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Chattanooga, TN

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Tennessee Aquarium

4.5 (611 reviews)
Open • 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Michael G.

While I was visiting the Georgia Aquarium for the first time last year, I was talking to an employee at the their shark exhibit and she sang the praises of the Tennessee Aquarium. A buddy of mine confirmed her high praise when I asked him about it and told me what he loves most about his hometown aquarium is that there are two structures, one that has an ocean life exhibit like you would expect and the other that features river life. The latter is something I haven't seen at any other aquarium and that really sets it apart. Let's face it, river fish are delicious but not the most aesthetically pleasing critters but are super cool nonetheless. Give yourself a good 2-3 hours to explore both buildings, it's a really nice campus, and great place to beat the heat like we did that day.

Beth S.

This is an excellent aquarium. It's two buildings. Plus an IMAX. One building is oceans. One is rivers. You can easily spend quite a few hours here. We had a great day and really enjoyed the exhibits.

Ricarta C.

It was very exciting for me and family to see all the different creatures. We enjoyed every part of it especially the butterflies room, a few landed on me and my daughter and we were so excited !!! We also got to touch a few of the water creatures like the sting rays which were so cool ! We enjoyed it very much! Parking was $11 for 24 hrs so we've also dined and just walked around downtown. Workers there was welcoming and helpful.

Brittney S.

My mom and I both enjoyed this aquarium more than we anticipated. So many different kinds of animals, from all different parts of the world, it was really cool to see. There's a 2nd building with lemurs, stingrays, butterflies, penguins... we enjoyed learning about all the animals and even got to pet some.

Nicole L.

Stopped in on a work trip. We got there around 2pm and we could see loads of kids on a field trip leaving, so I'd advise arriving late afternoon to avoid any school crowds. There are 2 buildings - ocean and river exhibits. There were some non aquatic animals like lemurs and butterfly garden. You have the opportunity to touch sting rays and sturgeon's and they have wash stations near by. It looks like they offer some cool experiences like sleepover at the aquarium and imax shows.

Ocean Journey building
La H.

We all had a really great time at the Tennessee Aquarium! The aquarium is divided into two separate buildings called River Journey and Ocean Journey. Both buildings had a lot to see from fish to turtles to crocodiles, to lemurs. There is even a butterfly exhibit! It is truly something the whole family can enjoy! If you're visiting Chattanooga, this is definitely worth your time!

Amber S.

Easy walking downhill. Big displays so crowds don't block for others. Large print descriptions. Wheelchair and stroller access. Benches and water bottle refills if needed.

Ashley S.

This aquarium is fantastic! There are two different buildings, one freshwater and one salt water or "ocean". You can also include the IMAX with your ticket if you want. We did not have time when we went. I loved the ocean exhibits. They were fantastic. I recommend going early in the day so you have plenty of time. We didn't make it through everything before they closed.

Sadie W.

We brought my daughter and her friend here for Spring Break. This was our first time here. The actual parking lot seemed to be full so we parked in across the street in another paid parking lot. The aquarium is amazing. So many different exhibits. If you prepurchase your tickets they will let you in a few minutes before your time to prevent overcrowding.

Jesus S.

