The Best Hotels Closest to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg for 2026

A museum atrium with dinosaur skeletons, a children's play area, and a restrooms sign.

Change your mind
Book hotels with free cancellation
Treat yourself
Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
Sign in
Be picky
Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

Tonight

Tomorrow

This weekend

Next weekend

Our top choices for Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies hotels

A spacious lobby with wicker furniture, a blue and yellow striped rug, and a variety of potted plants.

A spacious lobby with a large flat-screen TV, a fireplace, wicker furniture, and a patterned carpet.

A bar area with a 'License to Chill' sign, multiple TVs, bar stools, and a seating area with sofas and a round table.

A coffee shop interior with a wooden counter, menu boards, and a tropical mural.

1. Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg

Downtown Gatlinburg, 0.2 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Dale

￥25,838

￥29,133 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

An aerial view of a resort with a large swimming pool, a water slide, and a fire pit area.

A modern bar area with bar stools, a long counter, and a television screen. There are seating areas with tables and chairs, and a sign indicating the location of restrooms.

A multi-story hotel with a prominent 'E' on the facade, a covered entrance, and a landscaped driveway.

A courtyard with outdoor seating, stone walls, and a wooden pergola.

2. Embassy Suites By Hilton Gatlinburg Resort

1.2 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Kyle

￥26,783

￥30,199 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 8 - Nov 9

A rooftop bar with outdoor seating, a bar area, and a view of a forested hill.

A modern hotel with multiple floors, large windows, and a well-lit entrance.

A rooftop pool area with lounge chairs and a view of a mountainous landscape.

A modern restaurant with large windows, wooden floors, and unique spherical hanging lights.

3. Hotel Indigo Gatlinburg Downtown by IHG

Downtown Gatlinburg, 0.4 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Nathalia

￥24,117

￥30,699 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 10 - Nov 11

A wooden cabin with a fire pit, surrounded by trees and a gravel path.

A wooden double door with glass panels and a keypad lock, flanked by two wall-mounted lanterns.

A cozy log cabin interior with a stone fireplace, a comfortable sofa, and a round table.

4. The Timber at Holly Branch

1.4 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Grace

￥23,409

￥32,641 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 5 - Nov 6

A spacious living room with a large window, a dining area, and a sofa with decorative pillows.

A compact kitchen with a refrigerator, a coffee maker, a television, and a dining area with a chair and table.

A hotel room with a bed, a desk, a chair, a TV, and a balcony with curtains.

5. The Gillette

0.8 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Kerne

￥21,534

￥24,280 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A resort with a large pool, outdoor seating, and a building with a stone facade.

A hotel room with two beds, a window with curtains, and two paintings on the wall.

A lodge with multiple buildings, a well-maintained lawn, and a sign indicating its name.

A restaurant with wooden tables and chairs, a bar area, and a television screen.

6. Bearskin Lodge on the River

Downtown Gatlinburg, 1.2 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

lawrence

￥30,100

￥33,938 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 8 - Nov 9

A motel with a swimming pool, a parking lot, and a road with vehicles.

A hotel room with two beds, a wooden panel wall, a television, and a wardrobe.

Outdoor picnic tables arranged in rows with a building in the background.

A swimming pool with lounge chairs and a sign for a pancake restaurant in the background.

7. Sleepy Bear Motel

1.9 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Jessica

￥15,675

￥17,674 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 9 - Nov 10

A modern living room with sofas, a coffee table, and a TV. Large windows offer a view of the outside.

A modern kitchen with a central island, wooden cabinets, and a blue ceiling.

A modern hotel building with a sign reading "Comfort Suites."

A covered outdoor area with a fireplace, seating, and a view of the surrounding landscape.

8. Comfort Suites Gatlinburg Downtown-Convention Center

0.7 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

esaul

￥15,000

￥17,705 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 8 - Nov 9

A lodge with a prominent sign reading "Old Creek Lodge" and a scenic view of the sky.

A narrow stream flowing through a wooded area with a wooden structure on one side and a stone wall on the other.

A cozy hotel room with a bed, a sofa, a small table, a lamp, and a fireplace.

A covered outdoor seating area with wooden chairs and a table, overlooking a river and a bridge.

9. Old Creek Lodge

Downtown Gatlinburg, 0.9 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Bingxin

￥26,737

￥30,146 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A hotel patio with outdoor seating, a fire feature, and a stone wall.

A Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott hotel entrance with a covered walkway, brick pathway, and a parked SUV.

A restaurant with a central bar area, multiple seating options including high tables and chairs, and pendant lighting.

A modern living room with a stone accent wall, a flat-screen TV, and a large window.

10. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown

1.2 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Mary

￥18,842

￥21,244 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 8 - Nov 9

A riverside restaurant with outdoor seating, stone walls, and a view of the river.

A balcony with two wooden chairs, a table, and a lamp. A river and greenery are visible in the background.

A bar area with wooden ceiling, bar stools, and a variety of bottles and glasses on shelves.

A dining area with a wooden bench, a table set for two, and a view of a stream through large windows.

11. Historic Rocky Waters Inn, A Small Luxury Hotel

0.6 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Mark

￥30,085

￥36,526 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 10 - Nov 11

An outdoor dining area with tables and chairs, a stone building with a 'REGISTRAR' sign, and a forested hillside in the background.

A swimming pool area with a water slide and a building in the background.

A cozy living room with a stone fireplace, leather sofas, and a chandelier.

A lodge with a stone facade, multiple roof styles, and a covered entrance.

12. The Greystone Lodge on the River

Downtown Gatlinburg, 0.1 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Mark

￥24,383

￥27,491 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 4 - Nov 5

A pool area with a 'No Diving' sign, stone patio, and outdoor seating.

A cozy living room with a fireplace, comfortable seating, and a large rug.

A large house with a stone facade, multiple chimneys, and a well-maintained lawn.

A view from a porch with a stone bench, American flags, a parking lot with cars, and a mountain in the background.

13. The Historic Gatlinburg Inn

Downtown Gatlinburg, 0.5 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Freddie

￥22,971

￥25,900 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

An outdoor patio with wooden beams, stone walls, and a fire pit surrounded by chairs and tables.

An indoor pool with a waterfall, surrounded by stone walls and a wooden deck.

A bar area with wooden furniture, a television, and a stone wall.

A covered pavilion with stone pillars, a metal roof, and outdoor seating.

14. The Park Vista - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - Gatlinburg

0.9 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Stephanie

￥22,592

￥25,473 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

An outdoor patio with wooden Adirondack chairs, a stone fire pit, and a stone wall.

Two stacked front-loading washers in a corner with a wall-mounted sign indicating cycle times.

A rustic-themed store with wooden shelves displaying snacks, beverages, and souvenirs.

A reception area with two wooden counters, a stone wall, and a circular sign above the counters.

15. The Appy Lodge

1.2 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Chris

￥26,737

￥30,146 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A hotel room with a wooden desk, a flat-screen TV, a coffee machine, and a chair.

A hotel room with a large bed, a wooden headboard, a nightstand with a lamp, a blue armchair, and a small table with a lamp.

A compact kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, sink, and cabinets.

16. Mainstay Suites Gatlinburg TN

1.6 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Kassidy

￥9,960

￥11,288 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 8 - Nov 9

A patio with Adirondack chairs, a fire pit, and a stone pathway surrounded by greenery.

A multi-story hotel with a covered entrance, several balconies, and a parking area with cars.

A pool area with chairs and a sign indicating a 3-foot depth limit.

A hotel reception area with a wooden reception desk, a welcome sign, a minibar, and a seating area with patterned carpet.

17. Hampton Inn Gatlinburg Historic Nature Trail

1.3 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Jennifer

￥18,708

￥21,093 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 8 - Nov 9

A hot tub area with seating and a fire pit, surrounded by a patio with a view of a forested hillside.

A multi-story hotel with a prominent entrance, stone pillars, and a covered area with a sign reading "Cliffhouse 1st".

A breakfast table set with various dishes, drinks, and utensils.

An indoor swimming pool with tiled flooring, surrounded by wooden-framed windows and potted plants.

18. Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg

Downtown Gatlinburg, 0.9 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Debra

￥24,091

￥27,163 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 8 - Nov 9

A cozy living room with a leather sofa, a wooden coffee table, and a staircase leading to an upper level.

A bedroom with a wooden ceiling, a bed with a colorful quilt, a wooden dresser, a television, and a window with a view of trees.

A wooden cabin with a green roof, a balcony, and a staircase leading to the upper level.

