Interact with Wildlife in Gatlinburg, TN
July 31, 2009 by admin
Filed under Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge TN, VME
From creatures that live deep in the sea to those that call tropical rainforests home, Gatlinburg offers a number of wildlife options for you to check out during your next visit. From interactive exhibits with parrots to walking under an aquarium, these activities offer unforgettable experiences in Gatlinburg.
Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies
This aquarium comes from the same people who bring you the unbelievable exhibits of the Ripleys Believe It or Not museums. This aquarium just features unbelievable marine life. Ripleys Aquarium features a number of exhibits, including the Tropical Rain Forests, Coral Reef, and the Shark Lagoon. With over 10,000 different aquatic creatures, you will be sure to see your favorite ocean-dweller, from graceful sea turtles to bright fish to fierce sharks. The highlight of this activity is the aquarium tunnel, where you can walk through the aquarium and see creatures above and beside you. The Aquarium of the Smokies also features two on-site restaurants for your convenience.
From under the sea to a tropical atmosphere, you will find more interesting wildlife at Rainforest Adventures, which is an indoor facility that houses a number of jungle wildlife in a variety of exhibits. You will see everything from poisonous jungle snakes to bright and vocal birds. Exhibits include ancient ruins, a 25-foot jungle waterfall, and the rainforest. This unique zoo features over 600 animals, including kangaroos in the recently opened Aussie Walkabout exhibit. While at Rainforest Adventures, you could possibly catch feeding time with the reptiles or one of the live shows that the animal handlers conduct daily.
This attraction offers a more interactive rainforest experience. The focus of this attraction is the birds of the jungle and rainforest, featuring parrots, macaws, lorikeets, parakeets, and more. A special feature of this attraction is a petting zoo where visitors can interact and feed animals and birds. Some birds will even eat right out of your hand! In addition, you can see baby birds in the bird nursery and maybe even buy one to take home!
