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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
  • 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

We are open! 

We are open with new safety precautions in place!  Please review our Play & Wellness Guidelines before your visit.

During this phase of reopening we have 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.  Your tickets are only valid for the date and time purchased.  Please double check before you buy your tickets.

Hours

• Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm

Check our Facebook page for weather-related or unexpected 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!

Mar
4
Thu
all-day Discovery Cart Activity
Discovery Cart Activity
Mar 4 all-day
Stop by our Discovery Cart to explore something new each week. FREE with general paid admission.  All cart program components/fossils must remain on site.  Each cart activity may contain small parts not suitable for children 3 and under. This week’s program is Aurora micro-fossil picking!
all-day Make It. Take It. Family Challen...
Make It. Take It. Family Challen...
Mar 4 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 and...
all-day March Art Studio Activities
March Art Studio Activities
Mar 4 all-day
Join us for a wax resist watercolor Starry Night inspired painting, Dr. Seuss inspired optical illusion line art drawings, and 3-D rubbing plates in our Art Studio.  All activities are self-guided with instructions provided.  Stop by and get creative!  FREE with general paid admission.
all-day Mastodon Madness in the Paleo Hall
Mastodon Madness in the Paleo Hall
Mar 4 all-day
Visit the Paleontology Hall to learn more about the Mastodons found at Gray Fossil Site.  Then, create your own paper mastodon puppet and color a one-of-a-kind mastodon coloring page. FREE with general paid admission. 
all-day Scout Days
Scout Days
Mar 4 all-day
Wear your scout uniform (any scout organization qualifies), or present your official scout ID card, and receive half price general admission for the day.  Valid only for the scout, cannot be cannot be transferred to another individual, transferred to another day, or combined with any...

Please note:

During this 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.

Your tickets are only valid for the date and time purchased.  Please double check before you buy your tickets.

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!