Appalachian Rivers Aquarium

Get Up Close and Personal

On the banks of the Tuckasegee River in downtown Bryson City sits an unassuming campus full of adventure and education! Though Appalachian Rivers Aquarium may be a little smaller than your “average” aquarium, we’re anything but average! Within our small frame there are over 4,000 gallons of water, housing a variety of freshwater fish, amphibians, and at times crustaceans and other macroinvertebrates. In addition to our fish exhibits and smaller terrariums, we boast the largest display tank in the southeast for the state-endangered Eastern Hellbender Salamander.

Between friendly staff, informative displays, interactive activities, and educational demonstrations, the aquarium is a great place to explore and learn about our native freshwater ecosystems and aquatic creatures! While you’re visiting the Aquarium, be sure you don’t miss out on the other cool opportunities available at the Aquarium Park Campus. On Fridays from May through October we host the Smoky Mountain Farmers and Artisans Market, a beautifully curated collection of local agricultural products and handmade crafts. On Saturdays from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend you can also join us for the Riverfront Family Fest, a completely free family-friendly event complete with bounce houses, lawn games, and more!

And of course, any day that the Appalachian Rivers Aquarium is open you can also visit the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians. From historical artifacts to profiles of the anglers who made a name building a proud tradition of fly fishing in these mountains, it's a masterpiece of history and culture. The facilities compliment each other and sit together beside the beautiful Tuckasegee River, making us a “can’t miss” on your next trip!

Address: 117 Island Street Bryson City, NC 28713

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Free Admission to Museum & Aquarium, with donations welcome and appreciated!

Hours: 10 am - 4 pm (subject to change)

January: Closed
February: Open Friday & Saturday
March - May: Thursday, Friday, & Saturday
June - December: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday
Special seasonal hours may be included!

You can stay up to date on changes and closures by following us on social media:

The Mountain Stream exhibit is a three-tank display capable of hosting a variety of our coldwater fish species. Mountain headwaters in the southern Appalachian region are known to be brisk in temperature and slightly acidic in pH, making them home to a unique, diverse range of aquatic life. From popular introduced sport fish such as Brown and Rainbow Trout to our only truly native species, the Southern Appalachian Brook Trout, our tanks currently showcase the fish that helped sustain a culture and build our designation as the Fly Fishing Capital of the South.

Aquarium Mountain Stream

Two Hellbenders 2026

Two endangered Eastern Hellbenders, which are North America’s largest species of salamander, are special guests at Appalachian Rivers Aquarium. With permit from the state of North Carolina, we are able to offer our visitors a rare and unique opportunity to see one of the coolest species of aquatic life found in our region. Our two share the largest display tank for Eastern Hellbender in the southeast, providing a habitat conducive to their longevity and contentment. And what a tank it is! Designed with the ability to view the tank’s clear underside as well, anyone willing to climb under it has the chance to peek up at the bellies of the Hellbenders as they rest under their rocks. The below-tank viewing area is a fan favorite for both young and young-at-heart!

In addition to the Mountain Stream exhibit, the Hellbender Tank, and the terrariums, there are nine other tanks that exhibit a rotating selection of game and non-game fish that can be found in our region. Guests can enjoy viewing the large bass we have in our 620-gallon “Bass Tank” or get up close and personal with smaller fish in our “Wall Tanks”.

No matter the day, the display, or the visitor, we’ve got something special for you to enjoy here at Appalachian Rivers Aquarium.

Aquarium Top View

Educational Offerings

Our family-friendly Scavenger Hunt is one of our most popular offerings for visitors!

Split between Appalachian Rivers Aquarium and the Fly Fishing Museum, giving children an opportunity to look a little bit closer and learn more about our native fish and fly fishing heritage.

Staff are available to provide hints and answer questions about the animals and objects you're looking for. Prizes for completion available to ages 16 and under, though all ages are welcome and encouraged to give it a try!

Aquarium Park Scavenger Hunt

Those interested in bringing groups for field trips, summer camps, or other occasions are welcome and encouraged to reach out to us to plan a visit to Appalachian Rivers Aquarium! With enough advance notice we can often accommodate visitors on days we're typically closed or plan educational activities and demonstrations*.

Want to plan a trip to the aquarium? Email our Aquarium Manager!

*Activities and demonstrations are contingent upon availability of support staff.