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.
Browse by Category
Find the perfect activity type for your family.
Aquariums across United States
Showing 24 of 89 activities
Polk Penguin Conservation Center
📍 Royal Oak, MI
World-class penguin center with underwater tunnels and 4-D polar entry.
Jellyfish Touch Tank
📍 Waterfront, CA
Touch live moon jellies safely at the Aquarium of the Pacific's outdoor tank.
MaST Center Aquarium
📍 Des Moines, WA
Free Puget Sound aquarium on Redondo Beach with 250+ native marine species.
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.
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
📍 Pine Knoll Shores, NC
Coastal NC aquarium with marine exhibits on the Crystal Coast.
Ocean Wonders: Sharks!
📍 Brooklyn, NY
NYC's only aquarium with a walk-through shark reef tunnel.
California Science Center
📍 South Los Angeles, CA
Free hands-on science museum with a kelp forest aquarium and space exhibits.
Belle Isle Aquarium
📍 Belle Isle, MI
Historic Belle Isle aquarium in Detroit with fish, axolotls, and free entry.
Ocean Institute
📍 Dana Point, CA
Intimate marine institute with touch tanks and sailing excursions in Dana Point
Museum of Illusions Houston
📍 Westside, TX
Interactive illusion museum built for photos, curiosity, and all ages.
Steinhart Aquarium
📍 Golden Gate Park, CA
One of Earth's most biodiverse aquariums inside Golden Gate Park.
Georgia Aquarium
📍 Atlanta, TX
World's largest aquarium with whale sharks and dolphin shows.
Tennessee Aquarium
📍 Riverfront, TN
Chattanooga's two-building aquarium with IMAX, penguins, and butterfly
One World Interactive Aquarium
📍 Las Vegas, AZ
Hands-on animal encounters with otters, capybaras, and wallabies every 15
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
📍 Draper, AZ
Large Utah aquarium with stingray petting, VR rides, and habitats from five
Texas State Aquarium
📍 Central City, TX
Texas's largest aquarium with Gulf Coast dolphins, sharks, otters, and a splash
Space Center Houston
📍 Clear Lake, TX
NASA's official visitor center with real spacecraft and behind-the-scenes tram
Oklahoma Aquarium
📍 Jenks, OK
Watch sharks, jellyfish, and raccoons get fed at this Jenks aquarium.
Adventure Aquarium
📍 Camden, AZ
Northeast's largest shark collection plus the world's only aquarium hippos.
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
📍 Norwalk, NY
Long Island Sound aquarium with sharks, seals, touch tanks, and a 4D theater.
Jenkinson's Aquarium
📍 Point Pleasant Beach, NY
Compact boardwalk aquarium with shark feeding, penguins, and a sloth on the top
The Aquarium at Silverton Casino
📍 Las Vegas, NV
Free 117,000-gallon aquarium with mermaids and stingray feedings in Las Vegas.
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
📍 Kure Beach, NC
Coastal NC aquarium with sharks, otters, sea turtles, and an albino alligator.