Free is the word that makes this one worth the drive from Maryville. The Frank H. McClung Museum on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville charges nothing for admission, and it is the kind of place where a curious kid can wander unhurried through exhibits on Tennessee's natural history, ancient civilizations, and the ridgetop archaeology of East Tennessee. Permanent collections include a well-known set of mummies and Egyptian artifacts, the "Ancient Egypt: The Howard B. Meek Collection" gallery, plus Tennessee history and geological displays. Whether your kid is into dinosaurs, Ancient Egypt, or local history, there is usually a rotation of new temporary exhibits too, so check the exhibitions page before you go.

Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The museum is closed on Mondays, on University of Tennessee holidays, and on days when the Vols play a home football game at Neyland Stadium (which sits just across Cayuga Drive) — so check the schedule on a fall Saturday before heading over. Parking is on the campus; the museum's visitor information page has the details on the closest garage and lot, and it's a short, flat walk from Circle Park. Free admission means you can pop in for 45 minutes or stay a full afternoon without worrying about the ticket price adding up for a big family.