10 Best Aquariums in the U.S. - Travel + Leisure
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There is another world under the sea, but you don't have to go snorkeling or scuba diving to experience the wonders of the ocean floor. The U.S. is home to some amazing aquariums where you can admire marine animals and magical habitats up close without having to get wet.
These attractions put you in some of the most picturesque corners of the country, from Northern California's coastline in Monterey, along Boston's waterfront, and over to Elliott Bay in Seattle. Their exhibits give visitors the opportunity to hang with sharks, dolphins, and beluga whales, all while learning about the importance of conservation and wildlife protection. Work an unforgettable under-the-sea experience into your itinerary with a stop at any of these 10 aquariums, some of the best in the country.
Monterey Bay Aquarium, California
Courtesy of Monterey Bay Aquarium
In the idyllic seaside city of Monterey, right on historic Cannery Row, is the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Largely regarded as one of the best in the U.S., this aquarium is celebrated for its living kelp forest, home to wildlife like red octopuses and leopard sharks. Visitors might also see sea otters, penguins, and deep-sea and coral-reef exhibits while learning about what they can do to help save them. This aquarium is a leader in ocean conservation and education.
New England Aquarium, Massachusetts
Welcoming more than a million visitors each year, the New England Aquarium sits right along Boston Harbor. It's home to the biggest shark and ray touch tank on the East Coast, as well as a Marine Mammal Center, which is committed to caring for California sea lions. While at the aquarium, visitors can spend time with African penguins, get a close look at sea turtles, and experience the majesty of the 200,000-gallon Giant Ocean Tank, so big that it was built first and the aquarium was built around it.
Audubon Aquarium, Louisiana
You'll find the Audubon Aquarium on the Mississippi River in New Orleans. Not far from the French Quarter, it's home to more than 250 animal species, from leucistic white alligators to jellyfish and sharks. Start your day by hanging out with the southern sea otters and seahorses, then expand your horizons at the Gulf of Mexico tank, which is 17 feet deep, filled with 400,000 gallons of salt water, and home to stingrays, sharks, sea turtles, and more.
Shedd Aquarium, Illinois
Chicago's famed Shedd Aquarium welcomes budding marine biologists who are eager to see beluga whales, stingrays, saltwater fish, dolphins, and sea lions. The wildlife here can pique anyone's interest, as Shedd's exhibits even include crustaceans, amphibians, and reptiles. One mammal you're unlikely to encounter elsewhere is the white-sided dolphin — there are only three aquariums in the U.S. that house them, and some were born at Shedd.
Georgia Aquarium, Georgia
From the sea lion experience to public swims in the stingray tank and more, the wildlife encounters at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta are sure to captivate every wide-eyed visitor. You might see beluga whales, whale sharks, bottlenose dolphins, and American alligators, but there's so much more than aquatic exhibits here. Guests can also join events like fitness classes "by the water," soothing sound baths, Sips Under the Sea (for the over-21 crowd), and Camp H2O for the kids.
Seattle Aquarium, Washington
You can spend your day with sea and river otters, seals, moon jellyfish, pufferfish, and sea anemones at the Seattle Aquarium on Elliott Bay. This experience is all about interactive education, with the aquarium offering summer camps, family programming, and beach naturalist sessions outside the venue. The Seattle Aquarium is also working to open its Ocean Pavilion to accommodate increased visitor numbers and inspire deeper connections between people and the ocean with 3,500 sustainably sourced marine species.
New York Aquarium, New York
In Brooklyn, the New York Aquarium has a 4D theater, feedings visitors can attend, and of course, numerous wildlife exhibits. You can watch the sea lions, penguins, and seals hang out together on the cliffs of their exhibit, then visit Conservation Hall to see brightly colored fish swimming through the coral reefs. Plan to encounter 18 different types of sharks and rays, from zebra sharks to sandbar sharks, in the Ocean Wonders exhibit.
National Aquarium, Maryland
There are thousands of animals at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The exhibits here take you on a mini tour of the world, replicating habitats like the Amazon rain forest, Indo-Pacific coral reefs, and even an Australian river gorge. Attend for half price on any Friday night for an exciting start to the weekend.
Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska
For ocean enthusiasts, does it get any better than experiencing marine wildlife in Alaska? We think not. At the Alaska SeaLife Center, you'll find seals and sea lions, salmon and rockfish, and invertebrates like king crab and sea urchins. The aquarium even offers encounters with some of its residents, like octopuses and puffins.
Oregon Coast Aquarium, Oregon
On the wild Oregon coast in Newport, you'll find a Pacific Northwest aquarium worth planning a trip around. Visitors can see a replication of the local Orford Reef, spot a giant Pacific octopus in the Octopus Cave, and compare the marine life found on the rocky versus sandy shores of Oregon. Keep an eye on the calendar for designated "day events," when the aquarium holds special programming to celebrate all kinds of observances, from Rockfish Day to Crab Fishery Day and more.
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