Located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is a wonderfully peaceful and interesting destination during any family vacation to the area. Visitors to this attraction love it so much it has been voted the top aquarium in the United States by TripAdvisor.

The Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is unique because it includes a huge array of different aquatic animals and other wildlife under its enormous roof. In fact, the aquarium is home to more than 10,000 sea creatures that hail from everywhere around the globe. At Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, you will find creatures from the tropical rainforests of South America all the way to those from the coral reefs of the South Pacific. You will see sharks, penguins, jelly fish, manta rays, and even a giant Pacific octopus or two as you make your journey through the facility. This aquarium also includes a chance to get up close and personal with some of the most terrifying predators in the ocean: sharks! Visitors learn about the creatures that have been featured on both the big and small screens while viewing the grandeur of these beautiful aquatic animals.

Once you finish viewing the animals, there is still more to do at the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. Tours of the control center for the entire aquarium are available to visitors interested in seeing how such a comprehensive home for so many different types of wildlife is run on a daily basis. The aquarium also stresses conservation, with programs and tours available to teach visitors what they can do to help save the Earth's oceans and all the creatures that call them home.

Live shows and special experiences also highlight a visit to the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. The facility regularly hosts live penguin, shark, and diving shows to amaze visitors. As for special experiences, they do not get much better than a chance to meet the aquarium's penguins face-to-face, camping out with the sharks, or petting the rays in a specially enclosed bay.

Check out the Ripley's Aquarium website before you visit, since special programs are held throughout the year. There are also limited time animal exhibits on display at different times, as well. Group and individual tickets are available, as are educational experiences for school age students who are accompanied by instructors. Vacation packages are also available, making it possible to visit the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies all year long.