Many people know Tennessee is home to several famous musicians and actors. You might not know that Gatlinburg is home to some of the most famous automobiles in movies and television. The Hollywood Star Cars Museum, located in downtown Gatlinburg, houses over 40 legendary vehicles for the public to enjoy.
Quick history
The museum has been in operation since 1996. The collection comprises some of the most iconic vehicles to appear on the big screen and includes several celebrity-owned cars. The museum does a great job of incorporating movie props and memorabilia into the displays whenever possible. This attention to authenticity really enhances the tour experience for movie and television fans.
The museum is always looking to acquire new vehicles, but it’s mainstays, like the original Batmobile, continue to take the spotlight year after year.
Some of the highlights
1966 Batmobile
Legendary custom car builder George Barris has many of his creations on display. The most popular is the original Batmobile built for the 1966 television show. Some other well-known Barris built cars in the collection include the Flintstone-mobile and Drag U La, featured in the television show The Munsters.
1992 Batmobile
Batman fans will get a real kick out of seeing not one but two Batmobiles on display! The second one is from the 1992 Batman Returns movie. This updated version was built by Anton Furst and sits on a Chevrolet Impala chassis.
Back to the Future DeLorean
Great Scott! See Doc Brown’s time machine and the flux capacitor in all its glory. This cinematic classic has clocked more hours traveling through time than it has rolling down the highway.
Entertainment icons
Also on display are vehicles that belonged to some of the biggest names in entertainment. The museum is home to cars once owned by Elvis, Dolly Parton, The Beach Boys, Michael Jackson, Sir Paul McCartney, and more!
New Exhibits
Transformers Bumblebee
In 2018 fan-favorite Autobot Bumblebee received his own movie in the Transformers franchise. Fans of the series can currently see the 1967 Volkswagen Beetle that starred in the film.
Ford vs. Ferrari GT40 MKII
Racing fans will love seeing the replica GT40 MKII used in the filming of Ford vs. Ferrari. Even though this is a replica of the original, the attention to detail is second to none.
Hours and admission
The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. seven days a week. Adult admission is $14.99, and children (ages 6-12) are $8.99. Kids under six are free of charge. You can purchase your tickets online for a discounted rate.
The museum’s COVID-19 protocol requires that all guests 13 and older wear a face-covering while taking the tour.
During your visit to Gatlinburg, take advantage of the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of Hollywood’s famous cars. While you won’t leave with an autograph, you can take your picture (free of charge) with multiple “celebrities” all in one place! If you’d like to get your photo sitting in one of the vehicles, you can do so for a small fee.
