The Tennessee Aquarium Celebrates Major Accolades and Exciting New Exhibits Ahead of Memorial Day
Photo Courtesy of Tennessee Aquarium
In The Know with Gino…
As Memorial Day Weekend approaches, the Tennessee Aquarium is ushering in summer with a splash of celebration and new attractions. The popular institution has recently earned a prestigious national honor, ranking 3rd in this year’s USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for America’s Best Aquarium — its highest-ever placement, surpassing competitors from coast to coast.
This achievement underscores the Aquarium’s status as a leading destination for marine life enthusiasts and families alike. The recognition comes amid the debut of the vibrant new Scuttlebutt Reef Gallery in Ocean Journey, which features an array of colorful and intriguing marine species. Visitors can explore exhibits showcasing everything from enormous purple sea slugs and glow-in-the-dark jellies to fish capable of “walking,” Moray Eels with two jaws, and a lively 6,000-gallon reef teeming with diverse marine invertebrates and fish.
Photo Courtesy of Tennessee Aquarium
Meanwhile, the Aquarium’s ongoing Egg Watch 2026 event offers a front-row seat to penguin parenting. Visitors can observe the nesting behaviors of Gentoo and Macaroni Penguins in real-time through the Aquarium’s live webcam or inside the Penguins’ Rock gallery, where eggs are currently incubating.
Photo Courtesy of Tennessee Aquarium
To accommodate the influx of visitors, the Aquarium is extending its hours throughout the holiday weekend. Operating from early morning to evening on Saturday through Monday, the expanded schedule aims to make the experience more accessible. Additionally, evening bars will be available on Saturday and select weekends, offering beverages from beer and wine to mocktails, enhancing the after-hours experience.
Located at the heart of downtown, the Aquarium offers easy access to other attractions, dining options, and events. A special combo ticket, available online starting May 23rd, combines admission to the Aquarium with a visit to nearby Rock City Gardens, providing a full day of adventure from riverfront wildlife encounters to fairy-tale mountain vistas. The single-day package is priced at $64 for adults and $54 for youths aged 4–17, with children under 4 admitted free.
For those interested in cinematic adventures, the Aquarium’s IMAX 3D Theater features a lineup of spectacular films, including the natural documentary “Wild Asia: Life at Extremes” and the Pacific Ocean’s vibrant “Coral Sea.” Moviegoers can also catch Hollywood blockbusters like “Top Gun” in its final days or experience the latest “Star Wars” installment, “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” through early June.
Planning a visit? The Tennessee Aquarium’s official podcast, The Podcast Aquatic, offers behind-the-scenes insights into its research and residents, available bi-weekly for those eager to learn more.
With its recent accolades, new exhibits, and exciting summer offerings, the Tennessee Aquarium continues to solidify its reputation as a premier destination for marine discovery and family fun.
SOURCE: Tennessee Aquarium
