GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE, USA -- At first glance, it might seem as though downtown Gatlinburg is owned by Robert L. Ripley, as the Ripley entertainment corporation owns so many attractions here. I think by sheer volume, the number of Ripley attractions is second only to the number of pancake houses in downtown Gatlinburg. Why pancake houses? I don't know. I asked locals and nobody seems to know, not even folks at the convention and visitors bureau. But hey, I love pancakes as much as the next guy, and you can get them in all of their glorious forms in Gatlinburg. (Note that while most Ripley attractions are open until evening or even later, especially in peak season, most pancake houses are open for breakfast and/or lunch only.)

Downtown Gatlinburg boasts a Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum, Ripley's Haunted Adventure, Ripley's Moving Theater 4-D and Ripley's Davy Crockett Mini-Golf and an Aquarium brought to you by, guess who? That's right, Ripley's.

It's a similar landscape in other tourist towns like Myrtle Beach and Niagara Falls. Which is why I was surprised that all of the Ripley attractions had more merit than I ever anticipated they would (although to be fair, I had low expectations).

Believe it Or Not
Until a recent visit with young nieces and nephews, I had forgotten just how much I loved the Ripley's Believe it Or Not comics in the Sunday newspaper when I was a kid. Not much has changed, other than the fact that today's kids get their Ripley's fixes via television and the internet, and that Believe It Or Not Museums are now a big business with chains operating in popular family tourism hot spots throughout the world.

While a visit to a Believe It or Not Museum may seem a bit cheesy and corny by adult standards, it's still a high water mark on most kid's vacation agendas. If you get into the spirit of it, exploring Ripley's world of oddities can be amusing and fascinating at any age. There are lots of fun little interactive things to do that will delight kids like "playing a harp with no strings" and moving a five ton rock with one finger. Likewise, a visit to Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum can be a fun and memorable family bonding experience.

Haunted Adventure
Ripley's Haunted Adventure will be fun for those who are fans of Halloween Haunted Houses. Being scared by "dark rides and walk throughs" is an American amusement rite of passage, sort of a kid's yardstick of how grown up and cool one is. While these attractions are, by nature, cheesy, kudos go to the Ripley crew for a few nice touches here, including a creepy, creaky outdoor incline elevator ride to the start of the "adventure," and a staff that, while young, truly seemed to enjoy their jobs, and likewise got into the melodramatic theatricality of it all.

This is an example of the sum being greater than the parts - you walk through dark corridors with people, things, and noises startling you at every turn, yet Ripley's Haunted Adventure still manages to scare young and midrange kids (there were a 10 and 11 year old in the group in front of me) into tears. That's when you know a haunted house attraction is worthy - if it makes young kids cry. The older kids in the group (in the 12 to 15 range) all acted unimpressed, yet I noticed they still maintained close contact with the rest of their group until safely back in the light.

Aquarium of the Smokies
The most surprising Ripley's attraction of all, in fact it's well worth going out of your way for, is the Aquarium of the Smokies. It may seem strange to have the wonders of the oceans on display in the middle of the Tennessee mountains, but this first class facility will appeal to every member of the family, regardless of age.

There's something about watching fish swimming in water that's calming, even hypnotic, and there's plenty of that to see at this 1.4 million gallon aquarium. Of course, there are lots of great educational exhibits. In fact, the attraction regularly hosts school and church groups, scouts and other children's educational programs. But this is a Ripley's attraction, so you can bet that if it's odd or spectacular, you can find it here too, making this a truly fun aquarium, even for real little ones.

There are hourly dive shows in the shark tank. The seahorses, sea dragons and jellyfish seem other worldly, like creatures out of a big budget science fiction epic. You'll also see dangerous red-billed piranhas, giant Japanese spider crabs and over 10,000 more exotic species of underwater wildlife. Children will especially love the hands on fun and exhibits, including touch tanks that encourage them to hold a horseshoe crab and pet a manta ray.

A new exhibit this year (2005), Pirates: Predators of the Sea, separates pirate fact from fiction. There are enough hands on buttons to push and knobs to turn to keep little kids amused, and enough fascinating lore, legend and actual history to keep the rest of us enthralled as we all learn about the mysterious pirates of fact and fiction.

But of all the aquarium's attractions, most impressive is the "world's longest underwater aquarium tunnel." Visitors journey through the tunnel surrounded on 3 sides by water. Huge 12 foot sharks, mouths crammed with jagged razor sharp teeth, silently glide by overhead. Smaller fish dart in and out of rocks and coral. A stroll through the tunnel gives us the illusion that we are actually under the sea in an octopus's garden - and the experience is mesmerizing.

