Hands down the BEST aquarium I have been to! They have so many different species to see and tons of interactive areas! Great for ALL ages! We paid a little extra to take the bottomless boat ride above the shark tank, which was well worth the cost. The guides made the ride extra fun and it was so cool to see sharks, stingrays and sea turtles right below our feet!

Awesome rainy/cold day place to explore and it has a large playground space for the kids to run around safely! My daughter wandered off from us at one point and the staff was super quick and helpful in helping us find her. The boat ride is cool and worth the extra $12. The guys running it have some cool stories about the hundreds of fish in the tank.

We love the Kids Under The Sea Adventure at the Aquarium. Ripley's Aquarium Of The Smokies has the best under the sea quest for kid's of all ages. Its so much fun, to explore, the beautiful ocean life up close and very personal. This is my son favorite place to visit in Gatlinburg Tennessee all Year long. We love this huge amusement park, under the sea. The entire staff at the cafe and gift shop was very kind and friendly.

We loved this place! Definitely worth the trip! They have a large play area for the kids and their gift shop is great opportunity to pick up some souvenirs and things for yourself! Ha ha They have a couple of interactive things to do and their penguin encounter is very informative. If you get a chance, don’t miss the mermaids! So graceful! My only complaint (this does not reflect on the establishment) is some forget basic manners. Let’s all be courteous people.

This place is INSANELY expensive (like $40 per person). They have a few discounts, but they basically only save you $1. As far as the aquarium goes, it's pretty good. It's a decent size and it has most of the things you'd expect from an aquarium. However, that also means that nothing really stands out. I'm a bit of an aquarium fanatic, and I feel like there was nothing here that I haven't seen before. Additionally, the layout of the aquarium is terrible. It's basically just one linear path. This means that once you've seen something, it's incredibly tedious to go back to that area. This matters because there are some shows at the aquarium at specific times; to see them, you oftentimes have to run through an area to get to where you need to be, and then to go back, you have to completely retrace your steps. With all of that said, if you're on a trip with your family and you can afford it, it's worth a visit. There are plenty of things here that a child will enjoy (including the play area), but if you're expecting a truly unique aquarium experience, you might not find what you're looking for.

My kids had so much fun!!! The drive was long but overall great experience. Their bathrooms need to be checked on more often. They have a really nice changing table for my younger one great play areas for my 5 year old just wish it was more toddler friendly here. Prices are a bit up there but overall friendly staff just wish the interacting with their customers more. The update features of the building are nice just wish I caught one of the shows to have a full experience. But no major complaints would definitely go again.

My kids had a wonderful time here. (4yrs and 6 yrs) The aquiarim is very well designed and run. The exhibits are up to date and nothing is broken or out of order. Although, it's all interconnected and you can explore freely, the museum is designed, so that if you just keep walking forward, you will see it all and can walk straight out through the gift shop without the use of a map. Also, it is a great indoor activity if you need an escape from the weather. There are so many things to see and the exhibits are beautifully executed. My kids went back to revisit their favorites before we left. I believe that the museum is designed to view entirely in 2-3 hours, but we spent about 5 hours and only left because we had dinner reservations. This attraction is well worth the price of admission. I recommend it.

Took the family for a school field trip. Had lots of fun. The information about the different creatures was well displayed making it easy to learn. The two different levels to the playground are conveniently located for rest points where the kids could burn off some energy before continuing on. Other features we enjoyed where the shark tunnel, penguin parade, and dive show. Near the end of the aquarium there's a little food court. Prices are high but that was that was be expected. Its $4 just for an order of fries and $3 for a corn dog or hot dog and those where the cheapest items on the menu. Despite the prices the food was good and it was a convention place to stop for a quick bite before the long drive home since we didn't want to stop elsewhere. The whole family enjoyed being able to watch the sting rays in the giant aquarium next to the food court.

Highly recommend the glass boat tour! It is an extra add on to your ticket, but it was so cool to be above them! They also tell you all about the different sharks and fish that are in the tank! Going through the tunnel was such an amazing experience! There was a diving show in the stingray tank! You can pet and even feed the stingrays! They also have a cute penguin playground!

This was by far the best experience so far this trip. There are two levels, the descriptions for everything are very detailed. The best part is the underwater tunnel area. You can literally look up and see sharks swimming above you. There was also a mermaid and stingray show. There are other things you can do, but those are in addition to the entry fee. The fee was roughly 40 after taxes, my opinion for a major tourist spot attraction this awe inspiring, it wasn't that bad. You will enjoy it and kids will love it.

Awesome aquarium and very military friendly :) I’m not one to seek out a discount, but I’m always appreciative when it’s given. The aquarium has some excellent enclosures and the animals seem well cared for. The staff is very friendly and attentive in their jobs. Definitely a great spot for the family or anyone who loves aquatic life, there’s so much to see!!!

I loved every single detail of this aquarium. I loved the quiet places for moms and anyone with sensory sensitivities. Everything was very clean. Super informative. And some areas actually made us emotional with the beauty. Could have spent all day here. Loved the kids playground as well... was a nice added break for the kids after walking through town!

