Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley, NC is proud to announce new initiatives for  2010.  Maggie Valley's motorcycle mecca is looking towards its biggest year yet resuming regular, operations through the spring, summer and fall as of May 1.  The museum is expanding its schedule to be open five days per week, Thursday-Monday, from 9a.m.-5p.m.

Heralded as the "Smithsonian of Motorcycles", the museum is regarded as one of the world's premier destinations for motorcycle and transportation history, touted by its visitors as an "American cultural experience". 

Wheels Through Time is known for its dedication to preserving the heritage of American Transportation and its goal to educate its visitors to the history of our country's two-wheeled achievements.  The museum has entertained over 500,000 visitors since opening its doors in 2002, drawing visitors from all 50 states and 60 countries in 2009 alone.

Since its relocation to Western North Carolina, the museum has flourished as one of the area's largest and most popular attractions, boosting a sliding tourism economy.  Both the museum and the Town of Maggie Valley understand that Wheels Through Time has not reached its full potential for the area.

"The museum has the ability to bring unprecedented amounts of visitors to the Valley, and with the community and state behind it, we think that 2010 can be one of Maggie Valley's best years yet," said Maggie Valley Alderman, Scott Pauley. 

Western North Carolina is a magnet for motorcycle tourism.  State recognition of Wheels Through Time as resource will make the area more attractive to one of WNC's valuable tourism segments  --- motorcycle touring.  

As part of its agenda for 2010, Wheels Through Time will participate in the North Carolina Department of Commerce Visit North Carolina Partnership ad program.  The Museum is also working with the Department of Transportation, to attract both potential museum visitors and WNC travelers alike with an expanded sign program.

"The opportunity to partner with North Carolina allows Wheels Through Time to expand its potential audience and continue to provide a much needed impact to the economic well being of Maggie Valley and the state," said museum Advisory Board Chair, Bob White.  "This is very significant  step for the museum and North Carolina as a whole, and we're proud to continue to fulfill our mission here in Maggie Valley."

Over the past eight years, Wheels Through Time has continued to grow, expanding both the scope of its exhibits and its educational experience.

Part the Museum's mission for 2010 includes the construction of various new exhibitions and displays, including an exhibit celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway, which stretches 469 miles from the Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains, is the most visited National Park in the U.S. National Park System, as over 20,000,000 visitors ride and drive the parkway each year. Began in 1935, during the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, construction on the Blue Ridge Parkway took over 52-years, with the last portion being completed in 1987. Heralded as one of our country's most scenic motorways, the Blue Ridge Parkway continues to attract millions to the scenic beauty of the areas over which it extends.

The planned Wheels Through Time exhibit has already generated huge interest from motorcycle industry leaders and press, and is slated to open on June 11, 2010, and run through Memorial Day Weekend of 2011.

"We're excited to bring together one of our most All-American Roads with one of our country's best transportation museums. Both provide for a true All-American experience, and we're proud to share the history of the Blue Ridge Parkway as one of our most treasured and scenic motoring experiences, " said Walksler.

Beginning on May 1, 2010, the museum will be in full operation 5 days a week (Thursday-Monday) through the end of November.  To learn more about the Wheels Through Time Museum, visit their website, located at www.WheelsThroughTime.com, or call (828) 926-6266.