Here at The Greystone Lodge on the River in Gatlinburg, we offer some of the best lodging that you can find in the area. One of the top features of our hotel that guests love is our convenient location along the Gatlinburg strip, which makes it easy to enjoy some of the best attractions in the area, including Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, which is right across the street from our hotel! If you are planning to visit this attraction during your time here in town, you will certainly want to know about some of these top things to do at the aquarium. Let’s dive in:
1. Walk Through the Shark Lagoon
One of the most exciting things to do at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is to take a walk through the tunnel that runs through the Shark Lagoon exhibit! You will love coming face-to-face with these stunning creatures, along with sawfish, green sea turtles, and others. This is also an amazing spot for a photo-op!
2. Touch a Stingray
If you are interested in finding a way to interact with some of the sea creatures, you will definitely want to visit Touch A-Ray Bay. Here, you can reach out and touch the stingrays as they glide through this exhibit, allowing you to get closer to the sea creatures than ever before!
3. Visit the Tropical Rainforest
Another of the things to do at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies that we would recommend is stopping by the Tropical Rainforest, where you can see some of the most vibrant and exciting creatures in the aquarium! From poison dart frogs, to piranhas, and more, there is always something to discover at this exhibit.
4. Meet the Playful Penguins
Yet another of the best things to do at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is to stop by the Penguin Playhouse, where you can watch these silly creatures interact in their unique habitat. Plus, you will be helping to support the conservation of these endangered African penguins, as organizations like Ripley’s work to give these creatures homes.
5. Discover Stunning Species
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is home to so many incredible sea creatures that you will be able to see during your visit, with more than 10,000 creatures that live in the aquarium. In fact, that is more residents than there are in the town of Gatlinburg! Many of the sea creatures at Ripley’s Aquarium are located in the Gallery of the Seas, where you can see the Pacific giant octopus, sea dragons, living corals, and so much more. There is also a coral reef section that you won’t want to miss!
Now that you know more about some of the top things to do at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, you are ready to make the most of your visit! And, since this amazing attraction is right across the street from The Greystone Lodge on the River, it couldn’t be more convenient for you to check it out during your next getaway. If you are looking for even more fun during your next stay with us, you can see more of the top attractions in Gatlinburg that are within walking distance of our hotel right here. We hope to welcome you soon!