Visited here 10/11/21. Ripley's Aquarium was a really cool experience. There were lots of amazing exotic fish to see. Not only were there fish but lizards, snakes, penguins, and coral. This is a amazing place to bring your children. There is a huge playground. There is a touching station for sting rays. They give show talking about all the different sting rays with a diver to take pictures with. You also learn so much about their many different fish by all TV screens that you can read on them. They all have a place to sit down and eat. At the end you'll find a gift shop. Over all took a little over a hour to finish.

Well done aquarium. Good flow from area to area. Everything is well done. Moving walkway in the shark area is kinda slow, but it's up to you if you want to walk instead. Penguin exhibit was nice. It's definitely not the Georgia aquarium or even Newport for that matter, buts it's very clean and a great way to spend a couple of hours, especially if the weather isn't great.

Not the biggest of Aquariums, but they do pack quite a bit into what they have. There are a bunch of nice exhibits and tons to do. One of the best is the motorized walkway that goes through a tunnel underneath the tank. Great viewing of the fish. They have a great touch tank with little sharks and sting rays that come up. You can even buy some fish food that you feed the ray with. There was also a jellyfish touch tank to. While we were there, we were able to watch the penguins do paintings. With all the hustle and bustle around the area, this is a great little stop you can spend the day.

We had a lot of fun here. We were inside for well over an hour, and you could spend many hours here if you check out everything in great detail. There is lots to do and see. I would definitely recommend to everyone. Fun for kids and adults. We bought the aquarium + 2 attraction tickets online. It was a great deal you basically got another attraction for free considering the aquarium and museum tickets alone cost more than the combo price. Plus you can scan your phone and walk right in, no need to wait in line.

Whoa! Such a fun time with kids. Stingrays! Piranhas! Eels! Sharks! And oh the Penguins! We all wanted to take them home. Little ones walked right up to us! What a great time.

Had a great time here. The family loved it. Fun for kids of all ages. Indoor fun in the smokies that's actually worth the money. I'll be honest, I didn't know if a saltwater aquarium in the mountains of Tennessee would be any good. I was wrong. Enjoy

It had very beautiful fish and other aquatic wildlife,as well as snakes,turtles and penguins. The aquarium is beautiful.and has a glass tunnel.,that you walk through and see fish swim above and around you..They have a conveyer walkway as well as a regular walkway that people can use to go see the exhibits. There is a place pet the stingrays. They have lots of things to see and several photo opp sites ,both inside and outside the building. Parking is free if you have a handicapped placard or tag. The most you will pay is $8 an hour. I think it's only problem.,is that it could be a bit more handicapped accessible. The Garage is kind of far to walk if you had a disability,where you aren't in a wheelchair,but once you get to the aquarium,there are steps or emails to use to go up to the aquarium. I suggest buying tickets online as you get a better deal,than in person. This was my favorite place that we visited and a very nice aquarium!

I have been to multiple Aquariums throughout the USA. Ripley’s has been my favorite. Sorry Atlanta, Chattanooga and San Francisco.... Ripley’s does a great job of giving you an IMMERSIVE experience. Tunnel under the BIG tank so you can watch sharks and sea turtles and huge stingrays swim together with lots of other fish. A viewpoint up inside the penguins playhouse so you can go stare at them face to face. Lots of fun educational facts everywhere. Employees, zoologists, caretakers, scuba divers who all truly seemed to care about the creatures in their care. As one guide said, “The deadliest and most aggressive creatures on this planet are humans.” HIGHLY highly recommend

Ot was amazing to see the sharks! Just thought it was WAY BIGGER. Deff wanna bring the kids just pricey we paid $120 for 3 attractions.

Me and my husband visited this aquarium during our stay in Sevierville. Though the tickets were a bit pricey for my liking the aquarium was pretty nice. There was a large selection of animals and fish to observe. Our favorite part was riding the conveyor belt while observing sharks and fish swim around and over our heads. There is also an interactive pool where you can touch manta-rays and baby sharks as they swim by. Be prepared to take videos as well as pictures at the aquarium. Also be prepared to pay $10.00 for parking. Overall a great place to visit.

Awesome place to go, especially with family! I brought my now wife here for her first ever aquarium visit. She loved it! We enjoyed watching the penguin parade and petting the jellyfish and stingrays. All of the staff was helpful and I will definitely come back in the future!

I found this place to be relaxing, looking at all the marine animals. My favorite was the sharks! They swan close enough you feel you could touch them! Especially in the tunnel. You can touch the Stingrays and I highly recommend feeding them which is fun and only a couple bucks. The tanks were all clean and the staff were friendly. I may go back again.. This is a must see.. you won't be disappointed!

Small aquarium but fun for small children. We were done in less than an hour and a half. Got here right after it opened and tried to wait for the shows but first one was at 10:30 and we were done by then. I suggest going around noon. There are some interactive exhibits and play structures for young children. Our girls were 10 and 14. They enjoyed touching the jellyfish and feeding/touching the stingrays and sharks. I think for the price, it's expensive. We actually bought the Ripley's pack because this will be our one and only time to do all these things. Hoping it's worth it...

