Our whole family loves sea life, and my oldest even wants to go to college for marine biology! This makes aquariums one of our go-to attractions, no matter where we are in the United States. From our smaller, local Cleveland aquarium (that’s great for younger kids!) to the much bigger Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, we enjoy and appreciate them all!
We’ve loved hands-on exhibits and playful sea otters and walked through massive shark tunnels to narrow down the best aquariums in the U.S. For families planning a dedicated aquarium trip or just looking for something to add to the family vacation itinerary, these destinations are well worth a visit.
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Ripley’s Aquarium – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
My shark-obsessed son loved Dangerous Reef at Ripley’s Aquarium, where visitors stand on a glidepath that takes you through a 340-foot underwater tunnel. The surrounding 750,000-gallon tank is filled with sharks, tarpons, sea turtles, and eels. It quickly turned into a competition of who could spot the biggest shark. We also loved petting the rays in Friendship Flats, visiting the penguins, and seeing the rainforest exhibits.
Stay At
The Breakers Myrtle Beach is perfect for families vacationing on a budget. Rooms are simple but comfortable, and there are plenty of amenities, including five waterparks, indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, and games.
Sea Life Aquarium – Kansas City, Missouri
We have been to tons of aquariums (and even zoos) with the opportunity to pet stingrays in the touch tank. At Sea Life Aquarium, we were ecstatic to pet starfish in the touch tank. It is a smaller aquarium, great for younger kids, plus there are tons of interactive exhibits and touch experiences to keep kids engaged. It’s also right next to LEGOLAND Discovery Center, so it’s easy to do both on the same day.
Being able to touch a starfish made the whole trip for me!
Photo Credit: Samantha Davis
Stay At
Our family stayed at the Westin Kansas City. We loved that it was close to so many attractions, and there was an indoor heated pool and waterfall.
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium – Draper, Utah
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium had a lot to offer beyond traditional aquarium exhibits. It’s easy to be impressed by the massive shark tunnel, but our family also loved the penguins and the “Journey to South America” and “Expedition to Asia” habitats. There are all kinds of critters, from clouded leopards and sloths to komodo dragons, not just marine life!
My boys have always been fascinated by sea creatures of all kinds! Photo Credit: Samantha Davis
Stay At
Staybridge Suites Salt Lake-West Valley City is about 20 minutes away from the aquarium. It had a lot of amenities we look for, including indoor heated pools and free breakfast. The free laundry and waterslide were extra perks.
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas – New Orleans, Louisiana
The Audubon Aquarium & Insectarium was a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter. The Gulf of America exhibits bring Louisiana’s coastal environment to life, and we loved the Amazon Rainforest habitat. The insectarium was closed when we visited, but if you plan to visit the aquarium, insectarium, and/or zoo, be sure to bundle your family’s tickets to save money!
This spotted sting ray was even more beautiful in person! Photo Credit: Samantha Davis
Stay At
Don’t be fooled by the low price of the Super 8 By Wyndham Hotel. This pastel-colored throwback has a pool, free breakfast, and gives guests free wifi and parking.
Niagara Falls Aquarium – Niagara, New York
This was one of the smaller aquariums we’ve visited, but as we visited Niagara Falls during winter, we were glad to have something to fill our time! The highlight was the sea lion show, which was every bit as good as Sea World!
I love the fluorescent lighting they use to make the jellyfish so vivid!
Photo Credit: Samantha Davis
Stay At
For our family, the perfect place ended up being Hyatt Place Niagara Falls. We needed something pet-friendly, plus there was an indoor pool and hot breakfast. Swimming is a must on vacation, no matter how cold it is outside, so this was really all we needed at a mid-range price.
Monterey Bay Aquarium – Monterey, California
Monterey Bay Aquarium is often considered one of the best aquariums in the country. It stands out for its 28-foot-tall Living Kelp Forest, giving visitors a diver’s look at a thriving, sunlit, underwater forest. It would be easy for families to spend an entire day here exploring California’s marine ecosystems, and the oceanfront setting adds to the experience, making it feel like an extension of Monterey Bay.
These huge viewing windows make you feel immersed in the underwater scene!
Photo by Mason C on Unsplash
Stay At
A short walk from the aquarium is Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa. Kids will love participating in the “Explorer’s Program” that comes with a discovery kit, including a tide pool bingo card, binoculars, and exploration gear.
Georgia Aquarium – Atlanta, Georgia
The massive Georgia Aquarium is home to whale sharks, giant manta rays, and thousands of marine animals, leaving kids wide-eyed from the moment they walk in. The enormous viewing window (23-feet tall and 61-feet wide) of the Ocean Voyager exhibit and immersive exhibits make it easy to understand why it’s considered one of the premier aquariums in the United States. It’s also the largest aquarium in the U.S., containing more than 11 million gallons of water.
