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Chattanooga Things to Do

First admittance to the Aquarium is at 10 a.m. with last admittance at 6 p.m. Eastern Time. The Aquarium closes at 8 p.m. The Gift Shops close at 6:30. The Aquarium and IMAX 3D Theater are two great things to do in Chattanooga and are open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas day. The Aquarium ticketing center opens at 9:30 a.m. daily.

IMAX Theater

So real, It's unreal
The huge, six-story screen at the IMAX 3D Theater puts YOU in the action. Travel to undersea reefs filled with colorful creatures, or visit exotic locations from around the world.

VIEW SHOWTIMES

RIVER GORGE EXPLORER

Chattanooga Riverboat Cruise
A Chattanooga Riverboat Cruise on the River Gorge Explorer is part thrill ride and part nature tour.

TN RIVERBOAT

Backstage Pass

New Backstage pass

Get VIP access to get up-close, feed, and touch Aquarium animals.

GO BACKSTAGE
Things to do at the Tennessee Aquarium

Things to Do at the Tennessee Aquarium


  • There are lots of fun things to do in Chattanooga. The Aquarium, Lookout Mountain, and downtown area are great - just to name a few.

    Benjamin - Ooltewah, TN

  • Chattanooga is a great place to visit. It's a very pretty town right on the river with a large park with fountains, horse and buggy rides, many places to visit, good restaurants and very scenic.

    Betty - Rising Fawn, GA

  • The waterfront is very neat. The aquarium is an awesome place to visit and is great for children. They can learn a lot about the ocean and the river life.

    Betty - Gainesboro, TN

  • Very well done! The aquariums are beautifully put together and maintained. The information provided is easy to obtain. The people are knowledgeable and willing to help.

    Randy - Knoxville, TN

  • Lots of good family-friendly attractions including the Aquarium, Creative Discovery Museum and Chattanooga Zoo.

    Eric - Birmingham, AL

  • Good weekend getaway for adults or whole family. Loved the Aquarium, Rock City, IMAX and Ruby Falls.

    Jason - Pell City, AL

  • LOTS of fun things for kids to do...very pretty place to visit and take lots of pictures!!

    Jennifer - Huntland, TN

  • There is a lot of variety--the Aquarium, Shopping, Creative Museum, Choo-Choo, Rock City, Ruby Falls and many other activities for all ages.

    Jenny - Conyers, GA

The Tennessee Aquarium is rated by locals and visitors alike as one of the best things to do in Chattanooga.  Looking for a money-saving deal better than any coupon?  Buy a combination ticket to the Aquarium, River Gorge Explorer and/or IMAX and save. 

Tennessee Aquarium – The top-rated aquarium in America offers a journey through two buildings loaded with things to do and engaging experiences on Chattanooga’s beautiful downtown riverfront.  River Journey fascinates visitors with river otters, turtles, alligators, giant catfish and thousands of freshwater wonders.  Ocean Journey delights guests with penguins, sharks, butterflies and often scuba divers who interact with guests.  Plan at least two hours for your aquarium visit.  Aquarium admission includes access to both River Journey and Ocean Journey. Tickets are good all day so you can come and go and take advantage of these great combination ticket deals. Ticket Information

IMAX Movie Theater – With a brand new state-of-the-art sound system and six-story screen, this IMAX movie theater is one of the best things to do in Chattanooga.  Plan on 45 minutes for a traditional IMAX film and add it to your aquarium visit for only $5. Check movie showtimes.

River Gorge Explorer – Part thrill ride, part nature tour, the Tennessee Aquarium’s high speed catamaran offers a riverboat tour to remember.  At speeds up to 50 mph, this 70-passenger riverboat takes passengers quickly down the river in a climate controlled cabin and then offers rooftop viewing as it slowly moves through the beautiful and unique Tennessee River Gorge.  River cruises last two to three hours. Riverboat Tickets and Schedule.

Backstage Pass – The hottest new addition to the list of things to do in Chattanooga.  Get VIP access to be up close, touch and feed Aquarium animals.  Go behind the scenes and put yourself in the boots of one of the Aquarium’s animal keepers.  Each tour lasts about 45 minutes. Go Backstage.

Chattanooga Hotel Packages – Book a hotel package that includes accommodations and attraction tickets and save.  It’s one of the best deals for a Chattanooga getaway. Chattanooga Hotels.


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All exhibit galleries are fully accessible. Wheelchairs are available for rental on a first come first serve basis (no reservations). The rental fee is $7 (members receive a 10% discount). A drivers license is required to hold until the unit is returned. The wheelchair rental location is located near the exit in the River Journey Gift Shop.

Strollers are permitted in the Aquarium buildings and back packs are free for toddlers. For your safety, strollers and crocs (or similar soft shoes) are not allowed on escalators; however, elevators are available in all buildings.

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Campus Map
campus map
Downloadable PDF Brochure
2009 enticement brochure
Chattanooga Hotel Packages

The Tennessee Aquarium has teamed up with the best Chattanooga hotels to offer special deals and experiences in the city.
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Backstage Pass

NEW Backstage Passes will give you VIP access to get up-close, feed, and actually touch Aquarium animals.
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Sleepovers at the Aquarium

Ever dream of sleeping under the peaks alongside sharks, stingrays and more? Now is your chance.
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Traveling with Kids

Get discount tickets you can use any time at the Creative Discovery Museum. Pilot a riverboat, dig for dinosaur bones, make sculptures and build a car at this hands-on children’s museum full of family fun.
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Traveling with your Pet

Planning a trip to Chattanooga? Bring your pet! We've got tips and links to pet-friendly hotels and boarding facilities.
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Fun Stuff

Check out this fun-filled page with links to interactive games and other activities. Enjoy some of these items at home or download maps to help you "dive deeper" into your next Aquarium visit.
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Chatter Magazine

Check out the digital version of Chattanooga's Chatter Magazine.

River Scenes at the Aquarium

On your next visit to the Tennessee Aquarium, we invite you to take a trip back in time. Snapshots of Chattanooga’s amazing story can be discovered by following an artistic timeline featured on the exterior of the Aquarium’s River Journey building.
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Sign up for E-newsletter

By diving in now, you'll be among the first to learn about new animals and exhibits, conservation programs, special events at the Aquarium and new films coming to the IMAX 3D Theater.
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