This was a nice experience and great place for kids of all ages. The sharks and shark tunnel was fantastic and you really get close to them. There is quite alot of things to see. It was not expensive either

Cool things to see and some unique species as well. It was super cool to see some large sharks up close and personal. Loved the tunnel going through the aquarium and the fish. There's a huge play area that kids will go nuts for, but it does make it feel a little less authentic to the idea of an aquarium. Loved getting to touch jellyfish and manta rays, too!

We had a blast visiting this aquarium. The only thing I did not enjoy was how extremely packed it was . It was hard to enjoy all the unique sea creatures because everyone was piled on top of each other . I would suggest going when there isn’t much people . Other than that the entire aquarium was beautiful. I wish they had a few more shows though.

We were impressed. The guys on the boat ride were great. Super kid friendly. He helped my daughter with her vest, and helped me out of the boat because I had a newborn strapped to me. The aquarium had a lot of fish and creatures. No mamals. They were all super informative.

Cost was a little high at $113 for two adults and a kid. That was after taxes with a triple A discount. The aquarium was awesome though! We all loved the tunnels. It was great to view the fish and sharks from above and below. The jellyfish were mesmerizing and the penguins were so cute! It was one of my daughter's favorite places we visited.

Very entertaining and informative! Kids love the various sea life which are on the odd side. There was a mermaid show which was different. The place is like a cyclone in shape with use of every corner. Jellyfish petting and the adorable penguin parade were two of my highlights, and my son loved the multilevel playground!

An exciting aquarium! It was very low lighting for most of the way but they had bright and colorful lighting in the tanks to make all of the sea dwelling creatures pop vibrantly which I thought made the experience all the better. The shark tunnel was absolutely stunning. Watching them swim over you was just crazy. I will say the only downfall was that there was no limit to how many people they allow in the building so it was really crowded and you have to be patient in order to get up close to the tanks. They do allow you to try to touch the stingrays but the ridge between you and the pool is high up so if you have short arms like myself you may not be able to reach them. Be mindful of the little sharks that share the tank though one tried to get my fingers!

It was a pretty decent aquarium. Although a tad confusing to walk around towards the end. It had a lot of nice fish and creatures to look at. A good variety. The gift shop store is a little expensive but not bad and has a nice selection. Food wasn't too bad either. There was a mermaid show that the kids were loving. And scuba diving event as well. They have nice explanations and interactive stuff that is great. There is also a boat that takes you out for a small bit to look at the creatures in the tank through bottomless glass. And they gave good information on the creatures in the tank. I'm not a big fan of aquariums, but my family loved it.

We were there for a birthday party for our granddaughter. This place is absolutely awesome. The staff is very accommodating very friendly I have never met anybody in this aquarium that is not polite and helpful. The animals and the place seems to be taken care of very well. And my granddaughter had an absolutely wonderful birthday party which was just fantastic.

Great place. Stand on the rollers under the shark exhibit was so fun! It didn't let me post the video but this place is a must see for the whole family 😁

I came here for the 1st time last year with my wife and we had to come back again this year, one of the best Aquariums I have been to. There is lots to see and do just gotta take your time and go section by section. Also there's a great playground for kids to run and climb around in after seeing all the exhibits.

Great place with or without kids. Huge building that feels like your spiraling down. There is something to see every few feet. The tunnel would have to be my favorite.

Enjoyed this place very much. A lot of various species, displays, huge shark tank. Multiple floors of viewing tanks. Lots of information to share. They took reasonable covid precautions. Kinda expensive but ok when you buy the 3 for 1 combo ticket

Excellent attraction for families. Lots of great sea life with spacious and aestheticly pleasing tanks. Staff was very nice and helpful with directing you around.

I've been to multiple aquarium's throughout the States and I find this one to be an incredible bang for your buck! The size is great for a few hours, it has enough to see for all age groups and is a cool overall experience. I would highly recommend this aquarium.

Amazing place it is a must see every time we visit. Even with covid they are very great.

My family and I had a wonderful time here. Most of the time it was just us so it was as if we had the aquarium to ourselves. My daughter loved watching the sharks swim above us and playing with the penguins.

I loved this place it was absolutely amazing, it was my favorite thing to do in Gatlinburg and the sharks were my absolute favorite and I got to see the penguins being fed was amazing I highly recommend going.

Amazing hospitality great customer service and we and the kids had a great time

Love the aquarium.

An amazing place to visit. Very entertaining and educational.

Nice place

It was an amazing experience, lived up to every expectation.

Great aquarium to visit, lots of displays & educational information. Will go again

Absolutely the best Aquarium I've ever been to, kids had a blast!

Awesome experience, something I've wanted to do for quite some time!

Great family fun. But a family of 5 is $150. Costs have really gone up. We spent well over 2 hrs there. I could just sit and read by o e of the big tanks for hours. Oh wait I have kids. Lol

Figure about 2 hours to get through. The shark tunnel is pretty in neat.

