Tennessee Aquarium
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Opening hours
Today10:00 – 17:00Show all
Shorts
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Day Trip To to The Tennessee Aquarium in ChattanoogaJoLeBo Family
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The Tennessee Aquarium is top notch. One building for freshwater and …Amy Huffman
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I visited the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga and completely fell i…BIA • Custom made crafts
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Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga, TN, 3/20/22(1)Joshua A.E.W. Allen
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Tennessee AquariumBenjamin Burton
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Explore river to ocean life at the Tennessee Aquarium — a must-visit …Austin
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Tennessee Aquarium in ChattanoogaWoos
Why go
- Follow a raindrop from the Appalachian Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico in River Journey.
- Explore Ocean Journey’s shark and ray touch tank and butterfly garden with South American species.
- Watch fish being raised for release into the wild at River Journey’s Barrens Topminnow Lab.
- See large freshwater fish from around the world in River Giants.
With kids
- Children and teens can take part in camps and workshops.
- Look for young alligators and alligator snapping turtles in Delta Country.
- TNACI has run CLAW Camp, a week-long summer conservation leadership camp for high school students, since 2012.
- TNACI includes school groups in releases of lake sturgeon and other species into local rivers.
Tips for your visit
- Buy tickets online through the aquarium’s own site.
- For a break during your visit, the aquarium has cafés and souvenir shops.
- The aquarium also operates an IMAX 3D theater; check its programme when planning your visit.
Know before you go
- Open daily, 10:00–17:00.
- Address: 1 Broad Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- Telephone: 800-262-0695.
Interesting facts5
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500 animals
The aquarium’s turtle and tortoise collection includes more than 500 animals representing over 75 species.
Tennessee Aquarium - Wikipedia (part 2) -
It is the only accredited U.S. zoo or aquarium to hatch Beale’s eyed turtles.
Tennessee Aquarium - Wikipedia (part 2) -
Aquarists have bred epaulette sharks, coral catsharks, seahorses, jellyfish, stingrays and cuttlefish.
Tennessee Aquarium - Wikipedia (part 2) -
2001
Accredited as a special-purpose school since 2001, it is the only such school based in an aquarium.
Tennessee Aquarium - Wikipedia (part 3) -
53 bas
The aquarium building’s walls have 53 bas-reliefs depicting Tennessee River valley history.
Tennessee Aquarium - Wikipedia
History
Built on former warehouse land at the foot of Broad Street, the aquarium was the first part of Chattanooga’s downtown revitalization plan to open. Peter Chermayeff designed River Journey as part of Cambridge Seven Associates. The aquarium raised $30 million for its expansion through bonds and the 21st Century Waterfront campaign, connecting Ocean Journey, River Journey and Ross’s Landing Park.
- 1985A student proposal placed an aquarium near the downtown waterfront as part of the Vision 2000 redevelopment project.
- 1992The aquarium opened to the public on May 1. Research and conservation work began that year.
- 1994The aquarium established its research department.
- 1996The aquarium founded its research and conservation arm, now called the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute.
- 2005Ocean Journey opened on April 29, expanding the aquarium.
Don't miss
- The Secret ReefExplore three viewing levels of a reef depicting the Flower Garden Banks sanctuary in the Gulf of Mexico, home to sand tiger sharks, bonnethead sharks and green sea turtles.Tennessee Aquarium
- Penguins’ RockWatch macaroni and gentoo penguins swim in a 16,000-gallon tank.Tennessee Aquarium
- Jellies: Living ArtSee jellyfish alongside rotating art glass exhibits created through a collaboration with the Hunter Museum.Tennessee Aquarium
- The PassageSee the interactive public art installation marking the Chattanooga starting site of the Trail of Tears.Beside the aquarium
Sources: Tennessee Aquarium - Wikipedia · Tennessee Aquarium - Wikipedia (part 2) · Tennessee Aquarium - Wikipedia (part 3) · Chattanooga - Wikivoyage (see) · Tennessee Aquarium - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026
- Website
- tnaqua.org/
- Phone
- 8002620695
Questions and answers
Which animals can I see in the Tennessee River gallery?
Its river-species tank includes paddlefish and channel catfish.
Does the aquarium help protect Tennessee wildlife?
Its conservation institute works to protect the Laurel Dace, a fish found only in Tennessee waters.
Can I book Sleep in the Deep or Deeper Dives at the Tennessee Aquarium?
The aquarium offers booking for both Sleep in the Deep and Deeper Dives.
- See who's going — faces, not ticket counts.
- Write to someone who shares your interests — no swipes, no matches, no paywall.
- Pick the event or the place to meet at — and go together.