Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Tickets in Gatlinburg, TN

88 River RoadGatlinburg, TN 37738
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Starting at
$39.99
Total Price: $45.47 (USD)
INSTANT CONFIRMATION
NO SERVICE FEES

Overview

An award-winning aquarium in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies offers interactive experiences and exhibits that showcase thousands of exotic sea creatures that call this aquarium home. Touch stingrays, glide along a 340-foot moving path beneath a sea of sharks, encounter playful penguins in their indoor/outdoor habitat, and much more!

1 or more people

Good To Know

  • Discover playful penguins and thousands of exotic sea creatures, including a giant sea turtle, jellyfish, stingrays, sharks, and more.
  • Fun for the whole family. Infants ages one and under visit free!
  • Free Gatlinburg Trolley stops at the Mass Transit Center at the aquarium.
  • A paid parking garage is located directly behind the aquarium.
  • Allow about 2 hours to walk through all the exhibits.
  • The aquarium is stroller-friendly, but please note that they no longer allow stroller-wagons or large running strollers inside the building.
  • No outside food or drinks are allowed. If you work up an appetite, you can grab a bite at Feeding Frenzy, located on the lower level near the ramp to the gift shop.
  • Wheelchairs, noise-canceling headphones, and sensory bags are available for use free of charge from the guest services counter on a first-come, first-serve basis. Valid ID required.

Discover More With Us

Insights from Tripster's own team members
Joan B. Tripster User Profile Image

Joan B.

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

Description

Explore the aquatic world up close at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee—voted Best U.S. Aquarium by USA Today 10Best and Top 5 Aquariums in the USA & the World by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies tickets offer a day of family fun with interactive activities, hourly dive shows, and much, much more!

This Gatlinburg aquarium is teeming with thousands of exotic sea creatures comprised of over 350 species. Marvel at 12-foot sharks, a giant sea turtle, and more as you travel through a state-of-the-art underwater tunnel Visit Penguin Playhouse—voted best place to see penguins by USA Today! Enjoy hands-on experiences like touching horseshoe crabs, jellyfish, and stingrays, and playing in the three-story Discovery Treehouse & Play Center. Don't miss a ride over Shark Lagoon in Ripley's Glass Bottom Boat adventure (additional cost). And see Mermaids swimming in June and July.

Ripley's Aquarium Exhibits 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)

Book your tickets today for a day filled with interactive exhibits and unforgettable marine encounters!


Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Reviews

542 Reviews
Robert R. Tripster User Profile Image
Robert R.
Corbin, KY
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Awesome experience"
September 2024 NEW
My 4 yr old & 3 yr old absolutely loved the aquarium. So much to see. Highly recommend a family trip to the aquarium for anyone with kids. You will not be disappointed.
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Tip: Lots of parking. Plenty of dining options inside the aquarium and within walking distance

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PATRICIA NELSON Tripster User Profile Image
PATRICIA NELSON
Check, VA
2 Reviews
Verified Traveler
"Great Aquarium"
September 2024
I have been to several of these all over the US. This one was smaller but still exciting. Disappointed to see several dead fish in tanks with other fish eating them. Not a good sight.
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Tip: Very rude woman employee at picture taking entrance. Had a hateful attitude to customers.

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Deborah Griffith Tripster User Profile Image
Deborah Griffith
Boonaboro, MD
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Hassle free"
August 2024
Very easy touse
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Tip: Gatlinburg aquarium was great

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HEATHER LAWRENCE Tripster User Profile Image
HEATHER LAWRENCE
Broadway, VA
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Awesome!"
May 2024
This is the second time my family has gone and it was just as amazing
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Sarai Riffel Tripster User Profile Image
Sarai Riffel
Newborn, GA
2 Reviews
Verified Traveler
"Fantastic!"
May 2024
Our entire family enjoyed our visit to the aquarium. Plenty to see along with interactive things for the children to do. They loved the pop up sections inside some of the aquariums and the penguin area. The moving side was much longer than we expected. Such fun!!!
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Tip: Interactive, plenty to do and see

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Michael Leader Tripster User Profile Image
Michael Leader
Hopewell, PA
2 Reviews
Verified Traveler
"Sharks!"
May 2024
Nice Aquarium for people of all ages. My oldest grandson loved all the sharks especially when you went thru the tunnel and they were swimming all around you. Another hit was the Penguin encounter. Kids loved it.
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Tip: Try to plan your visit at the right time. The shark feeding was at 11:30am. And the Penguin Parade was at 1:30. Try not to miss!

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Sherie Dudley Tripster User Profile Image
Sherie Dudley
Trussville, AL
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Time at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies"
March 2024
I took my family of 7 to the aquarium and it was one of the highlights of our trip. We had a one year old an eighteen month old and a three year old with us and they loved it. There was something for everyone. We purchased our tickets with tripster and skipped the line of people and went straight in. There was parking behind the aquarium that made it very easy to come and go with the kids.
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Tip: Buy tickets with Tripster they always have some type of savings for you. The Aquarium was great for us it happen to rain on the day we planed to go and it was great to have such wonderful things for the kids to do that were inside. The gift store had very reasonably prices .

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Julia Vanwinkle Tripster User Profile Image
Julia Vanwinkle
Louisville, KY
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Great place to visit"
March 2024
Very fun experience. There is a moving walkway you can observe all animals all around you. There is even a place to touch some animals in the water. Definitely recommend
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Tip: Be aware that it is a little humid in the building

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Frequently Asked Questions about Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Where can I park?

There are various parking areas nearby in Gatlinburg. There is also a city-owned parking garage located directly behind the aquarium. The City charges a maximum of $10 per day (subject to change).

Do children need their own tickets to be admitted?

Yes, but children under the age of 2 are admitted to the aquarium for free! Please note that the combo tickets are not available for children aged 2. Instead, please purchase individual attraction tickets at the discounted children's price.

How long does it take to tour the aquarium?

It's best to allow 2 hours or more to tour the aquarium to walk through all of the exhibits. The tour is self-guided and you can take as long as you like.

Is re-entry allowed?

Unfortunately, no. Tickets are only valid for one-time entry to the aquarium.

Are cameras allowed?

Yes! Feel free to take pictures and videos to capture all the fun and share with your friends and family.

Is the aquarium wheelchair accessible?

The aquarium is wheelchair accessible. However, please note that some rides and activities that are part of the combo tickets, such as Ripley’s Mountain Coaster and Super Fun Park, are not ADA-accessible due to the nature of the ride or activity.

Are pets allowed?

Only ADA-defined service animals are allowed.

Are there wheelchairs and strollers for rent on site?

Yes. Wheelchairs are available for use on a first-come, first-serve basis with a government-issued ID, and strollers are available for rent at the guest services counter for a fee. You may also bring your own strollers.