Explore the deep blue underwater world without getting wet. At one of the Best Aquariums in the US, visitors will find schools of fish, turtles and even sharks. Some offer display areas for seabirds. Aquariums often include exhibits dedicated to penguins and sea otters. From the east to the west, there are the best aquariums in the US.
Best Aquariums in the US
Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, TX
Dallas World Aquarium in Dallas, TX
New England Aquarium in Boston, MA
Woods Hole Science Aquarium in Woods Hole, MA
Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, CA
Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA
Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans, LA
St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station in St. Louis, MO
Downtown Houston Aquarium in Houston, TX
Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, TX
The Texas State Aquarium is one of the top things to do in Corpus Christi. Learn about the aquatic animals of the Gulf of Mexico, along with birds and river otters.
Popular exhibits include the sunken shipwreck with sharks, Dolphin Bay with daily shows and Tortuga Cay for the turtle program. The Texas State Aquarium offers feeding and touch tanks as well. See the stingray feeding at the Stingray Lagoon or get up and close to the Caribbean Flamingos and Scarlet Ibis along with macaws.
Located at 2710 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dallas World Aquarium in Dallas, TX
The Dallas World Aquarium offers more than marine animals in the West End Historic District. As a part of its conservation efforts, visitors find endangered land animals, like the Orinoco crocodiles.
During your visit, see the kid-favorite, two-toed sloths. Of course, jellyfish, sharks, crabs and fish all live at the Dallas World Aquarium.
Located at 1801 N Griffin St, Dallas. Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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New England Aquarium in Boston, MA
The New England Aquarium is located on Central Wharf and overlooks the Boston Harbor. It is a must for animal lovers.
It offers exhibits with Atlantic Harbor Seals and California sea lions, both popular for their personalities. The penguin exhibit takes a central place in the aquarium with over 50 African and Southern Rockhopper penguins.
The New England Aquarium also offers fresh and saltwater tanks with Giant Pacific octopuses, rays and sharks. Visitors will find a Green Sea Turtle too.
Located at 1 Central Wharf, Boston. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Woods Hole Science Aquarium in Woods Hole, MA
Opened in the 1870s, the Woods Hole Science Aquarium is the oldest aquarium in the U.S. It is owned by the US government and operated by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Marine Biological Laboratory.
It displays approximately 80 species of marine animals found in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. waters. The aquarium is designed for self-guided tours of the main exhibits and a behind-the-scenes look at aquarium operations.
Located at 166 Water St, Woods Hole, MA. Temporarily closed for renovations.
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Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, CA
Monterey Bay Aquarium is a nonprofit public aquarium in Monterey, California. It is known for its regional focus on the marine habitats of Monterey Bay.
Visitors will find a penguin exhibit and a sea otter at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Another top exhibit is the open ocean tank with 90-foot windows, displaying schools of fish, turtles and stingrays.
Located at 886 Cannery Row, Monterey. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA
A must for families, the Aquarium of the Pacific houses over 10,000 animals from 500 different species, and it’s one of the top things to do in Long Beach, especially for families. With animals from the West Coast to the tropics, visitors encounter a wide assortment of marine life.
There, visitors will find an exhibit dedicated to baby marine life along with galleries covering the animals of Southern California and Baja. Another top exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific explores its coral reefs. The shark tank is another hit among guests, as is the sea otter exhibit. As a kids’ favorite, spend a little extra time at the touch tanks.
Located at 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Audubon Aquarium New Orleans, LA
Located on the Mississippi River adjacent to the French Quarter, Audubon Aquarium guides visitors through displays showcasing the animals of bayou like the Great White Alligator. There are also exhibits of marine life from the Gulf.
Visitors can learn about the animals of the Caribbean as well. Then, they can walk through the Maya Tunnel and more.
Located at 1 Canal St, New Orleans, LA. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station in St. Louis, MO
The 120,000-square-foot St. Louis Aquarium is part of the Union Station Complex, a renovated train station in downtown St. Louis. Visitors will find several exhibits dedicated to rivers, including one on the Confluence, where the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers meet.
Other popular exhibits include Shark Canyon and The Deep, dedicated to deep-sea marine life. The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station also offers a couple of touch pools, like the jelly touch pool.
Located at 201 S 18th St, St. Louis, MO. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday).
Downtown Houston Aquarium in Houston, TX
Located in the landmark Houston Fire Station No. 1 and Central Waterworks Building, the 500,000-gallon aquarium offers 300 species of marine life, a Spanish galleon, and a giant Pacific octopus. The Downtown Aquarium also offers a popular restaurant, a carousel, and a Ferris wheel (each with an additional fee).
Located at 410 Bagby St, Houston, TX. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday).
