Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

About Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Big facility with sharks, rays & turtles. Sprawling aquarium showcasing sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, penguins & a glass-bottom boat ride. Features a moving walkway shark tunnel, described as one of the most popular exhibits allowing comfortable viewing of sharks without crowding. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 43,544 visitors.

💬 What Visitors Say

• 🕐Visit during early morning (opening at 10am) or late evening (open until 10pm) to avoid crowds. Reviewers specifically noted that avoiding peak times made the experience significantly more enjoyable and allowed them to actually read exhibits and view animals without being crowded out.
• 💡The shark tunnel is the standout experience—it features a moving walkway that allows comfortable viewing without crowds. Prioritize this exhibit early in your visit, as multiple reviewers highlighted it as the most memorable part of the aquarium.
• 💬Plan for a full day visit. The aquarium is larger than expected with extended hours (10am-10pm), interactive touch tanks, play areas, and multiple exhibits including a glass-bottom boat ride. Reviewers spent most of the day exploring and found the venue bigger and better than anticipated.
• 💡The aquarium offers excellent accessibility features including audible instructions, ASL interpretation, and closed captions at touch tanks and exhibits. Tactile replicas of animals are available outside exhibits for hands-on learning, making it uniquely accessible for visually impaired visitors.
• 💬Budget accordingly for food—reviewers noted high pricing (shark donuts at $12.99 for 12 small donuts). Consider bringing snacks or eating outside the facility to reduce costs, especially if visiting with a family.