Travel the Ocean & River at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, TN

Here are some highlights from our visit:

• Lemur Forest: It’s always fun when an aquarium throws in a surprise, and this was it. The lemurs were full of personality and fun to watch as they explored their habitat.
• Butterfly Garden: A beautiful, peaceful stop. This warm and lush space is filled with butterflies flitting around freely, and if you’re lucky, one might land right on you.
• Tropical Cove: This was one of the more hands-on areas. Kids can interact with animals in the Stingray Bay touch tank while learning about tropical species nearby.
• Secret Reef: One of the most impressive tanks we’ve seen. It’s enormous—filled with sharks, sea turtles, rays, and schools of tropical fish. We spent a lot of time here just watching the graceful movements and colorful fish.
• Boneless Beauties: This section features jellyfish, squid, and other invertebrates in glowing tanks. It’s an odd but fascinating space—eerie in the best way.
• Penguins’ Rock: Always a crowd favorite. These penguins are energetic and curious, and their color-coded bands (with names!) make it extra fun to spot your favorites.

Tennessee Aquarium Butterfly Garden Photos

River Journey Exhibits

We continued our visit by entering the River Journey building to take a freshwater adventure—starting high in the mountains and flowing down through wetlands, rivers, and into global waterways. We really appreciated how the layout guides you through the story of freshwater ecosystems from start to finish. You travel to the top of the building and descend as you go, just like water flowing downstream.

• Appalachian Cove Forest: We started our visit in this forested mountain habitat. It feels cool and peaceful with its flowing waterfall and tree canopy, plus otters.
• Delta Country & Mississippi River: This section feels like stepping into the bayou, with its boardwalk-style paths and swampy ambiance. They are behind a glass, but you actually get pretty close to alligators.
• Tennessee River: We spotted giant catfish and turtles and got a feel for just how many species live in Tennessee.
• River Giants: If you’ve got kids fascinated by big animals, don’t miss this. It features freshwater giants like Arapaima and giant freshwater stingrays. Some of these fish are truly massive!
• Rivers of the World: This part expands the view to global rivers—from the Amazon to the Congo—with colorful fish and eye-catching habitats. The international feel adds a fun and educational twist to the experience.
• Touch and Learn Areas: Keep an eye out for hands-on stations. If you time it right, you might catch a feeding or educational demo.

General Info for Visiting Families

• Stroller-Friendly: All areas are stroller-accessible with a smooth one-way flow. We didn’t use one, but we noticed how easy it would be for families with toddlers.
• Restrooms: Family restrooms are easy to find, and there’s even a nursing room at the lower level of River Journey.
• Tickets: Buy in advance! Timed entry helps manage crowds, and once you’re in, you can stay as long as you like.
• Parking: Expect to pay around $14 max for nearby lots. Weekends fill up fast. Chattanooga does offer a free downtown shuttle.
• Time: We spent around 2 hours exploring the two buildings with a moderate pace.
• IMAX Theater: It’s located just across the plaza and requires a separate ticket.

Dining Near the Aquarium

There is not a food court inside the aquarium, but there are some restaurants near the Tennessee Aquarium. The plaza outside of the aquarium has dining options and space for picnics. Since you enter two separate buildings during your visit, it’s easy to stop outside and eat a snack or lunch between buildings.

The Ice Cream Show is perfect for a post-visit treat. We ate lunch at Agave & Rye—our teens liked the bold decor, and the tacos were a hit (bonus: great Taco Tuesday deals).

Heads-up though: we initially tried walking to the nearby Overboard Bar and Grille, a restaurant on a docked riverboat, but they don’t have bathrooms, so plan accordingly!

Kid-Friendly Extras

• Afternoon is Ideal: Since it’s air-conditioned and indoors, this makes a great afternoon activity—especially in the heat of summer.
• Follow the Flow: One of our favorite parts of the experience was the way each building starts at the top and winds down like a real waterway. In the River Journey, you can even see through the middle of the building like you’re inside a massive river. Some tanks span more than one floor, and it’s a design that really draws you in.
• Interactive Extras: Look for touch tanks (like stingrays!) and live feeding times or talks. We missed one feeding by a few minutes but caught a learning station instead—worth checking the schedule ahead of time.

Our Review: Tennessee Aquarium

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