School, church and scout leaders should take note that the aquarium offers lots of great educational programs for children's groups, including a "sleep with the sharks" experience where kids and their chaperones can camp out and sleep in the underwater tunnel with sharks swimming overhead and on both sides.

Ober Gatlinburg
Ober Gatlinburg offers a host of things for a family to do all year round, but with this attraction, the journey is just as, if not more important, than the destination. You see, you reach Ober Gatlinburg via America's largest aerial tramway. The two 120 passenger counter balanced cars provide breathtaking panoramic views of Gatlinburg and surrounding mountains. The trams leave every 20 minutes, traveling up (or down) over 1300 feat in elevation in about 10 minutes.

At the top you'll find a year round indoor ice skating rink, go carts, kiddie rides, water slides, mini-golf, an alpine slide and a huge game arcade. You can also catch a chair lift that goes all the way to the summit of Mt. Harrison, for the ultimate view of the town of Gatlinburg and the surrounding Smoky Mountains.

Of all the attractions here, everyone loved the alpine slide, a dry track simulated bob-sled ride, best. The ride begins with a relaxing 1800 foot chair lift ride up to the slide's starting point. Your "sled" is on small wheels that fit into the cement track. A braking device allows riders to control their speed, accelerating or slowing down at will through curves, straight-aways and hairpin turns, back to the base at Ober Gatlinburg. You can ride solo or tandem, so grab the kids and have some fun!

In the winter the snow machines kick in and the chair lifts are used for their intended purposes - transporting skiers and snowboarders to a great downhill run. Ober Gatlinburg offers eight trails (2 beginner, 4 intermediate and 2 advanced) serviced by two quad and one double chairlifts. Average ski season is mid December through early March.

On the downside, Ober Gatlinburg could use some sprucing up, updating, and a coat or two of fresh paint. It's also the kind of attraction that can bleed a family financially dry if you're not careful - there are a million things to spend extra money on. The ice skating definitely represents a good value, and if you plan to spend a lot of time here, you can purchase all inclusive passes to partake in al of the rides and attractions. Definitely eat or drink before visiting Ober Gatlinburg, the concession prices are exorbitant, quantities are small and quality low. A visit to one of Gatlinburg's countless pancake houses is in order before ascending the mountain.

More to Do Downtown
Aside from these attractions, there are scores of others: A Guinness Book of World's Records Museum, 3-D motion rides, more "haunted" experience fun houses, laser tag, and scores of miniature golf courses. Ripley's Davy Crockett Mini-golf makes the impressive claim of being the world's most interactive miniature golf. This is a delightful course, keeping with the Smoky Mountain theme, in which nearly everything moves or is animated. The entire family will have a great time.

Don't miss the delightful Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum.

At night there are several entertainment venues. Of all of them, the one that, surprisingly (hell, shockingly), captivated our group (an eclectic mix from all over the country) was Lou Vuto's Salute to Elvis in the Reflections Theater. Hey, you're in the south, you might as well see an Elvis impersonator show -- and when Vuto can make even non Elvis fans enjoy an Elvis impersonator show, you know he's doing something right. It's corny, silly, unintentionally campy, and tons of fun. A popular entertainer around these parts, Lou Vuto has been portraying the king for over a decade now. It's obvious that much of his audience is made up of repeat visitors and even local regulars, which is a testament to the entertainment value these folks get out of Vuto and the Reflections Show Band's energetic and enthusiastic tribute to the south's most legendary entertainer.

Practicalities
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is located at 88 River Road in Gatlinburg. Call 865-430-8808 or 888-240-1358 or visit www.ripleysaquariumofthesmokies.com.

Other Ripley's attractions (and lots of pancake houses) are located throughout downtown Gatlinburg. For more information other Ripley's attractions, visit www.ripleys.com.

Ober Gatlinburg is located at 1001 Parkway in Gatlinburg. Call 865-436-5423 or visit www.obergatlinburg.com.

Lou Vuto's Reflections Theater is located at 570 E. Parkway in Gatlinburg (it's conveniently on the free Gatlinburg trolley route). For show dates, times and reservations call toll free 877-822-7437 or locally 865-436-2200 or visit www.louvuto.com.

For further information and reservations, contact the City of Gatlinburg Department of Tourism and Convention Center at 800-568-4748 or click to www.gatlinburg-tn.com .

If you plan on driving to Gatlinburg, be sure to check out the time saving article below. If you plan to fly, US Airways serves nearby Knoxville, for reservations call 1-800-428-4322 or visit www.usairways.com.