Quick Facts
About the Aquarium
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. The aquarium houses over 10,000 exotic sea creatures in more than 1.4 million gallons of water across multiple themed galleries. From the awe-inspiring shark tunnel to the playful penguin colony, it offers something captivating for visitors of all ages.
Opened in 2000, the aquarium has expanded significantly over the years to include new exhibits, interactive experiences, and special programs. Its downtown location makes it easy to combine with other Gatlinburg activities, and its completely indoor setting makes it the perfect attraction for rainy days or summer heat.
Approx drive time from our cabins: 15 minutes to the aquarium in downtown Gatlinburg.
The aquarium typically opens at 9 AM and closes at 9 PM (hours vary seasonally). Arrive right when it opens for the smallest crowds and easiest parking. The mid-afternoon hours tend to be the busiest, especially on rainy days when everyone heads indoors.
Shark Lagoon
The highlight for many visitors is the 340-foot underwater tunnel through Shark Lagoon. A moving walkway carries you through an acrylic tunnel surrounded by 750,000 gallons of water filled with sharks, green sea turtles, stingrays, and thousands of reef fish swimming all around and above you. Sand tiger sharks, nurse sharks, and blacktip reef sharks glide by just inches away.
The tunnel also features a stationary platform where you can step off the moving walkway and stay as long as you like. This is perfect for photography or simply soaking in the experience. The ambient lighting and gentle movement create a genuinely immersive feeling of being underwater.
Shark Lagoon concludes with an open-air viewing deck over the shark habitat and touch-a-ray bay where you can actually touch cownose rays and horseshoe crabs (no sharks in the touch tank).
Major Exhibits
Penguin Playhouse
The aquarium is home to a colony of African penguins in a climate-controlled habitat. You can watch them swim underwater through viewing windows, waddle on the rocky shore, and interact with their keepers during feeding times. The Penguin Playhouse is hugely popular with kids and adults alike. Check the daily schedule for penguin feeding times when the colony is especially active.
Coral Reef
A massive 200,000-gallon reef display showcases the colorful diversity of tropical reef ecosystems. Angelfish, tang, parrotfish, and hundreds of other species swim among living coral. The display is designed to replicate a healthy coral reef environment and is absolutely stunning for photography.
Discovery Center
This hands-on area features multiple touch tanks and interactive exhibits. Kids can touch horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, starfish, and other creatures while learning about marine biology from friendly staff. The Discovery Center is particularly excellent for younger children who want to do more than just look.
Tropical Rainforest
This gallery takes you above water to explore freshwater habitats from around the world. Piranhas, arapaima, and colorful tropical fish share space with reptiles and amphibians. Look up to spot exotic birds in the canopy above.
Gallery of the Seas
This collection of smaller displays highlights unusual and fascinating marine life, including sea horses, jellyfish, and a giant Pacific octopus. The jellyfish display with its color-changing LED lighting is particularly mesmerizing.
Stay Close to the Fun
Our cabins are perfectly located just 15 minutes from Ripley's Aquarium. Book now and make the most of your Gatlinburg adventure!
Check Cabin AvailabilityTouch Tank Experiences
Interactive touch tanks are found throughout the aquarium:
- Touch-A-Ray Bay: Pet cownose stingrays as they swim by. Their soft, velvety texture surprises most first-time touchers.
- Discovery Center Touch Tanks: Handle horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, starfish, and other invertebrates
- Shark Touch Tank: Actually touch small sharks in a supervised setting (check for availability)
- Horseshoe Crab Display: Learn about these ancient creatures and feel their armor
Staff members are always present at touch tanks to answer questions and ensure proper handling of the animals. Hand sanitizer stations are located nearby.
Touch tanks tend to be busiest in the early afternoon. If tactile experiences are important to your group, hit the touch tanks early in your visit when lines are shorter. Ask staff when feeding times are scheduled because the animals are more active (and approachable) after being fed.
Special Programs
The aquarium offers several premium experiences beyond general admission:
Penguin Encounter
Go behind the scenes to meet the African penguin colony up close. Learn about individual penguins, their personalities, and the care they receive. This is a popular add-on that books up quickly, especially during busy seasons. Check the website for availability and pricing.
Sleep with the Sharks
Groups can book overnight stays in the aquarium, sleeping next to the shark tunnel as fish swim overhead. This popular program includes after-hours access, educational activities, and breakfast. Perfect for scout troops, birthday parties, or family groups looking for an unforgettable experience.
Behind the Scenes Tours
Get a look at how a world-class aquarium operates, including filtration systems, food preparation, and animal care areas not visible to the general public.
Tickets and Planning
Check the Ripley's Aquarium website for current pricing and hours. Some key considerations:
- Online tickets are available and sometimes discounted
- Combination packages with other Ripley's attractions (Believe It or Not, Haunted Adventure, etc.) offer savings
- Children age 2 and under are typically free
- Special experiences (penguin encounter, sleep with sharks) require separate reservations
- Annual passes are available for frequent visitors to the area
- The aquarium is fully wheelchair and stroller accessible
Tips for Your Visit
- Best time to visit: Arrive right when doors open at 9 AM for smallest crowds
- Rainy days: Expect larger crowds when rain drives everyone indoors
- Plan enough time: Most visits take 2 to 3 hours to see everything
- Feeding times: Check the daily schedule for shark, penguin, and other animal feedings
- Photography: Flash photography is not allowed in most galleries. Smartphone cameras work surprisingly well in low light.
- Food: The aquarium has a cafe on site, or step outside for downtown restaurant options
- Parking: Use downtown Gatlinburg parking garages. The aquarium does not have its own lot.
- Strollers: Allowed throughout and easy to navigate with wide pathways
Nearby Attractions
The aquarium's central downtown location puts you steps away from other activities:
Approx Drive Time from Our Cabins
| Location | Drive Time |
|---|---|
| Our Cabins to Ripley's Aquarium | Approx 15 minutes |
