Discovery Park of America in Union City, TN

Discovery Park of America

 We went on a little trip with Paula's parents over Memorial Day Weekend.  We had all heard about a big museum that opened in West Tennessee.  It was financed by the family who own Kirklands' stores who are from Union City, and we heard that is was supposed to be a first-rate attraction that would attract travelers from all over the Mid-South.  So, we decided to go by the Discovery Park of America in Union City for a day to check it out, then on to St. Louis for a weekend vacation.

Abbie and a dinosaur

Fish Faces

 The Discovery Park could be compared to a "mini" Smithsonian.  Inside, they have dinosaurs, a classic car collection, and military vehicles.  The museum has a small aquarium, science exhibits, and a space exhibit. There was a separate building with a large farm tractor exhibit.

1970 Plymouth Roadrunner Superbird: Matt's dream car

Abbie is driving us somewhere

Punishment for whining

 Outside of the museum, there is a recreated Pioneer Village with farm houses, cabins, etc.  There was also a mill and a blacksmith shop.

Abbie at the Pioneer Village dentist's office

1910 Fire Truck

 There was also Victorian-era courthouse, chuch, fire station, and train depot.

Abbie loved the science exhibits

Paw Paw Pat helps Abbie and Sophie with building blocks.

We thought the Discovery Park was an excellent outing.  We spent about four hours there.  Sophie and Abbie loved the kid's science section, and they spent a long time playing with the water exhibit and building blocks.

We crossed the Mississippi River on a tiny ferry boat ride from Hickman, KY to Dorina, MO.

At the end of the day, we drove toward St. Louis by traveling up to the western edge of Kentucky to a little town called Hickman.  We rode a ferry across the Mississippi River.  The ferry operation was so small: passengers drive up to a post near the ferry landing, and press a button to send a signal to let the ferry boat crew know there are passengers waiting.  We had a great day at the Discovery Park and a good trip to St. Louis that evening.