Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies: Complete Guide

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is consistently rated one of the top aquariums in the United States and is Gatlinburg's most visited attraction. Voted Best U.S. Aquarium by USA Today Readers and named one of the Top 5 Aquariums in the World by TripAdvisor, it's not just the best indoor attraction in Gatlinburg — it's one of the genuinely great aquariums in the country.

The aquarium houses over 10,000 exotic sea creatures in more than 1.4 million gallons of water across multiple themed galleries. From the thundering 12-foot sharks circling the 340-foot underwater tunnel to the waddling African penguins on their daily parade, there's something around every corner that earns a genuine gasp.

Here's everything you need to know before you go — with a full guide to exhibits, daily shows, special programs, and the tips that make a great visit even better.

Essential information

1. Walk the 340-foot shark tunnel

This is the centerpiece of the entire aquarium — and one of the most dramatic experiences in all of Gatlinburg. A 340-foot underwater tunnel through Shark Lagoon surrounds you with sharks and rays on all sides as you ride a slow-moving glide path through the middle. Twelve-foot sharks pass within arm's reach overhead. "Sally," a giant green sea turtle, drifts serenely above you. Stingrays glide past at eye level. The tunnel takes only a few minutes to walk, but most visitors ride it multiple times — standing still and letting the creatures come to you is just as mesmerizing.

Pro tip: Ride the glide path on the way in, then walk back through on your own on the way out for a completely different perspective.

2. Ride the glass bottom boat over Shark Lagoon

Separate from the tunnel walkthrough, the Glass Bottom Boat Adventure takes you directly over Shark Lagoon in a boat with a transparent floor — only three inches of glass separate you from the sharks circling below your feet. This is a ticketed add-on experience not included in general admission, and it's worth every penny for anyone who wants the most immersive shark encounter the aquarium offers.

3. Catch the daily penguin parade

Join the African penguins as they parade around the aquarium each day on their enrichment path, eager to meet you. Keepers walk alongside the penguins through the hallways as the birds waddle past guests at close range, looking curiously in every direction. Check the daily schedule board at the entrance for the current parade time and put it in your plan. It's one of those moments that sounds cute in description and is genuinely magical in person — kids lose their minds, and adults aren't far behind.

4. Watch the hourly dive & feeding shows

The aquarium offers interactive dive and feeding shows throughout the day. Divers enter the massive tanks to hand-feed sharks, rays, and sea turtles while narrating over an underwater microphone as you watch from outside the glass. There's also a separate daily show at Stingray Bay where you can watch keepers feed and interact with the rays they care for. Check the daily schedule board at the entrance to time your visit around the shows you most want to see.

5. Touch stingrays, jellyfish & horseshoe crabs

Visitors can touch horseshoe crabs, jellyfish, and stingrays in the aquarium's hands-on areas. Touch-a-Ray Bay is the most popular — dip your hands into the shallow pool and feel stingrays glide smoothly past your palms, their skin an almost velvety texture that surprises most first-time touchers. The jellyfish touch tank is a separate, zen-like encounter where moon jellies drift under your fingertips — equally good for toddlers and adults.

6. Explore the "Dragons: Myths Made Real" exhibit

How did reptiles inspire dragon myths around the world? Find out and meet fascinating basilisks, pythons, and monitors — today's real-life "dragons." The exhibit explores the cultural history of dragon mythology across civilizations while showcasing the living reptiles that inspired those legends. It's educational, visually dramatic, and one of the few aquarium exhibits that genuinely surprises adults as much as kids.

7. Play in the 3-story Discovery Treehouse

The three-story Discovery Treehouse Play Center is built for younger visitors who want to climb, crawl, and explore rather than just observe. Multiple levels of interactive play are themed around marine and nature concepts, and the structure is large enough that kids can spend a full hour working through it. The surrounding Discovery Center adds touch tanks with starfish, sea urchins, and other hands-on specimens — a great option for tiring out the little ones before the drive home.

8. Watch the mermaids (summer seasonal)

Professional mermaids perform underwater acrobatics in the main tanks during the summer season — a mesmerizing show that blends athleticism with theatrical storytelling. Want more mermaid time? The aquarium typically offers a "Breakfast With a Mermaid" morning program with activities, food, and "shell-fie" photos that gives kids extended one-on-one time with the performers. Mermaid programming is seasonal (generally summer only), so if it's a priority for your family, check the current schedule at ripleys.com and plan accordingly.

