The Best Aquariums in the US
The life aquatic is an enchanting premise that captivates all ages, and the best aquariums in the United States are just the place to immerse yourself in that magic. From the impossible cute little blue penguins to the awe-inspiringly gargantuan whale shark, the world beneath the waves is home to all walks of life that swim.
Source: media.cntraveler.com
Aquariums are the perfect intersection of embracing the Earth’s natural beauty and unlocking the same sense of wonder that comes from looking to outer space. Even if you’re going to spend a day indoors with the family, you might just find yourself falling into the giddy joy of field trip days past. And as leaders in the marine and freshwater conservation movements, aquariums make learning fun.
Source: media.cntraveler.com
So, let’s dive into our picks for the best aquariums in the US.
Source: media.cntraveler.com
National Aquarium – Baltimore
Baltimore’s National Aquarium may be underselling itself on the tin – if you ever wanted to travel the world without leaving where you are, this aquarium is just the place to navigate the world’s waters without stepping foot out of Charm City. Maybe you won’t be able to see all of the aquarium’s 20,000 denizens, but you could try to check off as many of the 800 species they belong to.
Between the 10,000-square-foot outdoor wetlands exhibit to the Living Seashore where you can pet the stingrays and ancient horseshoe crabs, getting up close and totally immersed with underwater ecosystems straight from National Geographic covers is very much the idea here.
Odysea Aquarium – Scottsdale
With summers peaking at 110 degrees Fahrenheit, Scottsdale, Arizona, is not always conducive to long days where you’re up and at ’em on your feet. Luckily for your heat-weary soul, the crown jewel at OdySea is the OdySea Voyager, the only rotating aquarium on the planet.
Here, you just get to sit back and relax for about 20 minutes as the exhibit cycles through the Open Ocean, the Sea Turtle Reef, the Sea Lion Sound, and the Shark Waters habitats, ticking off most of the heavy hitters we come to the aquarium to marvel at. Especially if you’re with the whole family, there are few cooler ways to beat the heat.
Birch Aquarium – San Diego
With San Diego’s nationally renowned zoo, it’s befitting that there’s an equally impressive underwater equivalent in nearby La Jolla. Here, the exterior of the campus is just as important as what’s on the inside: be sure to peer just beyond the tree line as the aquarium perches right over the Pacific coast.
Then, the rest of your itinerary is a dealer’s choice between seeing the adorable little blue penguins (the smallest penguin species in the world), zooming in even smaller with the aquarium’s rare sea dragons, or conversely going big and making your way around the 70,000-gallon kelp forest tank.
The Georgia Aquarium – Atlanta
This living Atlanta museum, which opened in 2005, is the largest indoor aquarium in the Western Hemisphere with more than 10 million gallons of fresh and salt water. The massive structure is the only aquarium in the United States that has whale sharks, as well as other fan favorites including sea lions, bottlenose dolphins, belugas, manta rays, penguins, and more call Georgia Aquarium home, too.
Warning: once your kid has fallen in love with a beluga whale or ‘Deepo,’ the Aquarium’s mascot of an orange Garibaldi fish, they’re going to want to take one home from the expansive gift shop.
The Tennessee Aquarium – Chattanooga
Chattanooga is a city made for families, and we advise taking yours on the scenic route to The Tennessee Aquarium by walking there across the ocean blue Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge. Be amazed at the behemoth Arapaima catfish which normally stalk the riverbeds of the Amazon, and hop alongside frosted-tipped macaroni penguins, which yes, are just as adorable as their name implies.
The aquarium’s Tropical Cove exhibit also has an assortment of playful lemurs which swing above visitors’ heads in the canopy, so make sure to look up, down, and all around at one of the largest freshwater aquariums in the world.
The Oregon Coast Aquarium
Perched on the shores of Yaquina Bay, The Oregon Coast Aquarium is one of the best in the country to directly encounter marine life with their octopus, sea jelly, and behind-the-scenes experiences which provide a glimpse into the life of marine animals.
With so many aquariums to choose from, you’re sure to find one that will leave you in awe of the underwater world.
