When it first opened, the Tennessee Aquarium was the largest freshwater aquarium in the world. With the expansion added in 2005, it has so much more.
The Tennessee River Journey
We begin our visit in the River Journey building, which is the original freshwater building. As we go up a two-story escalator (an elevator is available for those who need it), we learn that we will follow the life of a raindrop from the sky to the sea.
You can go to the bayou country in the Delta Swamp section and look at all the alligators, ducks, and freshwater fish of the Mississippi. You can watch American otters playing, and look at some of the largest catfish on display in an aquarium (a blue catfish weighing in at 90 pounds.)
The large central tank in the River Journey has recreated the Nickajack Lake, including looking up from the bottom to see piers sticking out and schools of fish swimming from one end to the other.
When you have followed the raindrop through the different sections of the freshwater exhibits, including the rivers of the world, you can move to the next building which houses the Ocean Journey.
Sharks and Sting Rays
This is the building with a large tank full of those stings rays and sharks that people like to look at-with a large piece of glass between them. One of my favorite displays is of the sea horses and sea dragons. The leafy sea dragons look like seaweed until you see them move.
You can go from the sea horses and dragons to the jellyfish display. The jellyfish are lit up with different colored lights and they are truly living art, which is the current display at the Aquarium in partnership with the Hunter Museum. There are glass exhibits by several artists including Dave Chihuly in the Jellies: Living Art exhibit.
Tropical Forest with Butterflies
When you head upstairs, you can follow the large tank to the tropical forest to pet manta rays and small sharks, and look at colorful macaws before you enter the butterfly garden. The Aquarium introduces over 500 new butterflies a week. When you have enjoyed the tropical display, take a trip to the opposite end of the world to see the gentoo and macaroni penguins. The Aquarium has bred a new penguin of each type since bringing the penguins to Chattanooga in 2007.
You can begin your Aquarium journey in either building and even take a break between buildings to eat at one of the many great restaurants nearby. When you have finished looking your fill at the Aquarium, you can choose to catch an IMAX film at the nearby six-story IMAX theater. The IMAX has several films running, including a new film based on footage from the Hubble telescope.
The River Gorge Explorer
The River Gorge Explorer is a newer attraction that takes you on a two-hour boat excursion through the Tennesse River Gorge which is also known as "Tennessee's Grand Canyon." Each tour is led by an Aquarium naturalist who can point out interesting wildlife and answer questions along the way.
The Aquarium sells combination tickets for the Aquarium, IMAX and the River Gorge Explorer. You can purchase tickets for any and all of these attractions at the Aquarium ticket office.
Tennessee Aquarium - http://www.tnaqua.org
1 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN
(423) 265-0698 or 1 (800) 262-0695
