Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg Adds New Shipwrecks Exhibit

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a can’t-miss destination for any visit to Gatlinburg, TN! This awesome aquarium has been voted the #2 aquarium in America by the readers of USA Today and ranks among the top 15 U.S. aquariums on TripAdvisor.

Visitors to the Smoky Mountains now have yet another reason to visit Ripley’s Aquarium: a brand new Shipwrecks Exhibit! This exciting addition to the aquarium is filled with lots of hands-on activities and fascinating information. To help you make the most of your next vacation, Parkside Cabin Rentals has put together a handy guide to the Shipwrecks Exhibit at Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg.

What to Expect at Ripley’s Shipwrecks Exhibit

It is only natural that Ripley’s Aquarium would have a Shipwrecks Exhibit, given that disasters at sea have long been a fixture of human exploration of the oceans. The new exhibit focuses on the history and causes of shipwrecks dating from early B.C. to the modern era. Ripley’s brings these historical events to life with a variety of wreck reenactments and replicas. Featuring cinematic music and special effects, the Shipwrecks Exhibit is an immersive experience that the entire family will enjoy.

Guests will have the chance to unearth buried treasure and explore a replica of the Chuuk Lagoon, a popular destination for wreck diving made famous by a 1971 documentary from Jacques Cousteau. Another highlight of the exhibit is a section devoted to naval battles and shipwrecks during the Civil War. Visitors can even snap a photo with a lifelike statue of President Lincoln or pose as Honest Abe and Mary Todd with a fun face-in-the-hole cutout.

Some of the most famous shipwrecks profiled in the exhibit include:

• Queen Anne’s Revenge: the flagship of the notorious pirate Blackbeard in the 1700s.
• SS Edmund Fitzgerald: a Great Lakes freighter that sank on Lake Superior during a 1975 storm.
• CSS Alabama: a propeller-driven Confederate warship that sank during the 1864 Battle of Cherbourg near Cherbourg, France.
• H.L. Hunley: a Confederate submarine that was the first combat sub to sink a warship.

Visiting Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is located in the heart of Gatlinburg at 88 River Road. As part of our Parkside Perks program, our guests receive $2 off admission to the aquarium and all of the other Ripley’s attractions in the area. Furthermore, we also offer free parking in downtown Gatlinburg! For more information about the Shipwrecks Exhibit, visit the official Ripley’s Aquarium website.

Where to Stay Near Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg

When you stay with Parkside Cabin Rentals, you will be just a short drive away from all of the fun at Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg. Our cabins come with your choice of stellar amenities, such as picturesque mountain views, outdoor hot tubs, indoor jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, and awesome game rooms. With everything from 1 bedroom cabins for romantic retreats to 7 bedroom cabins for family reunions, we are guaranteed to have the perfect accommodations for your getaway. To start planning your escape, browse our selection of cabins in Gatlinburg!