Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, TN

88 River Road • Gatlinburg, TN 37738
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Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
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Overview

An award-winning and top-rated aquarium in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Ripley’s® Aquarium of the Smokies offers a variety of interactive experiences and exhibits that showcase the many thousands of exotic sea creatures that call this venue home. Guests can touch real stingrays, travel along a 340-foot moving glidepath beneath a sea of sharks, paint a piece of artwork with penguins, and much more.

Good To Know

from Ashley, one of our Gatlinburg Travel Experts
  • City Parking Garage behind Ripley’s Aquarium is cash only.
  • Trolley stop in front of Aquarium.
  • Allot 2 hours for self-guided tour.
  • Evening hours are less crowded.
  • Cameras and videos allowed.
  • Open 365 days a year
  • No outside food or drinks allowed.
  • Voted America’s #1 Aquarium by TripAdvisor.
  • Family Package and combo tickets available.
  • Live animal shows and interactive experiences make for a memorable visit.
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Insights from Tripster's own team members

Joan B.

Loved the shark tunnel and penguin exhibit! The new Pearl Harbor exhibit is nicely done and very informative.

Description

from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Voted Best U.S. Aquarium by USA Today 10Best.com, one of the Top 5 Aquariums in the USA & the World by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice, and Top Destination to See Penguins by USA Today!

2019 All-New Exhibit: Savage Seas - Tales of Adventure, Myth and Ruin
Life at sea isn’t for everyone! Find out what it takes to survive on the open waters. Arrr yet fit for it?! This new exhibit features 5 tanks,10 interactive experiences, and more that highlights life on the savage seas, shipwrecks, sea monsters and mother nature. Dig through magical sand to uncover buried treasure. Experience how divers work to uncover buried vessels using special diving gloves. Brave hurricane-force winds in a mighty storm simulation, and take your photo with Ripley’s resident sea monster.

Explore the Amazing Aquatic World Up-Close!
Marvel at 12-foot sharks, a giant sea turtle, thousands of exotic sea creatures and playful penguins as you enjoy the most spectacular, state-of-the-art underwater tunnels! Touch horseshoe crabs, jellyfish, and stingrays. Play in the new 3-story Discovery Treehouse & Play Center!. Experience a ride over Shark Lagoon in the New Glass Bottom Boat (additional cost). See Mermaids swimming in June & July!

Family fun, interactive, hourly dive/feeding shows, and much, much more!

Exhibits at Ripley's Aquarium Include:
  • Tropical RainForest

  • Ocean Realm

  • Systems Control

  • Coral Reef

  • Shark Lagoon

  • Discovery Center

  • Gallery of the Seas

  • Stingray Bay

  • Touch a Ray Bay

  • Penguin Playhouse

  • Glass Bottom Boats (Additional Cost)


Open 365 days a year. Located in downtown Gatlinburg at traffic light #5.


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Promotional Images (44)
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee Savage Seas - Tales of Adventure, Myth and Ruin at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee Blueface Angelfish - Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee Savage Seas - Tales of Adventure, Myth and Ruin at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
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Tripster Customer Reviews

519 Reviews
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Edward Hall
Marshfield, MO
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"OMGatlinburg"
September 2019 NEW
We Googled to see the closing time of the Aquarium when the ad for discount tickets popped up. It was very easy for this 53 yr. Old to navigate and we saved enough to pay for the snack we were having. Extremely satisfied with Tripster and Ripley's. Highly recommended.
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Karen Lackey
lenoir, NC
3 Reviews
Verified Traveler
"Great experience"
August 2019 NEW
First time trip for our 3yr old he loved the animals was amazed and the play area was a huge hit
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Billie Hopper
Fultondale, AL
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Great for Senior citizens"
August 2019 NEW
Purchased Aquarium tickets online through Tripster and was able to just show up without standing in line. So convienient for seniors like my husband and myself. Will definitely use Tripster again. Really enjoyed the Aquarium.
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Tip: To get tickets in advance so you won’t have to stand in line.