A compact kitchen with wooden cabinets, a microwave, a stove, a sink, and a refrigerator.

19. Sweet Surrender by Jackson Mountain Rentals

3 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Jassen

￥24,226

￥66,732 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 28 - Oct 29

A river with clear water flowing over rocks.

A hotel room with a bed, a desk with a chair, a TV, a bathroom with a bathtub, and a large window.

A corridor with stone walls and a metal railing.

A view from a balcony overlooking a river with a bridge, buildings, and mountains in the background.

20. Econo Lodge Inn & Suites On The River

Downtown Gatlinburg, 1.1 km from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Patricia

￥13,177

￥14,859 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 11 - Nov 12

View all properties

Compare popular hotels close to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Property	Star rating	Guest rating
Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg	9.8 Exceptional 2,068 reviews	View
Embassy Suites By Hilton Gatlinburg Resort	9.6 Exceptional 1,072 reviews	View
Hotel Indigo Gatlinburg Downtown by IHG	9.6 Exceptional 773 reviews	View
The Timber at Holly Branch	9.6 Exceptional 274 reviews	View
The Gillette	9.4 Exceptional 359 reviews	View

Top Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Hotel Reviews

Brookside Lodge

8/10 Good

"Good place to stay. Reasonable easy in and out of the property staff great."

Glenstone Lodge

8/10 Good

"The staff and overall stay were great! My only complaint was the beds were not the best. Could not get comfortable and fall asleep which is essential when being on the go all day."

Sidney James Mountain Lodge

10/10 Excellent

"Our room had a big jacuzzi, it was amazing!"

Bear Creek Inn

8/10 Good

"hotel was great for the location. in walking distance to the strip and other businesses on the East Parkway side of everything. i did see a giant roach on the ceiling of the room that did freak me out, but all things considered, this hotel is great for the location, but i would maybe consider staying elsewhere or in Pigeon Forge if roaches are a concern to you and your family."

River Terrace Resort & Convention Center

10/10 Excellent

"Bears, Bears , Bears don’t feed them, but you will see them. 2 babies, 2 Big Boys. All on different days. Get the room on the hill, wink wink. Bears might live near. I’m not saying it , but it’s a good chance. Hotel was a little dated but, everything‘s in walking distance and you come to Gatlinburg to see the Bears don’t lie"

The Park Vista - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - Gatlinburg

10/10 Excellent

"We absolutely love this hotel! Such a warm and happy place. The lobby/atrium with glass elevators is beautiful, and they have piano music playing. We love the indoor pool with water slide, hot tub, and huge windows with a great view. Breakfast buffet is great as well. Can’t wait to come back!"

Best Western Johnson's Inn Downtown Gatlinburg

8/10 Good

"Breakfast was average, outdoor fireplace was nice, limited parking, bears walking through the parking lot at night, centrally located making it walking distance to many attractions in Gatlinburg. Housekeeping didn't change the sheets or even make the bed when they serviced the room (I only asked for service one day of the 6 day stay). Washers and dryers could be updated. There is no notification of time needed or when load completed. Television a little difficult to figure out how to control and limited channels but didn't spend much time watching it anyway. I would stay there again just because of the convenient location."

Quality Inn Creekside - Downtown Gatlinburg

8/10 Good

"Rooms is a great location. But I feel they need to put some attention to the cleanliness of the rooms, floor are nasty and we have stayed here several times, also huge spider webs everywhere. I love the location. But if they would pay attention to detail on cleanliness.. would be perfect"

Timber Ridge Lodge - Walking Distance from Downtown Gatlinburg

8/10 Good

"Getting downtown was very walkable. The bed was super comfortable. There was a Kureig coffee maker but no K pods . You can hear pretty much everything out in the parking lot. So if you have a hard time sleeping, bring a white noise machine. I would stay there again."

Other attractions near Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

A street with a wooden building labeled "Asphalt Cowboy" and "Cowboy Way Hats & Boots Leather."

Mountain Mall

8.2/10 (32 reviews)

You can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Mountain Mall during your trip to Gatlinburg. Stroll along the riverfront or discover the mountain views in this family-friendly area.

See properties

A Guinness World Records sign with a globe mural in the background.

