Explore Chattanooga Spring 2022

Photo courtesy of John Bamber

F or 30 years, the Tennessee Aquarium’s distinctive glass peaks have defined the skyline of downtownChattanooga and enticed tens of millions of guests fromall over theworld to embark on an adventure from themountains to the sea. Sprawling across two buildings, River Journey and Ocean Jour ney, the TennesseeAquarium is home to a living collection of about 12,000 animals representing 600 species fromall seven continents. Designed to mimic the downhill descent of a raindrop falling in the Appalachian Mountains as it flows to the Gulf of Mexico, a trip through River Journey takes guests through freshwater habitats. Guests begin their voyage winding between moss-covered rock walls to emerge into the light-filled expanse of the Appalachian Cove Forest. One of the Aquarium’s three “living forest” galleries, this space is home to playful North American River Otters. As they continue their descent toward the Gulf, visitors come face to face with other amazing species that live in or rely on freshwater including colossal Red-tailed Catfish and silver-scaled Arowana. Alligator Bayou is home to songbirds, ducks, non-venomous snakes, and turtles of all sizes, from tiny Map Turtles to a pair of enor mous Alligator Snapping Turtles. The gallery’s star attractions are its American Alligators, who stealthily glide through the water and bask on a “beach” between cypress knees. Rivers of theWorld features Siberian and Russian Sturgeon, Red bellied Piranhas, and the world’s only Twitter connected Electric Eel. In the Turtles of theWorld gallery, guests can visit a nursery housing dozens of hatchlings, many representing species critically endangered in the wild. Across the plaza, the Aquarium’s focus shifts to marine life and island-bound species as the adventure continues in the Ocean Journey building. Straightaway, guests are introduced to a troop of bounding Ring tailed, Red-ruffed and Red-collared Brown Lemurs. In Stingray Bay, an expansive pool surrounded by low walls offers ready access to touchable aquatic life, from Epaulette Sharks and Guitarfish to Horse shoe Crabs and Blue-spotted Stingrays. The hugely popular Butterfly Garden houses more than 1,500 butterflies that flutter from plant to plant to shoulder, offering must-snap fodder for Instagram feeds. Ocean Journey cools off a bit in the Penguins’ Rock gallery. Here, guests can take in the incredible speed and surprising agility of Gen too and Macaroni Penguins. Ocean Journey’s showcase attraction is the Secret Reef. The entire 30,000-square-foot building is constructed around this 618,000-gallon behemoth. During their tour, visitors wind down, around and eventually under this multi-story exhibit. Here, aquatic

Photo courtesy of Chattanooga Tourism Co.

life includes sleek Sandbar and Sand Tiger Sharks, Cownose Rays, a Green Sea Turtle and large schools of reef fish. Branching off from the Secret Reef, the Island Life and Boneless Beauties galleries showcase Giant Pacific Octopuses and Japanese Spider Crabs, schools of charming Clownfish and glimmering Split-fin Flashlight Fish, a garden of colorful anemones and a light ning-tongued Panther Chameleon. After their Aquarium adventure, guests can visit the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater. This facility’s state-of-the-art IMAX with Laser projection system is found in only a handful of theaters in the world. This spring and summer, audiences can take in a pair of thrilling giant-screen nature films, Ocean Odyssey 3D and Aus tralia’s Great Wild North 3D, as well as a rotating schedule of popular feature films. Guests arriving after April 15 are in for a special surprise. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the Aquarium is hosting Washed Ashore, a unique art installation designed to raise awareness about the perils of oceanic plastic pollution. As they explore the buildings, guests will come across more than a dozen art installations depicting animals such as seahorses, sea lions, and jellyfish. Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear they were created by carefully arranging discarded plastic items, such as eating utensils, beach toys, toothbrushes and more. For the last three decades, the Tennessee Aquarium has been a must-visit destination for generations of Chattanooga residents and visitors from around the globe. Whether they’re first-time arrivals or long-time fans, each trip through this riverfront attraction offers the kinds of thrilling sights and memorable moments that generate lasting memories and spark a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. Purchase timed-entry tickets online at: www.tnaqua.org

Photos courtesy of Tennessee Aquarium

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