Ask a family what to do in the Smokies, and you may get as many answers as there are people in the car. One wants mountain views. Another wants something exciting. Someone in the back seat has announced that walking is “basically all we ever do.”
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg has a way of bringing everyone back together. It offers the wonder of exploring a world far from the mountains, right in the middle of a mountain getaway. It is also the sort of place where a child’s “Can we go see the sharks?” can become an afternoon the whole family remembers.
An Underwater World in the Mountains
The contrast is part of the fun. One minute, you are surrounded by the peaks and bustle of Gatlinburg. The next, you are watching sea creatures move through an entirely different world.
In Shark Lagoon, a moving glidepath carries visitors beneath the water as sharks, sawfish, fish, and sea turtles pass by. It is a good place to discover which member of your family is fascinated by sharks and which one intends to keep a respectful distance, even with glass between them.
Then there are the African penguins at Penguin Playhouse, where visitors can watch them swim and explore their habitat from different vantage points. Try to leave without choosing a favorite. It is harder than it sounds.
The aquarium offers plenty of reasons to linger beyond those crowd favorites. The Gallery of the Seas features creatures such as an octopus, jellies, corals and sea dragons. At the Discovery Center, visitors can take part in hands-on exploration, including a guided opportunity to touch moon jellies. Each space gives curious kids another question to ask (and adults a chance to learn the answer along with them).
A Visit That Works for the Whole Family
Some attractions are easy to enjoy when everyone is the same age and has the same idea of fun. Let’s be real: Family vacations rarely work that way. The aquarium gives a group room to follow its curiosity: a little one can marvel at a penguin, an older child can study the sharks, and a grown-up can spend five quiet minutes watching the jellies drift.
It is also a useful answer to what to do in the Smokies when the weather changes your plans.
Mountain views are lovely, but so is having a place to explore when rain arrives, or the family needs a break from the heat or cold. You can make the aquarium the main event or use it as the start of a bigger day around Gatlinburg.
The best advice is to leave yourselves time. Let the kids double back to the exhibit they loved. Read a few of the signs. Listen to the questions they come up with. Years from now, they may not remember every detail of the itinerary, but they might remember the first time a sea turtle passed over their heads.
Keep the Adventure Going: Pick Your Next Stop
If your family is still ready for more fun in the mountains, Ripley’s has attractions for several different definitions of “fun.” Those who love a surprise can explore the oddities at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! or test their sense of direction at Ripley’s Mirror Maze. Ripley’s Haunted Adventure offers a scare for visitors who enjoy one, while Ripley’s Motion Blaster brings motion and action to the day.
For a change of pace outdoors, consider Ripley’s Mountain Coaster or a little friendly competition at Ripley’s Davy Crockett Mini-Golf. Ripley’s Super Fun Zone offers still more ways to keep the outing going. The question is less “Will we find something else to do?” and more “Who gets to choose next?”
Choose a U-Pick Pass
For families planning more than one Ripley’s attraction stop, U-Pick-style Aquarium+ passes make it easier to build a day around everyone’s interests. Current combo options include aquarium admission plus a choice of two, three, or more participating attractions. You can choose which attractions to visit during your trip. The pass page lists the eligible experiences and
what each entail (such as a coaster ride or a round of mini golf). Make sure to review those details and current prices before buying.
The freedom to choose the best adventures for your own family is a welcome addition for any vacation where tastes and ideas differ. Try starting with the aquarium as the main must-do and then choosing the next adventure together. This plan has enough structure to get everyone out the door and enough flexibility to let each day become its own story.
When you are deciding what to do in the Smokies, make room for Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies… and more. Come for the sharks, penguins, and underwater discoveries. Stay for the chance to watch your family find something wonderful together.
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