4.6 (11,501 Reviews)

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

88 River Road • Gatlinburg, TN 37738
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Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
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Total Price: $45.47 (USD)
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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!

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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.
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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!


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Promotional Images (46)
Cownose Ray - Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee Touch a Jellyfish - Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee Enjoy entertaining dive and feeding shows in Coral Reef, Stingray Bay and Penguin Playhouse. Touch a Jellyfish - Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee Pacific Sea Nettle - Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Customer Photos (380)
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies photo submitted by Melissa Stebbing Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies photo submitted by Melissa Stebbing Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies photo submitted by Melissa Stebbing Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies photo submitted by Melissa Stebbing Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies photo submitted by Megan Andrews
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Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Reviews

545 Reviews
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Melissa Stebbing Tripster User Profile Image
Melissa Stebbing
Chestertown, MD
2 Reviews
Verified Traveler
"Best aquarium ever"
November 2024 NEW
The aquarium was awesome.
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Tip: Take your time to check out all the exhibits and watch for the penguin parade

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Megan Andrews Tripster User Profile Image
Megan Andrews
Bristow, VA
3 Reviews
Verified Traveler
"Fabulous aquarium!"
November 2024 NEW
This was a wonderful aquarium visit with a lot of hands-on opportunities for the kids. They especially enjoyed the moving walkway through the shark tank, and the tunnel that allows you to pop up in the middle of the penguin exhibit. Highly recommended. We bought our tickets through Tripster in the parking lot of the aquarium to save money, and then went straight in to redeem them.
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Jennifer Burner Tripster User Profile Image
Jennifer Burner
Woodstock, VA
2 Reviews
Verified Traveler
"An amazing experience!!"
October 2024 NEW
We have been to this area the last 3 years on vacation and always try to find a new attraction to do and this year we choose the Aquarium!! This does not disappoint, from ordering a combo ticket with a dinner show with Tripster to the easy conscience of choosing any day during our vacation to visit the aquarium and not needing to plan the trip all out before arriving. The freedom to choose our day depending on the weather was awesome!!
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Tip: The ticket ordering process was easy and convenient with getting a combo deal!!

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Robert R. Tripster User Profile Image
Robert R.
Corbin, KY
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Awesome experience"
September 2024
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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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

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.

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