Today's visit to the Tennessee Aquarium felt like stepping into an entirely different world--one full of shimmering water, curious creatures, and peaceful river views. From the moment I walked through the doors, I was struck by the calm hum of flowing water and the soft glow of the exhibits. I started in the River Journey building, where freshwater life thrives in every corner. The river otters were easily the stars--playful, lively, and impossible not to smile at. Watching them zip and tumble through the water made me wish I could dive in with them. The towering River Giants exhibit was equally mesmerizing, with enormous fish gliding slowly through the water like ancient guardians. Crossing over to the Ocean Journey building felt like turning a page. Everything became brighter, more colorful, more dreamlike. The butterfly garden was surprisingly peaceful--thousands of delicate wings drifting through warm, quiet air. In the ocean galleries, rays, reef fish, and tiny seahorses stole the show, but the real magic was the massive Secret Reef tank. Standing there watching sharks circle effortlessly in the blue glow was hypnotic. One of my favorite moments was visiting the touch pools, where I could gently feel the texture of a stingray's smooth back. It was strangely calming, and it reminded me just how remarkable the natural world is. Before leaving, I stepped outside to enjoy the view of the Tennessee River. The buildings' glass pyramids glowed in the afternoon light, and it struck me how perfectly the aquarium blends with its riverfront surroundings. A perfect finish to the day. Today's visit to the Tennessee Aquarium felt like stepping into an entirely different world--one full of shimmering water, curious creatures, and peaceful river views. From the moment I walked through the doors, I was struck by the calm hum of flowing water and the soft glow of the exhibits. I started in the River Journey building, where freshwater life thrives in every corner. The river otters were easily the stars--playful, lively, and impossible not to smile at. Watching them zip and tumble through the water made me wish I could dive in with them. The towering River Giants exhibit was equally mesmerizing, with enormous fish gliding slowly through the water like ancient guardians. Crossing over to the Ocean Journey building felt like turning a page. Everything became brighter, more colorful, more dreamlike. The butterfly garden was surprisingly peaceful--thousands of delicate wings drifting through warm, quiet air. In the ocean galleries, rays, reef fish, and tiny seahorses stole the show, but the real magic was the massive Secret Reef tank. Standing there watching sharks circle effortlessly in the blue glow was hypnotic. One of my favorite moments was visiting the touch pools, where I could gently feel the texture of a stingray's smooth back. It was strangely calming, and it reminded me just how remarkable the natural world is. Before leaving, I stepped outside to enjoy the view of the Tennessee River. The buildings' glass pyramids glowed in the afternoon light, and it struck me how perfectly the aquarium blends with its riverfront surroundings. A perfect finish to the day.

Exploring the fishes
Dee Y.

Spent the afternoon with a class of First Year students at the aquarium. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We walked around and saw the various fish and sharks. They really enjoyed the butterfly room, walking around, trying to get the butterfly to touch their fingers. Lived there were a few animals touch stations and feeding during our time. My students are college aged and really enjoyed themselves!!

Sydney J.

Awesome aquarium, and I love how outdoorsy it feels. The exhibits are beautiful, clean, and full of fascinating marine life. I loved the touch tanks, the playful otters, and the stunning butterfly garden. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and even the bathrooms are spotless. Truly one of the best attractions in Tennessee, and a must go if you like marine life or have kids. I do want to say it's a ton of walking on ramps during the main large enclosure, so it can be harder on the knees. But otherwise, it was excellent. I thought that it was very fun, very peaceful, and I really enjoyed it. I didn't get to speak to many staff, however the staff I did communicate with were very kind and happy to help. The butterfly garden is absolutely beautiful.

Gator

This is such a cool aquarium!! Two buildings with tons and tons to see!!! Everything from penguins to sharks, and huge river fish!! It was really really awesome!

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Tennessee Aquarium Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Tennessee Aquarium

Is it Pet friendly?

No, you cannot take pets inside.

Are mask forced at the aquarium at this time?

Masks, as of 06/19/22, are not required. However, masks are STRONGLY recommended for everyone in public indoor spaces - including both Aquarium buildings and their IMAX theater. This is per their website FAQs page.

Are there electric vehicles available at the aquarium? Handicapped Parking? I'm very sorry to learn there are no electric chairs or carts for rent. As a solo traveler, that means I cannot visit the Aquarium.

Parking, at and around, the Tennessee Aquarium is on a paid basis. All lots have smooth transitions, or ramp transitions, from parking area to sidewalk. Handicap parking is limited but, there are several parallel spots also available.… 

Are masks required for children?

In mid June when we visited masks were required for all until 11AM. After that time it was optional. Clearly some people feel they are above safety rules and guidelines but a high majority of people followed until 11.

Is the butterfly garden still there? I couldn't find it on the main page exhibits

It was when we were there at the beginning of the year

Does anyone know how much the military discount takes off from your admission price (5%? 10%?)?

Is two hours really long enough? How much time should one realistically expect to spend at the aquarium to experience everything without rushing?

