Here are upcoming events at the Tennessee Aquarium:

Event Name: Spring Break – Keeper Kids at the Tennessee Aquarium
Dates: March 15 through April 15
Time: 10:30 am – 4:30 pm (Aquarium hours 10am – 6pm)
Venue with street address: Tennessee Aquarium – One Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Age-appropriateness: Ages six and up.
Admission fee: Free with Aquarium admission
Is advance registration required? Offered on-site on a first-come, first-served basis.
Brief description of event/activities: Spring break turns into a wild adventure at the Tennessee Aquarium when kids get a chance to get closer to some of the Aquarium’s most amazing animals and discover what it’s like to care for them. Explore behind the scenes, meet penguin experts, feed feisty otters, baby jellies and seahorses or learn what it takes to care for giant freshwater fish and toothy sharks. Kids, ages six and up, may choose two of the 17 different activities offered throughout the day. Each program lasts approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Ocean Journey Keeper Kids experiences:

·         release butterflies

·         feed partridges and Palawan peacock pheasant

·         learn about sea turtles

·         go behind the scenes with SCUBA divers

·         help feed some of the animals in the Secret Reef

·         record penguin observations behind the scenes

River Journey Keeper Kids experiences:

·         feed the otters and trout

·         go behind the scenes in the Rivers of the World

·         explore the Aquarium’s off-exhibit holding room

·         meet the Aquarium veterinarian (M, W, Fri only)

·         make your very own octopus to take home

·         assist with otter enrichment

·         feed freshwater turtles and native songbirds

·         visit the Aquarium kitchen and feed River Giants

Keeper Kids activities are  for children ages 6 and up. These experiences are free with Aquarium admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Phone and website: 800-262-0695 http://www.tnaqua.org/SpringBreak.aspx 

Event Name: Spring Break – Williams Island Family Adventure Cruises
Dates: March 23 through April 14
Time: Daily at 12:30 pm
Venue with street address: Tennessee Aquarium – One Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Age-appropriateness: all
Admission fee: $20 / per person (Age 3 and up), $18 / per person under age 3.
Is advance registration required? Not required, but recommended.
Brief description of event/activities: Zip downstream aboard the River Gorge Explorer on a new excursion that will add some excitement to your family’s spring break. The Williams Island Family Adventure Cruise takes passengers to “the Gateway to the Gorge.” During each 90-minute adventure, the young and young at heart will discover Native American and Civil War history, and gain insights into the wildlife that call this wooded island home.  Time will be spent on each trip observing an osprey nest and heron rookery. Your naturalist guide helps locate other animals and leads an on-board scavenger hunt.

These cruises will depart daily March 23 to April 14  from the Chattanooga Pier.
Phone and website: 800-262-0695 http://www.tnaqua.org/RiverGorgeExplorer/RiverGorgeExplorer.aspx

Event Name: Aquarium Wow’s and How’s: The Science Behind Aquatic Conservation
Date: Friday, March 22
Time: 6:00 – 8:30pm
Venue with street address: Tennessee Aquarium – One Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Age-appropriateness: All
Admission fee: Free for Aquarium members, Non-member adults: $15.00; Non-member child 3-12: $10.00 (All proceeds support the Aquarium’s freshwater conservation efforts.)
Is advance registration required? Not required, but preferred.
Brief description of event/activities: The Southeast is home to more freshwater species than anywhere else in the United States. More than half of the nation’s freshwater fishes, 90% of freshwater mussels and 72% of turtles live in our region. Unfortunately, many of these animals are in jeopardy. Discover how the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute (TNACI) is working with other environmental organizations to protect and restore freshwater habitats and the creatures that depend upon clean waters.

From colorful topminnows and darters to River Giants, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the natural treasures in our backyard as you meet and interact with TNACI researchers, scientists and our partners in the field. More than a dozen experts will be on hand to share insight on the fascinating conservation projects currently underway. Dr. Anna George, director of TNACI, will deliver some inspiring auditorium programs, while experts from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Conservation Fisheries, Inc. and Tennessee Tech University demonstrate field techniques and describe the multiplier effect of collaborative work. Add special animal presentations, games and activities for kids and you have one great way to celebrate World Water Day! Presented by Tennessee American Water and Volkswagen Group of America.

Phone and website: 423-267-FISH (3474) https://community.tnaqua.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=728