Discovery Park of America

08/31/2026

Paint. Sip. Unwind.🎨

Join us for Beyond the Brush: Watercolor Sunsets in the Tower, a relaxing evening of watercolor painting and breathtaking sunset views from Cooper Tower.

Designed for adults 21 and older, this experience is perfect for artists of all skill levels. Create your own sunset-inspired watercolor while enjoying live music, a charcuterie board, sweets, wine and refreshments.

Tickets are $25 for non-members and $15 for members.

Sign up here: https://bit.ly/45UKQne

08/30/2026

Looking for something fun to do this Labor Day weekend? Plan a day of family fun at Discovery Park!

While we’re typically closed on Mondays during the low season, we’re excited to welcome you on Monday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

And don’t forget: Active-duty U.S. military personnel and their families can enjoy FREE admission through the Blue Star Families Museums initiative. The offer is available through Labor Day.

08/29/2026

Join us Sept. 18-19 for the 2026 Celebration of Native American Culture, a two-day festival filled with storytelling, traditional arts and crafts, vendors, educational exhibits, hands-on workshops, demonstrations, indigenous food and more.

School groups receive free admission Friday, Sept. 18. Bring your students for an engaging day of learning and hands-on experiences as they explore Native American history, traditions and culture.

Experience the beauty and energy of a contest powwow on Sept. 19, featuring two sessions of traditional Native American dance. Performers will showcase traditional regalia while sharing the stories and meaning behind each movement.

There will also be a Heritage Series: Cornhusk Doll Making class, offered both Friday and Saturday.

View the full weekend schedule at discoveryparkofamerica.com/cnac2026

08/29/2026

Tonight, Discovery Park’s Cooper Tower is shining pink in memory of Dolly Parton, a Tennessee icon whose music, generosity and unmistakable spirit touched generations around the world.

The tower will remain pink from 9 p.m. tonight until 5 a.m. Saturday in her honor.

08/28/2026

A new literary event, the West Tennessee Celebration of Books, will take place at Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tennessee on Friday, Feb. 26, and Saturday, Feb. 27, 2027.

The weekend will feature workshops and discussions on writing, storytelling, self-publishing and the publishing process, along with an author reception. The public will have opportunities to meet regional authors, purchase and have books signed, and enjoy family-friendly literacy activities and children’s programming.

The organizers of the event currently include Discovery Park, Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services, Paul Meek Library, the University of Tennessee at Martin, Obion River Regional Libraries and the West Tennessee Writing Project.

Read the full press release below.

UNION CITY, Tenn. (Aug. 28, 2026) — A new literary event, the West Tennessee Celebration of Books, will take place at Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tennessee on Friday, Feb. 26, and Saturday, Feb. 27, 2027. The organizers of the event currently include Discovery Park, Third Party Workpl...

08/27/2026

West Tennessee ultrarunner Mark Anderson II will serve as emcee for the 2026 Discovery Dash 5k/10k/1 Mile Fun Run, bringing plenty of energy and encouragement to the starting line and finish line.

A McKenzie native, Anderson is the founder of Run Light Collective, a faith-and-fitness community focused on running and personal growth, and serves as media director at Overflow Church. A veteran of 100-mile and 24-hour races, Anderson recently covered more than 103 miles in 24 consecutive hours to raise awareness and support for mental health. Fortunately, Discovery Dash participants will not have to tackle quite that distance. Anderson will be on the mic to keep the energy high and cheer on runners throughout the 10K, 5K and 1-mile fun run.

As Mark likes to say: “Life gets heavy. Run light!"

Register by Aug. 31 for early-bird pricing. Registration includes a Discovery Dash T-shirt and two complimentary admission tickets to Discovery Park for race day.

Sign up here: discoveryparkofamerica.com/dash2026

08/26/2026

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, artists across the country are helping us see the nation’s story through fresh eyes. Few do it with the authenticity and attention to detail of David Wright.

In this new episode, Wright shares the stories behind his favorite works, his commitment to historical accuracy, and how research and firsthand experiences shape his art. He also reflects on his career, artistic evolution and the importance of preserving history through art.

This project is funded in part by a Tennessee 250 grant from the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial.

“Brushstrokes of a Young Nation: The Art of David Wright” will be on display at Discovery Park through Feb. 1, 2027.

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, artists across the country are helping us see the nation's story through fresh eyes. Few do it with the authenticity and attention to detail of David Wright. In this episode, Wright, one of America's premier historical artists, along with Discovery Park o...

08/26/2026

Discovery Park of America will bring “Genghis Khan: Beyond the Empire,” a major international exhibition, to West Tennessee, featuring more than 300 artifacts, dramatic full-scale environments, immersive projections, documentary films, interactive touch screens, role-playing experiences and a life-size open Mongolian ger.

The exhibition takes visitors beyond the familiar image of Genghis Khan as a feared conqueror to explore the man, the people and the culture behind one of the most consequential empires in world history. Guests will travel from the grasslands of Mongolia and the rise of Genghis Khan’s armies to the walled city of Karakorum, the Silk Road and the palace world of his grandson Kublai Khan.

Presented by Leaders Credit Union, the exhibition opens to the public June 15, 2027, and will remain on display through Sept. 7, 2027. Members and media can preview the exhibition June 14. The exhibition was created by Don Lessem and produced by Dino Don, Inc.

Read the full press release below.

Approximately 4,000-square-foot exhibition will feature more than 300 artifacts, immersive environments and live Mongolian performances three times daily (Union City, Tenn., Aug. 26, 2026) - Discovery Park of America has announced that "Genghis Khan: Beyond the Empire," a major international traveli...

08/25/2026

Few have done more to share Tennessee with the world than Dolly Parton.

Through her music, her love for the Smoky Mountains, her commitment to children and literacy and her tremendous impact on tourism, Dolly gave millions of people a reason to visit Tennessee and a connection to our state that reached far beyond its borders.

Discovery Park of America joins our friends across Tennessee in remembering an icon whose influence will be felt for generations.

1946–2026