Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies – Tropical Fish in the Smoky Mountains!

Tropical fish swimming in the Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies

There are tropical fish in the Smoky Mountains, if you know where to look – Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies!

We’ve visited Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies on three separate occasions, and I’m sure we’ll visit again. It is an excellent way to spend a relaxing hour or two in Gatlinburg, away from the crowded sidewalks or inclement weather.

Plus, your children will love it!

Published April 22, 2025

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A Little About the Aquarium…

How Did An Aquarium End Up in the Smoky Mountains?

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies opened its doors in 2000, in a venture jointly funded by the city of Gatlinburg and Ripley’s Entertainment.

It is one of three aquariums owned and operated by Ripley’s, including Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto, Canada.

How Large is the Aquarium?

It’s big…REALLY BIG.

The building is 115,000 square feet, with over 1.3 million gallons of aquariums. It is home to over 8,000 fish of all shapes and sizes, including sharks, rays, eels, small colorful reef fish, crabs, sea horses, anemones, and much, much more.

How Popular is the Aquarium?

In a word…VERY.

Since opening in 2000, over 15 million people have visited the aquarium. The aquarium is expected to host, on average, 4,100 visitors per day this year. Only the Great Smoky Mountains National Park attracts more visitors each year in the state of Tennessee.

Sea Anemones behind a round window in the Ripley's Aquarium

Pro Tip

What Will I Experience at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies?

In two words…A LOT! The aquarium is divided into two levels…

The Upper Level

You enter the aquarium on the upper level after purchasing your tickets on the large patio in front of the building. The upper level is home to…

  • The Ocean Realm is home to schooling fish, eels, urchins, and scorpionfish.
  • The Shark Lagoon features tarpon, tangs, rays, and several varieties of sharks. These are viewed as you travel on the 340-foot-long moving glidepath through an underwater tunnel. This is the longest underwater moving walkway in the world!

Pro Tip

  • If you find yourself (or your child) disoriented by the moving glidepath, there is an aisle right beside it. You can step off the glidepath and walk through the underwater tunnel at your own pace.
  • The Touch-A-Ray Bay touchpool allows kids of all ages (like me) to touch several species of rays.
  • The Tropical Rainforest is home to piranhas, arapaima, and poison dart frogs.
A large sawfish viewed from underneath

The Lower Level

  • The Coral Reef is filled with colorful reef fish, including several types of tangs, butterfly fish, batfish, and angelfish. This is a very relaxing spot.
  • The Gallery of the Seas is home to some of the most unusual species in the aquarium, such as the octopus, cuttlefish, mandarins, anemones, and the weedy seahorse.
  • The Stingray Bay is a giant aquarium filled with giant rays! It is also home to several species of sharks.
  • The Discovery Center is where you can learn about Moon Jellies (jellyfish) and gently touch them!
  • The Penguin Playhouse is your spot for smiling, as the African penguins display their playful personalities.
My granddaughter standing in front of Stingray Bay, a giant aquarium filled with giant rays

But Wait! There’s More!

Daily Shows

Shows are offered throughout the day at the aquarium. Check out the…

  • The Penguin Parade
  • The Ray Bay Dive Show
  • The Coral Reef Dive Show

Click here for an up-to-date schedule of shows!

Click here to purchase your tickets to the aquarium online!

An Indoor Playground

Do your kids need to burn off some energy? There’s a multilevel enclosed playground and slide on the lower level, where they can run, climb, and slide to their heart’s content. Chairs are available for parents so they can sit and watch their kids play.

You can even grab a hot donut covered with powdered sugar (or two…) and a drink to revive yourself!

The multilevel enclosed play area for small children

Special Events

I don’t often get to use the word “plethora”, but it fits here…

A PLETHORA of special events and experiences are available for you at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, such as…

  • Breakfast With a Mermaid
  • Sleep With the Sharks
  • Sensory Night
  • The Glass Bottom Boat Adventure
  • The Sips and Sharks Sleepover
  • Pancakes and Penguins
  • Pints and Penguins
  • Camps
  • Birthday Parties
  • Behind the Scenes Tours

And that’s not all of them!

Click here to learn all about special events at the aquarium!

Small tropical fish of every color swimming by

Any Questions? (FAQs)

  • Where is the aquarium located?
    • The aquarium is located at 88 River Road in Gatlinburg, TN, right across the street from the entrance to Anakeesta Theme Park.
    • Click anywhere on the map below to enlarge it.
Map to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Pro Tip

  • What about parking?
    • You’ll find a large, multi-level parking garage located directly behind the aquarium. It has both stairs and elevators to get you down to the ground floor.
    • Parking is only $10 per day at this garage.

Pro Tip

  • All parking in Gatlinburg is public parking, and there are lots scattered all up and down Parkway, the main street through the town. If the parking garage behind the aquarium is full, we suggest parking across the street in the lot next to the entrance to Anakeesta.
  • Is the aquarium kid-friendly?
    • Absolutely! Our five-year-old granddaughter loved it here! (However, our two-year-old grandson was a little intimidated by the crowd.)
A giant crab under a red light

The Verdict – Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

This one is easy – two fins (er, thumbs) held up high! It’s fun, educational, family-friendly, and enclosed. There is parking adjacent to the building, and there are so many things to see and do inside!

Plus, in case of bad weather, it’s inside!

Happy Fishing!

Jeff

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Jeff Powell

Jeff Powell is the Creator/CEO of two blogs - National Park Ventures and Smoky Mountains Ventures. He and his wife Mary Ellen are on a venture to visit every national park in the United States and share what they experience with their readers. Their goal is to help their readers "supersize" their own national park ventures.

Jeff and Mary Ellen have been married for 35 years. They have two sons, two grandkids, and two dogs. They live in a cabin in the mountains outside of Blue Ridge, GA.