Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum

The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum in Gatlinburg is home to more than 20,000 sets of salt and pepper shakers from around the world, plus a large collection of pepper mills. It sounds quirky, and it is, but once you're inside, it turns into a fun look at history, design, and culture through one everyday item. Kids 12 and under get in free.

What's inside

Shelves of shakers fill the museum, sorted by theme, material, and where they came from. You'll find animals, foods, holidays, cartoon characters, advertising pieces, and every novelty shape you can imagine, made from glass, ceramic, wood, metal, plastic, and more.

The pepper mills

A separate collection of pepper mills shows how cultures around the world have ground spices over the years, in all sorts of shapes and materials.

Wildfire survivors

A display of shakers melted in the 2016 Gatlinburg wildfires is a moving reminder of that chapter in the town's history.

Photos are welcome, and you'll likely take more than you expect.

The gift shop

The gift shop sells thousands of shaker sets, from vintage pieces to new novelty designs. Your admission goes toward any salt and pepper shaker purchase, so if you buy a set, your visit is essentially free.

The museum's story

The museum was founded in 2002 by Andrea Ludden, an archaeologist who saw salt and pepper shakers as small time capsules of the eras and cultures that made them. Her family continues to run the museum and add to the collection today. A sister museum operates in Guadalest, Spain.

Hours and getting there

The museum is in Winery Square, off Highway 321 (East Parkway). From the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, turn at traffic light #3 onto Highway 321 and drive up the hill a short way. Winery Square is on the right.

It's a small museum with seasonal hours, often shorter in winter, and it sometimes closes for holidays. Check the museum's Facebook page or thesaltandpeppershakermuseum.com before you go.

Tips for your visit

Plan about an hour — the collection is bigger than it looks from outside.

Buy a set — since admission goes toward a purchase, leaving with a souvenir costs very little extra.

Check hours first — the museum keeps shorter hours than most attractions, especially in winter.

Make it a Winery Square stop — browse the shops and tasting rooms around the museum while you're there.

Nearby

The museum sits just off the Parkway, a short drive from downtown Gatlinburg. Continue up Highway 321 to the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community, sample local wines at the Gatlinburg wineries, or head back downtown for Ripley's Believe It or Not! and the Space Needle. See all things to do in Gatlinburg.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum?

At 461 Brookside Village Way in Winery Square, off Highway 321 near traffic light #3 in Gatlinburg.

How many salt and pepper shakers are there?

More than 20,000 sets, plus a large collection of pepper mills.

How much does it cost?

There's a small admission fee for adults, which goes toward any shaker purchase in the gift shop. Kids 12 and under are free.

How long does a visit take?

About an hour for most visitors.

Who started the museum?

Archaeologist Andrea Ludden founded it in 2002, and her family still runs it today.

Is there more than one salt and pepper shaker museum?

Yes. The Ludden family also opened a sister museum in Guadalest, Spain.