Immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of the Tennessee Aquarium like never before.
With three different behind-the-scenes experiences, you can customize your visit and see just what it takes to feed and care for our animals!
All tours are subject to availability and must be booked online before your Aquarium visit. Please visit the registration link to view available dates and times.
Deeper Dives: Insider’s Tour (ages 8+)
Get a peek behind the scenes before opening hours to see how the animals are cared for and have the unique chance to meet one of our ambassador animals.
Deeper Dives: Feeding Frenzy (ages 8+)
Spend part of the afternoon helping us feed Secret Reef, the largest exhibit at the Aquarium filled with over 600,000 gallons of saltwater!
Deeper Dives: Pumps & Pipes (ages 8+)
Follow the maze of pumps, pipes, and filters that help to create an ideal environment for every fin, flipper, scale, and smile here at the Aquarium.
More details on each tour
Insider’s Tour (ages 8+)
Duration
1.5 hours
Price per participant
$50 for Members | Non-Members can add a Deeper Dives: Insider’s Tour onto their Aquarium admission ticket for $55
Availability
Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings one hour before the Aquarium opens.
Start time varies by day. Please check the registration link for your tour’s start time. (Please note that Chattanooga is in the Eastern Time zone.)
Age requirement
All participants must be at least 8 years old. Participants between the ages of 8-17 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Group size
Limited to a total of 8 guests. A minimum of 2 participants is required to book a tour.
Where to meet
This tour will meet in front of the River Journey building.
Feeding Frenzy (ages 8+)
Duration
30 minutes
Price per participant
$30 for Members | Non-Members can add a Deeper Dives: Feeding Frenzy tour onto their Aquarium admission ticket for $35
Availability
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:30 p.m.-2 p.m. (Please note that Chattanooga is in the Eastern Time zone.)
Age requirement
All participants must be at least 8 years old. Participants between the ages of 8-17 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Group size
Limited to a total of 6 guests. A minimum of 2 participants is required to book a tour.
Allergen Note
This tour involves contact with shellfish and other seafood. Those with allergy concerns are advised against participating or should contact us for more information.
Where to meet
This tour will meet in the Ocean Journey lobby.
Pumps & Pipes (ages 8+)
Duration
1 hour
Price per participant
$35 for Members | Non-Members can add a Deeper Dives: Pumps & Pipes onto their Aquarium admission ticket for $40
Availability
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30am (Please note that Chattanooga is in the Eastern Time Zone).
Age requirement
All participants must be at least 8 years old. Participants between the ages of 8-17 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Group size
Limited to a total of 8 guests. A minimum of 2 participants is required to book a tour.
Accessibility
The Pumps and Pipes tour involves visiting locations with loud machinery. In-ear ear plugs will be offered to participants. All tour participants will use sound amplification equipment to be able to better hear the narration and story during our exploration of our pump system.
Where to meet
This tour will meet in the River Journey Lobby.
Getting ready for your tour
- All participants must wear comfortable closed-toe shoes.
- Plan to arrive ten minutes before your designated start time.
- All participants must sign a waiver in order to participate in the tour. Participants aged 8-17 will need a waiver signed by their accompanying paid adult.
Reservation Policies
- A minimum of 2 participants are required to book tour.
- The Aquarium reserves the right to cancel. In the event that the Aquarium cancels program, participants will be notified and offered a full refund or an opportunity to reschedule.
- No refunds for cancellations made less than 7 days prior to program start date.
- Cancellations made more than 7 days prior to the program will receive a full refund.
- Cancellations may be done via phone at 423-785-3066 or by email.
- Refunds will not be issued for no-shows.
Safety Policies
Aquarium Education programs follow CDC recommendations. This means that indoor mask requirements will be determined by current community transmission levels for diseases such as, but not limited to, COVID and measles.
Please note that certain activities within the Aquarium, specifically behind the scenes tours with mammals, may require masks for the safety of the animals and the participants regardless of current community transmission levels. Participants will be notified of these activities prior to them taking place and masks will be provided.
We ask all participants to stay home if they are experiencing symptoms of the following diseases:
- If they are experiencing COVID symptoms or if they have been in contact with a COVID-positive individual in the past 2 weeks.
- If they are experiencing MEASLES symptoms or if they have been in contact with a MEASLES-positive individual in the past 2 weeks.
If a participant is not feeling well and/or displaying symptoms of any illness such as flu, bronchitis, mono, or pink eye, please stay home.
Accessibility & Accommodations
Some areas during the tour may not be fully accessible due to loud sounds, bright or low lighting, uneven terrain and/or tight spaces.
Please contact our Education Department at (423-785-3066) or ([email protected]) for specific information pertaining to accessibility accommodations and allergy concerns.