If you haven’t swung by Chattanooga’s tourist attractions in the last two months, you’ve missed the arrival of twin polar bears, a gentoo chick and a light show that paints a waterfall red.
This weekend is your last chance to take in the seasonal celebrations at Rock City, Ruby Falls and the Tennessee Aquarium. One of the two films showing at the Imax 3D Theater will end Thursday.
ROCK CITY
Guests at Rock City and Facebook fans had a hand in naming the twin polar bears, new additions to the Enchanted Garden of Lights, an extravaganza of twinkling lights and holiday vignettes. The boy cub is Berry, and the girl cub is Merry, according to Meagan Jolley, public relations manager.
“And the attraction received so many wonderful name suggestions, the mama bear has been named as well,” she said. The animatronic bear, who heartily endorses hibernation (which is to say, she sleeps a lot) has been christened Jingles.
* Last chance: Enchanted Garden of Lights will be open 6-9 p.m. today and Saturday.
* Business as usual: Starting Sunday, regular hours will be 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. through mid-March. Daytime tours also are available 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. today and Saturday.
* Address: 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain.
* Admission: $17.95 adults, $9.95 children 3-12.
* Phone: 706-820-2531.
* Website: www.seerockcity.com/lights.
RUBY FALLS
Additions to the everyday activities include a holiday-themed light show at the waterfall, holiday music in the cave and seasonal decor adorning the castle and grounds.
* Last chance: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. today and Saturday.
* Business as usual: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.
* Address: 1720 S. Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain.
* Admission: $16.95 adults; $8.95 children 3-12.
* Phone: 821-2544.
* Website: www.rubyfalls.com/christmas.
TENNESSEE AQUARIUM
Guests at the Tennessee Aquarium have until Sunday, the last day of Tropical Holiday Adventure, to name the gentoo chick, a girl that hatched to parents Biscuit and Blue on June 30.
According to senior aviculturist Amy Graves, the chick has been a bit of a surprise.
“Even at this young age, she’s fairly large and already outweighs some of our other gentoos,” she said.
Guests may want to spend some extra time in Penguins’ Rock during the holidays to observe her behavior before choosing a name.
Write-in ballots are being accepted at the South Pole-ing booth in the Ocean Journey gift shop and online at www.facebook.com/tennesseeaquarium. The penguin’s name will be selected from these submissions.
By entering, voters could win a Chattanooga prize package that includes overnight accommodations at the Chattanooga Marriott and a family four-pack of tickets to the Tennessee Aquarium, Imax 3D Theater, River Gorge Explorer and Creative Discovery Museum.
* Last chance: Tropical Holiday Adventure, with the chance to name the new penguin, ends Sunday. Additional programming includes animal encounters and feedings, butterfly releases and tropical Santa dive shows.
* Business as usual: Daily hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
* Address: 1 Broad St.
* Admission: $24.95 adults, $14.95 children 3-12.
* Bonus: Receive one free ticket to see “Ultimate Wave: Tahiti 3D” at the Imax Theater with each paid aquarium admission. The movie closes Thursday.
* Phone: 800-262-0695.
* Website: www.tnaqua.org.
IMAX THEATER
The Imax Theater featured three films during the Tropical Holiday Adventure. “The Polar Express” ended its run the week of Christmas, and “Toy Story 3” will last be seen on the six-story big screen on Thursday. “Ultimate Wave: Tahiti 3D” will continue through April 7.
“Ultimate Wave” follows 10-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater from the crest of monster waves to the bottom of the ocean floor, where sea creatures play beneath the surf.
“Toy Story 3,” the biggest box-office success of 2010, catches up with Woody, Buzz and the rest of the playtime gang on their latest adventure.
* Last chance: Through Thursday, daily showtimes are at 11 a.m., 2, 3 and 6 p.m. for “Ultimate Wave” and at noon, 4 and 7 p.m. for “Toy Story 3.”
* Business as usual: “Ultimate Wave” will be joined by “Hubble 3D” Jan. 7-April 7.
* Address: 201 Chestnut St.
* Admission: $8.50 adults, $6 children 3-12 to see “Ultimate Wave” (free with each aquarium admission). $10.95 adults, $7.95 children 3-12 for “Toy Story 3.”
* Phone: 800-262-0695.
* Website: www.tnaqua.org.