Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Gatlinburg TN: Our Family Review

2026 Note: If you're planning a trip to Gatlinburg, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is probably going to show up pretty quickly on your list of things to do—and for good reason.

Disclosure: Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies provided complimentary admission for our family for our original visit. All opinions and experiences shared are my own. This post has been updated in 2026 with current planning information.

We visited Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies as a family during one of our trips to Gatlinburg, and it ended up being one of those attractions where we spent way more time than I expected. We were there for around four and a half hours, and the kids still weren't ready to leave.

It's been a while since our original visit, so some things at the aquarium have changed since then, but I wanted to update this post while keeping our original experience and photos. If you're considering adding the aquarium to your Smoky Mountains vacation, here's what our family loved about it and what you should know before you go.

What We Loved About Ripley's Aquarium Of The Smokies

The first thing that surprised me about Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies was just how much there was to see. I went into it thinking an aquarium would probably be a couple-hour stop on our Gatlinburg trip, but we ended up spending around four and a half hours there, and we could have stayed even longer!

One thing I really liked was that there was enough variety to keep everyone interested. It wasn't just tank after tank of fish. There were interactive areas for the kids, huge exhibits, sharks, jellyfish, penguins, and plenty of places where we stopped and watched for a while instead of just walking through.

We also visited during the off-season, which I would absolutely do again if you have that option. Gatlinburg can get incredibly busy, and being able to explore the aquarium without peak-season crowds made the experience even better.

The Shark Lagoon Was Our Favorite Part

If I had to pick one thing we remembered most from our visit, it would definitely be the Shark Lagoon. You travel through the exhibit on a moving glidepath while sharks, stingrays, and other sea life swim above and around you.

The moving walkway was especially nice with kids because we could actually stop worrying about where everyone was going for a minute and just look around. 😂 There are sharks swimming right over your head, and it gives you a completely different view than you'd get standing in front of a regular aquarium tank.

This was easily one of the highlights of the aquarium for our family, and it's one of the things that made Ripley's feel like more than just another aquarium.

There Was Plenty for the Kids to Explore

The Shark Lagoon may have been our favorite, but there was plenty more to see throughout the aquarium. The kids loved exploring the different exhibits, especially the penguins and jellyfish, and there were interactive areas that helped break things up along the way.

That's probably one of the biggest reasons we stayed as long as we did. There was always something different around the next corner, so the kids never really reached that “okay, can we leave now?” stage—which, when you're paying admission for a family attraction on vacation, is definitely a win. 😂

I also liked that there was plenty for adults to enjoy. Even though we were obviously there as a family, it didn't feel like an attraction that was only entertaining because we had kids with us.

Is Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Worth Visiting?

Based on our experience, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies was absolutely worth including in our Gatlinburg trip. We spent around four and a half hours there, the kids stayed entertained, and there was enough for the adults to enjoy that it never felt like we were just killing time for the kids.

I also think it's an especially good option to keep in mind for a rainy, cold, or ridiculously hot day in the Smokies when spending hours outside doesn't sound particularly appealing.

If you're traveling during a busy season, I would plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time rather than trying to squeeze the aquarium between a bunch of other attractions. Our visit wasn't something we rushed through, and I'm glad we didn't. I do want to reiterate that especially in 2026, the Smokies is an incredibly busy place to visit, so if you can go in the off season, I'd highly recommend that!

 

Since our original visit was several years ago, you'll definitely want to check Ripley's website for current ticket prices, hours, and events before your trip.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is located at 88 River Road in Gatlinburg, right in the heart of downtown. As of September 2026, adult aquarium tickets start at $42.99, although prices, packages, and promotions can change. Ripley's also offers combination tickets if you're planning to visit several of their Gatlinburg attractions. I would definitely recommend this option, as all of the Ripley's attractions are awesome, and I think this gets you the best bang for your buck for sure.

One thing I would check before you go is the aquarium's daily schedule. They currently have activities throughout the day including the Penguin Parade, Ray Bay Dive Show, and Coral Reef Dive Show, so a little planning could help you catch the ones your family would enjoy most.

Hours can vary by day and season, so rather than relying on an old blog post (including mine 😂), check the aquarium's website when you're planning your visit. Check current Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies hours, tickets & events →

Looking back, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies was one of the highlights of that Gatlinburg trip for our family. The fact that we spent around four and a half hours there probably says more than anything else I could write about how much we enjoyed it.

Our kids are obviously a whole lot older now than they were in these photos—which is slightly horrifying when I realize how long I've been blogging 😂—but that's also one of the reasons I wanted to keep this post and our original pictures instead of completely replacing them.

If you're planning a family trip to Gatlinburg, I would still put Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies on your list of attractions to consider, especially if your family loves animals or you're looking for something everyone can enjoy together.