Tennessee Aquarium

About

The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga is one of the world's premier aquariums, celebrated for its dual approach to freshwater and ocean ecosystems. Since opening its original River Journey building in 1992, the aquarium has grown into a 130,000-square-foot complex encompassing two iconic buildings along the Tennessee River waterfront. River Journey traces the course of a Tennessee river from a mountain cove forest down to the Gulf of Mexico, with exhibits featuring river otters, sturgeon, alligators, turtles, and dozens of native freshwater species. Ocean Journey, the second building, immerses visitors in saltwater habitats from coral reefs to open ocean, housing sharks, stingrays, seahorses, and the beloved Scuttlebutt Reef touch pool. The newly opened Penguins ROCK! exhibit celebrates African penguins and their conservation story. The aquarium's Butterfly Garden offers a seasonal walk-through experience with hundreds of free-flying butterfly species, while Tennessee's only IMAX 4K with Laser Theater screens nature documentaries and wildlife films on a massive format screen. Deeper Dives behind-the-scenes tours and Sleep in the Deep overnight programs create extraordinary experiences for families and school groups. Conservation is central to the Tennessee Aquarium's mission. The TNACI (Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute) conducts active research and rescue programs for imperiled species such as the Laurel Dace, a critically endangered fish endemic to Tennessee. Live webcam streams of resident animals connect online audiences with the aquarium's residents year-round.

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