Amidst the hustle to experience all the rich cultural attractions of the Southeast, group planners must be careful not to overlook what lies beneath the surface: specifically, the region’s many aquariums, where groups can find some of the most fascinating and diverse experiences. Each aquarium exhibit serves as a window into worlds most of us will never dive deep enough to see, but here they are close enough to touch. Ocean-sized secrets await just beyond the glass.
A good place to start the adventure is at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa, where motorcoach groups will discover an immersive, climate-controlled journey through Florida’s most spectacular ecosystems—“a welcome retreat from the heat or an unexpected rainy-day adventure,” says Tristin Ware, the aquarium’s senior director of learning. “One of the most memorable experiences is the Wetlands of Florida, where guests stroll beneath an 80-foot glass dome with free-flying birds, playful river otters, alligators, and winding mangrove tunnels. The environment offers exceptional photo opportunities and a vivid introduction to Florida’s natural beauty—especially appealing for out-of-state visitors seeking an authentic taste of the Sunshine State.”
The aquarium’s MORPH’D gallery is an area Ware says consistently surprises and delights visitors. Showcasing nature’s most fascinating animals that have adapted over time to survive, the gallery features unusual species such as axolotls, paddlefish, and the bird poop frog. “Hands-on experiences are another highlight,” Ware says. “Three interactive touch habitats allow guests to connect directly with marine life, including The Tide Pool, the aquarium’s newest exhibit and one of the few cold-water touch habitats on Florida’s west coast.”
Next on your list, add the Alabama Aquarium. It’s a public aquarium of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, a marine research field station in Dauphin Island, Alabama, that serves a consortium of 21 colleges and universities across the state. “The aquarium highlights the animals and ecosystems of coastal Alabama and the research conducted by Sea Lab scientists,” says aquarium Director Mendel Graeber. “For exhibit callouts, our octopus, seahorses, alligators, and Rays of the Bay Touch Tanks are all perennial favorites. We also have an extensive collection of natural artifacts available for touch experience and knowledgeable docents trained to guide these experiences.”
Education at this facility is anything but boring. “The Alabama Aquarium is aligned with the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in a research and education mission,” Graeber says. “We subscribe to the philosophy that learning is fun.”
It also offers boat “excursions” for the general public and private ones for groups. “The capacity for a single excursion is 35, and we can potentially do two excursions per day,” she says. “For groups larger than 35, we sometimes alternate an aquarium visit and an excursion. We also offer the ‘Guided Research Lab Tour’ as a private program, but the capacity is 20.”
Credit: Tennessee Aquarium
Next, plan a group visit to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, where different group capacities are set for each day. “However,” explains Alison Pryor, the aquarium’s media coordinator, “one of the advantages of having separate buildings is the aquarium can safely accommodate groups of 150-200 people. The aquarium’s guest services staff will split groups among the buildings to ensure an enjoyable experience for both group members and general admission visitors to the aquarium.”
Guests at the Tennessee Aquarium learn about water and wildlife on their trip through the aquarium’s two buildings—River Journey and Ocean Journey. Pryor says larger, open areas, such as River Otter Falls and Stingray Bay, are perfect for groups to experience together, while smaller, carved out spaces are suited for individual moments of wonder.
“A brand-new gallery, Scuttlebutt Reef, in the Ocean Journey building is sure to wow and amaze groups with nautical rumors answered,” Pryor says. “Across the street is the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater with group tickets available for everyone to take a break, sit down, and enjoy a 45-minute immersive, educational film.”
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, also has an aquarium—Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, which is a must-stop for group tours, according to Alison Looney, marketing coordinator. “Groups are a great way to experience not only the aquarium but also any of our Ripley’s attractions,” she says. Discounted rates are offered to groups of 10 or more, and the group sales team will find a date and time that works for groups. “We can accommodate big groups, small groups, church groups, groups in a van, in a bus—all of that.”
Before completing your Southeast itinerary, be sure to consider the Audubon Nature Institute’s aquarium in New Orleans, Louisiana. “I love our aquarium,” says Melissa Lee, vice president of communications. “It’s my favorite thing to talk about.” Besides the aquarium, Lee says guests can experience an insectarium and pollinator garden: “Our butterfly garden is a big-ticket item that people love. You walk through this gorgeous butterfly garden with hundreds of butterflies flying all around you, and then you look out the window and see the Mississippi River.”
Of course, it also has all sorts of marine life and critters, interactive exhibits, and other attractions to enjoy. “It’s really a great experience from the moment you walk into the building,” she says.
By Andrew Weeks
Main Image: Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Chattanooga, Tennessee; Credit: Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
