Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Overview Of Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is a world-renowned tourist attraction located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. With over 10,000 exotic sea creatures and more than 350 different species, the aquarium provides an immersive and educational experience for visitors of all ages. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is one of the most popular destinations in the area, drawing in thousands of people each year. It boasts a range of exhibits, including the Shark Lagoon, where you can come face-to-face with sharks, and the Penguin Playhouse, which features a collection of playful penguins.

In addition to the exhibits, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies also offers a variety of activities for guests to enjoy, such as a glass-bottom boat tour and a touch tank experience. The aquarium is committed to conservation efforts and educating the public on the importance of marine life conservation. Overall, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Gatlinburg, offering a fun and engaging experience for the whole family. So, if you're looking for an unforgettable aquatic adventure, make sure to add Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies to your itinerary!

Highlights Of Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

  • Shark Lagoon, featuring a moving walkway through an underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks
  • Penguin Playhouse, featuring playful penguins swimming and diving in a simulated Antarctic environment
  • Touch-A-Ray Bay, where you can touch and feed stingrays
  • Glass-bottom boat tours through the Shark Lagoon and Stingray Bay exhibits
  • Coral Reef exhibit, featuring a colorful and diverse collection of tropical fish
  • Discover Center, featuring interactive displays and educational exhibits about marine life
  • Ripley's Mermaid shows, featuring live mermaid performances in the aquarium's Coral Reef exhibit
  • Interactive experiences, such as the Splash with the Stingrays program and Sleepovers with the Sharks
  • Conservation efforts and educational programs promoting marine life conservation and environmental sustainability

Checkout More: Aquarium Tickets

Top Aquarium Zones in Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Shark Lagoon

Shark Lagoon is one of the most popular exhibits at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, featuring a variety of shark species from around the world. Visitors to the exhibit can see sand tiger sharks, nurse sharks, and blacktip reef sharks swimming in a 1.4 million-gallon tank. The exhibit also includes several interactive displays and educational programs that provide visitors with a deeper understanding of shark behavior and habitats. With its impressive size and variety of species, Shark Lagoon is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.

Also Explore: Birch Aquarium

Penguin Playhouse

The Penguin Playhouse is one of the most popular exhibits at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. This zone features a variety of penguin species, including gentoo, king, and macaroni penguins, and offers you a chance to observe and interact with these fascinating creatures. The Penguin Playhouse is designed to mimic the natural habitats of penguins, with a rocky beach, a waterfall, and a shallow pool. You can watch the penguins as they swim, play, and interact with each other, and learn about their behaviors, diet, and habitats through interactive displays and educational programs.

You Can Also Check: Monterey Bay Aquarium Tickets, United States

Coral Reef

The Coral Reef zone at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is a breathtaking exhibit that features a stunning variety of coral and marine life. The exhibit showcases a vibrant underwater world filled with colorful fish, eels, sea turtles, and other exotic sea creatures. You can walk through the exhibit's tunnel, which provides a unique perspective of the marine life swimming around them. The Coral Reef zone is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the aquarium, offering an unforgettable experience that highlights the beauty and diversity of the ocean's coral reefs. The exhibit features over 5,000 individual animals from over 100 different species.

Also Check: Ripley’s Aquarium Of Canada, Canada

Touch-A-Ray Bay

Touch-A-Ray Bay is one of the popular attractions at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. It is an interactive exhibit that allows you to touch and interact with stingrays, which are gentle and friendly creatures. The exhibit features a shallow pool where you can wade in and touch the rays as they swim by. Trained staff members are present to provide you with information about the rays and ensure their safety. Touch-A-Ray Bay is a fun and educational experience for visitors of all ages and is a must-visit attraction at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.

You Should Also Visit - National Aquarium, United States

Tropical Rainforest

The Tropical Rainforest zone at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is a must-visit exhibit for nature lovers. This indoor rainforest is home to a variety of exotic plants and animals, including piranhas, giant river otters, and poison dart frogs. You can also see several species of birds, such as toucans and macaws, flying freely in a recreated rainforest canopy. The exhibit is designed to replicate the dense, humid environment of a tropical rainforest and provides you with an immersive experience. The Tropical Rainforest zone at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is a great place to learn about rainforest ecosystems and the creatures that inhabit them.

