Have you ever seen how excited a child gets while watching creatures swim about in an aquarium? Now’s a great time to take your kids to see some interesting sea life this summer. If visiting an aquarium is part of your summer travel plans, check out our list of Aquariums You Should Take Your Kids Too This Summer.
Monterey Bay Aquarium: Monterey, California
This aquarium is jam packed with a lot to see. There are over 35,000 different plants and animals in around 200 different exhibits. It’s also very family friendly as there are plenty of things for little ones to touch like buttons that light up and flip books where they can learn about see creatures. There’s also a special 7,000 square foot area called Splash Zone where children under 9 can crawl through tunnels and use squirt toys. In addition to all of this, there are touch pools, costumes to try on and arts and crafts. Tickets are $25 for adults, $16 for kids 3-12, $23 for teenagers and kids under 3 are free.
The Florida Aquarium: Tampa Bay, Florida
There are several components to this aquarium. The inside consists of about 200,000 square feet and over 20,000 different plants and animals. There’s a mermaid structure for kids to climb on and a computer screen where kids can make their own aquarium. A favorite attraction is the penguin promenade where kids can get up close to the penguins. Outside there’s a water park that has a large pirate ship, a wave tunnel and water cannons. One of the things that makes this aquarium unique is The Coral Reef Gallery that consists of a tunnel that descends into what looks like a coral cave that is filled with a variety of sea life. Tickets cost $18 for adults, $13 for kids ages 3-11 and kids under 3 are free.
Georgia Aquarium: Atlanta, Georgia
The Georgia Aquarium is a whopping 550,000 square feet. Overall there are more than 60,000 animals onsite. It’s conveniently located in downtown Atlanta right across from Centennial Olympic Park. One of the more popular exhibits is the Ocean Voyager that features whale sharks, a touch screen and a floor to ceiling window. There are also several touch pools that have animals like sea urchins and bonnethead sharks. Kids can run out some of their energy at the playground that has tubes to crawl through and a slide. Tickets cost $24 for adults, $18 for kids ages 3-12 and kids under 3 are free.
Other great Aquariums for families throughout the U.S.
1. Audubon Aquariums of the Americas in New Orleans
2. Texas State Aquarium
3. Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
4. North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
5. Baltimore National Aquarium
6. Oregon Coast Aquarium
7. Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, California
8. New England Aquarium, Boston
9. John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago
10. Tennessee Aquarium, Chatanooga
Pictures above are of the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California from Tumblr.
