The Tennessee Aquarium is bringing big screen adventure to Chattanooga this February with a brand-new IMAX lineup that’s equal parts fun and educational.
“We have a new complete rotation of educational films that are moving into the IMAX for this month of February,” Tennessee Aquarium Media Coordinator Alison Pryor shares. She further explains that three 45-minute documentaries will rotate daily starting February 13th and run through the spring.
First up is Penguins: A Love Story 3D, a heart-melting journey following an African penguin named Lenny as he searches for his forever mate.
“It’s really focused on African penguins and then also the smallest penguin species called fairy penguins that live in Australia,” Alison says.
Guests can visit the Aquarium’s penguins in the Ocean Journey building, then head to IMAX to see their wild counterparts on the giant screen.
Also debuting is Coral Sea 3D, which dives into the Great Barrier Reef and highlights endangered green sea turtles and conservation efforts to protect them — a perfect tie-in to seeing Stewie the sea turtle in real life.
Rounding out the trio is Lost Wolves of Yellowstone, a powerful 2D film chronicling the reintroduction of gray wolves in 1995 and how their return restored the ecosystem. “It’s really an amazing film,” Alison said, noting the stunning archival footage and the majestic scenes of wolves running through snowy landscapes. And that’s just the daytime fun.
In the evenings, Hollywood takes over with special screenings of Wuthering Heights for Valentine’s weekend, Elvis Presley: Epic from February 18–24, and a one-night-only Christopher Nolan mini-series featuring Interstellar, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises. Families can add a 45-minute IMAX educational film to their Aquarium visit for just $8.
“It’s nice that you’re getting that a little bit less expensive plus it’s an educational experience too,” Alison said. Summer camp registration is officially open at tnaqua.org/camp, and she advises families not to wait. “Usually once we get into that mid-March time frame… a lot of them end up being sold out,” she explains, noting scholarships are available.
College students, faculty, and staff can also enjoy half-price Aquarium admission all February by purchasing tickets on-site with a valid ID — and yes, the discount extends to everyone in their party.
To top it off, Saturdays feature extended hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with drinks available from 4:30 to 7 p.m., making it the perfect winter outing.
From penguins in love to wolves in the wild, the Tennessee Aquarium is giving Chattanooga plenty of reasons to plan a visit.
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