Travel Week Mag

The world’s largest Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is launching this Thursday 8th April 2010 at 10 a.m. with a star-studded grand opening hosted by Regis Philbin, most famous for presenting the US version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. The event, which is open to the public, will be attended by descendants and family members of those onboard the Titanic, and continues throughout the weekend with special events and celebrity guests. The new $25 million dollar family attraction in Pigeon Forge, which overlooks the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, is a permanent three-deck reproduction of the Titanic. The interactive museum houses 20 galleries to display hundreds of authentic, priceless Titanic artefacts on two decks that were either carried from the ship and into lifeboats by passengers and crew, or were found afloat soon after the sinking and quickly salvaged by rescue boats. Many of these pieces are on display for the first time. Inside the Titanic Museum, visitors find full-size reproductions, built to actual Titanic blueprints, a First Class suite, First Class hallways, Third Class accommodations and the museum’s  centrepiece; a $1 million exact reproduction of the Titanic’s Grand Staircase.

In addition to being a world class museum, Titanic Pigeon Forge is also highly interactive and offers a hands-on experience for children, teenagers and adults. You will be able to learn how to send a wireless SOS signal, feel what it was like to stand in the icy night air while touching a soaring wall of ice that simulates the  iceberg that sliced through the ship and experience water chilled to 28 degrees which delivers a stark reminder of what two-thirds of the Titanic’s passengers and crew had to endure. The ship is anchored in water and a two hour self-guided tour gives visitors the sensation of sailing on the original ship’s 1912 maiden voyage. Upon entry each guest receives a boarding pass bearing the name of an actual Titanic passenger or crew member whose fate is revealed on the Memorial Wall at the end of the tour.

Titanic Pigeon Forge will take you on an incredible historical journey as part of the entertainment and fun in the Smoky Mountains. For further information visit www.titanicpigeonforge.com.