With summer on the horizon, families are no doubt already
deep in their vacation
planning modes.
While theme parks, water parks, national parks and beaches
are top draws, why not consider adding in an aquarium visit?
Aquariums are great for families as they offer a unique
blend of education, entertainment and opportunities for bonding. On a recent
visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, it wasn’t only the five-year-olds that were
fascinated. Aquariums hold multi-generational
appeal, teaching about marine life, ecosystems and conservation in a way
that any age can understand and appreciate.
As a huge fan of the aquarium experience, here are some of
the best in the U.S., renowned for their impressive exhibits, educational
programs and family-friendly experiences. Look for one close to home or one to
include in your summer travels. And be sure to set aside ample time for
exploration.
Georgia Aquarium
As the largest aquarium in the U.S. and one of the world’s
most spectacular, Georgia Aquarium boasts over 11 million gallons of water
across seven major galleries.
The aquarium is home to whale sharks, the largest fish in
the world, manta rays, beluga whales, sea otters and African penguins. Its
focus is on marine animals from icy, cold environments. But there’s so much to
see here, we recommend not rushing through this impressive aquarium.
Exotic jellyfish at Monterey Bay Aquarium (Photo Credit: Noreen Kompanik)
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Located in the idyllic seaside town of Monterey on Cannery
Row, this has always been one of my favorites and happens to be one of the most
celebrated aquariums in the world due to its groundbreaking exhibits, dedicated
marine conservation works and stunning oceanfront setting.
On a recent visit however, I was more than impressed by the added
exhibits and upgrades offering guests a front-row seat to life above and below
the abundantly blessed waters of the Pacific.
Visitors will see unforgettable sea life which includes the
deep, dark undersea cavernous environment where exotic life exists, along with
celebrating local creatures from the Monterey Bay environs.
Aerial view of Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo Credit: Kevin Ruck/Adobe)
National Aquarium Baltimore
Transport yourself to the underwater wonders of the world.
No visit to the Baltimore Harbor is complete without
exploring the National Aquarium featuring thousands of animals representing so
many parts of the globe including the Amazon Rain Forest, an Australian river
gorge and Indo-Pacific coral reefs.
Though all these displays are impressive, don’t miss the
local love, a 10,000 square-foot floating wetland that mimics the Chesapeake
Bay’s original tidal marsh habitat. Afterward, enjoy exploring the vibrant
waterfront.
A child enjoys looking at the fish in an exhibit at the Audubon Aquarium. (photo by Zach Smith via New Orleans & Company) (Photo Credit: (photo via New Orleans & Co. / Zach Smith))
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, New Orleans
Situated on the Mississippi River waterfront of downtown New
Orleans, the aquarium is home to thousands of marine animals, many endangered
and ranging from penguins and sea otters to jellyfish and seahorses.
Though many visitors don’t think about visiting an aquarium
while in New Orleans, you should. Reopening in June 2023 after a massive
renovation, the aquarium became the only facility in the world to house both an
aquarium and an insectarium under one roof.
Newport Aquarium, Newport, Kentucky
Who would think that Kentucky would have one of the
country’s best aquariums?
Located just across the river from downtown Cincinnati, the
aquarium houses thousands of the world’s most exotic aquatic creatures. The
all-new Coral Reef Tunnel is stunning, a new jellyfish exhibit has opened, and
a favorite attraction is the Shark Bridge, a suspended rope bridge over a shark
tank allowing visitors to walk only inches away from sharks, rays and fish.
Mermaids Cove has returned as an interactive event where
guests can meet performers dressed as mermaids and touch a stingray. Mermaids
will also be at Coral Reef Tunnel and a meet and greet at the Shark Ray Bay
Theater.
Mermaids Play Peek-a Boo at Newport Aquarium (Photo Credit: Newport Aquarium)
New England Aquarium, Boston
Situated on Boston’s Central Wharf, this renowned marine
science center and aquarium has been captivating visitors since 1969.
The Giant Ocean Tank lies at the heart of the aquarium, a
cylindrical 200,000-gallon exhibit simulating a colorful Caribbean coral reef.
