Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

One of the most visited attractions in Gatlinburg and one of the finest aquariums in the country — thousands of sea creatures across multiple themed galleries, in the heart of downtown.

From the 340-foot underwater shark tunnel with sharks gliding overhead to the daily Penguin Parade, the interactive touch pools, and a glass bottom boat over Shark Lagoon, it's equal parts spectacle and hands-on experience. It earns a spot on most Gatlinburg itineraries, and it earns it every time.

Looking for a base nearby? Our Gatlinburg cabin rentals are minutes from downtown.

What's inside

Shark Lagoon and the 340-foot tunnel

The centerpiece, and one of the most impressive single exhibits in any aquarium. Guests travel on a moving glidepath along the ocean floor while sandtiger sharks, nurse sharks, tarpon, giant stingrays, sawfish, sea turtles, and hundreds of other creatures circle overhead and on all sides. Glass on three sides, unhurried, and genuinely jaw-dropping.

Penguin Playhouse

Consistently a guest favorite. You see the African penguin colony from multiple angles — above water on their beach, and below through glass panels where they zip and spin at surprising speed. A crawl-through tunnel emerges inside the habitat for a nose-to-beak encounter.

Touch A Ray Bay

A shallow lagoon where you reach out and touch stingrays as they glide past. Their skin is smooth, and the interaction doesn't harm the animals. Keepers are on hand to guide it, and horseshoe crabs are available to touch in the same area.

Coral Reef

A meticulously recreated reef ecosystem, with live dive and feeding shows scheduled through the day.

Tropical Rainforest

An Amazon-themed exhibit with piranhas, poison dart frogs, and exotic freshwater species — a sharp contrast to the ocean galleries.

Jellyfish Gallery

Moon jellies and other translucent species pulsing through illuminated tanks. The most calming room in the building.

Glass Bottom Boat Adventure

A guided boat tour above Shark Lagoon — a completely different perspective on the same sharks you just watched from below.

Discovery Treehouse

A three-story indoor play structure for younger guests, and a good energy outlet between galleries.

Daily shows

Pick up a show schedule at the entrance when you arrive. Daily programming typically includes the Penguin Parade, penguin feedings, a Ray Bay dive, and a coral reef dive where divers enter the tank and interact with the fish while guests watch from outside.

Build your visit around the shows you most want to catch — the Penguin Parade is the one worth arriving early for.

Special programs

• Sleep with the Sharks — the most popular overnight program. Groups spend the night in the Shark Lagoon tunnel with sharks swimming overhead, with after-hours access, a late-night snack, activities, and breakfast. Books up months ahead in peak season
• PJ Party with the Penguins — the same overnight concept, centered on the penguin colony
• Pints & Penguins — an adults-only sleepover with animal experiences, food, and a full bar
• Painting with Penguins — a guided creative session alongside the resident colony
• Penguin Encounter — a behind-the-scenes add-on to meet the colony up close and talk with their keepers
• Behind the Scenes Tours — a look at the operational areas and how aquarists care for thousands of animals daily
• Educational and summer camp programs — for school groups and campers

All special programs require advance booking and are subject to availability. Details at ripleys.com.

Tickets and discounts

Buy tickets in advance at ripleys.com. Nothing needs printing — tickets are retrieved from your phone via email confirmation.

Discounts are counter-only. Military, first responder, AAA, senior, and county resident discounts are available at the ticket counter with valid ID, but not online. If you qualify, buy in person. Check ripleys.com for current terms.

Combo tickets are the better value. Ripley's operates nine attractions in Gatlinburg, and bundles combining the Aquarium with the Haunted Adventure, the Odditorium, and others save significantly.

Hours and location

Open daily, year-round, typically from mid-morning until evening. Hours vary seasonally — confirm at ripleys.com before visiting.

Dining: the Feeding Frenzy Cafe is on the lower level near the gift shop ramp. No outside food or drinks are permitted inside.

Accessibility

The aquarium is stroller and wheelchair friendly throughout, with ramps, wider corridors, and accessible restrooms. ADA-defined service dogs and guide dogs are permitted; emotional support animals are not.

Tips for a better visit

• Arrive early. Early arrivals get the galleries before the crowds build. Midday on weekends and holidays is the busiest stretch
• Check the show schedule first. Pick it up at the entrance and plan your route around it, especially the Penguin Parade
• Ride the glidepath. Step onto the moving floor in the shark tunnel and let it carry you through rather than walking past — the experience is meaningfully better slow
• Book overnight programs well ahead. Sleep with the Sharks fills months in advance during peak season
• Best rainy-day option in the Smokies. Entirely indoors, and the first thing to move to when the weather turns
• Budget two to three hours. Many guests stay longer to revisit favorite exhibits or catch a second show

Nearby

88 River Road puts the aquarium in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg. See our things to do guide for more.

• Mysterious Mansion — Gatlinburg's oldest haunted house, steps away on River Road
• Anakeesta — mountaintop gondola and adventure park, with the gondola entrance steps from the Parkway
• Gatlinburg SkyPark — North America's longest pedestrian cable bridge
• Gatlinburg Space Needle — a 407-foot observation tower with 360-degree views
• Ripley's Believe It or Not! and Haunted Adventure — both a short walk up the Parkway
• Dining nearby — riverside Mexican directly across the Parkway, wood-fired pizza on River Road, and plenty more within a few blocks

Frequently asked questions

How long should I plan to spend?

Two to three hours for a thorough visit. Many guests stay longer to revisit exhibits or catch additional shows and feedings.

What is the Penguin Parade?

A daily event where members of the African penguin colony walk through the aquarium alongside their keepers, passing guests at close range. It's the most popular thing that happens here — check the schedule at the entrance and plan around it.

What is Sleep with the Sharks?

An overnight program where groups sleep inside the Shark Lagoon tunnel while sharks swim overhead, with educational activities and breakfast included. It books up months in advance during peak season.

Can you touch the stingrays?

Yes, at Touch A Ray Bay. Their skin is smooth, keepers guide the interaction, and it's harmless to the animals. Horseshoe crabs are available to touch in the same area.

Do I need to print my tickets?

No — tickets arrive by email and are retrieved from your phone.

Are military and first responder discounts available?

Yes, with valid ID, and they extend to additional guests. Counter-only, not available online. Check ripleys.com for current terms.

Is it stroller and wheelchair accessible?

Yes — fully accessible throughout, with ramps, wider corridors, and accessible restrooms.

Is it a good rainy day option?

One of the best. It's entirely indoors, which makes it the obvious move when the weather turns — though everyone else has the same idea, so expect it busier on wet days.

Is it worth it for adults without kids?

Yes. The shark tunnel and the jellyfish gallery hold up on their own, and the adults-only overnight events exist precisely because grown-ups keep coming back.