We started off our journey exploring the Tennessee Aquiarium's new Ocean Journey building. Yes, you heard that right, Ocean Journey. If you have not been to the TN Aquarium in the past several years, the time for a return is NOW! The Ocean Journey building houses an all-new exhibit for Penguins, Saltwater fish, and a pretty cool butterfly exhibit. Here you will get to explore all of these amazing ecosystems and see Sea Turtles, Penguins, and more aquatic life.
The second stop was the main Aquarium building. Once inside, your tour begins with an incredible Seahorse exhibit followed by a ride up an escalator that takes you up over four stories where the rest of your fun begins. Once at the top, you are greeted with commanding views of the Tennessee River and Chattanooga, and the Tennessee Riverboats and River Gorge Explorer. The journey then begins with a forest setting featuring birds, snakes, and River Otters. Be sure to walk up the steps to the second level of this exhibit to see some snakes and get a good view looking out over the forest exhibit. Few go up those steps, but it is worth it to do so (I was the only one up there this past Saturday so I had photo taking all to myself). After this you will travel through several more River exhibits and then an amazing section of Turtles, amphibians and a section that features lakes and rivers from around the world each with fish and other aquatic wildlife representing its respective place in the word's ecosystems. The tour will narrow down as you move lower past one last saltwater exhibit and several more large freshwater exhibits before ending at the gift shop (you do not need to go inside the shop to exit the building, but they do have some neat stuff and cool t-shirts). A quick note to say that this tour took us about three hours to get through and we were moving at a good pace. Plan on at least three-four hours to enjoy it all at once, especially if this is your first visit!
Once all of the aquarium action was over, there was more! It was time for our two hour journey on the Tennessee Aquarium River Gorge Explorer. This is a purpose, custom built High-Speed Catamaran designed to take nature lovers on a trip on the Tennessee River to explore the Tennessee River Gorge. Let me tell you, absolutely worth every dime (and its only 20-30.00 a person for adults!). The boat is very nice, very fast and maneuverable (as demonstrated by the captains). A top speed of 50mph is reached and when you arrive at the River Gorge where the tour actually begins, the boat slows to 8-10mph and you are allowed to move about decks (main cabin to upper deck) to observe. The guide talks about wildlife, the history of the river and the surrounding ecosystem. At the end of the high-speed jaunt back to the Aquarium, you will get to experience another great maneuverer from either below deck seated, or standing (holding onto rails) on the top deck. I won't describe it in detail, because I want you to visit and check it out for yourself.
A quick note regarding my personal feelings about the Tennessee Aquarium:
I get ask a lot about which Aquarium I prefer, the Tennessee Aquarium or the Georgia Aquarium. I will be honest, I truly believe that the Tennessee Aquarium is the best Aquarium visit anywhere in the United States. At the Tennessee Aquarium, you experience a great journey in a state-of-the-art building with some of the most highly trained volunteers, interpreters, guides and staff. These guys have done their homework and have gotten just about everything right. When I am at the Tennessee Aquarium, I feel like I am learning something with each visit, I never feel likes its overcrowded or that I am being rushed through the exhibits. I always feel welcomed, and always greeted by the staff and when I have a question, the person in the exhibit area always has an answer, or they will call another interpreter or scientist to get the answer for me.
The Georgia Aquarium is nice in its on way. It is a larger facility by square foot. What makes that a disadvantage is that most of it is foot court and tables and chairs. To move about exhibits one must go through this area. This is a great mall with an Aquarium in it, basically. I was impressed with the exhibits that I saw when I was there, but other things like general layout of the exhibits, the mall like food court, the overcrowding and the lack of knowledgable staff were all put-offs to me. This resulted in only one visit to the GA Aquarium for me. I have been to the Tennessee Aquarium over 7 times! Other things that are work to the GA Aquariums disadvantage would be the surrounding. Atlanta is a great city, the Aquarium is next to Centennial Park and the new World of Coca Cola but, its not by nature. The Tennessee Aquarium has the draw of nature around it. It is an atmosphere that makes you want to explore more, to learn more. Anyways, those are my thoughts. I don't like malls and the GA Aquarium feels just like one.
