🏞️ 10 Can’t-Miss Ripley’s Attractions in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge (2025 Family Guide)
Planning a family trip to Tennessee? Don’t miss these Ripley’s attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge as they are packed with weird, wonderful fun for all ages!
If you’ve ever wandered the bustling streets of downtown Gatlinburg or driven through Pigeon Forge, you’ve probably spotted something strange: Giant sharks on rooftops. Spinning tunnels of mirrors. Haunted mansions in broad daylight. That’s the magic of Ripley’s, and if you’re planning a Tennessee family getaway, you won’t want to miss the fun.
We recently revisited some of our favorite Ripley’s spots and discovered a few new ones that are even wilder than we remembered. So whether you’re traveling with toddlers, teens, or just the young-at-heart, here’s our 2025 family guide to the top Ripley’s attractions in Tennessee.
P.S. — Want to see what these attractions looked like a few years ago? Check out our original Ripley’s post here for a nostalgic look back!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links & or sponsored content. As always, all opinions are 100% our own and based on our real experiences.
🐧 1. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies: A Must-See For Families
From gliding under sharks in a glass tunnel to watching penguins waddle at breakfast, the aquarium has it all. Kids will love the touch pools and hands-on exhibits, and we might’ve enjoyed the penguin parade just as much as they did. It’s an all-weather, all-ages adventure.
Family Tip: Check out the glass-bottom boat tour as guests say it is worth every penny but get your tickets early before it fills up!
🪞 2. Laughs & Illusions at Ripley’s Mirror Maze in Gatlinburg
This one surprised us. What looked like a quick pit stop turned into a laugh-filled half hour of “wait, wasn’t I just here?” moments. With trippy lights, music, and endless reflections, it’s a fun and fast stop that’s perfect between bigger attractions, and a great way to cool down on hot summer days.
Pro Tip: Stay close together or you’ll spend more time finding each other than escaping!
👻 3. Ripley’s Haunted Adventure – Spooky Fun for Brave Kids
Don’t be fooled, this is a real haunted house, not a cheesy funhouse! It has live actors, pitch-black rooms, and more jump-scares than you might be ready for. If your crew loves thrills, this haunted mansion in the heart of Gatlinburg delivers. (Side note, this attraction was closed the day we were there, so we weren’t able to visit on this quick trip, but we will be back again on the next trip! These attractions never get old!)
Note: Best for older kids and brave adults. Not for the faint of heart (or stroller age)!
🎮 4. Play & Compete at Ripley’s Super Fun Zone Arcade
Arcade lovers, rejoice! This 80s-themed zone includes a vibrant arcade, blacklight mini golf, laser tag, and a shop packed with nostalgic goodies. It’s also a great rainy-day plan when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Mom Win: All of our kids, even the older/adult kids found something they loved here.
🧠 5. Explore the Strange at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium
Shrunken heads. Vampire kits. A car made of crystal. This museum of oddities is Ripley’s flagship experience and feels like a walk through the weirdest corners of the world. We spent over an hour here, and still didn’t catch everything.
Cool for Kids: The optical illusions room had our whole family doing double takes.
⛳ 6 & 7. Play a Round (or Two) of Mini Golf
Ripley’s offers two themed mini golf experiences, and these were probably among some of our favorite spots as we had so many laughs and made some great memories while playing putt putt golf in the smokies:
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Davy Crockett’s in Gatlinburg, where you’ll putt through pioneer-style cabins and forest critters.
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Old MacDonald’s in Sevierville, which is all animal-themed silliness (great for younger kids).
Time-Saver: Go early or late to avoid long waits during peak hours.
🌀 8. Ripley’s Motion Blaster
Buckle up because this isn’t your typical movie theater. The seats move, wind blows in your face, and things even smell different (in a good way!). Whether you’re racing dinosaurs or blasting zombies, this 5D/7D experience is interactive and immersive.
Great For: Tweens, teens, and competitive parents. We’re not naming names.
🛝 9. Super Fun Park
The Ripley’s family brings an outdoor play-and-go experience. Think climbing structures, zip zones, and energy-burning fun for younger kids especially. We didn’t stop at this attraction this time around as our boys are quite a bit older (think mostly adult children and a couple teens), and this really seemed like a great spot for those younger kiddos!
Parental Win: Seating areas and snack stops = YES.
🎢 10. Ride the Ripley’s Mountain Coaster in the Smoky Mountains
Unlike big amusement park rides, this one puts you in the driver’s seat, literally! Control your speed as you race through twists and turns in the beautiful Smokies. We didn’t make it on this trip, but definitely plan to visit this attraction when we visit the area next time!