Fun, clean and very well taken care of during covid. 10/10 recommended

What a great aquarium. The quality and variety of exhibits are very impressive. Shannon and Ashley were top notch with our group. Highly recommend a visit!

Great time very fun.

Picked up an Ultimate Pass from Food City for all of the Ripley's attractions in Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg. Totally worth it for $99 for the whole year. Only until March 31 2021

We loved making memories at this place

Great

best aquarium

Beautiful place fun for all

Loved it

This place was the absolute coolest. I thought it was a little expensive on thr entry but it was worth it. They have a kids play area with two slides, a bottomless boat ride(cost extra) and a long shark tunnel to walk through.

Awesome adventure! For us, it's a new family tradition to go to Ripley's Aquarium every winter!!!

The aquarium is probably the best attraction in Gatlinburg. The experience was wonderful. However, for those concerned about safety around large crowds during Covid 19, its probably not a good idea to go. I witnessed far too many people enter the attraction at one time. I'd have to say at 100% capacity. Absolutely no one was concerned about social distancing and mask wearing once inside. I must admit I felt uncomfortable and risked the opportunity to get my money's worth. Great place but overpopulated during a pandemic!!!

Enjoyed every minute!!!

Very interesting exhibits. Family friendly. Our little one was in awe of the shark tube. Good covid protocol. No issues with social distancing. Every one was very respectful of others space.

Great place to take the kids to see great people a amazing place💯

Amazing place to go. So much to look at and do! The shark aquarium is by far the best. The coolest thing to look at is the jellyfish.

I absolutely love this place 😁 I had been here once before covid happened. Was wonderful then as well. I'd give them more stars this time if I could. They made sure people wore their masks, sanitized them before entering. It was clean and a very friendly environment. They have so much to look at and I did the main attraction but if you definitely have the extra money for the other attractions to add, it's worth it. I'll be going there again and doing all of the attractions 🙌🏻 No need to put a bunch of pictures up, go look for yourself and have fun!

Was great, lots of fun, many attractions,

Awesome! Im so happy to have visited it.

Great experience for all ages! 👍

This was a very cool aquarium kid friendly and a very cool walk way that goes under some of the tanks. Many cool things to see and it was not to crowded . The parking is cheap and not far from the main building. There is a elevator so wheelchairs are not a problem .

It is an amazing place that completely mezmerizes all ages. Be sure to take a camera with you. Also be ready to have an ezperience of a life time.

Loved the aquarium. I purchased tickets on line and got 2 tickets per person for free.

Ripley's Aquarium was fantastic, adventure around every corner, for the entire family!

This is a great place to take kids

The place is very fun, well kept up in the sharks and penguins are worth it alone. It gets four stars because it is a little expensive. 40 bucks per person is just a little high okay it's a lot high!

This is a must do when you come down here! It has everything you could ever want from this place!

Great place to visit!! Probably one of my top favorite attractions.They have sharks, piranhas, jelly fish, stingrays, penguins and more! And Your able to read about each animal you see. My favorite part of the aquarium is going beneath the shark tank in a glass viewing tunnel where you ride a conveyor belt the whole way through.

Such a delight! From the cleanliness of the aquarium, to the exhibits.. we have never been to an aquarium as well done as this one. The staff from the person checking tickets, the manager who answered questions (Lacey I believe) to the extremely kind woman at the snack stand... each was so kind, polite and wearing their masks properly.. it is a must do if you come to Gatlinburg...

This is a very nice aquarium and the tunnel underneath the sharks is perfect. There were a lot of things for kids to enjoy. If you've been to bigger aquariums like Boston just keep in mind this would be a smaller experience. We do recommend.

Really enjoyed the aquarium. I do wish they would of had the interactive parts opened up. A more hands on experience would make the $$ worth it.

We had a wonderful visit to Ripley's Aquarium. Their underwater tunnel was so long and the tank was full of large, very active creatures. Our children were beyond thrilled to find a play structure that is open! It was clear that their standards for cleanliness were excellent and made us feel very comfortable. Their snack bar had a nice selection as well. Highly recommend you visit!

Family of three (4yo son) thoroughly enjoyed our visit here today. Friendly staff and plenty to do and see. The shark exhibit was amazing with plenty of sharks to see. The moving walkway moved at just the right speed in order to take it all in. They had a large play area for the little ones that our son really enjoyed. Highly recommend everyone stopping in here.

This is still my all time favorite aquarium. It may not be the largest in the country, but it has character. I love how you slowly work your way under the water, it's just so comfy! I've been here twice now, and each time has been an experience I won't forget. I can't wait to return.

This was the best place for our little ones to play. Enjoyed by all our kids , age range 2 years old to 14 years old. PLUS They have a huge inside playground! Awesome for this cold misty day. I've been to Atlanta Aquarium and this one ranks a little higher in my book. 😉👍

This was our first time visiting Gatlinburg Tennessee and my daughter loves visiting different aquariums. This place was awesome. So many sharks. We had a great day visiting

Staff was wonderful! We had a wonderful time! We didn’t have to wait at all for tickets, which was great as it started raining as we arrived. The food area was clean and had a wonderful view of the ray exhibit! Everyone agreed this was the highlight of our trip!

