A sleepover with real penguins?  Sign me up!

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Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

If you've ever been to Gatlinburg, you've probably been to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, and if you haven't been there, you've at least driven past it.  Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is a massive aquarium where you can come face to face-with thousands of different sea creatures.   Whenever my husband and I take a vacation to the Smoky Mountains a stop at the aquarium is a definite must! Now they offer sleepover experiences where you can experience the aquarium overnight.

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Sleepover With Penguins

Growing up, I had several sleepovers with my friends, but none of my sleepover guests were as cool as actual penguins (sorry friends)! Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies offers two different sleepover events with penguins, one is kid-friendly, and the other is for adults only.

A Penguin PJ Party

The family-friendly overnight with penguins is the Penguin PJ Party event.

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They host these periodically, but according to their website, the next one is coming up on July 20th.

Bring your penguin pajamas and find out what these birds do at night when you spend the night at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Penguin Playhouse! After a fun-filled night including a late-night snack, scavenger hunt, and after-dark activity, waddle your way into slumber while Ripley’s penguins keep you company! In the morning you’ll get a chance to meet a penguin one-on-one!

You can check out the information on this event, here. 

Pints and Penguins

The adult sleepover option is the Pints and Penguins slumber party.

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As you may be able to guess from the name, this is a 21+ event due to the pints. The next Pints and Penguins is set for June 29th if this interests you.

Pints & Penguins is an adult-only sleepover event full of animal experiences, delicious bites, a full bar, and more!

Start your night off with appetizers and drinks, followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of the Aquarium. Sleep alongside the Aquarium’s African penguin colony in the Penguin Playhouse and wake up to a hot breakfast and penguin encounter.

You can find all of the information on this event, here. 

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From grazing Tibetan antelope to migrating monarch butterflies, these 50 photos of wildlife around the world capture the staggering grace of the animal kingdom. The forthcoming gallery runs sequentially from air to land to water, and focuses on birds, land mammals, aquatic life, and insects as they work in pairs or groups, or sometimes all on their own.

Gallery Credit: Nicole Caldwell

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