🌟 Bundle & Save with Attraction Combos
Ripley’s offers combination tickets that save you big money if you plan to visit more than one spot.
Budget Tip: Combos are available online or at kiosks near the Aquarium, check before you buy individual tickets.
Final Thoughts
Ripley’s has done an incredible job making each of its Tennessee attractions feel fresh, exciting, and family-friendly. Whether you’ve never visited before or it’s been years since your last trip, we’re here to say: it’s absolutely worth the stop (or ten!).
So load up the car, grab a combo ticket, and get ready to laugh, gasp, and say “Did you see THAT?!” more times than you can count.
Looking for somewhere cozy and fun to stay? We love Gatlinburg Falls Resort—our cabin had an indoor pool, game room, hot tub, and amazing mountain views, all just minutes from the Ripley’s attractions downtown.
WOW! I didn’t realize that Ripley’s had all of these other attractions besides the museum! We’ve been to the one in Orlando a few times and loved it.
Right? It’s such a fun surprise to see how much more Ripley’s has to offer beyond the museum! The attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are super diverse—from the aquarium to mini golf and even a mirror maze. If you enjoyed the one in Orlando, you’ll definitely have a blast exploring the rest!
We have always wanted to visit Pigeon Forge. There’s so much to see and do! I love your list. I’ll bookmark it for when we go.
Thank you! I’m so glad you found the list helpful. Pigeon Forge really is packed with fun for all ages—you’ll have no shortage of things to do once you’re there. Hope you get to plan your trip soon, and enjoy every minute of it!
I’ve been saying for a while now that I wanted to visit Ripley’s attractions. I’ve heard they’re amazing and a lot of fun! I’m so glad to see they offer a bundle package; that’s perfect for me since I want to experience everything.
You’ll have such a great time! Ripley’s attractions really do live up to the hype—there’s something fun and unique at every stop. And yes, the bundle package is a great deal if you want to see it all without breaking the bank. Hope you get to plan your visit soon—it’s definitely worth it!
Oh wow, this places sounds like great fun for all of the family. I know the kids would all really love the aquarium as well as all of the other attractions.
It really is a perfect spot for a family adventure! The aquarium is definitely a highlight—kids are always amazed by the shark tunnel and interactive exhibits. There’s so much to do, it’s hard to pick a favorite. Hope you get the chance to experience it all soon!
We’re planning to visit Gatlinburg and Piegeon Forge with the kids in the fall season. Ripley’s is one of those interesting spots when visiting a new place. Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely! Fall is such a beautiful time to visit Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge—the colors in the Smokies are stunning! The kids will love Ripley’s; there’s so much to see and explore, from the aquarium to the Odditorium. Wishing you and your family an unforgettable trip! Let us know what your favorite stop ends up being.
Book marking these attractions for our next vacation to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Thanks!!!😊
Yay! So glad it was helpful! You’re going to have an amazing time! Let me know if you need more tips when you start planning 😊
I have been to Gatlinburg years ago and I love the location! The Mirror Maze and Motion Blaster sound fun!
Gatlinburg is such a great spot! The Mirror Maze and Motion Blaster definitely add some extra excitement—perfect mix of fun and nostalgia!
Love Ripley’s!!
Same here! Ripley’s always knows how to bring the fun and weird in the best way! 😄
I have been to a bunch of Ripleys museums, and I didn’t realize they had other attractions. This would be fun to check out with the kids when we travel. Their museums are always very entertaining.
Absolutely! If you already enjoy their museums, the other attractions will be a hit—especially with kids! Tons of interactive fun and surprises around every corner!
Wow! Did not realize there were so many different Ripley’s attractions, and all in one area too! I only knew of the museums
Right? Most people only know about the museums, but there’s a whole world of Ripley’s fun packed into that area! Definitely worth exploring beyond the usual! 😄
Omg this is totally in my bucket list!!! You had me at “Giant sharks on rooftops. Spinning tunnels of mirrors. Haunted mansions in broad daylight.” And the coaster through the mountains? Holy moly- there’s so much more than I realized! Thanks for the awesome suggestions- I’m off to plan my summer vacation!
Ahh, that makes me so happy to hear! 😄 There’s seriously something wild and wonderful around every corner, and I’m glad the post helped spark some summer adventure plans! Let me know what you end up seeing!
I’d like to visit Pigeon Forge, TN one day. I had no idea they had so many Ripley’s Attractions there. I’d also like to visit Dollywood too.