Appalachian Rivers Aquarium — Attraction in Bryson City

This is a very special place in Bryson City NC. There are several large Fish Tanks with local fish that are found in the Mountains of Western North Carolina. There are Bass and Sunfish and a Hellbender Salamander and of course Rainbow Trout! Now Open next door is the Western North Carolina Trout Museum. There are new Restrooms and the place is pet friendly. This is also the place where the Farmers Market is held every Friday and Saturday. There are also some picnic tables available for you to have lunch or just enjoy the Tuckaseegee River as it rolls by. Don't Jump Too High when the Steam Train Whistle blows from the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad behind the Aquarium. Come on and enjoy your day at Beautiful Bryson City NC. So...

The aquarium was the reason for my visit to town. I specifically wanted to see the hellbender exhibit. It is great and more people should know about these amphibians which are native to area streams. This is a small aquarium featuring fish and amphibians from local streams and lakes. Exhibits were well cared for and fish were in good health. Signage is limited but informative. Staff was very friendly and willing to share lots of information about the fish and how they are cared for. There were a few salamanders, newts, and frogs but no snakes or biotope aquariums. It is unlikely someone will make a trip just to see the aquarium, but it is well worth a visit if you are in town anyway. Check the hours they are open. They...

A nice quick stop! This is a very small place (that is also free) so don’t come expecting a large aquarium! For being such a small town it is very well maintained and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. There is a small gift shop with some handmade goods that are very cute, also their is a place to donate some money which is suggested as it is free! Just a heads up that there are some cats that do wander around and inside this building if anyone in your group...