You’re driving down Broad Street in Murfreesboro, and if you aren’t looking for it, you might just miss the turn-off. It looks like a standard city building at first glance. But honestly, the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring is probably one of the weirdest, most wonderful hybrids of a science center and a wild swamp you’ll ever find in Tennessee.
Most people think it's just a place to drop the kids for an hour so they can burn off some steam on a slide. They're wrong. It’s actually a 20-acre urban wetland restoration project that happens to have a massive, award-winning museum bolted onto it.
Why the Location Is Actually Kind of a Big Deal
The ground you're standing on wasn't always a "discovery" spot. Back in the day, this was the site of the old Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Plant. It was industrial. It was gritty. It wasn't exactly where you’d take a toddler to learn about frogs.
In the late 90s, the city and some very determined parents decided to flip the script. They didn't just build a museum; they used the ruins of the old plant to create something unique. If you look closely at the outdoor plaza, you’ll see salvaged pump equipment turned into sculptures. It’s got this cool industrial-meets-nature vibe that most children's museums lack.
The wetlands themselves are a miracle of engineering. This area is the lowest point in the local watershed. That means every time it rains in Murfreesboro, the runoff heads straight here. The boardwalks aren't just for show; they allow you to walk over a literal swamp that filters the city’s stormwater.
The Wetlands: More Than Just a Walk
Don't skip the boardwalk. Seriously.
Even if you don't go inside the museum, the Murfree Spring wetlands are free to the public and open from dawn to dusk. You’ve got a solid chance of seeing river otters. Yeah, real otters in the middle of a city.
The birdwatching here is legit. We’re talking Green Herons, Wood Ducks, and even the occasional Sora or Virginia Rail if you're lucky. In 2025, the site was even featured on "Tennessee’s Wild Side" because it’s such a successful example of urban habitat restoration.
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Inside the Walls: Where the Chaos Happens
Once you step inside the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, the energy shifts. It’s loud. It’s bright. It’s exactly what a kid’s brain looks like on the inside.
- The Two-Story Slide: This is the rite of passage. If your kid doesn't go down this thing at least twenty times, did you even go? It’s basically the highway between the upper and lower floors.
- WaterWorks: This isn't just a "splash table." It’s a full-on lesson in fluid dynamics. There are vortex ball-drops and a hydroelectric dam. Warning: your kids will get wet. Even with the provided yellow raincoats, expect some damp sleeves.
- Tiny Town: This is the role-play area. It’s got a Publix, a medical clinic, and the "Farm to Table" exhibit which actually won some national awards. It’s basically a mini-Murfreesboro.
- Tennessee Live!: This is where you get face-to-face with the locals—the scaly kind. Turtles, snakes, and fish from the actual Tennessee ecosystem live here.
Starting January 1, 2026, admission is $15 for everyone over 12 months old. If you’re a local and you plan on going more than twice a year, just get the membership. The $140 "Discovery" level covers an adult, four kids, and a guest. Plus, it gets you into 350 other museums across the country for free through the ASTC Passport program. It’s one of those "math just makes sense" situations.
What Nobody Tells You About Visiting
If you go on a Tuesday morning during the school year, be prepared for the "Yellow Vest Invasion." Field trips are the lifeblood of this place. If you want a quieter experience, try hitting it up around 2:00 PM on a weekday. The groups are usually heading back to their buses by then, and you’ll have the WaterWorks table mostly to yourself.
Also, they don’t really sell full meals. There are snacks and drinks in the gift shop, but you’re better off packing a lunch. There are picnic tables outside near the wetlands that are great if the weather isn't a total disaster.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
- Check the Calendar: They do "Tasty Tuesdays" for kids who like to cook and "All Access Nights" for families who need a sensory-friendly, quieter environment.
- Dress for the Swamp: If you're doing the boardwalk, wear shoes you don't mind getting a little dusty. If you're staying inside, bring a spare shirt for the WaterWorks fans.
- The Pokemon Go Factor: If you play, this place is a goldmine. The wetlands loop is packed with stops and spawns. It’s a great way to keep older kids (and adults) moving while the little ones look for turtles.
- Parking Hack: The main lot fills up fast. If it's jammed, turn right out of the lot and follow the signs for additional parking. It’s a short walk, and it saves you from doing circles in the main lot.
The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring isn't just a Murfreesboro staple; it's a blueprint for how cities can take "dead" industrial space and turn it into a living, breathing classroom. Go for the science, stay for the otters.