Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, which is conveniently located in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is currently the top-rated aquarium in the United States. The aquarium’s 1.4 million gallons of water is home to over 100,000 exotic sea creatures. Since opening in 2000, the aquarium has hosted well over 15 million visitors and is the second most visited attraction in the state of Tennessee!
The highlight of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is the 340-foot underwater tunnel, which allows visitors to view sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, and other exotic sea animals face-to-face without getting wet. The moving glide path seemingly whisks visitors through the depths of the oceans in one of the longest underwater tunnels in the world. Your family is sure to be impressed when huge sharks swim within inches of them!
If you are looking for a kid-friendly attraction, the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is an ideal option. The $5 million Penguin Playhouse, which opened in 2010, provides kids of all ages the opportunity to crawl through acrylic tunnels and go “nose-to-nose” with endangered African black-footed penguins. The combination of the crawl tunnel, pop-up domes, and a swim-through passage helps visitors get closer to the adorable creatures than they ever thought possible. The 30,000 gallons of temperature-controlled saltwater includes an indoor and outdoor habitat for the penguins along with plenty of amazing memories for visitors.
How Much Does Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Cost?
Get Tickets
There are several different ways that you can enjoy Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Whether it’s a single-ticket pass, a combo pass, or an added experience, prices vary.
For a single ticket pass:
Adults (ages 12 and up) – $39.99
Child (ages 6 to 11) – $24.99
Toddlers (ages 2 to 5) – $9.99
Ages 2 and under – FREE
Aquarium +2 Attractions:
Attraction options include Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Ripley’s Mirror Maze, Ripley’s Super Fun Zone, and more! You also have the option to add even more attractions for a fee.
Adult (ages 12 and up) – $59.99
Child (ages 3-11) – $44.99
Pancakes and Penguins:
Head on over to Ripley’s Penguin Playhouse exhibit and enjoy stacks of pancakes, eggs, bacon, juices, and more. Don’t forget to partake in the penguin photo op and ask the animal expert any questions you may have about the mystical creatures. Any guests above the age of two will also receive a penguin painting.
Ages 4 and under – FREE
Ages 4 and older – $99.99
Mermaid Breakfast
Meet and greet with a mermaid and watch a diving show while enjoying a hot breakfast and coffee in the Feeding Frenzy Cafe. Each guest will receive a complementary mermaid meet and greet photo per adult ticket. You can continue to explore the aquarium after the event.
Ages 12 and older – $79.99
Ages (2-11) – $59.99
Ages 2 and under – $4.99
With over one million visitors each year, visiting during non-peak times is highly recommended. A Saturday afternoon visit during the peak season will leave parents frazzled and couples having flashbacks to grade school. Unless your idea of a fun and relaxing time is hundreds of screaming kids, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is best enjoyed on weekdays and at non-peak times.
Although Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a staple attraction for any vacation to the Smoky Mountains, the aquarium’s compact design has a tendency to disappoint some visitors. While it is true that the size of this Gatlinburg aquarium is considerably smaller than the nearby Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga and Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, the world-class exhibits at this aquarium make it one of the best attractions in the region. While Ripley’s Aquarium is considerably smaller, it is currently ranked the #5 aquarium in the country!
Insider Tip:
Instead of planning to visit the aquarium on a certain day of your vacation, save it for a rainy day.