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Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga, TN

Photo: Ɱ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

AttractionsFamily FavoriteRainy-Day Pick

Tennessee Aquarium

One Broad St · Chattanooga, TN

Why you should go…

Two buildings on the Chattanooga riverfront split the visit between fresh and salt water. River Journey follows water from an Appalachian cove forest with river otters down to the alligators of Delta Country and the oversized freshwater fish of River Giants. Ocean Journey holds the Secret Reef, jellies, a butterfly garden and Penguins' Rock with gentoo and macaroni penguins. Keeper and diver chats run through the day.

  • #aquarium
  • #penguins
  • #river otters
  • #family activity
  • #downtown chattanooga

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Tennessee Aquarium, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Tours
    Quirky Fun

    Chattanooga Ghost Tours

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    Guided walking ghost tours and cemetery ghost hunts through downtown Chattanooga's haunted history.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Chattanooga

    Free

    Official visitor site for Chattanooga, Tennessee, covering attractions, dining, hotels, and events.

    1.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Attractions
    Iconic

    Ruby Falls

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    Underground waterfall inside Lookout Mountain reached by elevator, with cave tours and seasonal ziplining.

    3.0 mi awayMore like this

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    Lookout Mountain Incline Railway

    Under $25

    Ride a cable car about a mile up the side of Lookout Mountain on a track with grades up to 72.7 percent.

    3.6 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

    $25–$50

    Ride vintage steam and diesel trains through the Tennessee Valley, including the scenic Hiwassee River Loop.

    5.9 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Attractions
    Iconic

    Rock City

    $25–$50

    Follow a garden trail through rock formations to Lover's Leap, a swinging bridge and Fairyland Caverns.

    6.0 mi awayMore like this