There Is A Hidden Aquarium In Gatlinburg You Need To See!

Did you know there is a hidden aquarium in Gatlinburg, Tennessee?! I realize the foothills of the Smoky Mountains is the last place you would go to look for ocean creatures. But, trust me, you don’t want to miss it!

This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.

Our family enjoyed every minute at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies surrounded by ocean creatures like colorful fish, sea turtles, and sharks. There is so much to see and do, including mermaid shows and touch tanks. We hope this guide will help you during the planning stages of your trip.

Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg

On the second day of our stay at Pioneer Cabins and Guest Farm, we decided to visit the aquarium in Gatlinburg that we heard so much about. Since we homeschool, I made sure to check and see if they offered a homeschool discount. Turns out, Ripley’s LOVES homeschoolers! It states it right on their website! Ripley’s offers a walk up homeschool discount which includes teachers (parents), students, and siblings in the same household.  You must also provide either a letter of intent, attendance record, or homeschool ID card at the admission windows in order to receive this discount.  So, with our ID’s in hand, we forged on.

It was a scenic 50 minute drive from Townsend, where we were staying, which wasn’t too bad.  We arrived shortly after they opened and the lines moved quickly.  While waiting, the large tent overhead, complete with fans, helped greatly with the heat and sun. The attendant at the window was very friendly and welcoming.  She offered a souvenir booklet that had descriptions of each exhibit, trivia questions, and other information about the aquarium.  We purchased one so our kids could flip through it during our visit, and also for when we got home.

Check out our list of Over 30 Incredible Ocean Themed Books, Games and Resources

Let’s Get Our Feet Wet!

The aquarium is divided into two levels, complete with whale skeletons hanging from the ceiling, and a large four-story play structure.  The upper level exhibits include the Ocean Realm, Shark Lagoon, Touch-A-Ray Bay, and the Tropical Rainforest, where we decided to start.

The Upper Level

Tropical Rainforest 

The exhibit takes you deep into a Tropical Rainforest to see all of the different creatures that are found there.  Some of our kids’ favorites were the Mudskippers, Poison Dart Frogs, Coconut Crab and Anableps – a four eyed fish from South America.

Ocean Realm

Venture down deep into the ocean and discover a large variety of marine life.  There is no shortage of things to see as there are so many different fish.  Exhibits are at just the right height so that children, and adults, can easily view them.

Shark Lagoon

Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg is where you will find the Shark Lagoon. It is home to over 8,500 aquatic animals and here you are able to see giant stingrays, a green sea turtle, nurse sharks, sawfish, sand tiger sharks, and much more. 

The lagoon features plenty of above water viewing options.  Marine life frequently swim close to the surface and the low walls allow for children to easily see everything that passes by.

There is also an underwater glass tunnel you can walk through, INSIDE the lagoon!  It’s as long as a football field, and really makes you feel like you are swimming with the fish.  The walkway through the tunnel is half glide path and half carpet, which means you can either hop on and enjoy the ride, or go at your own pace as you walk.

We highly recommend a couple trips through the tunnel because there is so much to see.  Plus, who doesn’t love to see sharks swimming a couple feet above your head?!?  As long as it’s through really thick glass!!

Touch-a-Ray Bay

Touch-a-Ray Bay is a great opportunity to get so close to a stingray, that you can touch it.  Wondering what they feel like?  Imagine fine sandpaper that is covered in slime.  It was not at all like what you “think” they would feel like.  Our kids enjoyed it so we hung around here for a little while.

If you are looking for some books about Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains to go along with your visit, make sure to check out our complete list.

The Lower Level

The lower level exhibits include the Coral Reef, Gallery of the Seas, Discovery Center, Stingray Bay, Penguin House, and their newest exhibit, Shipwrecks – Disasters At Sea.

Coral Reef

Beautiful examples of coral reefs, along with all the ocean animals you would find living in one are found here.  The colors and intricate details of some of the species always puts me in a state of awe.

Gallery of the Seas

An opportunity to feel like you are walking through nature’s art gallery. There are all sorts of animals: jelly fish, corals, starfish, and even an octopus.  You’ll be mesmorized by their fluid movements, brilliant colors, and remarkable shapes.