It can be done in 2 hours depending on your interest level. The second building wasn't as content-filled as I expected. Lots of empty space. We were there 4 hours and felt we saw it thoroughly. That time also includes walking a couple of blocks and… 

How much is a ticket for an adult?

29.95 for an adult. This is a non profit so no tax and the dollars go towards education programs to help promote safe water! 18.95 for children 3-12. Ticket price can be applied to a year long membership. They offer combination price tickets for the… 

What days will it be open during Thanksgiving week and what are the prices?

Aquarium is open every day except December 25 and Thanksgiving day. The days before holidays are best for visiting. Check the.org website for special programs. Remember to eat local when you visit, the local farmers have beautiful harvest they share… 

Are there places to sit down as you tour the aquarium?

Yes, there are benches throughout the exhibits. :)

Is there a parking garage near by the aquarium? I think there is but not to sure...was back there in 2009.

I didn't see a garage but there are multiple paid parking lots. You can pay by app, credit card or cash.

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Review Highlights - Tennessee Aquarium

“Exhibitions: there are two in separate buildings one is the River Journey and the other is the Ocean Journey.”

Mentioned in 47 reviews

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Creative Discovery Museum

4.6(117 reviews)
0.2 mi

Wow this place was amazing! I am a past preschooler teacher a current nanny a mother and a…read moregrandmother and this place is what's happening! I have decided to buy my 2-year-old grandson in annual pass so his family can take him here as many times as he wants. There is an area in the section for every age group. There was not once where I felt like my two-year-old grandson was going to get ran over by a big kid because everybody had their own areas to excel in. Enjoy my pictures because I don't feel like I can find the words to explain all the awesomeness that is in one building. Have fun kids and caregivers!

This was my first visit with my 4 & 2 yr old. I have wanted to bring my kids here for so long so I…read morethink I had a lot of expectation seeing as it was specifically for kids. I was a little let down. First, admission is pretty hefty. This is an area for kids so I was surprised adult tickets were so expensive. Secondly, not a single hand sanitizer station had any hand sanitizer. We arrived right a 10am when they opened so I was very surprised they were all empty. Thirdly, many of the "buttons" for kids to push didn't work or maybe they weren't suppose to do anything. But I would think if there is a button to push, it should at least make a sound or turn on a light. Lastly, (nothing that the museum can control) but it's hard to fully enjoy the exhibits when parents don't "reset" the area after their child is done playing in it. Parents please be considerate and reset the area when your child is done playing. Better yet teach them to do it themselves along with "taking turns".

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Creative Discovery Museum - Outdoor play area

Outdoor play area

Creative Discovery Museum - Theater play (new as of 2022)

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Chattanooga Zoo At Warner Park - Golden Lion tamarin

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3.7(128 reviews)
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Modest in size, but well-spaced. Love the layout and animals that live there…read more Really enjoyed the camels & peacock. Those lions really want out careful! The gift shop was nice! Good place to take the family or a date or day time adventure.

Got out and enjoyed a day exploring the Zoo while we were in Chattanooga. We went early on a…read moreFriday morning, which was good as kids were back in school, so it wasn't too crowded. For basically being in the city, we were impressed by how large it was. I was expecting a much smaller zoo, and maybe it is land mass wise, but they manage to fit a lot in. It was a hot summer day, so we worried we'd miss out on a lot of the animals trying to find cooler spots to rest in, but many more were out than we expect, and a lot of the enclosures had both indoor and outdoor viewing areas, which helped allow us to see more, as well as get us out of the sun and cool down ourselves. They had a great variety of animals, with many varieties of primates. They had a reptile house, where you could go see or many different snakes and spiders, or if that's not your thing you could just as easily avoid it all together. We saw signs around the parking offering various talks about the animals at different times. We caught the chimp talk which was fun and they enticed the chimps to come for the chat with treats. All in all, it was a really fun time, and somewhere I'd recommend, especially with children. This was a much more impressive zoo than I expected.

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Chattanooga Zoo At Warner Park - Cotton top tamarin

Cotton top tamarin

Chattanooga Zoo At Warner Park
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Southern Belle Riverboat - The view from front deck

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2.8(157 reviews)
0.2 mi

Good drinks, food not really available, 3 floors and great staff. Good view, goes over bridge and…read morethe speaker tells fun facts about the area.

