Aquariums in United States
The US boasts some of the world's largest and most innovative aquariums, from massive oceanariums with beluga whales and sea otters to interactive touch tanks and 4D theatres. Many offer behind-the-scenes tours, animal encounter programs, and camps that turn a visit into a full educational experience. Find the best family-friendly aquariums with honest reviews.
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Aquariums across United States
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Jellyfish Touch Tank
📍 Waterfront, CA
Touch live moon jellies safely at the Aquarium of the Pacific's outdoor tank.
Polk Penguin Conservation Center
📍 Royal Oak, MI
World-class penguin center with underwater tunnels and 4-D polar entry.
Boca Aquarium
📍 Boca Raton, FL
Free boutique aquarium with sharks, seahorses, and weekly feedings.
Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center
📍 St. Petersburg, FL
Hands-on marine science center at St. Pete Pier with boat adventures.
MaST Center Aquarium
📍 Des Moines, WA
Free Puget Sound aquarium on Redondo Beach with 250+ native marine species.
Steinhart Aquarium
📍 Golden Gate Park, CA
One of Earth's most biodiverse aquariums inside Golden Gate Park.
One World Interactive Aquarium
📍 Las Vegas, AZ
Hands-on animal encounters with otters, capybaras, and wallabies every 15
Belle Isle Aquarium
📍 Belle Isle, MI
Historic Belle Isle aquarium in Detroit with fish, axolotls, and free entry.
Museum of Illusions Houston
📍 Westside, TX
Interactive illusion museum built for photos, curiosity, and all ages.
Ocean Wonders: Sharks!
📍 Brooklyn, NY
NYC's only aquarium with a walk-through shark reef tunnel.
Tennessee Aquarium
📍 Riverfront, TN
Chattanooga's two-building aquarium with IMAX, penguins, and butterfly
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
📍 Pine Knoll Shores, NC
Coastal NC aquarium with marine exhibits on the Crystal Coast.
Georgia Aquarium
📍 Atlanta, TX
World's largest aquarium with whale sharks and dolphin shows.
California Science Center
📍 South Los Angeles, CA
Free hands-on science museum with a kelp forest aquarium and space exhibits.
Ocean Institute
📍 Dana Point, CA
Intimate marine institute with touch tanks and sailing excursions in Dana Point
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
📍 Norwalk, NY
Long Island Sound aquarium with sharks, seals, touch tanks, and a 4D theater.
Veterans Park
📍 South Redondo, CA
Beachfront park with age-split playgrounds, ocean views, and affordable parking.
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
📍 Kure Beach, NC
Coastal NC aquarium with sharks, otters, sea turtles, and an albino alligator.
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
📍 San Pedro, CA
Free-entry marine education centre on the San Pedro waterfront reopening in
Texas State Aquarium
📍 Central City, TX
Texas's largest aquarium with Gulf Coast dolphins, sharks, otters, and a splash
Adventure Aquarium
📍 Camden, AZ
Northeast's largest shark collection plus the world's only aquarium hippos.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center
📍 Waterfront, CA
Hands-on wharf aquarium with touch tanks and a two-spot octopus.
Jenkinson's Aquarium
📍 Point Pleasant Beach, NY
Compact boardwalk aquarium with shark feeding, penguins, and a sloth on the top
New York Aquarium Education Department
📍 Brooklyn, NY
NYC's only aquarium with sea lion shows and daily animal feeding sessions.