The Tennessee Aquarium sits on the banks of the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga, where it has anchored the city’s riverfront since opening its first building, River Journey, on May 1, 1992. A second building, Ocean Journey, followed on April 29, 2005, expanding the complex into one of the largest aquarium campuses in the country and a centerpiece of Chattanooga’s downtown revitalization.
Non-profit and accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1993, the Tennessee Aquarium traces water’s journey from mountain streams to the open ocean across its exhibits. It’s home to more than 12,000 animals, including river otters, penguins, sharks, and Miguel Wattson, an electric eel known for his social media presence, all while running active conservation and education programs through the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Opened: May 1, 1992 (River Journey); April 29, 2005 (Ocean Journey)
- Size: About 190,000 sq ft across two buildings; roughly 1.1 million gallons of water
- Species/Animal Count: Around 12,000 animals representing about 800 species
- Annual Visitors: Around 700,000
- Famous For: Was the largest freshwater aquarium in the world when it opened in 1992
River Journey and Ocean Journey
The aquarium is split into two connected buildings that follow water’s path from source to sea. River Journey, the original 1992 building, traces freshwater ecosystems from Appalachian mountain streams down through the Tennessee River and into swamps, showcasing native species like river otters and freshwater fish. Ocean Journey, added in 2005, picks up where freshwater meets the sea, leading visitors through exhibits on the Gulf of Mexico, tropical coral reefs, and the open ocean, including the 618,000-gallon Secret Reef tank, the aquarium’s largest.
Conservation and Community Role
Beyond exhibits, the Tennessee Aquarium operates as an accredited special-purpose school and runs freshwater conservation research through its Conservation Institute, work that helped earn it the National Medal for Museum and Library Service in 2009. The aquarium has also been credited with playing a major role in revitalizing downtown Chattanooga since it opened in the early 1990s, drawing tens of millions of cumulative visitors over its history.
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Tennessee Aquarium FAQs
When did the Tennessee Aquarium open?
Its original building, River Journey, opened on May 1, 1992. A second building, Ocean Journey, opened on April 29, 2005.
How many animals are at the Tennessee Aquarium?
The aquarium houses more than 12,000 animals representing about 800 species.
Where is the Tennessee Aquarium located?
It’s located on the banks of the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee.
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Photo: Ɱ / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.