From catching a baseball game by the river to watching fish at the Tennessee Aquarium to hiking nearby trails, tourists and locals are finding a lot of fun things to do in the Scenic City.

For visitors who are interested in learning more about the Tennessee River, the Tennessee Aquarium offers many educational venues.

Staff Photo by Kelly Wegel -- Third-graders on a field trip from Westwood Elementary in Tuscaloosa, Ala., play on man-made rocks outside the Tennessee Aquarium.

Families or individuals can attend an Imax 3D movie, and they can watch birds, butterflies, fish and penguins.

Also beginning Friday, the Tennessee Aquarium is launching a new hour-and-a-half boat tour into the Tennessee River Gorge.

“Few communities have the natural resource and beauty we have here,” said Charlie Arant, president of the aquarium. “It is difficult for most people to get into the Tennessee River Gorge unless you have a boat.”

The aquarium’s new 70-passenger cruiser will leave for the gorge from the Chattanooga city pier five times daily, and Mr. Arant said naturalists will be on board each trip to explain the gorge’s historical and environmental significance.

The aquarium will offer package tickets for tourists want to experience the Tennessee Aquarium, the Creative Discovery Museum, the Imax Theater and the River Gorge cruise, said Thom Benson, spokesman for the Tennessee Aquarium.

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Along with the aquarium, visitor who also can attend Chattanooga Lookouts baseball games downtown. Individual game tickets can be purchased at the team’s Web site, www.lookouts.com, for under $10.

There is also a good selection of art and history museums in the downtown area, according to the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Chattanooga African-American Museum and Bessie Smith Hall, the Chattanooga History Museum, the Creative Discovery Museum and the Hunter Museum of American Art are all in walking distance of restaurants and parking areas in downtown Chattanooga.

On the mountains

After experiencing the excitement of activities downtown, many tourists make their way to the mountains that overlook the city, said Candace Davis, a spokeswomen for the Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau.

On Lookout Mountain visitors can enjoy Rock City, Ruby Falls and the Incline Railway and they can purchase tickets to the attractions at any of the locations or online at www.lookoutmountain.com.

Along with the natural attractions such as rock formations and waterfalls on the mountain, there are places to camp, hike, mountain bike and hang glide, according to Outdoor Chattanooga, an organization that helps visitors and locals find activities outside.

To find trails, camping areas or parks in the Chattanooga area visit the Outdoor Chattanooga Web site at www.outdoorchattanooga.com