Top USA Aquariums in 2026

Admire and learn more about the over 670 species of sea creatures at the Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa. Spot a giant Pacific octopus, turtles, and other aquatic animals from Florida’s seas, as well as wetland wildlife including alligators and river otters. Explore three touch habitats to get closer than ever to moon jellies, stingrays, sea stars, and more, while learning about the aquarium's conservation efforts. Allow 2–3 hours for this fun, family-friendly attraction.

The SEA LIFE® Aquarium, conveniently located in the American Dream Mall in New Jersey, offers a fun activity for the whole family. It’s safe and stroller-accessible, and you’ll see some of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures across more than 10 interactive exhibits. Prebook your tickets and skip the lines to buy tickets.

Get a look at the creatures of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans—and benefit from simplified sightseeing—with pre-purchased admission tickets to SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. Be immersed in an underwater world of more than 5,000 fish, marine mammals, and more, from sharks to jellyfish. When booking, you have the option to upgrade to a 2- or 3-attraction pass to visit other Orlando sights as well, including Madame Tussauds and/or the Orlando Eye.

Guarantee your entry to the Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco, so you spend less time waiting and more time enjoying its aquatic attractions. Get direct access to all of the aquarium’s main exhibit areas, including interactive exhibits, as well as walk-through glass tunnels where schools of anchovies and fluorescent jellyfish swim overhead and around you.

From seals and sea lions to sea turtles, seadragons, and stingrays, the New England Aquarium is the place to discover hundreds of different marine animals under one roof—or in one big tank. Check out the four-story Giant Ocean Tank, featuring a brand new coral reef, underwater communications system and hundreds of Caribbean reef animals. Grab an admission ticket and have an unforgettable aquarium adventure.

Aquarium at the Boardwalk is one of the newest things to do in Branson, Missouri, and is unlike any other aquarium you’ve visited. First hint – the massive octopus sculpture that greets guests at the front door. It’s modeled after Aquarius, a Giant Pacific Octopus and one of the Aquarium’s exclusive characters. Inside, stroll down the boardwalk and explore ten zones of fish & fun.

Guarantee your admission to the New York Aquarium in advance—and make your visiting experience seamless—with this convenient pre-booking option. Enjoy the flexibility of an any-day access admission ticket (available in peak and off-peak options), and stop by the aquarium at a time that suits you. This attraction is ideal for travelers with young children, and gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace.

Discover marine life wonders at SEA LIFE Minnesota, an aquarium boasting more than 10,000 sea creatures. Located in the Mall of America, SEA LIFE provides the perfect break from shopping and change of scenery. Explore four themed tanks including Amazon River, Atlantis, Sturgeon Lake and Rainbow Reef. Check out the Octopus Garden, gaze eyes on the world’s largest crab species, and walk through an underwater tunnel and see the underbellies of stingrays and turtles.

Experience the magic of the underwater world as you make your way from the Great Lakes of Michigan to the depths of the SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium. Take your time at the aquarium, with its informative talks, interactive exhibits, animal feeding shows, and more. Discover the thrill of seeing blacktip reef sharks and gentle seahorses. Kids can also enjoy learning more about the underwater habitats of sea creatures.

Plan your vacation itinerary before you set foot in Charlotte, prebooking entry to the Sea Life Charlotte-Concord Aquarium. Beat ticket anxiety and secure access to this city aquarium. This family-friendly attraction is home to a whole host of marine life and animals, with plenty of interactive activities to keep children engaged and entertained. See stingrays, jellyfish, seahorses, sea turtles, and more.

Discover an incredible underwater world with a ticket to SEA LIFE Aquarium Dallas, where more than 5,000 sea creatures reside. See a horseshoe crab, marvel at translucent jellyfish and stroll beneath sharks in a transparent sea tunnel. Various talks and feedings take place throughout the day, or take a behind-the-scenes tour to learn about conservation and animal rescue efforts. There's something for the entire family to enjoy.

Meet marine mammals, sharks, and starfish with tickets to SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium, and get a below-the-surface look at dozens of ocean ecosystems. Visit Doodle Reef, where kids can create their very own virtual sea creatures on a screen within a live display, then see blacktip reef sharks, sea turtles, and rays. Count all eight limbs on the giant Pacific octopus and test your marine knowledge on the aquarium’s quiz trail. Then, get a front row seat at a thrilling feeding frenzy.