9. Sleep with the sharks

Sleeping with the Sharks is the aquarium's legendary overnight program, where your group sleeps directly beneath the shark tank in the Shark Lagoon tunnel — without question one of the most memorable things you can do in Gatlinburg with kids roughly ages 6 to 16. The sleepover includes admission, a shark tunnel walking tour, educational programming, evening snacks, and breakfast. Spots are extremely limited and book far in advance, especially in summer and during school holidays. There's also a PJ Party with the Penguins — a gentler, sleepover-style evening in the Penguin Playhouse.

10. Book a penguin encounter or penguin painting

The Penguin Encounter takes you behind the scenes into the Penguin Playhouse for a guided meet-and-greet with the African penguin colony — up close, personal, and genuinely unforgettable. The Penguin Painting program lets you take home a one-of-a-kind piece of art made by one of the penguins themselves, pressed directly onto canvas — one of the most distinctive souvenirs in the Smokies. Both programs book up fast; reserve in advance at ripleys.com.

11. Explore the Gallery of the Seas and poison arrow frog exhibit

Some of the most visually striking moments aren't in the main exhibits — they're in the smaller galleries. The Gallery of the Seas features pink sea anemones, electric-yellow tang, deep-orange octopus, and creatures that look like something out of a fever dream. The Poison Arrow Frog exhibit showcases some of the most colorful — and most toxic — animals on Earth in vivid close-up displays that explain how and why nature evolved such extreme camouflage and warning systems.

12. Enjoy summer plaza events

In summer, the aquarium hosts free events on the Plaza — Critter Close-ups, Dance Party days, and Ocean Bluegrass Nights among them. These outdoor events are included with aquarium admission and add a whole new dimension to a summer visit: live music with a Smoky Mountain twist alongside close encounters with the aquarium's traveling animal ambassadors. If you're visiting in summer, check the current calendar at ripleys.com and plan to stay into the evening to catch an Ocean Bluegrass Night on the Plaza.

Practical tips for your visit

Buy tickets online. Online tickets save about $3 per person versus the gate, and you skip the ticket line — go straight to entry.

Arrive at opening. The first hour is the least crowded, the penguins are most active in the morning, and you'll have the shark tunnel largely to yourself before the midday rush.

Check the daily schedule board at entry. Feeding shows, the penguin parade, and any special events are posted at the entrance. Build your visit around the shows you most want to see.

Eat at Feeding Frenzy Cafe. It's on the lower level near the ramp to the gift shop. No outside food or drinks are permitted inside, so plan to grab a snack or meal here during a 2–4 hour visit.

Perfect rainy-day option. The completely indoor setting makes it the ideal attraction for rainy days or summer heat.

Book overnight programs far in advance. Sleeping with the Sharks and PJ Party with the Penguins are extremely popular and book up months ahead during peak season.

Frequently asked questions

What is the #1 thing to do in Gatlinburg?

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is the number one thing to do in Gatlinburg — a title it has consistently held for years based on visitor volume and review ratings.

How long should I plan for Ripley's Aquarium?

Plan on 2 to 3 hours for a thorough visit. Families with young children sometimes stay up to 4 hours, especially if they attend a feeding show or stingray encounter.

Are mermaid shows available year-round?

No — mermaid programming is seasonal, generally running in the summer months. If mermaids are a priority for your family, check the current schedule at ripleys.com and plan your visit accordingly.

What age is Ripley's Aquarium good for?

Ripley's Aquarium is great for all ages — infants 1 and under get in free. The 3-story Discovery Treehouse and touch tanks are ideal for toddlers; the shark tunnel and feeding shows work for every age; and the overnight programs are perfect for school-age kids.

Is there parking at Ripley's Aquarium?

A paid parking garage is available directly behind the aquarium. It's also located at the Mass Transit Center in downtown Gatlinburg, so the Fun Time Trolley stops here from multiple routes across the city.

Can I visit Ripley's Aquarium on a rainy day?

Absolutely — it's the ideal rainy-day activity. The entire experience is indoors and generally takes 2–4 hours, making it one of the best ways to fill an overcast Smoky Mountain day.