Guinness World Records Museum

8.4/10 (15 reviews)

Learn about great sporting and music achievements, see figures of the world’s tallest and smallest people or try to beat a world record at this interactive museum.

See properties

Anakeesta

9.2/10 (1,580 reviews)

Bring the kiddos to Anakeesta and have a fun-filled day at this theme park in Gatlinburg.

See properties

Traffic Light #6

You can learn about the history of Gatlinburg with a trip to Traffic Light #6.

See properties

Traffic Light #5

Learn about the local history of Gatlinburg with a stop at Traffic Light #5.

See properties

Tennessee Homemade Wines

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Tennessee Homemade Wines during your travels to Gatlinburg.

See properties

The Village Shops

You can browse for the perfect souvenirs at The Village Shops during your stay in Gatlinburg.

See properties

Treasure Quest Miniature Golf

8.4/10 (11 reviews)

You can take time to visit Treasure Quest Miniature Golf during your travels to Gatlinburg. Wander the riverfront or discover the mountain views in this romantic area.

See properties

Frequently asked questions

What's the area like around Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies?

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is located in a family-friendly area of Gatlinburg known for its magnificent mountain views and must-see aquarium. If you're looking for a convenient place to stay, check out the 401 hotels and other accommodations you'll find within a mile.

What's the best hotel to stay near Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies?

Adjacent to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, Edgewater Hotel - Gatlinburg is one of the top choices for your stay based on our traveler data, and this hotel offers free breakfast and an outdoor pool. Other good options within a short distance include Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg and Hotel Indigo Gatlinburg Downtown by IHG.

How many hotels will I be able to find close to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies?

Expedia has 401 hotels and other accommodations within a mile from Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.

If I need to cancel the hotel reservation for my stay near Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, will I receive a refund?

Yes! The majority of hotel bookings are refundable if you cancel before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which is often 24 or 48 hours before your check-in date. If you have a non-refundable reservation, it might still be possible to cancel it and receive a refund within 24 hours of booking. Put your dates in and click on "Search", then use the "fully refundable" filter to review the best deals near Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.

Where can I learn more about changing or cancelling my trip in the area near Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies?

To access more information about updating your stay near Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies or cancelling it, go to https://www.expedia.com/service/.

What can I see and do near Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies?

Study the collections at Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum, Guinness World Records Museum, or Christ in the Smokies Museum and Gardens. Sights like Historic Ogle Log Cabin and Noah Ogle Place highlight some of the local culture. You can catch a show at Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Attraction, Iris Theater, and Ripley's Moving Theater.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Car rental Knoxville

Pigeon Forge Vacation Rentals

Find hotels near Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, Gatlinburg from ￥11,288

Change your mind

Treat yourself

Be picky

Check prices for these dates

Filter by

Property class

Guest rating

Our top choices for Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies hotels

1. Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg

2. Embassy Suites By Hilton Gatlinburg Resort

3. Hotel Indigo Gatlinburg Downtown by IHG

4. The Timber at Holly Branch

5. The Gillette

6. Bearskin Lodge on the River

7. Sleepy Bear Motel

8. Comfort Suites Gatlinburg Downtown-Convention Center

9. Old Creek Lodge

10. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown

11. Historic Rocky Waters Inn, A Small Luxury Hotel

12. The Greystone Lodge on the River

13. The Historic Gatlinburg Inn

14. The Park Vista - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - Gatlinburg

15. The Appy Lodge

16. Mainstay Suites Gatlinburg TN

17. Hampton Inn Gatlinburg Historic Nature Trail

18. Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg

19. Sweet Surrender by Jackson Mountain Rentals

20. Econo Lodge Inn & Suites On The River

Compare popular hotels close to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Top Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Hotel Reviews

Brookside Lodge

Glenstone Lodge

Sidney James Mountain Lodge

Bear Creek Inn

River Terrace Resort & Convention Center

The Park Vista - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - Gatlinburg

Best Western Johnson's Inn Downtown Gatlinburg

Quality Inn Creekside - Downtown Gatlinburg

Timber Ridge Lodge - Walking Distance from Downtown Gatlinburg

Other attractions near Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Mountain Mall

Guinness World Records Museum

Anakeesta

Traffic Light #6

Traffic Light #5

Tennessee Homemade Wines

The Village Shops

Treasure Quest Miniature Golf

Frequently asked questions

Explore a world of travel with Expedia