Sleep With the Sharks This June - Family Edition at Ripley's Aquarium

Sleep With the Sharks at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies returns in June for another Family Edition overnight experience, offering families a chance to spend the night inside the underwater tunnel where sharks, stingrays, and tropical fish glide overhead.

The June sleepover typically runs on select Saturday nights, with check-in around 6 p.m. and checkout the next morning by 9 a.m. The overnight includes exclusive after-hours access to the aquarium, behind-the-scenes tours, interactive activities like touch pools and feeding demonstrations, and a light snack before bedtime. Breakfast is provided the next morning before the aquarium opens to the public.

Tickets are sold per person and typically cost $75 to $100 for children and adults. Advance registration is required; events usually sell out weeks in advance, so book early. Participants must be at least 5 years old, and children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. The aquarium provides sleeping space on the tunnel floor, but you’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow, and any personal items for the night. Restrooms and changing areas are available, and the aquarium stays climate-controlled year-round.

Most families book cabins or condos for the full weekend to create a comfortable base around the aquarium sleepover. The Glades Road and Upper Middle Creek Road areas put you close to downtown Gatlinburg while offering quieter settings with river views and mountain scenery. Cabins with outdoor fire pits, decks, and hot tubs are well-suited for families looking to relax before or after an overnight event. Lake.com lists properties that sleep 4 to 10, many with easy access to the Parkway and walking trails. Book by early May to secure the best options—June is one of Gatlinburg’s busiest summer months, and lodging fills quickly, especially during weekends and holiday periods.