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Tennessee Aquarium
If you are looking for the best place to visit in Chattanooga, TN, the best place to be is the Tennessee Aquarium. It is a place that, without doubt, you’d love and will allow you to explore living forests and come into contact with extraordinary creatures in their natural habitats. You will come across otters, stingrays, giant catfish, penguins, sharks, butterfly gardens, and two separate touch tanks-one with stingrays and the other a sturgeon.
About Tennessee Aquarium
Tennessee Aquarium is a non-profit public aquarium that is sometimes referred to as the Chattanooga Aquarium because of its location in downtown Chattanooga TN, United States. It is one of the largest freshwater aquariums and Chattanooga’s biggest attraction. It contributes more than $110 million to the economy of Tennessee every year.
The aquarium was established in 1992 along the banks of the Tennessee River downtown, with the main aim is to take tourists on a journey featuring eclectic creatures that live below and above sea level. It’s accredited by the association of zoos and aquariums (AZA) since 1993 and is the home to over 12000 animals representing nearly 800 species. Over 20 million people have visited the aquarium, and it is considered the country’s top public aquariums.
Exhibits
The Tennessee Aquariums embarked on their journey in 1992, captivating visitors with their enchanting exhibits. They opened the river journey, providing guests with a remarkable aquatic experience. Recognizing the desire for more, they expanded a few years later and unveiled the ocean journey in 2005, immersing visitors in the wonders of marine life and broadening the scope of their offerings. Since then, these two captivating journeys have continued to enthrall and educate visitors, establishing the Tennessee Aquariums as a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and curious minds alike.
River Journey
Through the exhibits such as river journey, visitors travel through different ecosystems like the Tennessee River and the Appalachian forest that gives access to various birds such as chirp birds, predators like the alligators, otters, turtles, and more. It is a 130,000 square foot structure equal in height to a 12-story building. When it opened, it was the largest freshwater aquarium in the world, containing 400 US gallons equivalent to 1,500,000L. The main exhibits in River Journey include:
- Delta Country
- The Appalachian Cove Forest
- River Giants Exhibit
- The Tennessee River Gallery
- Rivers of the World Gallery
All these exhibits found under River Journey are a home to different creatures, including birds, fishes, and other animals.
Ocean Journey
The ocean journey exhibits are also part of another exciting adventure tour. This is where colorful reef fish, penguins, sharks, and jellyfish live. To make the experience better, there is a pool of stingrays that tourists are allowed to touch. It is a 60000 square foot structure, equal in height to a ten-story building. It was opened in 2005, and it holds a total of 700000 US gallons, relevant to 2,600,000 L. It is closely related to the River Journey since they all flow into the Gulf of Mexico. Some of the creatures included in this facility are rays and small sharks, hyacinth macaws, and a butterfly garden with a beautiful view of free-flying South American Butterfly species. Main exhibits in the ocean include:
- The Boneless Beauties and Jellies
- The Secret Reef
- Penguins Rock
There is more to explore in the Tennessee aquarium, such as the splash fountains, river gorge explorer, and the Chattanooga Market.
Address: 1 Broad St, Chattanooga, TN 37402
If you enjoyed the Tennessee Aquarium you should check out the Chattanooga Zoo for more wildlife fun! Additionally, if you’ve recently relocated and require a shed, be sure to explore the excellent options provided by Scenic City Sheds.
