Chattanooga has twice been designated as the No. 2 city on the top "10 Dream Towns to Live Big, Play Hard, and Work (if you must)" by Outside magazine.
Staff Photo by John Rawlston
The Tennessee Aquarium's macaroni penguin, right, born at the Tennessee Aquarium, chases a gentoo penguin from a rock after taking a swim.TENNESSEE AQUARIUM
In 2010, the Tennessee Aquarium will be adding to many of its current exhibits, as well as adding a couple of new experiences, according to Thom Benson, communications manager.
"We will be adding more species to our Animal Encounters programs, giving visitors additional opportunities to meet interesting species from around the world up close," he said.
Other events include a "Keeper Kids" experience during spring break, April 3-11. Keeper Kids will be given a list of their "duties" and a daily report form to fill out as they tour River Journey and Ocean Journey. Along the way, Keeper Kids and their families will be able to sign up for two special experiences on a first-come, first-served basis at guest services stations in both buildings. The Keeper Kids activities will be offered free with Aquarium admission.
During the Ocean Journey Keeper Kids experience, visitors will release butterflies, feed partridges and Palawan peacock-pheasants, prep food for the Ray Buffet and feed stingrays, make enrichment items for the hyacinth macaws, go behind the scenes with scuba divers, help feed some of the animals in the Secret Reef, record penguin observations behind the scenes and act as a "scuba buddy" during a gear check and demonstration.
At the River Journey Keeper Kids exhibit, young visitors can feed the otters and trout, explore a hidden maze of pipes and pumps, help the Aquarium veterinarian, assist with sea turtle enrichment and feed turtles in the Delta Swamp, among other experiences.
At the Imax Theater, "Wild Ocean 3D," where audiences are in the middle of a habitat where it's "eat or get eaten," opened in February. "Hubble 3D" is another new offering.
Other 2010 Tennessee Aquarium dates of note:
What makes us special?Chattanooga has twice been designated as the No. 2 city on the top "10 Dream Towns to Live Big, Play Hard, and Work (if you must)" by Outside magazine.
April 24: Party for the Planet
June 8: World Ocean Day & 50th anniversary of Dr. Seuss' "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish."
July 24-July 31: "Shark Week."
October: "Thrills, Gills and Chills" all month.
Oct. 15-Nov. 7: Fall Color Cruises aboard the River Gorge Explorer.
RUBY FALLS
Lantern Tours: Friday and Saturday nights (March-September and November). Visitors get a rarely seen view deep within Lookout Mountain. Reservations required.
Haunted Cavern: Late September-Oct. 31. The Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern was voted a Top 20 Event for September 2009 by the Southeast Tourism Society.
Deck the Falls: Late November-Jan. 2 (closed Christmas Day). In addition to the falls, visitors can enjoy a special holiday light show, holiday music in the cave and beautifully decorated lobby and grounds. www.rubyfalls.com/deckthefalls.
Ruby Red Christmas: Friday and Saturday nights in December (closed Christmas Day). Meet a host of costumed characters, enjoy holiday acoustical music and listen to Mrs. Claus read "'Twas the Night Before Christmas."
ROCK CITY
Southern Blooms Festival: May 7-9. Celebrate the beauty of Southern blooms during this premiere garden event.
Enchanted Maize: Sept.-Oct. 31. A cornfield maze in the valley below Rock City. www.enchantedmaze.com.
Enchanted Garden of Lights: Late November-Jan. 2 (closed Christmas Eve night). This award-winning light extravaganza features more than 30 holiday scenes and more than 1 million lights that transform the gardens' natural daytime splendor into a nocturnal fantasyland. www.seerockcity.com/lights.