Gatlinburg does have quite a few attractions to enjoy. However, one that really stands out from the rest of the attractions you can easily find pretty much anywhere you are in town is the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. The aquarium is one of the top rated in the nation and has been one of the most popular destinations in the Smokies since it opened up in Gatlinburg. Now, we decided that with the downtime now with the coronavirus pandemic that it was time to review Ripley’s Aquarium Of The Smokies.
Location Of Ripley’s Aquarium Of The Smokies
The Aquarium of the Smokies is definitely one place that is very easy to find. You have the large sign that displays the aquarium, but it is very easy to locate, but here is the address if you need it.
88 River Road
Gatliburg, TN 37738.
Features Of Ripley’s Aquarium Of The Smokies
- Very family friendly with multiple activities for everyone.
- Has a large number of fish from a variety of regions that you may have never visited before.
- The Aquarium of the Smokies has a great penguin feature.
- Interactive exhibits make it quite a bit of fun for everyone.
What I Like With The Aquarium Of The Smokies
Plenty Of Fish To Look At
This may seem like a very odd thing to like, but the aquarium has a lot of fish inside of it. Now, after getting the very obvious answer here for the actual fish you need to realize I meant the number of species and even the origins of the fish that you are getting to look at. The fish come from all types of life and even have some amphibians as well with the different areas you may never get a chance to explore before. With that being said, I do enjoy the number of fish and the regions that all the fish come from, which definitely makes the aquarium standout from other places.
The Shark Tunnel
The shark tunnel is one of those features that I really am in love with. In this tunnel it makes it easier for you to go under the aquarium in a tunnel. This allows you to get a diver like feel to the aquarium, but you are completely dry. Now, I will tell you when you are in the tunnel you need to look around and just pay attention to all the different fish in the aquarium as well.
The Staff Is Extremely Knowledgeable
Normally, I have to say that when I looking at some of the different places that have staff that are around the locations the staff may not always be the most knowledgeable. However, at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies the staff definitely is very helpful and knows quite a bit of information. Even if the staff members that you do ask are unsure of the answer, they generally will find out the answer for you or find someone that can give you the answer.
Aquarium Of The Smokies Have Interactive Displays
When I go to any zoo or aquarium I like to look at the number of displays that are interactive. Yes, I know that not everything you do or see at the aquarium will be interactive. However, the place has plenty of interactive displays for you to enjoy. I know that one of the most popular is the floating boat that takes you out on the water. Now, this interactive part is typically going to add some cost onto the price of admission, but I will say this if you are able to afford the extra cost it is well worth the added cost to your trip that you are taking.
What I Did Not Care For With Ripley’s Aquarium Of The Smokies
Popularity Has Made The Place Crowded
While it is definitely a good problem to have for the aquarium in the world of social distancing, which I am sure we will be under for some time should help with the crowds. However, as the aquarium starts to gain popularity again with the reopening of a lot of attractions in Gatlinburg it will definitely be a major issue and one that will definitely detract from the enjoyment that people have with the aquarium.
What Others Are Saying
Amanda Jane Hargrove would mention this on TripAdvisor, “the aquarium was a very fun and interesting stop in Gatlinburg”. So you can tell that this place definitely held her interest and that is going to be the same thing that it can do for you.
Shannon G would leave this tidbit on TripAdvisor, “I just lov to see the jellyfish and penguins”. This is just one of the beautiful features that we were talking about earlier when we mentioned that the aquarium has some newer exhibits, but also some interactive ones as well.
My Final Thoughts On Ripley’s Aquarium Of The Smokies
I have to say that I do not mind Ripley’s Aquarium Of The Smokies. The place is one of the best ones that I have found and it definitely is a standout place in the middle of Gatlinburg. When you are at the aquarium I will tell you that when it gets crowded it starts to detract from the experience, but overall I have to say that if you are looking for a great Gatlinburg attraction, then you cannot really go wrong with Ripley’s Aquarium Of The Smokies.
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