Must Checkout - Ripley's Aquarium Myrtle Beach

Discovery Center

The Discovery Center is one of the most popular zones at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. This zone is designed to provide you with an educational and interactive experience that focuses on marine life conservation and environmental sustainability. The Discovery Center features a variety of exhibits, including the Turtle Rescue exhibit, which highlights the importance of sea turtle conservation efforts. Other exhibits in the Discovery Center include the Interactive Coral Reef exhibit, the Ocean Realm exhibit, and the Ocean Science exhibit.

Visit & Checkout - Texas State Aquarium, United States

Systems Control

The Systems Control zone at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is an interesting exhibit that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how the aquarium operates. This exhibit showcases the advanced technology and systems that are used to maintain the aquarium's environments and ensure the health and safety of its marine life. You can learn about the aquarium's water filtration and circulation systems, as well as its environmental control and monitoring systems. The Systems Control zone is a fascinating exhibit that provides a unique educational experience for visitors of all ages.

Also Explore - Sea Life Aquarium In America

Top Creatures Inside Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

  • Sand Tiger Sharks: The Sand Tiger Sharks are one of the most iconic and popular creatures in the aquarium. You can see them up close in the Shark Lagoon exhibit. Despite their intimidating appearance, these sharks are relatively docile and are not known to attack humans.
  • Penguins: The aquarium is home to several species of penguins, including Gentoo, Rockhopper, and King Penguins. You can watch them swim and play in the Penguin Playhouse exhibit, and even catch a live penguin feeding.
  • Stingrays: Stingrays are fascinating creatures that can be found in the Touch-A-Ray Bay exhibit. You can touch and feed these gentle creatures as they swim by, providing a unique hands-on experience.
  • Green Sea Turtles: The Green Sea Turtles are one of the most impressive creatures in the aquarium. You can see them up close in the Coral Reef exhibit, where they swim gracefully alongside other marine life.
  • Giant Pacific Octopus: The Giant Pacific Octopus is a fascinating and mysterious creature that can be found in the aquarium's Octopus Den exhibit. You can see this intelligent creature use its tentacles to solve puzzles and manipulate objects.
  • Jellyfish: The aquarium has a stunning collection of jellyfish in its Jellies exhibit. You can marvel at the vibrant colors and intricate patterns of these delicate creatures as they drift gracefully through the water.
  • Seahorses: Seahorses are unique and fascinating creatures that can be found in the aquarium's Seahorse exhibit. You can see them cling to seagrass and other objects with their tails and watch as they move through the water with their unusual swimming style.

Read Recommended - Ripley's Aquarium

FAQs For Ripley's Aquarium Of The Smokies

Are strollers allowed in the aquarium?

Yes, strollers are allowed in the aquarium, but may not be permitted in certain areas due to capacity restrictions.

What is special about Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies?

There are several things that make Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies special:

  • Variety of Marine Life: The aquarium is home to over 10,000 exotic sea creatures from around the world, including sharks, rays, and sea turtles.
  • Interactive Exhibits: The aquarium features many interactive exhibits that allow you to get up close and personal with marine life. You can touch stingrays, horseshoe crabs, and jellyfish, and even dive with sharks.
  • Underwater Tunnels: The aquarium features two underwater tunnels that provide you with a unique view of marine life. The tunnels are over 100 yards long and allow you to see sharks and other sea creatures swimming above them.
  • Educational Programs: The aquarium offers a variety of educational programs for visitors of all ages. Programs include animal encounters, behind-the-scenes tours, and interactive exhibits.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is committed to environmental sustainability and conservation efforts. The aquarium uses innovative technologies to conserve water and energy and works to reduce waste and carbon emissions.

How big is Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies?

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is a large aquarium, covering an area of 115,000 square feet (10,684 square meters). The aquarium is spread across two levels and features over 10,000 exotic sea creatures from around the world.

How long does it take to visit the aquarium?

The length of your visit can vary depending on your pace and level of interest, but you can easily spend between 2-3 hours exploring the exhibits.

What is Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies biggest shark?

The biggest shark at the aquarium is the sand tiger shark. Sand tiger sharks are a large species of shark that can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) in length and weigh up to 350 pounds (158 kilograms). The sand tiger shark at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is approximately 8 feet (2.4 meters) long and weighs around 200 pounds (91 kilograms).

thrillophilia-logo

The content and images used on this site are copyright protected and copyrights vests with the respective owners.

© 2024 www.myaquariumtickets.com All rights reserved.