Temporary Group Tour Information

For your safety, we have modified our group tours to aid in social distancing.  Group tours will include a self-guided, inquiry-based experience.  Signage has been added to our exhibits in order to connect key vocabulary and STEAM concepts to curriculum standards. 

• Impermeable masks covering the mouth and nose are required for all guests age 4 and older for the duration of the visit, except while eating.  You must bring your own mask, we do not provide them to groups.
• Standard group visits are 1 1/2 hours long.  Rotation times through each of the exhibit halls will be provided to you upon arrival.  Our Paleo Tower and Make It. Take It. exhibits are currently closed.
• Group visits are available for groups of up to 75, please contact us for special opportunities if you have a group that is larger than 75 individuals.
• Group rates are $8 per person, Title I schools are $6 per person.  To qualify for a group rate you must make your reservation one week in advance and have a minimum of 15 paying guests.  Teachers receive free admission.  Adult chaperones and siblings (age 4+) pay the same rate as the group.
• Groups will be scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis, based on capacity.

To Make a Reservation:

Please email the following information to reservations@visithandson.org.

• Group/School Name
• If a school, is your school Title I
• Contact Person
• Address and Phone Number
• Visit Dates you are interested in
• Possible Arrival Times
• Age/Grade of Group
• # of Children expected to visit
• # of Adult Chaperones
• # of Teachers/Group Leaders
• Do you want to eat lunch at our facility?
  You must bring your own food, we do not provide any food.  Eating lunch will add 30 minutes to your stay.  Depending on the size of your group, everyone may not be able to eat together.  Lunchroom fee: 10-49 guests – $25, 50+ guests $35.

You will receive written confirmation of your reservation. Please verify that all of the information listed is correct and bring this letter with you on the day of your visit. If we do not have written confirmation of your reservation you may be charged the regular admission fee or denied entry based on capacity.

Upon arrival, please send only one representative from your organization to check-in, pay, and receive information on entry procedures for your group.

Please review our Play & Wellness Guidelines before your visit.

Choose Your Tour

The group tour information below is for informational, future planning purposes only.  We do not have a date when these programs will be reinstated as we are following the recommendations of our state and local governments.

*** Please note that due to social distancing requirements group tours, Tesla shows, and Paleo tours have been temporarily suspended. ***

Dual Discovery Tour

• $8 per person, Title I $6 per person
• 3 hours long
• Includes all areas from the Stellar STEAM Tour and Fossil Finder Tour.
• A showing of The Tesla Experience may be added for an additional $3.

Stellar STEAM Tour

• $7 per person, Title I $5 per person
• 2 hours long
• Includes program and exploration time in each of the three exhibit halls.
• A showing of The Tesla Experience may be added for an additional $3. A Paleo Tour that includes a tour of the dig site and lab may be added for an additional $3.  Both may be added for an additional $5.

Fossil Finder Tour

• $7 per person, Title I $5 per person
• 1 1/2 hours long
• Includes a tour of the Paleo exhibit hall, introduction to the lab and archaeology specimens on display, a tour of the dig site, and a micro-fossil picking activity from an Ice Age marine site in Aurora, NC.
• A showing of the Tesla Experience may be added for an additional $3.

How to Make a Reservation:

You can make a reservation by phone (423-434-4263 ext. 808) or by submitting your information through e-mail at reservations@visithandson.org and someone will be in touch with you. We recommend you make reservations at least one to two months in advance. A reservation is required for all groups of ten or more. Groups of 25 or more are required to tour in a structured format, smaller groups may be self-guided, if desired. Reservations must be made in order to receive a group discount.

Please have the following information ready when you make a reservation:

• Group/School Name
• Is your school Title I
• Contact Person
• Address and Phone Number
• Visiting Dates you are interested in
• Possible Arrival Times
• Age/Grade of Group
• # of Children expected to visit
• # of Adult Chaperones
• # of Teachers/Group Leaders
• Which tour would your group like?
• Do you want your group to receive a showing of The Tesla Experience for an additional $3?
• Do you want your group to receive a Paleo Tour for an additional $3?
• Do you want to eat lunch at our facility?
  • You must bring your own food, we do not provide food.
  • Lunch at Hands On! will add thirty minutes to your stay.
  • Lunch room fee:
    • 10-49 people – $25
    • 50+ people – $35
• Time you would like to eat, if using our lunch facility

You will receive written confirmation of your reservation. Please verify that all of the information listed is correct and bring this letter with you on the day of your visit. If we do not have written confirmation of your reservation you may be charged the regular admission fee or denied entry based on capacity.

Prices and Payment Information:

To qualify for a group rate you must make a reservation and have at least 10 paying people in the group.  The following prices are for adults/chaperones and children ages 4 and older:

• Dual Discovery Tour – $8.00
• Stellar STEAM Tour – $7.00
• Fossil Finder Tour – $7.00
• A $2 discount is available for students who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program. Other discounts through grant funding may be available.  Please ask at the time of your reservation.
• Teachers – free
• Children 3 and younger – free

You may pay using a check, credit card (VISA, MasterCard), or purchase order.

Please note: a child with a family membership must bring a copy of the family membership card to receive free admission.

Please make sure to bring the written confirmation of your reservation or you may be charged the regular admission rate.

Special Discounts:

Discount offers may be available, please ask when making your reservation.

What to Expect During Your Group Visit:

Please review our Play & Wellness Guidelines before your visit.

When your group arrives, please send a representative inside to check-in and pay. Staff will then welcome your group and get you started on your tour.

Your group will be divided into smaller groups of 15-25 students each. We make every effort to separate students by class, but depending on class and overall group size, classes may be divided or combined as needed. Students will then rotate in their small groups around the different areas in 20-30 minute rotations depending on the duration of the stay. In each rotation area, they will receive a program led by our Discovery Guide staff and time for organized free exploration. All programs are tied to the Tennessee State Curriculum standards.

The Discovery Center’s lunch facilities are available on a first come, first serve basis. Please let us know when you make your reservation if you would like to eat here. There is an additional charge for this service.