Absolute must see! We had so much fun and had plenty to do! Lasted more then 2 hours! Well worth it!

LOVE THIS PLACE!! Everyone should go at least once!! The penguins, sea turtles, sharks, did I mention the penguins?? I LOVED the penguin parade and got to touch a shark fin TWICE 😮 & The stingrays ( I was told AFTER I touched the shark not to ) This was such a GREAT day! We will be going again and again for ❤🐧❤🦑🦞🐋

It was very nice,kids enjoyed very much

Awesome day! I loved it

Very cool and a lot of marine life I never seen or even heard of before

Such a great aquarium, it's a Gatlinburg gem!

They charge you 5 dollars for two breadsticks that were stale

Very interesting love it

Go early, and beat the crowds

A really nice place to take the kids. They have a LOT of sharks and rays. They penguin experience was ok.

Much more to see Than first expected. Great experience

Took 4 kids, 2 of which were in strollers and it was great for all ages! Not overly crowded and plenty of walking space.The shark tunnel is awesome. Pleasant staff as well.

Alot of different exhibits. Wasn't crowded at all on a monday

It was great. They required masks and even did mask checks in the building. Also the exhibits and were amazing. I look forward to going again.

Very big place plenty to see and do a couple of feeding shows you can watch for free overall probably about 4 hours to all the way threw the price was around $40 a person which was a little high in my opinion but overall a great time.

Always love going to the aquarium

Loved it, not just for kids

Unique and interactive

Loved it

Great place! Looks to do and look at. Super friendly staff.

Went with the grandbabies was a wonderful experience to see all the different fishes

It was a good experience overall however I feel like it needed more hand sanitizer stations. There were hand sanitizer stations in the play ground area at the lower level however none in the other viewing areas and kids tend to touch the glass when looking at the exhibits. I also wish there had been more hands on experiences for the kids.

Sharks. I love the sharks.

A must see?

Kids loved it us (Supposed) adults did too lol

Great aquarium my little girl loved the penguins. And stingray bay with popcorn.

Never been 1st time. Absolutely loved it.

Really nice place... great for kids and adults

(Translated by Google) Very nice (Original) Muy agradable

To crowded

My children love the exhibit where you touch the jellyfish. The penguin parade was soooo cute.

Pretty pricey for what's there but it was fun for the kids.

I strongly believe this aquarium is over priced for what you get. It’s almost always packed, and full of people that stand around and block your way of seeing anything. There is no flow, which their should be during Covid, so people cut infront of you and cluster up. Also, if you’re hungry while there, you will pay quite a bit for the food court snacks. I got a small bag of popcorn, two soft drinks, and a pretzel and paid $24. The only way I could see you really get your time and moneys worth is if you have children that are allowed/old enough to play on the playground area. If not, you’ll find yourself doing what we did which was skipping half the fish due to not being able to see thru crowds of people, and just to get away from a crowds.

Nice place to visit with family and kids, little bit overpriced.

(Translated by Google) Great lived experience💜💙💚🙏 (Original) Gran experiencia vivida💜💙💚🙏

Excellent experience for the whole family. Penguin Parade was a hit with all. Small kids will love the mermaid show during the summer. The long tunnel through the tank really provides a great view of the sharks. Loved it.

We really enjoyed visiting! Such great stuff to see and experience. Highly recommend for families. Take your time. Don't rush through. So much to see and learn.

If you're ever in the area do yourself a favor and stop by and check this place out. Absolutely amazing. Great place for all ages. Stroller and wheel chair friendly. Skip the 10 dollar boat ride offer as you can walk under the tank and see all the sharks and other fish. Penguin exhibit is a must when you visit. Also a very nice sting ray area where you can touch them, just it may take a few minutes before they come around and you can.

Fun little place, and definitely worth the trip. Good selection of classics with some weirdos mixed in. The stingray nursery was ah-dor-able, even with just two in there. Didn't get to do the boat, but maybe I'll be able to next time. Word of caution: No one was wearing masks and social distancing was hard even though it wasn't super busy. That actually applied to the entire town of Gatlinburg.

Super cool experience. Was slight skeptical of the $40 entry fee. But was well worth it. Our two year old loves fish and had a blast. So much to see and do. Took about 2 hours to go through. Could have taken longer!

Me and my wife had an awesome time! We're here on vacation here in Pigeon Forge and when we vacation we always try to find a zoo/aquarium to visit. This one did not disappoint. Definitely one of the best ones we've been to!

OKAY!!! I love aquariums and this one did not disappoint!! While it was expensive - I felt like I spent the money well. I'd agree to previous reviews about the layout of the aquarium. It was on the annoying side, having to walk in circles due to layout issues BUT it's not really a big deal - if anything you look more at the fish and different tanks more. The penguins 🐧 ♥ oh my goodness. Please go, please be a child and climb in the tube and watch them. So so so worth it and so so fun. They swim, play, mate and talk to one another. You can even go outside and see them in their outside tank - how fun ?! The gift shop was HUGE as well, so many items to look at and potentially purchase. Lots of shirt designs, magnets, cups/glassware, jewelry and kid plush toys. Truly truly a fun experience.