Discovery Center

The Discovery Center is full of incredible hands-on experiences.  Here you are able to touch a jellyfish and a horseshoe crab.  The jellyfish were our favorite!  They are a lot like squishy water balloons, floating in the water, AND you can see right through them.

Stingray Bay

It is amazing to see these creatures just glide through the water effortlessly, and with such grace.  Cow Nose, Spotted Eagle, and Southern Stingray are some of the different species you will encounter.

Penguin Playhouse

Playhouse is the perfect way to describe it.  You are able to crawl through tunnels into the pop-up to get up-close and personal with the penguins.  You will feel like you are one of them.  The penguins enjoy a large indoor and outdoor exhibit.  If you’re anything like our kids, and missed the penguins after we left, there is a Live Penguin Cam on their website.

Shipwrecks – Disasters At Sea

In this brand new exhibit you can experience and explore many shipwrecks throughout history, and the world.  Some of the shipwrecks include Black Beard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge, the Edmund Fitzgerald, and the Hunley.  There is even an interactive exhibit where you can “unearth” buried treasure.

The Hunley was one of the first submarines ever used during conflict.  It made history when it became the world’s first successful combat submarine, when it sunk a warship during the American Civil War. Abraham Lincoln is featured throughout this area with interactive displays, facts and artwork.

Live Shows

There are plenty of LIVE shows throughout the day which will add even more excitement to your visit.  Be sure to check show times for all there is to choose from. 

• Shark Lagoon Dive
• Mermaid Show
• Penguin Feeding
• Coral Reef Dive
• Stingray Bay Dive
• Marine Science

We were able to enjoy the Sting Ray Bay dive and the Mermaid show.  The mermaids were colorful, playful, and interacted with the children to make for a memorable experience.

Unique Experiences:

During your visit there are several unique activities you can take part in, for an additional fee.

• Glass Bottom Boat Tour – Take a ride into the Shark Lagoon on a boat with a glass bottom.  You’ll get to see the sharks up close.  The boat launches every 20 minutes, and time varies by seasons. 
• Penguin Encounter – Here you get to pet a penguin, take a souvenir photo with the penguin, all while learning about them from one of their expert staff members.
• Splash with the Stingrays – This experience takes you into the Touch-A-Ray Bay where you get to interact with the stingrays, get a behind- the-scenes tour, and a souvenir t-shirt.

Also available are special camps, and overnights such as “Sleeping with the Sharks” and “PJ Party with the Penguins.”  These experiences also have a fee and advance registration is required.  For more information including costs and age requirements, check out their website.

Hard To Say Goodbye

The Ripley’s Aquarium was thoughtfully done and engaging for our whole family. As a result, none of us wanted to leave! We realistically could have spent all day there because there is just so much to discover. All of our children share a love of anything ocean related, and this aquarium did not disappoint.  It was no surprise to us after our visit, why the Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg was voted “Best #1 US Aquarium” by 10best.com.

After finally convincing our children that we would certainly come back next time we were in Gatlinburg, we found a grassy area next to a creek to have some lunch.  The kids were able to run around, skip rocks and talk about all they had seen. PERHAPS the next time you are in Tennessee, you too will visit Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg.  You’ll be glad you did! 

Know Before You Go

• Website: https://www.ripleyaquariums.com/gatlinburg/
• Address: 88 River Rd, Gatlinburg,TN 37738
• Hours: The aquarium is open 365 days a year and their hours vary by season. Check their website for up to date hours.
• Admission: For up to date admission prices, please check their website.
• Parking: There is a convenient city owned parking garage located directly behind the aquarium, with a maximum fee of only $6 a day. It is the perfect spot if you wanted to leave the car there and discover more of Gatlinburg after you leave the aquarium. There is also a trolley system that makes its way through town, and the aquarium is one of the many stops along the route.

Read About Our Other Tennessee Adventures:

• Horse Back Riding Through The Foothills Of The Smoky Mountains – Townsend
• Tuckaleechee Caverns – 12 Interesting Facts You Need To Know – Townsend
• Soar Through The Treetop World of Anakeesta – Gatlinburg
• What To Expect At Dollywood – Pigeon Forge
• Smoky Mountains Farm Stay – Pioneer Cabins and Guest Farm – Townsend