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Connie Langley
Greenville, NC
2 Reviews
Verified Traveler
"Wonderful place to take your kids"
August 2019
My 9 year old daughter and her grandmother went and they had the best time. Charli was a bit disappointed there were no sea turtles and the wall for touch pool for sting rays was too big. But overall it was a super fun place to go especially when its raining. Sharks were facinating to watch. Staff were helpful and imformative. Grandmother had a scooter and staff was very helpful in assisting her getting in and out. Would highly recommend this attraction for any age
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Tip: Might be to short to touch sting rays, may not be any sea turtles

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Shannon Riley
Huntington, WV
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"My son loved it!"
August 2019
We went midweek around 2 and it wasn't too crowded. My son loved it so much he could've stared at the sharks all day! lol
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Sandra Barron
Nesbit, MS
2 Reviews
Verified Traveler
"Sandra"
August 2019
Everything was very well kept . Very nice experience. Had a wonderful time .
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Tripster Customer
bowling green, KY
3 Reviews
Verified Traveler
"Aquarium"
July 2019
It was great I got some awesome pictures and there was a lot to look at for the price im just too short to touch the string rays :(
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Tip: You can go through it multiple times if you choose

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Jodi Ramirez
Charlotte, NC
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"My favorite aquarium"
July 2019
Lived in FL and this aquarium is better than the aquariums that we went to there. This was the highlight of our vacation.
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TripAdvisor Reviews
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AnonymousBean
Jonesboro, Arkansas
"Large, spectacular moving walkway beneath the water"
TripAdvisor user rating 5 out of 5
Reviewed September 16, 2019 NEW
I would recommend fitting this into your visit to Gatlinburg, for sure. The moving walkway underneath the main aquarium is beautiful and mesmerizing. We found this to be one of the cleanest & clearest aquariums we've ever been to. I honestly enjoyed it more than Chicago's Shedd Aquarium. If you don't have children or are on a date, try to visit during the week after 5 or 6pm. You'll pretty much have the place to yourselves with ample time to observe all of the exhibits and marine life.
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gad000
"Beautiful"
TripAdvisor user rating 5 out of 5
Reviewed September 16, 2019 NEW
don't miss this loved everything about the Aquarium, have your camra ready a lot to see you can spend as much time as you want . the feeding of the Penguins was my favorite
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Kaytee1006
Mooresville, North Carolina
"Loved the Aquarium!! "
TripAdvisor user rating 5 out of 5
Reviewed September 15, 2019 NEW
We had an amazing time visiting the Aquarium. It wasn’t super busy so you could walk around and take your time looking at all of the exhibits. We have been to other smaller aquariums but really enjoyed the way this one was laid out so we could allow the kids to play a little bit before moving on about half way thru. Make sure to find a coupon for $ off admission. (We found $3 off adult & $2 off children at the Pancake Pantry)
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Travelmorethanyou
Tennessee
"Worth it"
TripAdvisor user rating 5 out of 5
Reviewed September 15, 2019 NEW
This was a good experience. Price was fair. Very clean and time here was well spent. Plenty to take in.
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Melisa L
"Penguin encounter "
TripAdvisor user rating 5 out of 5
Reviewed September 15, 2019 NEW
I recommend this to anyone who loves penguins you and pet one and for a little extra have them make a penguin painting of there feet for you.
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Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is located at 88 River Road • Gatlinburg, TN 37738
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Frequently Asked Questions about Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

How long does it take to tour the attraction?
We recommend allowing 2 hours or more to tour the aquarium.

Where can I park?
There are various parking areas nearby in Gatlinburg. There is a City owned parking garage directly behind the Aquarium. The City charges a maximum of $6 per day.

Do you have stroller rentals? Are strollers allowed?
The aquarium is stroller friendly. Strollers can be rented at guest services for $3.

Do you allow pets?
Only service animals are allowed.

Are cameras allowed?
Yes, you can take pictures and or take video to share with your friends.

Is the aquarium wheelchair accessible?
Yes it is, we also offer wheelchairs available at guest services.

Are any of the Unique Experiences included with the admission ticket?
No, that costs extra.  If you are looking to Splash with the Stingrays or participate in the Penguin Encounter or any other special tours, you can call the aquarium directly for an additional fee.

Can I leave and revisit the same day?

Sorry, the tickets are good for one-time admission to the aquarium.

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Customer Support

Customer Support

Contact us for support or help booking your trip at 1-800-590-4428.

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