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The best aquariums in the US for families are the Georgia Aquarium, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and the National Aquarium in Baltimore, and each is worth a slow half day rather than a rush. Monterey Bay is the one to plan a trip around. Its towering kelp forest tank holds a four-year-old’s attention longer than most theme park rides, and the sea otters do the rest. Aquariums suit a family that likes one good outing a day, since they are indoors, easy with a stroller and interesting at every age. Below you will find which one fits your kids’ ages, which famous names are worth the ticket, and which to save for another trip.
At-A-Glance: Top US Aquariums for Families
| Name | Best For | Highlight | Location | Booking Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Aquarium | All Ages, Marine Biodiversity | Whale Sharks & Ocean Voyager | Atlanta, GA | View Details → |
| Monterey Bay Aquarium | Conservation & Pacific Marine Life | Open Sea & Kelp Forest | Monterey, CA | View Details → |
| Shedd Aquarium | Architecture & Global Ecosystems | Amazon Rising & Caribbean Reef | Chicago, IL | View Details → |
| National Aquarium | Interactive Learning & Urban Oasis | Dolphin Discovery & Blacktip Reef | Baltimore, MD | View Details → |
| Aquarium of the Pacific | California Marine Life & Conservation | Shark Lagoon & June Keyes Penguin Habitat | Long Beach, CA | View Details → |
| New England Aquarium | Hands-On & Ocean Conservation | Giant Ocean Tank & Marine Mammal Center | Boston, MA | View Details → |
| Tennessee Aquarium | Freshwater & River Ecosystems | River Journey & Ocean Journey | Chattanooga, TN | View Details → |
| Dallas World Aquarium | Exotic Wildlife & Rainforest Experience | Orinoco Rainforest & Mundo Maya | Dallas, TX | View Details → |
| Florida Aquarium | Florida Ecosystems & Conservation | Wetlands Trail & Coral Reef | Tampa, FL | View Details → |
| Audubon Aquarium of the Americas | Louisiana & Caribbean Marine Life | Mississippi River Gallery & Great Maya Reef | New Orleans, LA | View Details → |
Our Top 10 Aquariums in the US
Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is one of the largest aquariums in the world. This is where families come to see whale sharks, manta rays and beluga whales up close, and it can easily fill a whole day.
- What it’s like: Huge, with a lot to learn and a lot of ground to cover.
- Best Age Group: All ages, from toddlers mesmerized by colors to teens fascinated by marine biology.
- Why It Made the List: It has the only whale sharks in a North American aquarium, in the Ocean Voyager exhibit.
- Tip: Buy tickets online and go on a weekday if you can.
Good to know: It is enormous. Expect a lot of walking, and a lot of noise and light for very young children.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium sits right on the Pacific and shows the sea life of its own bay. The towering Kelp Forest, the sea otters and the Open Sea gallery are the highlights, and seawater from the bay flows into many of the exhibits.
- What it’s like: Calm, focused on the local ocean, and right on the water.
- Best Age Group: Elementary school children and up, though younger kids will love the otters and touch pools.
- Why It Made the List: Consistently ranked among the best for its innovative exhibits and pioneering conservation efforts, particularly its sea otter rehabilitation program.
- Tip: Bring your own snacks and drinks, and use the outdoor decks over the bay.
Good to know: Parking nearby is tight and expensive. A ride-share or transit is easier.
Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium sits on Chicago’s lakefront in a grand historic building. Families walk from an Amazon river exhibit to a Caribbean reef, with beluga whales and sea lions along the way, and the views back to the city skyline are a bonus.
- What it’s like: Classic and grand, a tour of water life from around the world.
- Best Age Group: Ideal for all ages, with interactive exhibits for younger children and impressive displays for older ones.
- Why It Made the List: A National Historic Landmark, it was once the largest indoor aquarium in the world and continues to impress with its breadth of exhibits and conservation work.
- Tip: Arrive early, especially on weekends.
Good to know: It gets very crowded in tourist season and over school holidays.
National Aquarium
Baltimore’s National Aquarium runs from the Upland Tropical Rain Forest at the top of the building to the Blacktip Reef below, with dolphins, sharks and thousands of reef fish. It sits on the Inner Harbor, so it pairs easily with a walk along the water.
- What it’s like: Modern and hands-on, built around walk-through habitats.
- Best Age Group: Great for elementary and middle schoolers who love interactive learning.
- Why It Made the List: Renowned for its unique architecture, extensive animal collection, and leading role in marine conservation and rescue efforts.
- Tip: Combine it with the other Inner Harbor sights for an easy full day.
Good to know: Tickets are on the expensive side. Look for combo deals with other attractions.