Probably the best small aquarium we have been to. Very "kid friendly". Convenient lunch area with decent food. The place was expensive, but with a 1 year old and a 2 year old, this place really kept their interest and allowed decent access with a stroller and a "runner." Maybe the best Shark Tank we've seen.

My wife and I visited here while on our honeymoon and recorded more videos than pictures. Best aquarium I've ever been to. Lots and lots of aquatic animals and for a lack of better words, the fish seem pretty happy. Like others have mentioned, our favorite part was the floor conveyor which sends u through a long glass tunnel and you are surrounded by all types of sharks and fish. It's kind of like being under water in a sense. The parking deck was $10 and there's plenty of restaurants nearby and the Annakeesta is right across the street. Do yourself a huge favor and just go to this aquarium. You will not be disappointed 💯

Very nice place to take the family. I would recommend saving for a trip to the aquarium because it gets pricey quick. Other than that everyone was friendly.. staff was great and we had a blast!!

We spent about 3.5 hours here. You can feed sting rays, catch a few shows, watch the pinguin walk, kids have a playhouse to play in, multiple floors of things to view, fast food on site, gift shop also. There is parking in back, a short walk to the aquarium. If you have someone with mobile restrictions, I'd drop off and then park. The line moved pretty fast! It gets really crowded on rainy days!

This is a very beautiful aquarium. So many different types of fish from places all over the world. From the Amazon to the Ocean. They also had a couple of non water creatures. The shark tunnel was one of the coolest things I've been in, seeing them swim over you was so amazing. This is a must see to anyone visiting Gatlinburg.

I really love aquariums, but this is way better than all the ones I have gone to. So big, with so many aquatic animals. You have to go here. A must do when going to Tennessee. Look at the pictures, they will tell you all I mean. We went without kids but we saw a lot of them really enjoying it, specially when we went under the water thru the tunnel. They even have a small playground for kids. Definitely worth it.

Loved this place! A little expensive for MY budget but other was a really cool and exciting place to spend the evening. Especially, when you have kids. We saw a mermaid show, and they did all sort of tricks. And, we saw sharks and penguins, etc. There is so many fun activities for your children.

I thought I would see more unique things, but there is a lot to see. I loved the shows, bring your walking shoes. The fun facts were fabulous.

This place right here brought me back to being a kid again literally with the snap of a finger. All the aquarium's we're full of fish, and very well lit. Great package deals available through Ripley's Believe it or Not. Anyone visiting should definitely look into the package deals, you don't have to use everything in the deal immediately you can come back, they give you a full calendar year. It pays for itself.

Been here twice now and the wonder and amazement is real each time. We went 13 years ago and then October 2021. Such an awesome place.

Awesome time. So much to explore. Friendly staff and helpful. The kids loved everything. Expecially touching the jelly fish 🐠🐟💦🍂

This aquarium is very nice. Easy to get around and to access everything. We absolutely loved the penguin waddle. That was so cool to just have the penguins stroll right by you and they go through a lot of the aquarium not just one small area. Being able to touch the jelly fish was cool and we really enjoyed being able to touch the string ray in their exhibit as well. They even have a restaurant in case anyone gets a little hungry on the journey lol. The gift shop has so many options that you’ll want to buy everything. Thanks for a great experience and for the memories!

Kids had fun as well as the adults it was pretty entertaining and interesting. Probably not the best place to eat since their selection was very very small. I believe a pretzel or 8 inch pan pizza or slushie or pop was the whole menu and almost 10 bucks an item so you may want to eat prior to coming here but all in all it was a good time.

This place is so cool! I loved the variety of saltwater and freshwater wildlife. My kids absolutely loved the tunnel that went under the shark tank and the penguin tunnel. The attraction is well priced, clean, and a great place for families.

The shark tunnel was awesome! It was my favorite aquarium exhibit by far. There are a huge variety of fish and other sea creatures to see as well. The penguin parade was adorable. I also did the penguin encounter (it costs extra) and loved it! The guy who did the talk was engaging and fun. I learned new things and I got to pet a penguin!!

Cute but not as big as I thought for the price.. the automatic conveyor by the sharks is the coolest and we walked through 5 times to justify the money we spent. The penguin parade was cute to see 4 penguins walk inches away from you.

We did the Sips and Sharks over night, it was a highlight of our trip. The staff was amazing. The tour was fascinating. Good food and drinks. Overall great value.

I loved this. Got the aquarium +2 package. Great deal for my group of 5. 3 kids on vacation can get expensive but this gave us 3 attractions and saved us money. I spent 20 minutes just in,the begining of the tunnel. And must have taken 400 pictures between two,phones, a camera and a tablet. Took,us about 3 hours. Went from 7 to close at 10 not crowded at all

This is the best aquarium I have ever been too. It's kid friendly and interesting enough to entertain adults. It is clean and organized. The facility features two large play sets for children to climb and play.