**Please Read if intending to eat at Overboard Grill**…read more I'm not sure exactly what I expected, but what we expierenced was sub-par. The 1.5 hour boat ride went the exact opposite direction I thought it was going and instead of seeing the mountains and moccasin bend, we drove towards the DAM upstream and there was literally nothing to see? No mountains, no nature, literally industrial parks on the right, suburban mansions on the left. The snacks on the upper deck were expensive with us paying $20 for nachos and 1 lemonade. The nachos had 10 chips in the container, but they were good. Lemonade was horrible and unsweetened. I was genuinely shocked that the expierence cost nearly $90 for my fiancè and I and we went maybe a mile upstream and back. Also, it was the sunset cruise but we got back at 6:30 and the sun didint set until 7:30?... Before we boarded, a lady at the front desk told us we could eat at the 3rd deck burger bar with all sorts of food when we get back as it didint close until 9PM. We got back at 6:30 and when we went upstairs, we were shocked to find out that the 3rd deck burger joint didint exist? There was a bar on the second level with a menu laying on it but there was no where to sit to eat? When I asked an employee where to locate this "burger joint" I was informed that "this was it and you just order at the bar/counter but they had already closed the kitchen". We left without asking any further questions. Very disappointing expierence and just ODD......

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Southern Belle Riverboat
Southern Belle Riverboat - Sunset on the Sunset Cruise on the TN River.

Sunset on the Sunset Cruise on the TN River.

Southern Belle Riverboat

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Naughty Cat Cafe - This is the second room at the Naughty Cat Cafe where some of the residents hang out.

Naughty Cat Cafe

4.8(128 reviews)
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We loved this experience! 43 cats full of love and wanting to be loved on. Coffee/soda was free…read morewith a ticket. One of the employees also gave us lunch recommendations for local pizza places and the one we tried was great. The team was very knowledgeable and connected well with customers.

Heartwarming to spend an hour loving on some foster care cats. That's what you can expect from a…read morevisit here to the Naughty Cat Cafe located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Someone on TikTok made a mention to this place and when I discovered you can pay $17 to spend quality time giving affection to 30 cats looking for their forever homes, this was a MUST DO, NON NEGOTIABLE for me, lol. I purchased and reserved my spot online ahead of time at naughtycatcafe.com. Their hours are mostly 11am - 5pm daily with being closed on Monday's and Tuesday's. One noticeable rule that is mentioned by the owner/manager is to not pick up the cats as most of them have been recently spade or neutered. The main room of the cafe is a low key, rustic lounge. It's dimly lit for the benefit of a few of the residents. Veering to the right is an open space with couches and chairs for visitors to sit down on and plenty of window lighting for other cats to watch the happenings outside. I approached this one cat who was lying on her side and we bonded. I showered her with tummy rubs which she gladly accepted. Watching her closing her eyes in total bliss (and trust) had me feeling sentimental in the best way possible. It was pure joy to give this cat some cuddle time. This was actually my first ever visit to a cat cafe. I had heard about them occasionally, but never actually considered stopping inside one. But, this was the perfect time to take a break from my roadtrip travels, just connecting with cats (or animals in general) can have rejuvenating powers that is healthy for the soul. Overall, it was a blessing to spend an hour with some lovable cats. Too bad I'm not anywhere from the Chattanooga, Tennessee area but I am thankful that there are shelter/foster homes like this Naughty Cat Cafe to give them exposure to visitors who may consider adopting them, so they can live a quality life. Thank you for having me.

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Naughty Cat Cafe - This is the Naughty Cat Cafe, a foster home for cats located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

This is the Naughty Cat Cafe, a foster home for cats located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Naughty Cat Cafe - Inside the Naughty Cat Cafe lounge

Inside the Naughty Cat Cafe lounge

Naughty Cat Cafe - Come spend an hour meeting and greeting 30 lovable cats at the Naughty Cat Cafe in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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Come spend an hour meeting and greeting 30 lovable cats at the Naughty Cat Cafe in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Tennessee Aquarium - aquariums - Updated October 2026

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