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Payment Options for Groups

Group Rates

(For any pre-reserved group of individuals of 15 or more)
Adult: $34.95 Aquarium / $9.00 IMAX / $42.95
Youth (5-17): $26.95 Aquarium / $9.00 IMAX / $34.95

Ages 5-8 are required to have one chaperone per five guests. Ages 9-17 are required to have one chaperone per 10 guests. Your group will not be charged for required chaperones. Guests 4 and under are free and will not be counted toward your group total.

Education Rates Guaranteed through December 31, 2024

All June and July visits must fall on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday to receive the summer education rate.

(For any pre-reserved, accredited school of 15 or more students visiting July 1, 2023 – December 31, 2024)

Student: $10.00 Aquarium / $6.00 IMAX / $15.00 Combo
Required Chaperone: Free for Aquarium and/or IMAX
Extra Adult/Parent: $32.50 Aquarium / $9.95 IMAX / $40.50 Combo

Pizza Hut Lunches: $12 (subject to change)
Snack Packs: $5 (subject to change)

(Extra Adult/Parent pricing is only available if adults or parents are included in reservation totals. Rate not available on site.)

Pre-K through 2nd grade groups are required to have one chaperone per every 5 students.  3rd grade through 12th grade groups are required to have one chaperone per every 10 students.  Your group will not be charged for required chaperones.  All extra Adults/Parents will need tickets.  Please include these extra Adults/Parents in your group reservation or pre-purchase full-price tickets through our website.  Please do not plan to purchase tickets on site the day of the visit.

River Otter with Crayfish
Leopard Lacewing butterfly

Complimentary Admission Program

If your school is Title 1 or participates in The National School Lunch Program, you might be eligible to have all, or a portion, of your visit covered if you are visiting both Aquarium and IMAX. Title 1 schools may also apply for bus reimbursement.  No food purchases will be eligible for complimentary admission. Please ask the group sales team for more details and to see if your school qualifies.

Some Groups will require a deposit that must be paid before the visit date.

Select visit dates may require a 50% non-refundable deposit. The Group Sales team will communicate in advance if your desired date requires a deposit. This deposit should be received via business check or credit card by the receiving date outlined on your contract. The remaining balance is due at check-in on the date of visit.  The remaining balance may change based on fluctuations in group numbers. If deposit is not received on time the reservation date and time will be released.  In the event that the group is forced to cancel after the signing of the contract, the following cancellation fees will apply:

  • 100% of the deposit if canceled within 10 days of the visit date
  • 50% of the deposit if canceled 11 – 30 days prior to the visit date
  • 100% of the payment for meals or snack packs within one week of the visit date

Final payment for all groups is due on date of visit:

Group payments are due on the day of the visit and must be consolidated into one business check or credit card.  Payment date and total will be outlined in your contract.  You can always contact the Group Sales team ahead of time for a balance update. The Aquarium does not accept POs or personal checks and there will be no entry without payment.

Group numbers should be solidified by check-in on your visit date.  The Aquarium will not issue refunds after final payments are made.  If your group fluctuates in number, please contact us prior to your visit to make the change on your reservation. 

Payment for meals and snack packs is due in full, one week from visit date:

100% of the payment for lunches or snack packs must be paid one week from visit date as outlined on your contract.  If your visit date falls on a weekend, your payment will be due on the Friday one week before your visit.

What happens if I need to cancel my meals or snack packs?

Meals and snack packs are not refundable within one week of your visit date even if your group needs to cancel for unplanned or personal reasons. Meals are provided through a third-party service and are not under Aquarium operations. If you need to cancel your meals or snack packs prior to one week before your visit date, please reach out to the group sales team.

What happens if I don’t make my meal payment on time?

If your payment is not received on time the Aquarium reserves the right to cancel the meal or snack pack order without providing written notice.

How to Pay:

Payments can be made on site at the Riverplace Ticketing Center on the day of your visit.  If you are paying ahead of time, paying for meals, or paying deposits, please send a check to the address below or call the number below to pay by credit card.  The Tennessee Aquarium accepts payment by business check or credit card only.

Tennessee Aquarium
Attn: Group Sales Office
201 Chestnut Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402

Email:  groupsales@tnaqua.org

Phone:  423-265-0698

Our Group Sales Office is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm ET

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