One Name - Lots Of Ways To Find Fun, Believe It Or Not!
By Leif Palmer
Posted on April 24, 2018
There are lots of places you can go to have a good time when you're visiting Gatlinburg, but one brand name has a reputation around here for offering more than one way to find family fun in the Smokies. Ripley Entertainment has had a presence in Gatlinburg for decades, and while you may know them best for a certain little downtown aquarium, you may be surprised to learn about everything the company has to offer Smoky Mountain visitors.
Ripley's Believe It Or Not Odditorium
This was the original Ripley attraction in Gatlinburg, and it stays faithful to cartoonist and radio personality Robert Ripley's original vision for introducing the world to amazing oddities from around the world. The downtown museum houses some of the most unusual artifacts and stories you'll ever see, from shrunken heads to a vampire-killing kit to a number of mind-bending optical illusions.
Ripley's Davy Crockett Mini-Golf
Located near the north end of Gatlinburg on the Parkway, this attraction features two beautiful 18-hole mini golf courses, all themed around the adventures of East Tennessee frontiersman and folk hero Davy Crockett.
Ripley's Haunted Adventure
You don't have to wait for Halloween to roll around to be frightened out of your wits when you visit this haunted house, which is filled with creepy corridors and surprise encounters around every corner.
Ripley's Moving Theater
This theater adds five-dimensional motion to your choice of movies to create a cinematic experience that will make you feel like you're part of the action.
This massive maze is filled with mirrors and LED lights that make navigating your way out of it a major challenge. But don't worry; if you happen to get hopelessly lost, they'll send out a search party to make sure you find your way out safely.
Guinness World Records Adventure
This museum is dedicated to the most spectacular feats in human history. Artifacts include the world's largest Pac-Man game and the Olympic torch from the 2014 games in Sochi.
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Of course, this is the centerpiece of all the Ripley attractions. Features like an underwater tunnel through Shark Lagoon as well as interactive exhibits like Touch-A-Ray Bay and Penguin Playhouse make this tour of aquatic species from all the world's oceans one of the most popular aquariums in the country.
If you plan to visit more than one Ripley's attraction, don't worry about driving from point to point; just park for the day in one of our parking lots. Gatlinburg is then easy to get around on foot or by trolley.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in Gatlinburg. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.