just south of Greeneville, TN. We have a Gift Shoppe, Event Hall, Small Playground & Games along with farm animal feeding. We would love to have your group or individual family visit and enjoy a Day of Family Fun on the Farm.
Andrew Johnson National Historic SiteGreeneville
The site honors the life of the 17th President, Andrew Johnson. Johnson is known as the Defender of the Constitution for his work to reunify a nation torn apart by civil was after the assissination of President Lincoln.
Monthaven Arts and Cultural CenterHendersonville
The Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center (MACC) is Sumner County's premier arts organization. Art exhibitions are completely free to the public. Goodwill donations are accepted, and all funds are used to support arts education and outreach activities.
Fort Pillow State Historic ParkHenning
Located on the western edge of Tennessee, approximately 40 miles north of Memphis, Fort Pillow State Historic Park is rich in historic and archaeological significance. Steep bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River made this area a strategic location during the Civil War. The fort was originally built by Confederate troops in 1861 and named after General Gideon J. Pillow of Maury County. It was abandoned in 1862 due to the Union Navy’s advancement along the Mississippi River. The 1,642 acre Fort Pillow is known for its well-preserved breastworks and reconstructed inner fort. The park’s museum offers Civil War artifacts including a cannon and interpretive displays relating to the history of Fort Pillow. There is a 12-minute video on the 1864 Battle shown by request as well as tours of the museum and restored fortifications. The museum is open from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Pickett State ParkJamestown
Situated in a remote section of the upper Cumberland Plateau, Pickett CCC Memorial State Park is known for its geological, botanical, and scenic wonders. The park lies within the 19,200-acre Pickett State Forest, and adjacent to the massive 120,000 acre Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, both areas containing prime wilderness country. Visitors to the park can explore large rock houses, natural sandstone bridges, scenic bluffs, and wild mountain streams. Spring brings dazzling displays of wildflowers, summer an abundance of blackberries and wild blueberries, and autumn a patchwork of colors to the countryside. In 2015, Pickett CCC Memorial State Park and Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area earned Silver-tier International Dark Sky Park designation. It became the first state park in the Southeast to gain this prestigious recognition. Visitors can enjoy sweeping, rich views of the night sky similar to those found in many of the Western states.
Harpeth River State ParkKingston Springs
This unique linear park located along the Harpeth River in Middle Tennessee offers natural, cultural, and recreational day-use areas rich in historic significance and natural beauty. Harpeth River State Park offers accessible, experiential educational opportunities to both engage and educate students. Rangers offer programs that cover archaeology, history, and more.
East Tenneessee Historical MuseumKnoxville
History speaks through the Museum of East Tennessee History's permanent and changing exhibits, which focus on East Tennessee's rich history and heritage. Traveling exhibits from the Smithsonian and other venues also share special stories from our past. The Museum's new permanent signature exhibit, Voices of The Land: The People of East Tennessee.
David Crockett State ParkLawrenceburg
David Crockett was a pioneer, soldier, politician, and industrialist. He was born near the little town of Limestone in northeast Tennessee in 1786. In 1817, he moved to Lawrence County and served as a justice of the peace, a colonel of the militia, and a state representative. Along the banks of Shoal Creek, he established a diversified industry consisting of a powdermill, a gristmill, and a distillery in what is now his namesake park. All three operations were washed away in a flood in September 1821. Financial difficulties from this loss caused Crockett to move to West Tennessee, where he was elected to Congress. While in Washington, he fought for his people’s right to keep land they had settled on in the new frontier of West Tennessee. Crockett died at the Alamo Mission in March of 1836 while aiding the Texans fighting for independence from Mexico. The 1,319-acre park has a museum staffed during the summer months, with exhibits depicting Crockett’s life here and a water-powered grist mill.
Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding (STAR)Lenoir City
In this Equine Assisted Learning Program participants will participate in activities along with our equines to explore, create, and enjoy the world of the horse. Activities may include but are not limited too; horse body parts, grooming a horse, painting horses, The 5 Senses, scavenger hunt, horse profile, and so much more. The field trip can be tailored to the needs and educational goals of the group. Contact us today to schedule your trip. 25 to 30 kids ages 4 and up per group. Groups can be an hour and a half or two hours long. Two locations in Lenoir City and South Knoxville.
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological ParkManchester
This State Archaeological Park is dedicated to the preservation, protection, study and interpretation to the public of this significant survival of ancient culture. The park offers educational and entertaining programs, which increase understanding of the Old Stone Fort, archaeology, and Native American cultures. The museum includes exhibits that orientate the visitor to the Old Stone Fort and its setting, the hilltop enclosure mound site's broader significance and the culture of its builders.