Georgia Aquarium is one of the few places to view whale sharks in the U.S.
Photo by Nadine Marfurt on Unsplash
Stay At
Hotels near Centennial Olympic Park, like Hyatt Place or Embassy Suites, are close to the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola (plus, the park has a great playground for kids). Stay in the Atlantic Station area if you want a theater, a bowling alley, and plenty of shopping and dining nearby (bonus: date night at IKEA while the kids play in Småland!).
Shedd Aquarium – Chicago, Illinois
Sitting on Chicago’s scenic lakefront, Shedd Aquarium is one of the most impressive in the Midwest. Exhibits feature everything from colorful coral reef fish to sharks and sea turtles, but the real highlight is the Abbott Oceanarium. Here, beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, and other marine mammals bring ocean ecosystems to life through expansive habitats and engaging presentations.
Stay At
For the family looking for something in the heart of the tourist district, The Ivy Hotel is a great option. Just off of Michigan Avenue and close to Navy Pier, it’s the perfect location for those looking to see a lot in a short amount of time.
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New England Aquarium – Boston, Massachusetts
The giant ocean tank is the centerpiece of the New England Aquarium, where visitors can spiral upward around a living coral reef filled with sea turtles, rays, and tropical fish. Families visiting Boston will appreciate its walkable waterfront location and educational focus on ocean conservation. You can also view critically endangered African penguins there.
Fish come in so many beautiful colors!
Photo by Garrett Hayes on Unsplash
Stay At
In Boston, the Boston Marriott Copley Place is a hit with teens and families thanks to its unbeatable location and convenience. The hotel’s spacious rooms and comfortable layout make it easy for families to unwind after busy city days, and its direct connection to two major malls means teens can explore shops and food courts right downstairs.
Adventure Aquarium – Camden, New Jersey
Adventure Aquarium stands out for its shark experience, including a thrilling shark bridge that lets visitors walk just inches above the impressive sandbar, nurse, and sand tiger sharks below. It’s home to one of the largest collections of sharks on the East Coast, making it especially popular with older kids (like my future marine biologist). Visitors will also enjoy viewing the giant Pacific octopus, penguins, and Nile hippos!
Stay At
Camden Riverhouse Hotel and Inns has tons of perks. No pool, but they do offer complimentary breakfast, free parking, and a big backyard with a fire pit for roasting s’mores.
National Aquarium – Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore’s National Aquarium blends conservation, education, and immersive exhibits in a way that’s easy for families to appreciate. Explore everything from tropical rainforests to Atlantic coral reefs. The multi-level design keeps things feeling fresh, and you never know what new immersive experience is waiting around each corner.
There is much more than just fish at Baltimore’s aquarium!
Photo by Brendan Beale on Unsplash
Stay At
The Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore is within walking distance of the aquarium. It also has tons of kid-friendly features, including child-sized robes, cribs, rollaway beds, and a rooftop pool.
Mystic Aquarium – Stonington, Connecticut
There are only a handful of aquariums where families can visit beluga whales, and Mystic Aquarium is one of them. Combined with stellar sea lions, penguins, and interactive exhibits, it creates a more intimate experience that families often find easier to navigate than some of the nation’s largest facilities.
Stay At
Hilton Mystic sits across from the aquarium, with an outdoor courtyard, onsite restaurant, heated indoor pool, and free shuttle service.
Ocean Coast Aquarium – Newport, Oregon
Located on the rugged Oregon coast, the Oregon Coast Aquarium showcases the unique marine life of the Pacific Northwest. Families will enjoy the walk-through underwater tunnels and exhibits featuring local wildlife, helping families better understand the ecosystems just beyond the shoreline. This includes marine mammals like sea lions and seals, invertebrates like jellyfish and strawberry anemone, beautiful birds, and colorful fish.
Enjoy exhibits of mammals, birds, and invertebrates!
Photo by Lia Schmidt on Unsplash
Stay At
For oceanfront views, an indoor saltwater pool, and a kid-friendly, highly-rated restaurant, consider Hallmark Resort-Newport. It’s also pet-friendly. Even when we aren’t traveling with our dog, my youngest loves seeing everyone else’s pups!
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Seattle Aquarium – Seattle, Washington
Seattle Aquarium is another that excels at highlighting the marine life of the Pacific Northwest. Touch pools, playful sea otters, tufted puffins, and exhibits focused on Puget Sound make it a great introduction to one of the country’s most fascinating coastal environments. The aquarium is also known for its conservation program, ReShark, which focuses on improving endangered ray and shark populations worldwide.
Seattle Aquarium is known for its conservation efforts!
Photo Credit: Samantha Davis
Stay At
Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square has free breakfast and wifi, which is always a perk. There’s also an indoor pool for kids who aren’t quite ready for bed at the end of a day of exploring.
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