What if you could . . .
. . . be an aquatic biologist at the world-famous Tennessee Aquarium? You’ll discover just what it takes to fix breakfast for thousands of animals, feed the fish, meet penguin keepers, snake and crocodile experts, shark specialists, butterfly experts and some of the Tennessee Aquarium’s most charismatic creatures.
MORNING AQUATIC ADVENTURE – Ages 5 and older
Join a member of the Aquarium’s staff as you experience what it’s like to be an aquatic biologist. You and your family will get a special behind-the-scenes look at the Tennessee Aquarium before it opens for the day.
The tour will guide you through the food-prep kitchen in the River Journey building, the Cove Forest where you’ll check up on the playful river otters and the Delta Swamp where you’ll check out the alligators and offer the ducks and turtles their breakfast. Venturing into the Ocean Journey building, you’ll encounter the macaws as they are prepared for exhibit, find out what’s on the menu for Penguins’ Rock, touch a shark or ray at Shark Island and watch as our entomologist releases new butterflies in the garden. Participants will take home personalized dog tags that identify them as junior Tennessee Aquarium biologists!
AFTERNOON AQUATIC ADVENTURE – Ages 10 and older only
Join a member of the Aquarium’s staff as you experience what it’s like to be an aquatic biologist. Dive into the inner workings of a world-class aquarium as you explore a hidden maze of pipes and pumps, discover what it takes to feed thousands of creatures and even feed a few while you travel behind the scenes in both Aquarium buildings.
The tour will guide you into the depths of the Aquarium as you learn how we keep more than 1 million gallons of water clean and then take a peek inside the operation center where it’s always "all systems go!" A visit to the food-prep kitchen will shed some light on what it takes to keep thousands of different animals from penguins to jellyfish well-fed and healthy. A behind-the-scenes visit to the Gulf of Mexico will offer you a chance to feed some of the hungry inhabitants, and a stop above the 618,000-gallon Secret Reef exhibit will offer you a top-side view of the aquarium’s largest sharks and sea turtle. Participants will take home personalized dog tags that identify them as junior Tennessee Aquarium biologists!
Morning tour must be reserved by 6 p.m. the night before and must be pre-paid.
Afternoon tours can be sold until 2:30 p.m. the same day.
All participants meet at the Member's Entrance.
All participants will receive a 10% discount in the gift shop.
Dates available: March 10 – April 25, Monday — Friday
Hours: Morning adventure is from 8:45-10:15 a.m.; Afternoon adventure is from 3-4:30 p.m.
Price: $27 per participant (includes admission to the Tennessee Aquarium); $14 for Tennessee Aquarium Members
Groups: Limited to 15 participants
Reservations: Call 800/262-0695, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
EXTEND YOUR FUN WITH AN IMAX 3D ADVENTURE
A splashy new film will premiere at the IMAX 3D Theater just in time for spring break. "Grand Canyon Adventure" takes IMAX audiences on a thrilling 3D whitewater rafting adventure on the mighty Colorado River. Environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and author Wade Davis lead their daughters on this exhilarating journey through the heart of the Grand Canyon. Along the way, the iconic Colorado River is used as a metaphor for our dwindling fresh water resources, and the need to protect our supply to meet the growing demands. Also playing at IMAX: "Sea Monsters 3D" and "U2 3D."
TENNESSEE AQUARIUM & IMAX® 3D THEATER
One Broad Street • Chattanooga, TN 37401-2048
800/262-0695 • 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday
www.tnaqua.com