T.O. Fuller State ParkMemphis
T.O. Fuller State Park was the first state park east of the Mississippi River open to African Americans and only the second in the nation. The park was later changed from Shelby Bluffs to T.O. Fuller State Park in 1942 in honor of Dr. Thomas O. Fuller who spent his life empowering and educating African Americans.
Memphis Brooks Museum of ArtMemphis
The Brooks is your art museum, a place where you can experience the transformative power of art. As one of the largest and most innovative art museum in the American South, the Brooks is recognized nationally for the museum's innovative educational programs, continual community outreach, and world-class art collection.
Trail of Tears National Historic TrailMulti-state
The park commemorates the survival of the Cherokee people and their forced removal from their homelands in the Southeastern United States in the 1840s. More than 16,000 Cherokee traveled by foot, horse, wagon, or steamboat along this path with devastating consequences between 1838-1839. See the website for a list of parks and sites in each state.
Stones River National BattlefieldMurfreesboro
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it changed forever the people who lived and fought here.
Country Music Hall of Fame and MuseumNashville
Offered once a month, Homeschool Days provide interactive, engaging educational programs based on themes relevant to our one-of-a-kind collection. All programs are led by Museum staff and volunteers who facilitate unique experiences designed specifically for homeschool students. Advanced registration required to participate. Each Homeschool Day program costs $15/family for non-museum members and $10/family for family-level museum members. A minimum number of students is required for programs to take place. Recommended for ages 8 and up, but all are welcome. Each Homeschool Day program is approximately one hour long and includes an optional one-hour tour afterwards. Program start times are listed on the website. Please email schools@countrymusichalloffame.org with questions and concerns.
Adventure Science CenterNashville
Adventure Science Center is Nashville's hands-on science and technology museum. In addition to interactive exhibits on human biology, space, music and sound, physical science, virtual reality, and physics, Adventure Science Center is home to the Sudekum Planetarium. See an educational planetarium show, explore science and leave enriched!
Madame Tussauds Wax MuseumNashville
Madame Tussauds Nashville is focused on American musical Icons, and provides an interactive experience where your students have the opportunity to step into iconic musical scenes from past and present in a way that is educational and fun. Nashville's newest school field trip option offers additional workshop experiences for a more in depth look at the 250-year history and artistry of their amazing wax figures.
Lane Motor MuseumNashville
A unique collection of vehicles that crosses curriculum boundaries. Your ride includes stops around the globe with lessons in art, engineering, design, history, politics, mathematics, and language. At Lane Motor Museum, the collection items are used as tangible teaching tools! Learning Lane (Experiential Learning K-12) Self-Guided Tours, Guided Activities, Demonstrations, Customizable Tours, and Learning Lane on the Move Program Price: $6 per student or $3 per student with a group rate. Lil' Learning Lane (Preschool Programs) Geared towards ages 3-5. Every 4th Thursday 10:30-11:30AM
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State ParkNashville
The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is located in the shadow of the State Capitol in downtown Nashville. The 19-acre park is designed to complement the Tennessee Capitol Building, give visitors a taste of Tennessee's history and natural wonders, and to serve as a lasting monument to Tennessee's Bicentennial celebration. With just a simple walk in the 11-acre park visitors can experience many facets of Tennessee’s history including a 200-foot granite map of the state, a World War II Memorial, a 95-Bell Carillon, a Pathway of History and the Rivers of Tennessee Fountains. The 11 planters along the Walkway of Counties show native plant species from different regions of the state. The best way to explore the history of the park is with a tour - you can choose from Guided with Rangers or view one of the many virtual tours offered.
Andrew Jackson's HermitageNashville
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage is the home of Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States. The Hermitage tells stories of the many people who lived and worked at this 19th century cotton plantation. Subjects include slavery, Indigenous history, presidential history, and daily life in the United States. Field trips include a guided mansion tour and a self-guided tour of the grounds, museum, film, audio tour, and more. An educational program is also included, for students in K-12th grade.
Johnsonville State Historic ParkNew Johnsonville
Johnsonville State Historic Park is a day-use park named for former President Andrew Johnson who also served as the Union Military Governor of Tennessee during the Civil War. This 1,075-acre park located in Humphreys County commemorates the site of the Johnsonville Depot, the Battle of Johnsonville, and the historic townsite of Johnsonville that existed from 1864-1944 prior to the formation of Kentucky Lake. Interpretive tours are available.
AMSE - American Museum of Science and EnergyOak Ridge
AMSE tells the story of national and global security, science, research, engineering, technology development, and environmental restoration successes that have occurred in Oak Ridge since the very first days of the Manhattan Project. The museum also has several educational programs and traveling exhibits.
Big South Fork National River & Recreation AreaOneida
Encompassing 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries. The area boasts miles of scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs, is rich with natural and historic features and has been developed to provide visitors with a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. Visit the largest sandstone arches in the eastern United States or the Blue Heron Mining Community, a coal mining town once owned by the Stearns Coal and Lumber Company. You can even ride the Big South Fork Scenic Railway from Stearns into Blue Heron.