Really enjoyed the Ripley’s Aquarium! The environment is very clean. Employees are very kind and knowledgeable. It is a top notch aquarium.

Awesome place for all ages! Various options for tickets. You can bundle certain attractions at different prices. My family and I purchased 3 adult tickets (for the aquarium only) for $136.00 ages 2 and under are free. Also, the tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. So you can go back as much as you’d like within a years time. Families with little ones who require strollers will have no problem navigating around. I had my one year old with me with his stroller and it went smoothly. There is a lot to see! Go check it out! 😊

This is one of my favorite aquariums to visit. There are so many different things to keep the kids busy. They have a ginormous rope playground and my kids were having fun playing on it for almost an hour. There are also a huge variety of education for the kids and the way they have it all displayed makes it so younger kids don’t get bored. The entire experience here will be great, give it a try!

We had a great experience at Ripleys aquarium with the kids. Grandkids loved the sharks and stingrays. We took lots of pictures and videos to share our memories. There were no masks required .

Great aquarium. Lots of things to see, shows going on, and some unique things I haven't seen. Love that you can see sharks swimming right next to you from above the water as well. Biggest downside is it's one of the most expensive I've been to. Tickets for my wife and I were $90

Amazing!! I loved this place so much! Neat!! We spent a lot of time in here! They have a great gift shop! Don't pass the penguins!! 🐧 Also the museum is outdoors as well. They have a moving sidewalk and sharks!! Can you fund the turtles?? Stop for the sting ray show!!

This aquarium was amazing. We went first thing on a Monday and there was hardly anyone there. The exhibits were interesting and the facts easy to read. The fish were very active and easy to see. The shark exhibits were very up close and personal. Unfortunately, the jellyfish station was not open but it was a slow and rainy Monday. We were able to see the penguin feeding and feed and pet stingrays. We also came back later to grab lunch and watch the penguin parade. Lunch was super affordable, fast, and tasty. All the staff we talked to were delightful. I would definitely return!

This was the first stop of our Gatlinburg trip and we had fun visiting the aquarium. We have been to plenty of aquariums and this one was probably one of our favorites. Luckily it wasn't super busy when we got there and we were able to take our time looking around. The staff was friendly and the exhibits were cool to look at. We purchased the pass where we could go to the aquarium and 2 other Ripley's attractions and it was definitely worth the extra money.

I had an amazing experience here! The scenery was astonishing. The staff were helpful and kind when I had a certain question. The aquarium was neat and clean.

This is a great place to visit with the family. I had a interesting things to see like the giant crab and octopus. Kids loved the play areas and touching the sting rays. Highly recommended!

The aquarium outside was a beautiful place, the penguin exhibit is the most unique thing about this aquarium. I would have enjoyed the place better if everyone and their mother was attending the same day I was. If this building wasn't occupied above capacity I wouldn't be surprised. I wish I could have enjoyed the area and animals more.

Nice place to go with kids for some indoor activities. They have a small indoor play area with slides and rope course. Good variety of tanks showcasing wide range of sea creatures. Highly recommend for a family indoor activity.

One of the best aquariums we have been to hands down. The underwater tunnel is definitely the highlight of the trip. There are also great opportunities for penguin viewing and a theater style area. Food onsite is about what you’d expect in an aquarium but there are literally hundreds of other places to eat in town so no biggie!

A bit pricey ($90 for 2 adults) but wonderful experience. Came from Kentucky to celebrate my boyfriend's and daughter's birthday and its was indeed worth it. It was my daughters first time at an aquarium (she's a toddler) and she loved seeing the sharks - her favorite animal. Would definitely come back.

It's the first time here and the first time in Gatlinburg. I came during off-season, so it wasn't as crowded as I thought it would've been. Cleanliness is pretty spot on; the place is organized, and once you're in the building, you're pretty much on your own to explore. It's big enough to spend all day here. You'll have to pay for parking, and the standard rate is $10, so be prepared for that. If you're going to pay cash, you'll have to pay at the bottom by the stairs. The machine on the way out doesn't accept cash. My only issue was other people not really having manners and moving out of the way, so you could see as well. We couldn't see a couple of tanks due to people kind of hanging out there for several minutes, so it kind of ruined the experience. Other than that, it's a great location.

Wow! This place is incredible! It was a great place to bring the kids with all sorts of activities for them to do along with seeing all the animals. Very knowledgeable staff and a wondrous mix of aquatic animals to see. We were able to observe a diver in one of the tanks with fish and another diver in the tank with sting rays as well as some sharks. I would love to go back again.

Loved it! A beautiful and captivating place to spend a couple hours. So many different fish and sea creatures to view and be taken aback by. Everything from sharks to jelly fish can be found here. The atmosphere that they've created here is also amazing. The lighting, the sounds and the music all adds to the experience and makes this place feel almost magical. If you visit you have to go through the tunnel underneath the large, main fish tank that has all the sharks. That was truly the best part, getting the see the sharks and larger fish up close while going through the tunnel was amazing. Some of them swim right over your head or ever lay down and rest on the top of the tunnel itself. So cool!

