The 16 Most Stunning Aquariums In The U.S.
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Not to knock zoos or your favorite art museum, but going to the aquarium is pretty much the coolest outing ever. Aquariums are incredible centers for education and conservation wherever you can find them, and it doesn't hurt that they're breathtakingly designed for good measure. Here are some of the most stunning aquariums across the U.S. which are fun for the whole family.
Georgia Aquarium - Atlanta, GA
The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is best known for its massive and gorgeous Whale Shark exhibition where you'll see the world's largest known fish species, but there's also so much more to do here for a day. There are also penguins, dolphins, and even beluga whales, and you can purchase a painting from an animal artist at the aquarium.
New England Aquarium - Boston, MA
The New England Aquarium is an excellent spot to visit at the Central Wharf pier in Boston. Some of their most interesting exhibitions show weedy seadragons, giant Pacific octopuses and several species of seal and sea lion.
They've also got a Whale Watch boat tour if the weather is permitting. One of their most successful conservation efforts through the aquarium's Quincy Animal Care Center is sea turtle rehabilitation.
Shedd Aquarium - Chicago, IL
The Shedd Aquarium is a great spot for Midwesterners to see an incredible saltwater fish collection. The aquarium has a ton of notable animal residents, including a green sea turtle named Nickel who is celebrating her 20th year at Shedd in 2023.
They have had a special exhibition open since 2018 titled Underwater Beauty which highlights 100 species that "embody living art shaped by the unmatched forces of nature and time."
National Aquarium - Baltimore, MD
This may be the author's hometown bias talking, but the National Aquarium in Baltimore's Inner Harbor is stunning both inside and out. Its stingray and shark exhibits are breathtaking, and the immersive tropical rainforest exhibit at the top of the building is an exciting change of pace for an aquarium visitor.
Monterey Bay Aquarium - Monterey, CA
The Monterey Bay Aquarium helped revitalize the Cannery Row area after it arrived in 1984. The aquarium's iconic kelp exhibit pictured is about three stories tall and was the first of its kind at the time of its creation.
It has also been active in promoting sustainable consumption of seafood with its Seafood Watch tool, which seeks to help customers be more informed on which retailers prioritize healthy fishing and which don't.
Audubon Aquarium Of The Americas - New Orleans, LA
This gorgeous Gulf of Mexico exhibit is just one of many cool features of the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. Unfortunately, it is currently closed for a few months due to renovations, but should be open with brand-new exhibits in the spring of 2023.
Frost Museum of Science - Miami, FL
While this is a smaller aquarium than some others on this list, its three stories go from surface-level South Florida vistas to an immersive deep exhibit shown here. And then once you've seen the aquarium, you can also check out a planetarium and full science center if you've got the energy.
Tennessee Aquarium - Chattanooga, TN
The Tennessee Aquarium is a wondrous spot in Chattanooga and highlights the beauty of Tennesee's rivers. Its River Journey exhibit was the biggest freshwater aquarium exhibit when it first opened and now features everything from otters to alligators, to obscure fish like freshwater whiprays.
There is also a saltwater Ocean Journey exhibit, an IMAX 3D theater, and... a few macaroni penguins.
Seattle Aquarium - Seattle, WA
The Seattle Aquarium opened in 1977 and has slowly introduced a repertoire of great exhibits. There are exhibits that replicate the coast of Washington as well as areas of Puget Sound, along with an impressively-recreated Pacific Coral reef. Fans of sea mammals won't be disappointed with harbor seals, Northern fur seals, and both sea and river otters on display.
Newport Aquarium - Newport, KY
This is a vintage shot, but the Newport Aquarium is still very much in action. This was from a Mermaid's Cove event, where mermaids would greet guests and teach them about conservation. Some notable animals you can check out here are a huge variety of frogs, seahorses, sharks, and two albino alligators named Snowball and Snowflake that moved into the Newport Aquarium in 2014.
Aquarium Of The Pacific - Long Beach, CA
Per its name, you can expect to view the wonders of the Pacific Ocean if you check this aquarium out in Southern California. This visitor is checking out a Pacific sea nettle jellyfish. You can also visit a huge Shark Lagoon, an aviary with rainbow lorikeet birds that you can feed nectar for a fee, and a penguin exhibit where you can crawl under it to see them closer.
New York Aquarium - Coney Island, NY
This Aquarium re-opened with a new jellyfish exhibit in 2020. It was already worth the trip to Coney Island due to a very reasonable entry fee that covers a fun Aquatheater show, beautiful outdoor mammal exhibits, and indoor displays which discuss conservation and show off other great animals.
Oregon Coast Aquarium - Newport, OR
Along with this classic walk-through tank which is very lengthy compared to other aquariums, you can expect tide pools, a kelp forest, as well as the largest seabird aviary in North America.
Downtown Aquarium - Houston, TX
This aquarium not only features a cool Texas Bayou exhibit and a stingray reef, but they even have tigers on display to boot. There's even a small adventure park here where you can get on rides like a Ferris wheel or carousel, and play some classic carnival games.
The Florida Aquarium - Tampa, FL
The Florida Aquarium is a great resource for education and fun in Tampa. The exhibits are structured to follow a drop of water from a Freshwater spring all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Its best-known exhibit is a large reef featuring sand tiger sharks, and they are also known for conservation work related to Florida's coral reefs.
Steinhart Aquarium - San Francisco, CA
The Steinhart Aquarium, which is part of the California Academy of Sciences has everything from water plant exhibits to lush rainforests to even a deep reefs display. Families can even book an overnight sleepover at this aquarium which would surely be hilarious and a great memory for all.
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