Tennessee Aquarium

The Tennessee Aquarium is a renowned freshwater and marine aquarium located on the banks of the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee. Opened in 1992 and expanded in 2005, it is home to more than 12,000 animals representing nearly 800 species across two buildings. The River Journey building traces a raindrop's path from the Appalachian Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico, featuring one of the largest freshwater exhibits in the world, with river giants such as arapaima, alligator gar, and American paddlefish. The Rivers of the World gallery showcases species from the Amazon, Congo, and Fly Rivers. The Ocean Journey building opens into coastal and marine ecosystems, with the Secret Reef as its centerpiece, a vast habitat housing sand tiger sharks, bonnethead sharks, and green sea turtles. The Tennessee Aquarium is celebrated for its conservation education, research partnerships, and its striking riverside setting in the heart of Chattanooga.