Aquarium of the Pacific
The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, covers the Pacific in three galleries, Southern California and Baja, the Northern Pacific and the Tropical Pacific, with sharks, sea lions and coral reefs.
- What it’s like: Family-friendly, with a focus on Pacific sea life.
- Best Age Group: Excellent for all ages, with plenty of touch pools and engaging displays for younger kids.
- Why It Made the List: Known for its award-winning architecture and its Shark Lagoon, where visitors can safely touch various species of sharks.
- Tip: Buy online, and look for combo passes with nearby attractions like the Queen Mary.
Good to know: Weekends are busy. Weekday mornings are calmer.
New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium sits on Boston’s historic Central Wharf. The four-story Giant Ocean Tank, full of sharks, turtles and reef fish, is the centerpiece, with penguins and a marine mammal center around it. It is downtown and easy to reach.
- What it’s like: Classic and busy, built around one giant tank.
- Best Age Group: Great for elementary school children, with enough to keep younger and older kids interested.
- Why It Made the List: Home to the iconic Giant Ocean Tank, a massive coral reef exhibit that simulates a Caribbean environment.
- Tip: Walk the Boston Harborwalk right outside afterward.
Good to know: It is compact compared with the biggest aquariums, so the walkways get crowded.
Tennessee Aquarium
The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga follows a raindrop from the mountains to the sea across two buildings, River Journey and Ocean Journey, with river otters and alligators in one and sharks and penguins in the other. Its focus on freshwater makes it different from every other aquarium on this list.
- What it’s like: Two buildings, one freshwater and one saltwater.
- Best Age Group: All ages, with a particular draw for those interested in regional wildlife and river systems.
- Why It Made the List: One of the few major aquariums with a strong emphasis on freshwater habitats, offering a comprehensive look at North American river life.
- Tip: It is an easy walk from the downtown Chattanooga hotels.
Good to know: It is smaller than the giant aquariums. Plan on half a day.
Dallas World Aquarium
The Dallas World Aquarium is part aquarium, part zoo, with rainforest and reef habitats under one roof. Alongside the fish there are sloths, jaguars, birds and primates.
- What it’s like: A walk-through rainforest that happens to have fish in it.
- Best Age Group: Great for all ages, especially those who appreciate a wider range of animals beyond just fish.
- Why It Made the List: Its unique ‘aquarium-zoo’ hybrid model offers an incredible diversity of animals, from manatees to sloths, within a rainforest setting.
- Tip: Buy tickets online and go early, before the midday rush.
Good to know: It is popular and crowded at peak hours.
Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium in Tampa covers Florida’s own waters, with a Wetlands Trail, a Coral Reef exhibit and an outdoor splash pad for kids. It mixes indoor and outdoor time well.
- What it’s like: Bright and hands-on, focused on Florida’s ecosystems.
- Best Age Group: Excellent for all ages, with specific areas like the splash pad perfect for younger children.
- Why It Made the List: Recognized for its innovative conservation programs, including coral reef restoration, and its fun outdoor water play area for kids.
- Tip: Save the outdoor splash pad for the end of the visit.
Good to know: Most of it is indoors, and it fills up on hot days.
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas sits on the Mississippi River in New Orleans and covers waters from the Caribbean to the Gulf of Mexico. The Great Maya Reef, the Mississippi River Gallery, the sea otters and the penguins are the highlights, and the Audubon zoo and insectarium are nearby.
- What it’s like: Lively, with a focus on the waters of the Americas.
- Best Age Group: Great for all ages, with interactive exhibits and captivating animal encounters.
- Why It Made the List: Known for its unique exhibits showcasing Gulf of Mexico marine life and its commitment to conservation and education.
- Tip: A multi-attraction pass with the Audubon Zoo and Insectarium makes a full day.
Good to know: New Orleans is hot and humid, and plenty of other people come inside for the air conditioning.
FAQs About Aquariums in the US
What is the best age for kids to visit an aquarium?
Every age. Toddlers love the colors and movement, school-age kids get into the hands-on exhibits, and teenagers and adults still stop at the big tanks.
How long should we plan for an aquarium visit?
Most families spend between 2-4 hours at an aquarium, depending on its size and how engaged your children are. Larger aquariums like the Georgia Aquarium or Shedd Aquarium might require closer to a full day to see everything without rushing. It’s always best to check the specific aquarium’s recommendations.
Are aquariums generally wheelchair and stroller friendly?
Yes, almost all major aquariums in the US are designed to be accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. They typically have ramps, elevators, and wide pathways. If you have specific accessibility concerns, it’s always a good idea to check the individual aquarium’s website before your visit for detailed information.
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