Aquariums are windows to the underwater world designed to enthrall adults and kids alike with mesmerizing exhibits, hands-on experiences and close-up encounters with marine life. We’ve scoured the nation to bring you the best aquariums for your young explorers.
Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta
Consistently ranked as America’s top aquarium, this Georgia Aquarium is also the largest in the Western Hemisphere. It houses over a hundred thousand animals, including whale sharks and beluga whales in 10 million gallons of water. Must-dos include the underwater tunnel in the Ocean Voyager gallery, the Under the Boardwalk sea lion presentation and the AT&T Dolphin Tales gallery. Young adventurers aged 7 and up can enjoy close up encounters with penguins, dolphins or sea otters, while older kids can swim with whale sharks.
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, California
Located on the site of a former sardine cannery on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, this aquarium will enthrall and delight the whole family. There’s a huge 28-foot Kelp Forest teeming with marine life, a Marine Mammal Gallery, a giant octopus exhibit and daily shows and animal feedings. There’s also a Splash Zone, a 7,000-square-foot area with more than 30 hands-on features for children under 9.
Shedd Aquarium, Chicago
This popular attraction in the Windy City is home to a dazzling array of marine life and land animals ranging from dolphins and penguins to tiny monkeys and frogs. Shedd Aquarium has recreated different habitats around the globe and offers endless extraordinary experiences and interactive exhibits, including a three-level oceanarium. There’s plenty of opportunity for kids to touch the sea life and enjoy aquatic shows.
National Aquarium, Baltimore
Sharks, dolphins, alligators and turtles are just some of the 20,000 animals you can expect to see at the National Aquarium, located in downtown Baltimore in Maryland. This kid-friendly aquarium is renowned for its immersive habitats ranging from the Upland Tropical Rain Forest to the Atlantic Coral Reef. It is also home to North America’s first dolphin sanctuary. Shark Alley, Dolphin Discovery and Jellies Invasion are always a hit with kids and Living Seashore has plenty of touch pools. You can also book special behind-the-scenes tours for children over 8.
Florida Aquarium, Tampa
Step into an incredible underwater world at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa, Florida. As well as housing an impressive collection of marine life, this huge aquarium features the famed Coral Reef Gallery, which has a walk-through tunnel. Budding Cousteaus will love the stingray and horseshoe crab touch pools. Once you’re done, they can make a beeline for Explore a Shore, a 2-acre outdoor water park with a 24-foot pirate ship.
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, New Orleans
Located on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, the Aquarium of the Americas takes you deep into an underwater world showcasing aquatic life of the Mississippi, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Kids of all ages will love exploring a submerged Mayan City, walking under a Caribbean Reef, seeing seahorses and getting hands-on with sea creatures at the Animal Grossology exhibit. The Backstage Penguin Pass a must!
Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga, Tennessee
The Tennessee Aquarium houses two aquariums, River Journey, which follows the path of a raindrop from the Appalachian Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico and features three living forests with life above and below the water; and Ocean Journey, where you’ll find a large shark tank and a stingray touch tank. Mini adventurers will love interacting with lemurs and otters during animal encounter sessions and it’s fun to go on the Chattanooga Riverboat Cruise.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Travel on an aquatic journey from the shore to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, exploring over 800,000 gallons of aquariums and animal habitats at Virginia Aquarium & Marine Center in Virginia Beach. Highlights include the giant World of Insects and there is a daily schedule of interactive activities for kids. A big hit with youngsters is outdoor Adventure Park (for 5 year olds and up). The dolphins or whale-watching cruises as also popular.
Aquarium of The Pacific, Long Beach, California
Located in downtown Long Beach, this stunning aquarium is home to over 50 exhibits, meaning there’s plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained. Its state-of-the-art Shark Lagoon contains more than 200 sharks and has a touch pool and water-squirting squid playground sculpture. There’s an all-new frog exhibit and the Seal and Sea Lion Encounter behind-the-scenes tour is a must-do for older ones.
New England Aquarium, Boston
Situated along Boston’s historic waterfront, this conservation-focused aquarium is the city’s biggest attraction. Children of all ages be enthralled by the fascinating exhibits and animal encounters, including its mesmerizing centerpiece, the 200,000-gallon Giant Ocean Tank. There’s a playful penguin pool, harbor seal habitat and a shark and ray touch tank too. A highlight for the whole family is the whale-watching cruise between May and October.