Tennessee Aquarium

The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga is one of the best aquariums in the Southeast and among the top family destinations in the entire state. Two buildings on the Tennessee River waterfront cover freshwater and marine ecosystems with the depth and quality that most regional aquariums simply don't have.

The River Journey building makes a case that freshwater ecosystems are every bit as fascinating as the ocean — and with the Tennessee River and its remarkable biodiversity as a local hook, it lands well. Giant catfish, sturgeon, river otters, and freshwater species from rivers around the world occupy tanks that give visitors genuinely impressive viewing angles. The river otter exhibit is the emotional anchor for most young children — active, playful, and endlessly entertaining, the otters perform for an audience and seem to know it.

The Ocean Journey building handles the saltwater side: sharks, rays, jellyfish, tropical reef fish, and open ocean species. The stingray touch tank is the peak family moment of most visits — supervised, safe, and the kind of sensory experience that kids genuinely can't stop talking about. Feeling a stingray glide under your hand is something that sticks with a 6-year-old for years.

The facility also has a butterfly garden (seasonal) and an IMAX theater with dome-format natural history films. These extend the visit meaningfully if you have time.

For families visiting Chattanooga, the Tennessee Aquarium and Creative Discovery Museum (2 blocks away) is the standard excellent family day. Both are world-class for their respective formats and walkable from each other on the riverfront.