The underwater world and marine life are captivating. Dazzling with a wide array of vibrant colors, watching them is bliss. Aquariums displaying diverse marine life calm your mind and help you learn much about the mysterious and magical aquatic world. They are also perfect spots for learning and having fun with your family. Here are the 12 best aquariums in the US you must visit in 2025.
Best Aquariums in the US
1. Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta
It is the largest aquarium in the United States, exhibiting thousands of aquatic creatures in seven galleries. Explore the exhibits nd learn about them. Get face-to-face with the fascinating creatures and interact with them at the touch pools. Georgia Aquarium is the only place where you can swim with sharks, whales, and rays and turn your fear into fascination. Another good thing you can do here is have a slumber party with your family. You will be admitted at 6.45 pm on the day of the sleepover and allowed to remain in the aquarium the entire next day. You will be provided with bedtime snacks, a complimentary breakfast, and guided tours. It is an excellent way to bond with your family.
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2. New England Aquarium, Massachusetts
As it is a center for ocean and marine life conservation, you can learn a lot about how to love, respect, and protect the oceans when you visit this aquarium. It has thousands of aquatic animals, including rare ones such as the African penguin, green sea turtles, California sea lions, anemone fish, Atlantic harbor seals, Goliath grouper, and dwarf seahorse. Touch the sharks at the touch tank and watch the giant Myrtle the turtle in a huge water tank. Have a close encounter with stingrays at the stingray petting pool. Kids love to see the octopuses and jellyfish. Join the whale watch tour to spot the amazing creatures jumping out of the sea.
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3. Monterey Bay Aquarium, California
The highlight of this aquarium is the 28-foot Kelp Forest, one of the tallest aquariums in the world, where you can see giant kelp plants that provide shelter and food to sharks, anchovies, and others. You can see rockfish, giant kelp fish, swell sharks, green anemone, melibe, leopard sharks, etc. The aquarium is also popular for its large jellyfish exhibits, as well as other rare exhibits like white sharks, ocean sunfish, bluefin tuna, etc. Monterey Bay Aquarium is a fantastic place to see underwater life without getting wet. Let your kids learn the secrets of the marine world and come up with solutions for solving the challenges of the ocean.
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4. National Aquarium, Baltimore
Displaying several thousand specimens from the deep blue ocean and rainforests, the National Aquarium is one of the world’s best aquariums. Explore more than 20000 animals from more than 800 species of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, sharks, fish, and birds. The largest exhibit of the aquarium is Dolphin Discovery, home to six cute bottlenose dolphins. Watch these playful, beautiful, and intelligent creatures playing and interacting with each other. Enjoy sleepover programs, guided tours, education programs, and hands-on experience.
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5. Shedd Aquarium
Life between the water’s surface, the diverse marine ecosystem comprises many living creatures, including whales, corals, dolphins, fish, sharks, whales, etc. Get ready to see a wide variety of animals living in the aquatic environment that will mesmerize you with sleek and swift movements. You can experience unique adventures such as a shark feeding tour, interacting with sea lions, meeting a sea otter eye to eye, feeding stingrays, touching a penguin, and stepping into the water to see a beluga. Touch and feel the textures of different species like stingrays, sturgeon, and others. Let your kids have fun at the 4-D theater and VR live action.
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6. Adventure Aquarium, Camden
With more than 15000 marine species, you are assured of a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Adventure Aquarium. Visit the little blue penguins, the smallest type of penguin, at the Little Blue Beach. You can experience the sights and sounds of the Amazon Rainforest at the Piranha Falls. Enjoy the thrilling experience of navigating the twisting and turning Pirates’ Passage to see tons of colorful tropical fish. Touch and feel the sharks and stingrays at the touch pool. Let the little ones have fun with hands-on activities at the KidZone.
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7. Seattle Aquarium
The mission of Seattle Aquarium is to inspire the conservation of the marine environment. It provides exciting ways to have fun and discover more about the marine world. Explore many varieties of fish, including clownfish, dogfish, leaf scorpion fish, guitarfish, blue-spotted stingray, leaf scorpion fish, leopard tail rays, moray eels, pipefish, rockfish, and many more. The interactive exhibits, VR undersea explorer, the swimming with humpbacks program, puppet shows, and Caring Cove, the children’s play space, delight the kids.
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8. Newport Aquarium
See, feel, touch, and explore the aquatic life at the Newport Aquarium. There are several interesting exhibits in the aquarium. The first one is the ‘Go with the Flow’, where you can see the shimmering world of jellyfish, the most fascinating creatures. “Ring of Fire’ is the name given to the octopus exhibit. Cross a rope-suspended bridge to see sharks and shark rays at the Shark Bridge. Aquarium activities include the ‘tide pool touch’, which allows you to touch sea urchins, sea stars, anemones, and rays, the ‘Stingray touch’, and the ‘Shark touch’.
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9. Alaska Sea Life Center
Located on the shores of Resurrection Bay, Alaska Sea Life Center is an excellent destination to learn about Alaska’s unique marine life, including harbor seals, puffins, sea lions, and more. You can observe puffins at the Puffin Aviary. Watch animals nose to nose through underwater windows. Find out how to identify salmon at the Salmon Tanks. Learn and have fun with the interactive exhibits on interesting marine topics. You can enjoy the spectacular views and relax on the outdoor viewing deck.
10. Tennessee Aquarium
The unique feature of the aquarium is that it is divided into two buildings, one for the freshwater species and the other for the sea creatures. With more than 10000 animals, including rare species like the gentoo penguin, tangerine darter, green sea turtle, silver arowana, Tennesse Shiner, and Brook trout. You will be surprised to see the wide variety of invertebrates, amphibians, and birds. Explore the river and sea animals at the Tennessee Aquarium.
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11. Birch Aquarium, San Diego
With plenty of interactive exhibits and attractions, Birch Aquarium is a must-visit place for marine enthusiasts. The interactive exhibits include the Hall of Fishes, where you can see the aquatic creatures from the waters of Mexico and the Northwest Pacific. See the beautiful little blue penguins. Get a close-up view of the sea stars, sea cucumbers, hermit crabs, lobsters, etc., at the Living Tide Pools. Enjoy the experience of penguin feeding. Take behind-the-scenes tours to learn and have fun.
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12. Texas State Aquarium
The best thing about this aquarium is that it is divided on the basis of geographic region, from the Caribbean jungle to the Gulf of Mexico. Enjoy a 4D experience and have a special encounter with diverse marine life, including more than 4000 animals. Snorkeling with the sharks is an unforgettable experience. The best exhibits include the Coral Bay, Dolphin Bay, Eagle Pass, and the Blue Hole. Explore them for a lifetime experience.
Wrapping Up
Aquariums are stress busters and mood enhancers. Visit one of the best aquariums this upcoming weekend, and have fun with your family.
