Top 10 Aquariums in the US
Hey there, my name is Emily Johnson and I’m here to share with you my personal ranking of the top 10 aquariums in the US. I’ve always been a huge fan of marine life and I’ve had the opportunity to visit many aquariums throughout the country. After careful consideration, I’ve come up with this list based on my own experiences, surveys, and data analysis. So, without further ado, here are the top 10 aquariums in the US:
- Georgia Aquarium – Atlanta, GA
- Monterey Bay Aquarium – Monterey, CA
- Shedd Aquarium – Chicago, IL
- Aquarium of the Pacific – Long Beach, CA
- Tennessee Aquarium – Chattanooga, TN
- National Aquarium – Baltimore, MD
- Aquarium of the Bay – San Francisco, CA
- Newport Aquarium – Newport, KY
- Seattle Aquarium – Seattle, WA
- Ripley’s Aquarium – Myrtle Beach, SC
1. Georgia Aquarium – Atlanta, GA
As the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, the Georgia Aquarium is home to over 120,000 animals and 500 different species. One of the highlights of the aquarium is the Ocean Voyager exhibit, which features a 6.3 million-gallon tank with whale sharks, manta rays, and other large marine animals. I had the opportunity to swim with the whale sharks during a special behind-the-scenes tour and it was an unforgettable experience.
2. Monterey Bay Aquarium – Monterey, CA
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is located on the coast of California and is known for its stunning views and diverse marine life. One of the most popular exhibits is the Kelp Forest, which features a 28-foot-tall tank filled with various species of kelp and fish. The aquarium also has a sea otter exhibit, where visitors can watch these playful creatures interact with each other and their trainers.
3. Shedd Aquarium – Chicago, IL
The Shedd Aquarium is located in the heart of Chicago and is home to over 32,000 animals. One of the most impressive exhibits is the Caribbean Reef, which features a 90,000-gallon tank filled with colorful fish, sharks, and sea turtles. The aquarium also has a penguin exhibit, where visitors can watch these adorable birds waddle and swim around.
4. Aquarium of the Pacific – Long Beach, CA
The Aquarium of the Pacific is located in Long Beach, California and is home to over 11,000 animals. One of the highlights of the aquarium is the Tropical Reef exhibit, which features a 350,000-gallon tank with over 1,000 different species of fish. The aquarium also has a shark exhibit, where visitors can see a variety of different shark species up close.
5. Tennessee Aquarium – Chattanooga, TN
The Tennessee Aquarium is located in Chattanooga and is known for its focus on freshwater habitats. One of the most impressive exhibits is the River Journey, which takes visitors on a journey through the rivers of the world, from the Tennessee River to the Amazon. The aquarium also has a butterfly garden, where visitors can see a variety of different butterfly species.
6. National Aquarium – Baltimore, MD
The National Aquarium is located in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore and is home to over 20,000 animals. One of the most popular exhibits is the Blacktip Reef, which features a 260,000-gallon tank filled with colorful fish and sharks. The aquarium also has a dolphin exhibit, where visitors can watch these intelligent creatures perform tricks and interact with their trainers.
7. Aquarium of the Bay – San Francisco, CA
The Aquarium of the Bay is located on Pier 39 in San Francisco and is home to over 20,000 animals. One of the highlights of the aquarium is the Under the Bay exhibit, which features a 300-foot-long tunnel with various species of fish and sharks swimming overhead. The aquarium also has a touch pool, where visitors can touch and interact with various marine animals.
8. Newport Aquarium – Newport, KY
The Newport Aquarium is located across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio and is home to over 70 exhibits. One of the most impressive exhibits is the Shark Bridge, which is a 75-foot-long rope bridge that hangs over a tank filled with various species of sharks. The aquarium also has a penguin exhibit, where visitors can see these cute birds up close and learn about their behavior.
9. Seattle Aquarium – Seattle, WA
The Seattle Aquarium is located on the waterfront of Elliott Bay and is home to over 800,000 gallons of water and more than 120,000 animals. One of the highlights of the aquarium is the Window on Washington Waters exhibit, which features a 120,000-gallon tank with various species of fish and invertebrates found in the Puget Sound. The aquarium also has a sea otter exhibit, where visitors can see these playful creatures up close.
10. Ripley’s Aquarium – Myrtle Beach, SC
Ripley’s Aquarium is located in Myrtle Beach and is home to over 10,000 exotic sea creatures. One of the most impressive exhibits is the Dangerous Reef, which features a 750,000-gallon tank with various species of sharks, sea turtles, and other marine animals. The aquarium also has a stingray exhibit, where visitors can touch and interact with these fascinating creatures.
FAQs
What is the largest aquarium in the US?
The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the US, with over 120,000 animals and 500 different species.
Which aquarium has the most diverse marine life?
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is known for its diverse marine life, with over 35,000 animals and 550 different species.
Can you swim with whale sharks at any of these aquariums?
Yes, the Georgia Aquarium offers a special behind-the-scenes tour where visitors can swim with the whale sharks.
Do any of these aquariums have penguin exhibits?
Yes, the Shedd Aquarium, Newport Aquarium, and National Aquarium all have penguin exhibits.
Are there any touch pools at these aquariums?
Yes, the Aquarium of the Bay and the Newport Aquarium both have touch pools where visitors can interact with various marine animals.
Which aquarium has the most impressive shark exhibit?
The Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach has one of the most impressive shark exhibits, with a 750,000-gallon tank and various species of sharks.