I would give it 4 stars due to size. I wish it was bigger. On the other hand, it had easy to read, interesting facts that didn't overwhelm my kids. The animals felt like they were really close, and it had a pretty good area for the kids to play. It also had info about Ripley that made everything more meaningful. Everyone, parents & children, seemed happy. The entrance had areas like Christmas decor for pictures. Parking was next to the aquarium, which made our lives easier with three kids and cold weather. The trolley (free) stops in front of the aquarium.

The place is beautiful. They have a wide variety of beautiful and amazing fish. The penguin area is very nice. The playground area is great for children. The tunnel fascinated me, seeing sharks that way is incredible. A beautiful aquarium that I will certainly return to.

Our kiddos love this Aquarium. We have been here twice already, and they just keep improving and making it very interesting. The indoor playground is massive so be sure to watch out for your kiddos. The mermaid show is awesome,same goes with the shark boat tour. Go in as early as you can to make sure no wait time and also to get you a spot in their parking garage. There is a gift shop inside, quite huge tons of exciting items to buy. We also love the Penguins experience. The price for entrance fee not bad at all. Overall, our experience is awesome!

Visiting Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies was an enchanting experience. The moment I stepped inside, I was immersed in the awe-inspiring world of marine life. The variety and beauty of the aquatic creatures on display were truly mesmerizing. The exhibits were thoughtfully designed, allowing visitors to witness diverse ecosystems up close. From the vibrant coral reefs to the mysterious depths of the ocean, each section offered a unique glimpse into the wonders of underwater life. The underwater tunnel was a definite highlight, giving me a 360-degree view of graceful sharks, majestic sea turtles, and colorful fish gliding overhead. The staff was knowledgeable and passionate, eagerly sharing interesting facts about the different species. Their enthusiasm added an educational aspect to the visit, making it both entertaining and informative. The facilities were clean, well-maintained, and easily accessible. There were plenty of interactive activities for all ages, including touch tanks and feeding sessions. It was heartening to see the conservation efforts showcased throughout the aquarium, promoting awareness about protecting our oceans and their inhabitants. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a family looking for an enjoyable outing, or simply seeking a captivating experience, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is a must-visit. It left me with a sense of wonder and a renewed appreciation for the marvels of the underwater world.

We really enjoyed our school field trip to the aquarium. It was very busy as many schools were there at the same time so it made it a little chaotic, however there was plenty of stuff to do and look at. He really enjoyed getting to touch the sting rays and going into tunnel, watching the sharks swim overhead. So overall great trip!!

This was a pretty good aquarium. We spent about 3-4 hours in here. We went thru the shark tunnel twice.... SO COOL.... The price was expected for a tourist town. We purchased the combo ticket so we got a couple other attractions basically for free. We arrived when it opened and it wasn't very crowded.

Visited on a Sunday, we arrived right before opening at 9am. I highly recommend doing so! The aquarium felt like we had it to ourselves. We were able to take our time at all the exhibits. It is a well planned aquarium and we really enjoyed it. The underwater tunnel was very cool! I think my family actually enjoyed this aquarium more than we did the one in Atlanta, Georgia.

I loved this aquarium. Everything was mind blowing so nice and clean. Everyone is very kind. The landscape is different from what you would experience in Florida. Loved it

Enjoyed this experience with my wife and daughter as part of our Christmas getaway this year. They had festive music playing, and the perfect inside temperature was welcoming from the brisk air outside. To be in such a tight area, they have a wide variety of species to observe. Lot's of interactive displays for families to enjoy. Do be prepared for a slightly pricey concession, but that goes for everything in Gatlinburg really. Thank you Ripley's for showing us some cool sea life. We had a great time!

My family loves aquariums and this one did not disappoint. Our favorite was most definitely the tunnel under the sharks; truly breathe taking! We loved the penguin viewing area where kids can crawl through a small passage to peak their heads out right next to a penguin.

The aquarium is amazing! Beautiful, vibrant, tanks are everywhere, with elaborate details and finishes, and the animals seem very well cared for. The underwater tunnel is the best part, and everything is so clean! Some of my favorite creatures are shared a few here, but the pictures really don't do the experience justice.

This was the absolute best sensory experience. Everything was beautiful, the tanks were clean and fish were so happy and healthy! Would go back here 1000%, was a little expensive, but the sharks and jellyfish made it all worth it!

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies offers a captivating underwater experience that immerses visitors in the wonders of the ocean. The vibrant marine life, from graceful sea horses to mesmerizing jellyfish, creates a mesmerizing spectacle. The interactive exhibits and knowledgeable staff enhance the educational aspect, making it enjoyable for all ages. The well-designed layout allows for a seamless journey through diverse aquatic environments. Overall, a must-visit destination that combines entertainment and education, leaving visitors with a deep appreciation for the mysteries of the deep blue.