We report on the use of 1-pyrenebutyric acid (PBA) as a probe molecule to investigate aggregation phenomena in aqueous adipic acid solutions. Key issues in understanding solution phase aggregation phenomena are the length scale and the persistence time of the aggregates. We have chosen PEA to understand the characteristic length scale and role of probe molecule structure in the examination of solution phase aggregation phenomena. The steady-state emission response of PEA in adipic acid solutions yields little information because the carboxylic acid functionality of this probe molecule is not conjugated with the pyrene chromophore. Fluorescence lifetimes for PEA vary in a regular manner in the region of adipic acid saturation, suggesting that the chromophore is not in close spatial proximity to precrystalline aggregates that are known to form in these solutions. Rotational diffusion measurements of PEA reveal the presence of adipic acid aggregates in solution but, because of the length of the tether between the chromophore and the carboxylic acid functionality, the ability to resolve distinct intermolecular interactions is limited. This work points to the importance of close coupling between the chromophore and incorporating functionality for such measurements.