Exploring the Wonders of North American Aquariums
For families with a deep interest in marine life, visiting aquariums offers an exciting blend of education and entertainment. Our family has always been captivated by the ocean’s mysteries, especially our son, who once dreamed of becoming a marine biologist before shifting his passion to paleontology. This love for marine life was sparked through books and TV shows like Octonauts and BBC’s Blue Planet. When we travel, we look for experiences that immerse our children in their interests, and this summer and last, we had the opportunity to visit three exceptional North American aquariums: Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada in Toronto, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey. Each one provided unique attractions, from underwater tunnels to interactive exhibits, and here’s what we loved about each.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Toronto, ON
Located beside the CN Tower and Union Station, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is perfectly situated for families exploring downtown Toronto. We were staying at my sister’s place and found it easy to reach via streetcar and a short walk. While we intended to arrive early to avoid crowds, we ended up arriving in the afternoon. Since opening in October 2013, the aquarium has grown to house over 20,000 aquatic animals across more than 450 species, with 5.7 million liters of aquatic habitats spread across two levels.
We spent just under two hours exploring all the exhibits, and the kids particularly enjoyed the jellyfish display, the kelp forest, and Rainbow Reef, a vibrant gallery filled with tropical fish like lionfish, angelfish, electric eels, and seahorses. The highlight of our visit was the Dangerous Lagoon, a 315-foot underwater tunnel beneath a tank holding almost 3 million liters of water. A moving walkway takes visitors along the tunnel, offering views of green moray eels, giant groupers, green sea turtles, and sharks. This exhibit alone is worth the visit. Don’t miss the Discovery Centre and Ray Bay touch-pools, where children can gently touch stingrays and horseshoe crabs before exploring a mini-submarine and bubble windows.
Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL
Our day on Chicago’s Museum Campus included visits to the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum, and Shedd Aquarium, which are all must-see attractions. Shedd Aquarium combines architectural grandeur with immersive aquatic life experiences. It houses 32,000 animals across richly themed galleries such as Amazon Rising, Wild Reef, and the Abbott Oceanarium, North America’s largest indoor marine mammal facility.
The Abbott Oceanarium is a 3-million-gallon facility featuring beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, and California sea lions, complete with an amphitheater show and underwater viewing. Wild Reef, a 525,000-gallon coral reef environment, includes a 400,000-gallon shark tank with towering curved views perfect for photos and up-close encounters. Amazon Rising transports visitors to a flooded rainforest with over 250 species, including electric eels, river turtles, and piranhas. Plankton Revealed, opened in July 2023, is Shedd’s first bilingual exhibit, with signage fully translated into Spanish. Polar Play Zone is a hands-on area where young children can play with submarine models and crawl through penguin habitats, with underwater views of belugas and otters.
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA
We visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium last summer during a California road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Overlooking California’s iconic coastline, the aquarium is known for its conservation efforts and family-friendly exhibits. Open since October 1984, it houses roughly 35,000 animals and 550 species across multiple immersive exhibits, including the first-ever living kelp forest.
The Kelp Forest exhibit spans two stories, with towering kelp and marine creatures like leopard sharks, sea stars, and garibaldi weaving through the fronds. The Open Sea gallery boasts a 1.2-million-gallon tank viewed through a massive 90-foot window, home to tuna, sea turtles, sharks, and sardines, especially spectacular at feeding time. Sea Otter feeding sessions delight children and adults as trainers engage playful otters using enrichment toys and detailed narration. The Jellies exhibit, for which Monterey pioneered husbandry techniques, showcases various species in beautifully lit tanks with interpretive signage about jellyfish life cycles.
Additional Notable Aquariums
While we focused on the three main aquariums, there are several other noteworthy ones to consider. The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA, is the region’s largest aquarium, showcasing 11,000 animals and 500 species across 100+ exhibits. Highlights include the Shark Lagoon, Ray Touch Pool, and the new Pacific Visions wing, which features immersive media and educational interactives.
The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT, offers a uniquely regional perspective on marine life, focusing on the ecosystems of the Northeast and the Long Island Sound. Exhibits like the Harbor Seals, Jellies, and Sharks bring native marine species up close, while the immersive touch tanks invite interaction with marine life. Its location in South Norwalk makes it a convenient destination for families in the Tri-State area.
These aquariums provide not only a chance to see incredible marine life but also to learn about conservation and the importance of protecting our oceans. Whether you're a lifelong marine enthusiast or simply looking for a fun family outing, these destinations offer something for everyone.