The four-story tank is home to Myrtle, a beloved green sea turtle who has been
a resident since 1970, along with other sea turtles, stingrays, moray eels and
a variety of tropical fish. The tank also features a spiral walkway with 67
windows, allowing visitors to view the marine life from multiple angles. Other
exhibits include a shark and ray touch tank, coral reef, penguin colony and the
Amazon Rainforest housing poison dart frogs, piranhas and anacondas.
Maui Ocean Center, Hawaii
This award-winning aquarium connects visitors with Hawaii’s
marine life where you can journey through a 54-foot-long underwater tunnel
surrounded by sharks, visit Turtle Lagoon with its majestic honu (sea turtles)
and venture below the water’s surface with life-sized koholā (humpback
whales) in the mesmerizing “Humpbacks of Hawaiʻi” 3D Sphere Experience.
Guests can take a ukulele lesson, discover the art of
fishnet weaving and learn how to prepare traditional Hawaiian foods. Of utmost
importance, the aquarium, along with the Marine Institute at Maui Ocean Center
helps restore coral reefs along with rescuing and rehabilitating injured sea
turtles throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
Maui Ocean Center Aerial View (Photo Credit: Mahi Ocean Center)
Shedd Aquarium, Chicago
One of the most popular Chicago attractions and one of the
largest indoor aquariums in the world, Shedd opened in 1930 and houses over
32,000 animals representing more than 1,500 species across five million gallons
of water.
Some of its most popular highlights include Amazon Rising,
an 8,600-square-foot walkthrough recreating the flooded forests of the Amazon
River, Wild Reef, an impressive simulation of a Philippine coral reef and home
to sharks, rays and other vibrant sea life and the Abbott Oceanarium, the
largest indoor mammal facility in the world.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps, San Diego
Though it’s not a large aquarium, it’s quite impressive.
Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the aquarium serves as the
public outreach for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.
Our grandchildren loved the Seadragons and Seahorses
exhibit, the pint-sized penguins, the shark and ray viewing area of Blue Beach
and the impressive interactive tide pool filled with sea stars, sea anemones,
hermit crabs, sea cucumbers, lobsters, abalone and more.
Opening on May 22, 2025, Living Seas will take guests on an
unforgettable journey through the wonders of our ocean planet — from the colder
waters of the Pacific Northwest and the beauty of Coastal California to the
colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific.
Little Blue Penguins at Scripps Institution of Oceanography's Birch Aquarium, San Diego. (photo via Visit California)
Oregon Coast Aquarium
When an aquarium celebrates its local marine ecosystems,
that’s a good sign. Offering immersive experiences representing the Pacific
Northwest, the aquarium spans 23 acres along Yaquina Bay and is home to over
64,000 animals across 375 species.
Visitors can step back to prehistoric times in Cruisin’ the
Fossil Coastline, watch sea lions and harbor seals play in the Pacific waters
or search for a glimpse of the elusive giant Pacific octopus. One of the top
features of the venue is the Seabird Aviary, housing exotic tufted puffins,
common murres and rhinoceros auklets.
The Florida Aquarium, Tampa
Well-known for its dedication to wildlife preservation, this
aquarium located in downtown Tampa’s Channel District offers a fascinating look
into the world’s aquatic and terrestrial animals.
The Mosaic Exhibit Hall features rotating sea life exhibits
while Wetlands Trail provides an immersive journey through Florida’s ecosystems
which include a mangrove forest, cypress swamp and freshwater swamp, home to
alligators, otters, turtles and a free-flight aviary.
Journey to Madagascar exhibit explores the exotic island’s
unique wildlife consisting of lemurs, chameleons and yes, even hissing
cockroaches.
People look at marine life at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa Bay, Florida. (photo via Visit Tampa Bay) (Photo Credit: (photo via Visit Tampa Bay))
Odysea Aquarium
The desert meets the ocean at Odysea Aquarium in Scottsdale,
Arizona, boasting the largest aquarium in the Southwest. The state-of-the-art
facility features an impressive array of sea life including sharks, otters, sea
lions, penguins, sloths and more.
As one of the most fascinating and immersive aquatic experiences,
the OdySea Voyager features a 20-minute rotating journey through four major
exhibits aboard a stadium-seating “submarine” with 46-foot viewing windows.
Those looking for even more adventure can don a wetsuit and helmet and head
eight feet underwater on the SeaTREK Helmet Diving encounter.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
