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Gray Fossil Site and Museum
  • A group of girls sitting around a table looking at rocks and fossils
  • Hands on Museum - two kids checking out the rock science kit
  • Hands On Museum - line of children and supervisor waiting to look into a microscope
  • Hands on Museum - school kids and teacher going through the fossil display
  • Hands on Museum - group of school children spending the day at the Gray Fossil Site
  • Hands on Museum - little girl with hands on mirror and smiling

Hands On!
Discovery
Center

Reopening Planning 

We have begun a phased reopening with modified safety precautions in place.  Please review our Play & Wellness Guidelines before your visit.

During this first phase the Discovery Center has an adjusted schedule and will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm with limited capacity. Two blocks of time are available for pre-purchased tickets: a morning block 10:00 am until 1:00 pm or an afternoon block 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm.

Guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance on the Discovery Center’s webpage.  Annual membership card holders are also asked to register their visit online in advance. Get your tickets here.

Hours

• Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm

Tickets are available on a block schedule: morning 10-1 and afternoon 2-5.  You may arrive any time during your designated time block.  Tickets are limited and guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance to ensure entrance.  Annual membership holders should make reservations.  Both can be done on this web page.

(Check our Facebook page for schedule changes)

Please allow 1 1/2 to 2 hours to fully enjoy and explore all of our exhibits and activities.

At Home Resources

Hands On! Discovery Center is working to support at-home learning with new beneficial resources for our community.  Our goal is to offer fun and interactive activities to assist students learning at home and their families.  Visit our Discovery on the Go page to learn more about:

  • Facebook Live program videos each weekday at 1:30
  • Discovery At Home Kits
  • Discovery Rental Kits
COVID-19 OPEN program

Please visit our Play & Wellness Guidelines page for more information about your visit.

Hands on Museum - white admission icon

Admission

Adults & Children (4+): $10.00
Children (3 & under): FREE
FREE Admission for Members

Hands on Museum - white location pin

Location

Hands On! Discovery Center
1212 Suncrest Drive
Gray, TN 37615

Hands on Museum - white contact icon

Contact Us

Phone: (423) 434-4263
Fax: (423) 928-6915
frontdesk@handsonmuseum.org

Upcoming Events!

Up Next!

Sep
30
Wed
10:30 am Homeschool Day
Homeschool Day
Sep 30 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Join us from on this special day for homeschool visitors.  Enjoy museum play time, discovery carts, and discounted take home kits.  Pre-registration is reecommended.  Click here to register!   Cost: General Admission is $10 per person ages 4+ and free for under age 4.  Limited capacity...
Oct
9
Fri
all-day Make It. Take It. Family Challen...
Make It. Take It. Family Challen...
Oct 9 all-day
Enjoy a hands-on family challenge inspired by our maker space. We supply the materials and prompts. You supply the creativity and teamwork. Visit the front desk upon departure to receive your kit. Free with paid general admission. One kit per family per visit. Activities, materials,...
all-day Miocene Masterpiece
Miocene Masterpiece
Oct 9 all-day
Visit our Miocene Exhibit Hall to create a paleontology themed masterpiece based on the findings from our very own Gray Fossil Site.
all-day STEAM Art Studio Programs
STEAM Art Studio Programs
Oct 9 all-day
Enjoy STEAM inspired Art Studio activities such as Leonardo da Vinci inspired invention sketches, crayon-resist watercolors, optical illusion drawings, DIY tessellations, plate rubbings, and more. Activities vary each day and are self-guided with instructions provided.
all-day STEAM Discovery Carts
STEAM Discovery Carts
Oct 9 all-day
Enjoy a variety of STEAM-based hands-on activities on our Discovery Cart. Activities vary each day including Cubelets robot blocks, K’nex, Legos, reverse engineering, micro-fossil picking, and more. Check-in with the front desk upon arrival for more details. Free with paid general admission on the following...

 

Please note:

During this first phase of reopening, we have modified safety precautions, an adjusted schedule, as well as new requirements for your visit.

We are open Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm.  Tickets are available on a block schedule: morning 10-1 and afternoon 2-5.  Tickets are limited and guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance to ensure entrance.  Annual membership holders should make reservations.  Both can be done online.

Click here to visit our ticket page.

Click the "X" (below right) or press "escape" to dismiss this message and visit our webpage.

Things to know before your visit:

  • Impermeable face masks that completely cover the nose and mouth are required for everyone age 4 and older for the duration of the visit.  If guests do not have their own face masks they will be provided one upon entry. Please note: we are unable to provide face masks for group visitors or guests attending birthday parties.
  • Guests are asked to social distance at least 6 feet from other guests, groups may stay together.
  • Children must be supervised by an adult age 18+ and stay with their group at all times.
  • Guided tours and additional programs are temporarily suspended.
  • Individual exhibit halls may be limited to a maximum number of individuals at one time.
  • Certain exhibits may be modified or temporarily offline to ensure proper sanitation and cleanliness.
  • Some exhibits may be temporarily closed, including the Paleo Tower.
Additional cleaning measures have been implemented for all areas of the Discovery Center including daily deep cleanings.  Extra hand sanitizing stations have been added.
Guests who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days or those with symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fever, new loss of taste or smell, vomiting or diarrhea are asked to visit another day.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support of Hands On! Discovery Center!