John G. Shedd Aquarium - Chicago, Illinois

The world's largest assortment of finned, gilled, amphibious, and other aquatic creatures swims within the marble-clad confines of the John G. Shedd Aquarium.


Permanent exhibits include the multilevel Oceanarium, which mimics ocean conditions off the northwest coast of North America. The beluga whales inside are remarkably cute creatures that come from the pint-size end of the whale scale. Their humped heads and natural “smiles” make them look eerily human. You'll also see Pacific white-sided dolphins, harbor seals, and sea otters.

Don't linger only on the main floor; you can go underneath the cement seats and watch the mammals from below through viewing windows. The “Wild Reef” exhibit will have sharkophiles and sharkophobes equally entranced; over a dozen sharks cut through the waters in a simulation of a Philippines reef ecosystem. And the “Amazon Rising” exhibits offer a captivating look at a year in the Amazon River and rain forest.

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New England Aquarium - Boston, Massachusetts

Teeming with more than 15,000 sea creatures of all sizes, shapes, and colors, the New England Aquarium is a giant fishbowl of sea-life wonder.


Harbor seals and sea otters frolic in a large observation tank at the entrance, but the main attraction is the awesome four-story, 200,000 gallon (760,000 liter) Giant Ocean Tank, which swirls with more than 600 creatures great and small, including turtles, sharks, and eels. At the base of the tank the penguin pool is home to three species of fun-loving penguins.

Countless side exhibits explore the lives and habitats of other underwater oddities, including the two-floor Amazing Jellies exhibit, home to hundreds of ethereal jellyfish, and the Edge of the Sea exhibit, with its sea stars, horseshoe crabs, and sea dragons. Other attractions include displays on denizens of the Amazon, marine life in the Gulf of Maine, and the ecology of Boston Harbor.

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Monterey Bay Aquarium - Monterey & Carmel, California

There is a reason that Monterey Bay is considered the top aquarium in the country and draws around two million visitors a year. The nearly 200 exhibits and galleries feature 623 different species of plants and creatures: from adorable sea otters to otherworldly jellyfish, swirling sardines and crafty sharks that glide through the water.


Visitors can get up-close with bat rays at the petting pool, and watch divers hand-feed sharks and fish at the kelp forest and blackfooted penguins in the Splash Zone.

What makes Monterey Bay Aquarium so special is its commitment to environmental conservation and education. The aquarium continuously pumps Monterey Bay ocean water through the tanks. During the day the water is filtered for clarity and at night the unfiltered water brings in food in the form of plankton. Waste ocean water from the aquarium is returned to the bay – making the aquarium essentially a part of the ocean.

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Florida Aquarium - Tampa,Florida

The perfect place to take the entire family for an afternoon, the Florida Aquarium offers exciting views of nature within the comfort of an air-conditioned building. Home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals, the aquarium offers 200,000 square feet (23,000 square meters) worth of fun and adventure.


If walking around the expansive building and enjoying the amazing wildlife wasn’t enough, the aquarium also has additional opportunities for more in depth exploration. Some of these family friendly attractions include a Swim with the Fishes Tour, Penguins: Backstage Pass opportunity, and a Wild Dolphin Ecotour.

If you ever want to head outside, the 2-acre "Explore a Shore" water adventure zone provides opportunities for the kids to cool off with water games while parents can relax under the shade of the Tampa Tribune Cantina bar and grill.

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SeaWorld Orlando, Florida

A fantastic blend of marine animals and thrill rides, SeaWorld is home to both Shamu the killer whale and Kraken, the floorless coaster. Journey to Atlantis brings both concepts together: it's an oceanic water-coaster with a 60 foot (18 meter) vertical drop.


Little ones can ride a dolphin on the Sea Carousel, twist around on Jazzy Jellies, or ride the Shamu Express. Away from the rides, its beautifully landscaped grounds include a 17 acre (6.9 hectare) lagoon, flamingo and pelican ponds, and a lush tropical rainforest.

SeaWorld also offers interactive programs, including the Sharks Deep Dive, which gives guests a chance to have limited, hands-off contact with more than 50 sharks. SeaWorld also provides opportunities to feed stingrays, sea lions, and other critters. Shows are equally spectacular.

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Downtown Aquarium - Houston, Texas

Located in downtown Houston, the Downtown Aquarium is home to more than 200 aquatic animal species from around the world, housed in 500,000-gallon underwater complex.


The attraction caters to children and families and, while not the largest aquarium, does have some interesting exhibits that will keep you interested. Experience Shipwreck, where you can walk inside a replica of a sunken seventeenth century Spanish galleon to view living coral reefs, octopus, moray eel, Clownfish and more.

There’s also the Shark Voyage Tunnel, a ride aboard a C.P. Huntington Train that takes visitors through an aquarium tunnel filled with a variety of shark species which will swim right over your head. The Downtown Aquarium allows you to explore more than just underwater marine life as it’s home to a variety of eco-systems.

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SeaWorld San Diego, California

One of San Diego’s most popular attractions, SeaWorld is most famously know as the home of Shamu, the killer whale, who has become an unofficial symbol of the city. But the zoo has much more, including plenty of other whales, sharks, dolphins and penguins. And if you like your marine life choreographed, various special animal performances are held, too.


Indeed, San Diego SeaWorld’s highlights are its live shows, featuring trained dolphins, seals, sea lions, and killer whales. “Believe” is the most visually spectacular, a 30 minute show in which the three star performers – Shamu, Baby Shamu, and Namu – glide, leap, dive, and flip through the water while interacting with each other, their trainers, and the audience.

In Penguin Encounter, several penguin species waddle and frolic in a habitat that faithfully simulates Antarctic living conditions. You’ll see dozens of sharks as you walk through the acrylic tube at Shark Encounter.

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