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November 07, 2024
If you always wanted to get up close and personal with some of your favorite animals, you can make that dream a reality by visiting the Smoky Mountains! You’ll find several unique attractions in the area where guests can meet some of the world’s most incredible animals, including sea lions, penguins, and more! Here are 4 Smoky Mountain attractions that offer interactive animal encounters:
The Pirates Voyage Animal Encounter allows you to interact with Salty the Sea Lion and the other animal performers of the Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show! This is a special opportunity to meet the animals, learn about positive reinforcement training, and discover how the staff provides exceptional welfare for their animals! The program is 30 minutes long and guests of all ages are welcome, but children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by a participating adult. Keep in mind that you’ll be interacting with fish, dogs, birds, and sea lions, just in case you have any allergy concerns!
Another one of the Smoky Mountain attractions that offer interactive animal encounters is Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, where you can sign up for the Penguin Encounter! During this exciting program, you’ll step into the classroom to meet the African penguins and learn more about this endangered species! This expert-led small group encounter is a 30-minute session that is suitable for ages 4 and up, and each ticket includes a souvenir photo to take back home to impress your family and friends! Just remember that this interaction is with a live animal and is therefore dependent upon the nature and well-being of the birds.
Take a walk on the wild side at the Jayell Ranch Family Adventure Park, which features exotic animal encounters with a vibrant collection of tropical parrots and birds, adorable kangaroos, giant tortoises, and a very friendly capuchin monkey named Abu! You’ll hop aboard the Jayell Ranch Express, a charming little train that transports you to the animal exhibits where you can spend as much time as you want interacting with the ranch’s furry and feathered friends! Your admission ticket includes feed cups and treat sticks for the animals. Note that guests must be at least 12 years old to enter the monkey exhibit.
The Exotic Petting Zoo at the Smoky Mountain Deer Farm features a wide variety of unique animals that you can interact with, including baby goats, camels, Rocky Mountain elk, zebras, mini-horses, pot-bellied pigs, and of course lots of deer! You’re invited to walk among and hand-feed the animals, so be sure to bring your camera to capture some incredible photos! You can rest assured that all of the animals enjoy regular veterinary inspections, and there is a full-time zoo-keeping staff who maintain a clean and healthy environment. Hand-washing facilities are available both inside and outside of the petting zoo area.
Check out all of our cabins in the Smokies today to stay close to these Smoky Mountain attractions that offer interactive animal encounters! We look forward to seeing you soon!
