1 / 2Tennessee Aquarium
📍 Riverfront, TN
Tennessee Aquarium spans two buildings—River Journey and Ocean Journey—plus an IMAX 4K laser theater, the new Scuttlebutt Reef exhibit, penguin shows twice daily, butterfly keeper chats, and Deeper Dives behind-the-scenes tours.
Loved the experience but this one employee told me to freak off and my daughter was a bum so I slapped him and got escorted out I would like to say the one employee with the attitude is nice until you look them in the eye they think it was a rivalry or sign of dominance they made me get on all fours and cry like a dog. Overall prettY fun would recommend.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with kids aged 2 and up. The dual-building format rewards a full-day visit—plan at least four hours to cover both. Penguin shows and butterfly encounters are standouts for younger children. Older kids and teens engage well with the Deeper Dives tours. Weekday visits through mid-May will overlap with school group crowds.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →25,288 Google reviews
John Lart
“Loved the experience but this one employee told me to freak off and my daughter was a bum so I slapped him and got escorted out I would like to say the one employee with the attitude is nice until you look them in the eye they think it was a rivalry or sign of dominance they made me get on all fours and cry like a dog. Overall prettY fun would recommend.”
Candice Hardy
“Absolutely loved the experience here! Very cool and informational! Will definitely be going back!”
Yusef Rawashdeh
“Wonderful experience”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Tennessee Aquarium at 1 Broad St in Chattanooga operates two distinct buildings: River Journey, focused on freshwater ecosystems, and Ocean Journey, featuring marine life including penguins. The on-site IMAX theater is Tennessee's only 4K laser-format cinema. The new Scuttlebutt Reef exhibit recently opened. Penguins ROCK! shows run twice daily. Deeper Dives behind-the-scenes tours are bookable separately.