Chattanooga, Tennessee, October 19, 2025
News Summary
Chattanooga’s Tennessee Aquarium is celebrating autumn with various activities, including the annual ODDtober festivities featuring quirky art installations and daily programs. The aquarium highlights its River Journey and Ocean Journey exhibits, where guests can enjoy encounters with diverse wildlife. A unique underwater pumpkin carving event by SCUBA divers will add thrill to the visitor experience. Special combo passes enable guests to explore the aquarium and nearby attractions. Additionally, a crucial conservation event for the Lake Sturgeon will take place, marking the progress of regional wildlife preservation efforts.
Chattanooga’s Tennessee Aquarium Celebrates Fall Foliage and Annual ODDtober Festivities
The Tennessee Aquarium, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is celebrating the arrival of autumn with a host of exciting offerings perfect for a day trip. October is touted as the ideal month for visiting due to the peak fall foliage experienced around October 21–28, showcasing vibrant colors along the way, particularly on Monteagle Mountain.
The aquarium, known for its stunning exhibits, consists of two main buildings: the River Journey and the Ocean Journey. Visitors can explore a variety of wildlife, including freshwater giants, otters, sea turtles, penguins, and even a touch tank featuring rays. This month, guests have the opportunity to partake in the annual ODDtober celebration, which features unusual, quirky art installations, such as giant eyeball art and glow-in-the-dark stickers.
Throughout October, the aquarium offers daily programs that engage visitors, including “Not-So-Creepy Creatures” held at 1 p.m. and “Bones in the Bayou” at 12:15 p.m. Every Saturday at 2 p.m., SCUBA divers perform pumpkin carving underwater, adding an extra layer of excitement for visitors as they witness the spectacle amidst an aquarium full of fish.
For those looking to enhance their experience, the aquarium also features an IMAX 3D Theater showcasing two current films: “Shark Kingdom 3D” and “Elephants: Giants of the Desert 3D.” A combo pass is available for visitors wishing to explore both the Tennessee Aquarium and the nearby Rock City’s Enchanted Pumpkin Patch, priced at $59 for adults and $49 for youth. This pass grants access to both attractions but requires visits to occur on the same day, with tickets available for purchase online.
Conservation Efforts and Special Events
The Tennessee Aquarium is not only a destination for fun but also plays a crucial role in conservation efforts. A standout initiative is the reintroduction program for the state-endangered Lake Sturgeon. This year marks the 25th anniversary of this program, which has successfully released over 430,000 sturgeon since 2000. An exciting release event for juvenile Lake Sturgeon is scheduled for October 23 at Noon near Coolidge Park, where approximately 500 sturgeon will be released. This event is open to the public and emphasizes community involvement, featuring contributions from local students.
The Tennessee Aquarium has garnered national recognition, having won accolades as one of the top ten aquariums in the United States. In the 2025 Readers’ Choice 10Best Awards by USA Today, the aquarium ranked #6. Additionally, it has maintained accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), achieving this “gold standard” for the past 32 years.
Summary of Key Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Chattanooga, Tennessee |
| Ideal Visit Period | October 21–28 for fall foliage |
| Aquarium Sections | River Journey, Ocean Journey |
| ODDtober Events | Art installations, daily programs, underwater pumpkin carving |
| Combo Pass Price | $59 for adults, $49 for youth |
| Conservation Efforts | Lake Sturgeon reintroduction program |
| Release Event Date | October 23 at Noon |
| National Ranking | #6 in USA Today’s 2025 Readers’ Choice |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit the Tennessee Aquarium?
October is considered the ideal month for a day trip to the aquarium due to the peak fall foliage in Tennessee occurring around October 21–28.
What unique events are happening during ODDtober?
October visitors can participate in the annual ODDtober celebration at the aquarium, featuring unusual art installations, daily programs, and underwater pumpkin carving by SCUBA divers.
What are the ticket prices for the combo pass?
A combo pass is available for visiting both the Tennessee Aquarium and Rock City’s Enchanted Pumpkin Patch for $59 for adults and $49 for youth.
When is the release event for juvenile Lake Sturgeon?
An upcoming release event for juvenile Lake Sturgeon will take place on October 23 at Noon near Coolidge Park during which about 500 sturgeon will be released.
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Additional Resources
- WGNS Radio: Daytrip from the Boro – Enjoy the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga
- Wikipedia: Tennessee Aquarium
- FreightWaves: Hang Out at the Tennessee Aquarium
- Google Search: Tennessee Aquarium
- Local 3 News: Tennessee Aquarium Ranks #6 Aquarium in USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Chattanooga
- Kidding Around Greenville: Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, TN
- Google Search: Tennessee Aquarium Events
- Chattanooga Pulse: Tennessee Aquarium Marks Major Lake Sturgeon Conservation Milestone
- Google News: Chattanooga Aquarium
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
