October 26, 2023

TENNESSEE AQUARIUM

1 Broad St, Chattanooga, TN 37402

“The Tennessee Aquarium is a non-profit public aquarium located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States. It opened in 1992 on the banks of the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga, with a major expansion added in 2005.” - Wikipedia

This large aquarium is housed in two buildings.  The first, River Journey, in my opinion, is the star.  After taking an escalator to the top floor you wind down through aquariums with many local fish and reptile species, starting with shallow streams and ending in tanks showing what is in the deep, dark waters of the Tennessee River.  While wandering down visitors experience aquariums with fish and reptiles in rivers from around the world.

When the river journey is finished visitors take a short walk to the Ocean Journey.  Like in the first building an escalator takes everyone to the top floor where lemurs and tortoises greet visitors, followed by a wonderful penguin exhibit.  The path down took visitors past a large ocean tank with all sorts of fish including sharks.  Also along the way down were jellyfish, nettles, an octopus, and other smaller aquariums with different fish.  While this building was impressive, in my opinion it didn’t match the River Journey experience, and compared to other ocean aquariums I’ve visited, it left a little to be desired.  Regardless, the Tennessee Aquarium is a must-see location in Chattanooga.