Discovery Center at Murfree Spring


Face masks are a requirement for all Discovery Center visitors ages 4 and older. Adults may opt to receive a complementary mask, with children's masks available for $1.
The Great Outdoors exhibit.
What makes the great outdoors in Tennessee so great? Learn and get inspired to get outside through the Great Outdoors exhibit!
Roll the dice and learn about Wetland wildlife through a fun board game in the Great Outdoors exhibit.
Learn about firefly species and even their blinking patterns on this interactive mural of the Smoky Mountains in the Great Outdoors exhibit.
Take an imaginary boat float in front of a mural of Percy Priest Lake in the new Great Outdoors exhibit.
Learn about boating safety essentials in the Great Outdoors exhibit.
Tighten your knot skills in the Great Outdoors exhibit area.
The Great Outdoors exhibit still features the center's famous turtles.
The Studio art area received a face lift this winter but the center closed for Covid shortly after.
The Studio includes creative space for kids, while "clean" and "dirty" utensil baskets help reduce cross contamination between users.
Gate to Tiny Town removed to eliminate another touch point.
New heart mural in Tiny Town.
Math Rox exhibit.
Model cars.
Wall of model trains in Discovery Center upstairs.
Electic train station.
Math Rox exhibit.
The Discovery Center closed its doors in early March as Coronavirus spread in Rutherford County. It reopens Wednesday, July 1, to the public. New guidelines include requiring online ticket reservations, masks for guests 4 and older, and temperature checks.
Like so many children's museums reopening under Covid-era guidelines, Discovery Center will feature ample signage about social distancing and multiple hand sanitizing stations.
Guests can play with weights and measurements in the Math Rox exhibits. Manipulatives will be routinely cleaned between timed visitor blocks.
Following best practice models, Discovery Center has decided to keep some exhibits, like its popular two-story slide, closed until further notice.
Math Rox exhibit manipulatives.
The Discovery Center's outdoors gardens are open to all visitors to peruse.
Head outside to the Wetland Trail to learn more about Rutherford County's history through plaques and artistic renderings of geographical and ecological elements that have shaped the area.
Beat the heat with a misty walk under the fountains along the Wetlands.
Water lilies along the Wetland pads outside the Discovery Center.
The Discovery Center's 20 acres of adjoining Wetlands, gardens, and trails offer hours of play for all guests.
Discovery Center raised bed gardens are intended to inspire gardeners of all ages and capabilities.
Discovery Center gardens feature indigenous and transplanted flora that flourish here.