A full-day trip to Gatlinburg that's worth it on its own — and only about an hour and a half drive from Maryville.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is one of the largest aquariums in the Southeast, with around 25,000 animals. Kids favorite exhibits include:

• Shark Lagoon & underwater tunnel — walk past tiger sharks and rays
• Penguin Cove — watch the penguin parade at feeding time
• Touch tanks — hands-on time with rays, starfish, and sea anemones
• Sea turtle rescue center — see turtles recovered from the wild

The aquarium is also very accessible, with exhibits narrated in ASL and closed captioning, and it hosts regular family programs. It's one of the most popular indoor family destinations in the Smokies on rainy days or hot summer afternoons.

Getting there: about 1 hour 15 minutes from Maryville via I-40 and US-441. Hours vary by season (typically late morning until late afternoon in summer, shorter in winter) — check the official site before you go. Tickets and current hours: see website.