Cooter’s Place is a museum and entertainment complex inspired by the hit 1980s television series and 2005 film, The Dukes of Hazzard, about the Georgia Duke family of reformed moonshiners and their car-racing escapades. Fans of the show will appreciate the chance to spot props, costumes and other familiar memorabilia while the themed go-kart track and mini-golf course are ideal for an afternoon of family fun for all.
Inside the museum, look for the General Lee, a replica of the orange 1969 Dodge Charger used in the show. True fans might want to pay the fee to sit inside the car. Otherwise, you are free to take photographs of the car with your own camera.
Ben Jones, the actor who starred as auto mechanic Cooter Davenport, runs the museum and is often on site to greet visitors and autograph memorabilia that you can purchase from the museum shop. Plan your visit to the museum to coincide with the appearances of other cast members, including Catherine Bach, who played Daisy Duke. Find full details of guest appearances on the museum’s official website.
Drive a go-kart around the small loop track. Make it a family competition using the go-karts available for different ages and heights. Visit the museum’s official website to see the driving restrictions.
You can also play a round of mini-golf on the 18-hole course. The course has holes of varying difficulties and is indoors, therefore enjoyable whatever the weather.
Located in downtown Gatlinburg, Cooter’s Place is a short walk from other major attractions, including the Guinness World Records Museum and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. The museum is a half-mile (805 metres) from Hollywood Star Cars Museum, where one of the original General Lee cars from the show is on display. The Gatlinburg Trolley stops close to the museum entrance. If arriving by car, you’ll find pay-and-display parking areas nearby.
Cooter’s Place is open daily. Admission to the museum is free. Extra charges apply for the mini-golf and go-karts.