Sgt. Alvin C. York Historic ParkPall Mall
Sergeant Alvin C. York State Historic Park is located nine miles north of Jamestown in Pall Mall, Tennessee and pays tribute to one of the most decorated soldiers of World War I. The park includes a visitor center modeled after York’s general store, his two-story house, a gristmill, the York Bible School, and various picnic facilities. The York Farm was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977. Just outside the park are the Wolf River Methodist Church where he experienced his religious conversion and the Wolf River Cemetery which includes the burial site of Sgt. York and his wife, Miss Gracie. While these properties are not owned by the park, they are accessible as part of the driving tour or via the park hiking trail.
Truth Traveler Pigeon ForgePigeon Forge
We are a Planetarium and 5D Virual reality ride into history of mankind from the Garden of Eden to Eternity. We are affiliated with The Creation Museum and The Ark Encounter.
Pinson Mounds State Archaeological ParkPinson
Pinson Mounds, one of two state archaeological park, is a special park, set aside to protect the prehistoric remains found there. Managed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Division of State park, the Pinson Mounds grouping consists of at least 15 earthen mounds, a geometic enclosure, habitation areas and related earthworks in an area that incorporates almost 1,200 acres. Pinson Mounds is a national historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hiwassee OutfittersReliance
Hiwassee Outfitters offers a self-guided, educational outdoor experience perfect for homeschool groups and learners of all ages. This 2.5 to 3-hour float winds through the stunning Cherokee National Forest, with crystal-clear and breathtaking mountain views around every bend. Along the way, guests often spot bald eagles, river otters, fish, turtles, and so much more. Kids get the chance to step away from the screens and into the natural world, all while getting some exercise, learning about white water, and just enjoying the sun. We are open every day from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Shuttles run from 11am to 3pm, and reservations can be made online.
Rock Island State ParkRock Island
Known for its rugged beauty and impressive waterfalls, the park includes the Caney Fork River Gorge (the gorge), one of Tennessee’s many national treasures. The gorge is a popular location for hiking and swimming offering deep-blue pools, scenic trails, and cascades—including Great Falls, a 30-foot waterfall located below the 19th-century cotton textile mill that it powered more than 100 years ago. The park also features one of Tennessee's early hydroelectric plants.
Shiloh National Military ParkShiloh
Visit the sites of the most epic struggle in the Western Theater of the Civil War. Nearly 110,000 American troops clashed in a bloody contest that resulted in 23,746 casualties; more casualties than in all of America's previous wars combined. Shiloh National Military Park contains four important Civil War entities: Shiloh Battlefield, Shiloh National Cemetery, Shiloh Indian Mounds, and Corinth Battlefield.
Historic Sam Davis Home and MuseumSmyrna
Offering a variety of field trip options on a range of topics from Tennessee History to Hands-on living history farm days. Groups or Co-ops can book a program of their choice from our website or individual homeschooling families can join one of the 5 Homeschool Field Trip Days scheduled for each school year. All ages and grades are incorporated into these programs to allow full families a learning opportunity.
Honeysuckle Hill FarmSpringfield
Honeysuckle Hill Offers field trips for K-4th grade that include a Plant Life Tour and Rockin' Tour. $8 per person. The Plant Life Tour geared toward children in K-2nd discusses the different stages of the plant life, parts of the plant and what plants need to grow. Students get to plant a seed that they take home. The Rockin' Tour geared toward children in 3rd-4th teaches that rocks and minerals are non-living material found in the ground that can be very useful in our lives. Students get their hands wet panning for gemstones in our Gemstone Sluice, taking their treasures home.
Reelfoot Lake State ParkTiptonville
Reelfoot Lake State Park is located in the northwest corner of Tennessee and is noted for its fishing, boating and wildlife viewing. The 15,000 acre lake was created by a series of violent earthquakes in 1811-1812 that caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards for a short period of time, creating Reelfoot Lake. The park’s ecosystem is unlike any other place in Tennessee. Reelfoot lake is a flooded forest. While Majestic Cypress trees rise above the water, below the surface are many submerged Cypress stumps. A variety of aquatic plants and flowers occupy the shoreline and saturate the shallow water. The lake harbors almost every kind of shore and wading bird as well as golden and American bald eagles.
Fort Loudoun State ParkVonore
This 1,200-acre site is the location of one of the earliest British fortifications on the western frontier, built in 1756. Nearby were the principal towns of the Cherokee Nation including Tenase, namesake of our state, and Tuskegee, birthplace of the genius Sequoyah, commemorated by the Cherokee Nation's Museum. Today the fort and the 1794 Tellico Blockhouse overlook TVA's Tellico Reservoir and the Appalachian Mountains.
