Tropical Holiday
The Tennessee Aquarium’s Tropical Holiday Adventure:
A Colorful World Excursion in Downtown Chattanooga
A very special nose is leading the way to holiday fun at the Tennessee Aquarium this year, but not the shiny, red nose of a certain reindeer. Think Tropical Holiday Adventure and you’re following the specialized beak of the green aracari, (pronounced ARE-uh-sorry) the smallest member of the toucan family. The aracari is a new bird making his debut during the Aquarium’s Tropical Holiday Adventure which begins on November 20th and runs through January 3, 2010. “The beak is considered a soft beak that’s used to grab fruit in the tropical rainforests of the aracari’s home range,” said Susie Grant, the senior educator who’s been training the bird for animal encounter programs. “His beak is much different than the hard beaks of the hyacinth macaws, which have beaks made for cracking open nuts.”
Visitors can also just relax and enjoy the vibe of Caribbean holiday music while tropically clad “Santa” divers drift effortlessly among schools of colorful reef fish. Several daily programs create just the right atmosphere for the kid in all of us, so follow your nose to colorful holiday fun at the Tennessee Aquarium!
After island hopping at the Aquarium, relax and enjoy the
holiday magic of The Polar Express 3D at the IMAX Theater. The Polar
Express 3D has become a family tradition for many. Or watch Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3D - the most delicious movie since macaroni met cheese.
| HO
HO H2O Daily Schedule
Nov. 20, 2009 - Jan. 3, 2010
The Aquarium is closed Thanksgiving
and Christmas Day. |
| 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Animal Encounters every hour in both Aquarium buildings. Locations and animals vary throughout the day.
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| 10:15 a.m. | Help keepers surface feed stingrays & bamboo sharks – Ocean Journey – Tropical Cove, Shark Island, Level 4
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| 10:30 a.m. | Delight in the first flight of butterflies when they are released into a lush tropical garden – Ocean Journey – Butterfly Garden, Level 4
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11 a.m.
| Talk to tropical “Santa” divers as they take you on a shark-filled journey through spectacular coral formations – Ocean Journey -- Secret Reef, Level 2
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11:15a.m.
| You otter chill out with the river otters during “enrichment” time. See what happens when treats, ice and toys mix with two playful otters – River Journey – Cove Forest, Level 4 |
| 11:30 a.m. | Talk to tropical “Santa” divers as they take you on a shark-filled journey through spectacular coral formations – Ocean Journey -- Secret Reef, Level 2
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1 p.m.
| Get a gander at one of the real “Parrot Heads,” the highly social hyacinth macaw, during this program that explores the bold behaviors and adaptations of the largest member of the parrot family – Ocean Journey – Tropical Cove, Level 4
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| 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. | Talk to tropical “Santa” divers as they take you on a shark-filled journey through spectacular coral formations – Ocean Journey -- Secret Reef, Level 2
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| 3:30 p.m. | Join the seahorses for their version of “Slurpin’ a Cheeseburger in Paradise” and discover what these steeds of the deep really eat – River Journey, Level A
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4 p.m.
| Surround yourself with butterflies and meet their perfect complement, crested wood partridges living under the trees - Ocean Journey – Butterfly Garden, Level 4
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| | The Polar Express 3D
Create
a holiday memory when you board a beautiful thrill
ride in IMAX 3D. You'll grasp at falling snowflakes
and duck as the train screeches into your lap in this
magical holiday film. Special pricing
for this full-length (one hour and 40 minute) IMAX
3D feature film, “The Polar Express”:
Adults 12 and older – $9.95; Children – $7.50.
CLICK HERE FOR HOLIDAY SCHEDULE | | | Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3D
Columbia Pictures' and Sony Pictures Animation's Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is the most delicious event since macaroni met cheese. The timeless tale has been adapted from Ron and Judi Barrett's book, which
illustrates a world where giant pancakes and pasta fall from the sky as a
scientist tries to solve world hunger. However, things go terribly wrong when
excess amounts of food overload cities and towns. 81 minutes CLICK
HERE FOR HOLIDAY SCHEDULE | | | Under the Sea 3D
Take a one-of-a-kind tropical plunge as our giant six-story screen fills with
some of the most colorful and intriguing creatures in the world. Under the Sea
3D is a new IMAX film that takes you on an undersea adventure to the exotic and
remote locations of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia's Coral Sea to
explore these animals in their native habitat. 45 min.
CLICK HERE FOR HOLIDAY SCHEDULE |  Enjoy some holiday family time on the River Gorge Explorer
Many people think the best river cruising weather is over, but if you ask Captain Mike or Captain Pete, they will tell you the best is yet to come. Winter is their favorite time on the river. “You can see more in the winter,” says Captain Pete. Fear not, fair-weather fans. The River Gorge Explorer is climate-controlled, so the weather inside is always comfortable. Escape the seasonal hustle and bustle with a relaxing trip into Tennessee’s Grand Canyon. Excursions depart daily except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Fishing for that perfect present?
A Tennessee Aquarium gift membership or tickets will light up faces of family or friends throughout the New Year. Not only will they experience some of the most amazing creatures in the world, your friends will treasure the gift of time spent together at the Aquarium. Members also get the inside scoop on new exhibits and events as well as discounts at the IMAX 3D Theater and Aquarium gift shops. Buy your loved ones a Family and Guest Membership and remind them they can take someone along each time they visit. (After all, sometimes it’s just as good to give AND receive.)
You Otter Check Out The NEW Aquarium Gift Shop online!
Savvy holiday shoppers find great gifts where the cool critters hang out. Spoil the youngsters just a bit with some huggable plush penguins or super soft fuzzy otters. Have a really wild time this season shopping for unique jewelry and other gifts offered at the Aquarium Gift Shop.
| | | Catch Orchid Fever at the Tennessee Aquarium
People love the striking beauty of orchids in the Aquarium’s Tropical Cove and Butterfly Garden. Right now is a perfect time to become surrounded by dozens of unusual specimens with exotic and colorful blooms. Our horticulture staff has produced an orchid display unlike any other in the region. And just in time for the holidays, we have many orchid species available for purchase in the Ocean Journey gift shop. If you are looking for a unique, affordable gift, smaller blooming plants are in stock starting at $8.99. Larger orchids range from 19.99 up to $40.00. But beware: orchid fever is contagious! | | | Special thanks to our Tropical Holiday sponsors:
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