Who knew you could take a trip under the ocean while you’re in the mountains? At Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, you can experience the beauty and excitement of the deep blue sea right in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. There are so many incredible creatures to learn about. It’ll be your favorite attraction! Here are 5 amazing underwater creatures you can find at the Gatlinburg aquarium:
(See Related: Best Places to See Bears and Other Smoky Mountain Wildlife)
1. Sharks
Imagine yourself surrounded by sharks. Sharks above you, sharks beside you, sharks everywhere! But there’s no need to fear; at Ripley’s Aquarium you can be safely surrounded by sharks on the 340-foot-long glidepath in the underwater tunnel. There’s no better way to get a closeup look at the most feared predator in the ocean than to visit this Gatlinburg aquarium!
2. Stingrays
Ripley’s Aquarium also provides visitors an opportunity to get close to stingrays. There is a 
small lagoon that guests can reach into and pet the rays as they swim by! And if you want to get even closer, you can take a little swim with the stingrays too. The cost to splash with the stingrays is $29.99, which includes a souvenir T-shirt and a behind-the-scenes tour.
3. Horseshoe Crabs
There’s no better way to learn about nature than experiencing it with your own two hands! At the Discovery Center in this Gatlinburg aquarium, visitors can touch horseshoe crabs, one of the most memorable species in the whole aquarium. You’ll also have the chance to solve puzzles and compete with experts and friends on your knowledge of nature.
4. Penguins
One of our personal favorites, the penguins have a little playhouse of their own at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. You can visit the Penguin Playhouse and come face to beak with the penguins that live there, or you can purchase an original painting made by the penguins and help the conservation efforts of SANCOBB, a leading non-profit dedicated to seabirds.
5. Fish
What would an aquarium be without fish? At Ripley’s Aquarium, there are thousands of different types of fish! In the Tropical Rainforest section alone, there are about 2,000 species of fish. From the puffer fish to piranhas, there is a fish for everyone to enjoy at the Gatlinburg aquarium.
About the Gatlinburg Aquarium
With all of these incredible sea animals you can see at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, it’s no surprise that this Gatlinburg aquarium has been voted the top in the country! Having the opportunity to interact with the animals through the aquarium’s unique experiences make it all that more special. Everyone from kids to adults loves getting to explore this popular attraction. Whether you want to learn more about the aquatic animals or just observe them in the water, you can do it all at Ripley’s Aquarium!
The Gatlinburg aquarium is located in downtown Gatlinburg on River Road. It’s just a short drive away from our Gatlinburg cabin rentals, and is open year round. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to visit this incredible attraction!
Where to Stay When You Visit Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Amazing Views offers a great selection of cabins right around the corner from Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg! With a convenient location, breathtaking mountain views, and superior customer service, we have everything you need for a spectacular vacation. To start planning your vacation, check out our Gatlinburg Cabins page.
