Everything You Need to Know about the Tennessee Aquarium Before Visiting with Kids

The Tennessee Aquarium is one of the must-visit stops in Downtown Chattanooga. The aquarium, which is housed over two buildings, is home to more than 12,000 animals. 

I have fond memories of visiting the aquarium as a child and am delighted to now get to bring my own children to the aquarium. Since the aquarium expanded in 2005, it is even bigger than I remember. 

Make sure to read my guide to the best things to do in Chattanooga, and then let’s get into what you need to know before you visit the Tennessee Aquarium. 

Quick info

• Location: 1 Broad St, Chattanooga, TN 37402
• Hours: 10 am – 7 pm Sun-Fri, 9 am – 7 pm Sat
• Cost: $39.95 adults, $29.95 youth (ages 4-17), Free toddlers (ages 0-3)
• Parking: $9-14 in the Aquarium lot, other lots are available nearby
• Public Transit: The free downtown shuttle has a stop near the Aquarium
• Tennessee Aquarium Website

What to know before you go

The Tennessee Aquarium has two buildings – the River Journey and the Ocean Journey, which house freshwater fish and saltwater fish, respectively. A single ticket allows you to visit both buildings. 

You can start at either building, so I suggest taking a look at the aquarium’s daily schedule first. This way you can plan if there are special things you want to see like penguin feedings or diver chats. 

We started in the Ocean Journey building during our last visit because I knew my kids would be most excited about the penguins. The aquarium is pretty large, so we had to hurry a bit through the River Journey because my toddler and preschooler were getting tired. It’s definitely a good idea to bring a stroller if you have little ones who might not be able to walk for a couple hours straight. 

Another advantage to saving the River Journey for second is that the aquarium gift shop is located at the exit of the building. My kids are at an age where they would be too interested in their purchases to enjoy the rest of the visit if they got a new toy halfway through.

Also, it’s helpful to know that there are touch experiences in both buildings. My children loved both the sturgeon touch tank in the Rivers Journey and the stingray touch tank in the Ocean Journey.

Besides general admission, you can also book a behind-the-scenes tour if you or someone in your group is especially interested in aquatic life. 

The aquarium has an IMAX theater as well that shows both documentaries and Hollywood films. Tickets to IMAX are an additional fee. You are able to buy tickets to see shows without having to buy tickets to see the aquarium.

Near the Tennessee Aquarium

Since the Tennessee Aquarium is in downtown Chattanooga, there’s quite a bit to do nearby. 

In Aquarium Plaza between the two buildings, there are fountains and springs that kids can splash around in. You’ll definitely want to bring swimsuits if you visit during the summer because they’ll want to get in when they see other kids playing.

If you’re ready to eat after leaving the aquarium, the concession stands right outside The River Journey are one option. Or if you bring your ticket, you can get a discount from one of the following spots right across the street: Ben & Jerry’s, Burger Republic, or Mellow Mushroom. We went to Mellow Mushroom on our most recent visit and had a great experience. 

Depending on how tired the kids are, you might or might not want to head over to the Creative Discovery Museum nearby. This fantastic children’s museum has been delighting families for over 30 years!

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Hopefully, you have a blast at your visit to the Tennessee Aquarium! Thanks for reading!

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