If you're looking for a day trip that doesn't require much driving, the Tennessee Aquarium is the perfect choice.
Located right in downtown Chattanooga, the aquarium is home to more than 12,000 animals displayed in two separate facilities: a freshwater aquarium known as the River Journey and the Ocean Journey building, which houses everything from sharks to penguins to jellyfish.
In addition to marveling at the incredible aquariums, visitors can watch otters scamper around Cove Forest, get up close and personal with stingrays and sharks at Stingray Bay, and watch lemurs being fed in the rainforest-like Lemur Forest.
1 Broad St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, Phone: 423-265-0695