RIPLEY'S AQUARIUM

Ripley's Aquarium is undoubtedly one of the most popular attractions for kids of all ages in this area!

Gatlinburg, Tennessee is home to the Ripley’s Aquarium an 115,000 square foot, 1.3 million gallon Ripley’s Aquarium that features to 10-foot sharks, 8,000 exotic fish, and the world’s longest aquarium tunnel.

Come visit Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg Tennessee to see an underwater treasure of aquatic life in the Smoky Mountains. A whole new world opens before your eyes while you watch sharks and a sea turtle swim right over your head. Travel through the world’s most spectacular underwater tunnel, hourly dive shows. Pet a stingray, hold a horseshoe crab and come face to face with a giant octopus.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is literally teaming with life - the 10,000 exotic sea creatures comprise more than 350 individual species. Take as much time as you wish on the self-guided tour to enjoy these spectacular exhibits. There is even a special area for the smaller children to enjoy.

There are more fish in this aquarium than there are people living in the entire town of Gatlinburg. Although Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is hundreds of miles from the ocean, the scenic beauty and the abundance of water all around make the town of Gatlinburg a "natural" location for a world-class aquarium, America's most fun aquarium.

Shark Lagoon --
Filled with thousands of fish of every shape and size, this is the largest and most popular exhibit. Leisurely travel on a moving 340-foot long glidepath, as you wind your way through the acrylic tunnel and come face to face with snappers, tarpons, grunts, squirrelfish, a green sea turtle, giant stingrays, sawfish and...very large SHARKS!

Tropical Rainforest -- This display recreates the primeval, lush world of the Amazon Rainforest where more than 2,000 species of fish thrive. Discover many, many more...freshwater Stingrays, Cardinal Tetras, Four-eyed Fish, Oscars, Peacock Bass, Zebra Cichlids, Armored Catfish, Arapaimas, Piranhas, Green Iguanas and Mudskippers.

Discovery Center --
The best way to learn about nature is to experience it first hand. In our Discovery Center you can do just that! Filled with fun interactive displays, the Discovery Center invites you to learn by participation. You can solve puzzles, test your knowledge against the experts and your friends, and even touch live horseshoe crabs - one of the strangest creatures in our aquarium. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies provides a unique variety of educational programs on the ocean environment and marine life. Educators are available in the building to answer questions at all times. As well, special class times and topics for group discussions are posted at the Marine Education Center every day. Additional specialized programs are also available for students, teachers, and other social groups.

Ocean Realm --
About 25,000 species of living fish exist. They represent 50% of all vertebrate species, outnumbering all mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians combined. Fish are the most diverse of the vertebrates, coming in every shape, size and color imaginable. In Ocean Realm you will be introduced to a few common fish and a few not so common species!

Stingray Bay --
Gliding through the water like majestic birds in the air, the over 100 rays on display in Stingray Bay, are gentle, affectionate creatures. In the wild, stingrays spend most of their lives buried in the sand out of the view of predators and divers. At the aquarium they seem to relish the spotlight, and will even eat out of the hands of our divers. Be sure to catch an hourly dive show at this exhibit! See Atlantic Stingrays, Southern Stingrays, Cownose Rays, Spotted Eagle Rays, Bonnethead Sharks, Leopard Sharks, Epaulette Sharks, Arabian Sharks, Brownbanded Sharks and White-Spotted Sharks.

Touch-A-Ray Bay -- In this shallow lagoon patrons can reach out and touch rays as they glide by. Their skin is rough, a little like sandpaper, but touching them will not hurt you or the rays.Rays do, however, have strong teeth in their mouths so touching them should be limited to their dark top-sides. Aquarists are on hand to assure the safety of both the children and rays and to answer any questions regarding these unusual creatures.

Be sure to call the HearthSide Cabin Rentals office to order tickets for pickup at our office. This service is for your convenience!

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