Please check our website, www.osc.org, for daily operating hours. A visit to the Orlando Science Center invites exploration across four floors dedicated to hands-on activities, live shows, and engaging exhibits. Discover the wonders of science, nature, and technology through immersive experiences like animal meet-and-greets and interactive displays. Perfect for families and curious minds of all ages, this ticket grants access to everything the center has to offer, making it a fun and educational outing for all ages. Dive into a world of discovery and ignite your curiosity today. Paid self-parking is available during museum hours on a first come, first served basis for a rate of $4/hour (up to $15) in OSC's parking garage located at 782 Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803.

Guarantee your admission at SEA LIFE Aquarium Arizona in Phoenix when you book in advance. Step out of the hot Phoenix weather to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of undersea creatures. Learn about different types of sea life, from tropical sharks to simple sea stars and get close-up views of fascinating marine life that typically exist at the bottom of the ocean.

Meet some of the world's most exotic animals with your admission ticket to the renowned San Diego Zoo, one of California's top family-friendly attractions. More than 4,000 animals representing 800 species live in this state-of-the-art zoo, including some that are rarely seen at other zoos. Admire the animals and go in-depth during daily keeper talks. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the San Diego Zoo. Ticket must be redeemed on travel date selected. Tickets must be purchased at least one day prior to visit.

Experience an unforgettable day at Maui Ocean Center and immerse yourself in the colorful aquatic world. Enjoy all-day access to explore over 60 exhibits at your own pace, including one of the world's largest displays of live Pacific corals. Encounter sharks, stingrays, and turtles in the 750,000-gallon (2.8 million-liter) open ocean exhibit, and dive into a virtual whale experience in the state-of-the-art Humpbacks of Hawaii exhibit and sphere.

Guarantee admission to Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino and avoid long waits in ticket lines when you pre-book your admission. See more than 2,000 aquatic and reptilian animals, including over 100 sharks in one of the largest shark tanks in the country. Walk through two underwater tunnels and enjoy the included Undersea Explorer VR Experience for an immersive ocean adventure.

Ensure a fun-filled family day out by booking your general admission ticket to Zoo Miami in advance. Inside the cage-less zoo, animals such as elephants, koalas, monkeys, and rhino roam freely in habitats separated by moats. Upgrade your ticket to include a food and beverage package.

Be transported to an underwater world as you explore SEA LIFE San Antonio. Walk through the underwater ocean tunnel and come face-to-face with sharks, rays, sea turtles, and several fish species. Enjoy an immersive experience at the touch pool where you can see starfish, sea anemones, hermit crabs, and more. There are over 20 exhibits for children and adults to enjoy.

Maximize your time with Houston CityPASS® and explore the best of this vibrant city. Your mobile ticket grants you free admission to the renowned Space Center Houston and four other top attractions of your choice, like the Museum of Fine Arts with over 60,000 artworks or the lively Houston Zoo. Whether you’re into nature, science, or thrilling rides at Kemah Boardwalk, there’s something here to make your Houston adventure unforgettable.

Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific without waiting in long lines with this reserved entry ticket. Get ahead of your vacation planning and prebook your admission before you set foot in Long Beach. Enjoy access to the marine life and animal displays included with general admission, with the opportunity to see sharks, lorikeets, and penguins.

Save money whilst enjoying access to Tampa's attractions with the Tampa Bay CityPASS. Ideal for travelers who want to see as much of the area as possible, choose from a selection of five attractions to visit. This includes Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, The Tropics Boat Tours, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Museum of Science & Innovation (MOSI), or Glazer Children's Museum.

Enjoy a day of imagination and fun at LEGOLAND® California Resort, with over 60 rides, shows, and attractions designed for families with kids ages 2–12. Explore Miniland USA, get behind the wheel at Fun Town, and splash around at the Water Park. Then dive into the underwater world of SEA LIFE Aquarium, where colorful marine life, fascinating sea creatures, and captivating underwater habitats bring the ocean to life.