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A Quest to Visit All of the Public Aquariums in the US
Welcome to eXtreme Aquatics. My name is Adam Wimsatt and my goal is to visit all of the public aquariums in the US. This blog will serve as a record of my travels and hopefully you will find the information contained within useful for planning your next visit to a public aquarium. I love aquariums and I will jump on any opportunity to go visit one. So far I have already visited over 10 of these aquariums, but that was before I decided I would start recording those visits. I’ll just have to go back and visit them again so I can share those experiences with you!
Public aquariums are the only means a majority of people have to view some of the more exotic species of aquatic life on our planet. They give a small glimpse into what the vast oceans contain and ignite the imaginations of both adults and children alike. If you are fortunate to live in a city with an aquarium be sure to support it by visiting often! These aquariums are a treasure and they deserve our support.
I have identified 73 public aquariums in the US, but I’m sure there are more. Here is the current list of the aquariums on my list to visit ordered by state. The original list came from wikipedia If you know of one that you don’t see in this list, please contact me.
- Alabama — Estuarium
Dauphin Island, AL : The Estuarium is an exciting educational facility highlighting the four key habitats of coastal Alabama: the Mobile Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands and the Northern Gulf of Mexico. It includes the 10,000 square foo
- Alaska — Alaska SeaLife Center
Seward, AK : Alaska’s only public aquarium and ocean wildlife rescue center is celebrating ten years on the shores of Resurrection Bay. Visitors to this “window on the sea” have close encounters with puffins, octopus, sea lions and other sealife.
- Bahamas — Dolphin Encounters at Blue Lagoon Island
Nassau, Bahamas : Dolphin Encounters is one of the top tourist attractions in the Bahamas and is owned and operated by a local family. It began in 1989 when two Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins were rescued from an aquarium that closed in Nassau, Bahamas.
- California — Aquarium of the Bay
San Francisco, CA : Exihibiting more than 20,000 marine animals from the San Francisco Bay and nearby waters including ginormous sevengill sharks, mesmerizing jellies, secretive octopuses, colorful sea stars ... and more.
- California — Aquarium of the Pacific
Long Beach, CA : Take a journey of discovery through the world’s largest ocean at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. Explore our exhibits, and discover sunny Southern California and Baja, the frigid waters of the North Pacific, and th
- California — Birch Aquarium
La Jolia, CA : Explore where the wonders of the ocean come alive! The mission of Birch Aquarium is to provide ocean science education, to interpret Scripps Institution of Oceanography research, and to promote ocean conservation.
- California — Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
San Pedro, CA : Cabrillo Marine Aquarium engages all visitors in education, recreation and research to promote knowledge, appreciation and conservation of the marine life of Southern California.
- California — Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey, CA : Exhibits house more than 35,000 animals and plants representing over 550 species of fishes, invertebrates, mammals, reptiles, birds and plants found in Monterey Bay and other marine habitats worldwide.
- California — Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
Santa Monica, CA : The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium offers school groups, families and visitors a unique view into the ocean world just outside its doors and is home to dozens of species of marine animals and plants.
- California — SeaWorld San Diego
San Diego, CA : With more than 130 million visitors since its opening on March 21, 1964, SeaWorld is San Diego’s leading tourist attraction and one of the most popular marine-life parks in the world.
- California — Steinhart Aquarium
San Francisco, CA : Steinhart Aquarium is home to 38,000 live animals from around the world, representing more than 900 separate species. Come nose-to-beak with an African penguin, watch sharks and stingrays cruise beneath your feet, check out the set of
- Colorado — Denver's Downtown Aquarium
Denver, CO : Downtown Aquarium was purchased by Landry's Restaurants, Inc. in 2003, when it was known as Denver's Ocean Journey Aquarium. This aquarium boasts more than one million gallons of underwater exhibits and house over 500 species of animals.
- Connecticut — Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
Norwalk, CT : The Maritime Aquarium inspires people of all ages to appreciate Long Island Sound and protect it for future generations. A vibrant and entertaining learning environment, the Maritime Aquarium achieves this goal through living exhibits, marin
- Connecticut — Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration
Mystic, CT : The mission of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., which includes Mystic Aquarium, Institute for Exploration and Immersion Learning, is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration.
- Florida — Florida Aquarium
Tampa, FL : Nationally ranked as a "Top-5 Kid-Friendly Aquarium" by Parents Magazine, The Florida Aquarium is home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and marine animals from around the world.
- Florida — Key West Aquarium
Key West, FL : Perhaps one of the most unique aquariums in the world, the Key West Aquarium has delighted visitors since 1934. Come join us and see for yourself the beautiful indigenous sea-creatures of Key West and the Florida Keys.
- Florida — Mote Marine Laboratory Aquarium
Sarasota, FL : At Mote, you can explore the secrets of the sea through touch pools, viewable-working labs and high-tech interactive exhibits that showcase the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory. See sharks, dolphins, manatees and sea turtle
- Florida — Pier Aquarium
St. Petersburg, FL : Three hundred and sixty-four days a year, children and families make The Pier Aquarium in St. Petersburg, FL a destination for exploration and discovery. Our interactive exhibits, our minds-on, hands-on activities and, of course, our
- Florida — Sea World
Orlando, FL : SeaWorld immerses guests in the mysteries of the sea through up-close animal discoveries, amazing attractions and rides and unforgettable performances. Whether riding a flying manta ray, getting drenched by Shamu, meeting dolphins, braving a
- Georgia — Flint RiverQuarium
Albany, GA : A one-of-a-kind adventure in Albany, Georgia, featuring a unique blue hole spring with more than 120 mysterious creatures! The Flint RiverQuarium tells the story of the Flint River and the blue hole springs that helped create it.
- Georgia — Georgia Aquarium
Atlanta, GA : The World's Largest Aquarium! Ocean Voyager, built by The Home Depot, is home to the gentle giants of the sea, including whale sharks and two manta rays, Nandi and Tallulah. They are the only manta rays in a U.S. aquarium, ever.
- Guam — UnderWater World Guam
Tumon, GU : Be surrounded by over 2,000 magnificent ocean animals at Guam’s premier Aquarium! Imagine traveling ten feet under water where sharks, stingrays, giant groupers, and sea turtles swim so close you feel like you can reach out and touch them!
- Hawaii — Maui Ocean Center
Wailuku, Maui, HI : Aptly named “The Hawaiian Aquarium,” this state-of-the-art marine park on the island of Maui is the only facility in the world dedicated to fostering understanding, wonder and respect for Hawaii’s marine life.
- Hawaii — Sea life park
Waimanalo, Oahu, HI : Sea Life Park Hawaii is located on Oahu – one of Hawaii’s most famous islands – known for its natural beauty, history, culture, and attractions. Our facility adds to Oahu’s magic by providing a unique opportunity to interact with ex
- Hawaii — The Oceanarium of the Pacific Beach Hotel
Honolulu, HI : Stretching three entire stories high and viewable from any of the three hotel restaurants, the 280,000-gallon aquarium is the largest of its type located in a single hotel. It is home to nearly 400 fish from more than 70 species.
- Illinois — Shedd Aquarium
Chicago, IL : Beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, the facility houses nearly 22,000 aquatic animals representing some 1,500 species of fishes, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds and mammals from waters around the world.
- Louisiana — Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
New Orleans, LA : Located adjacent from the French Quarter, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is a stunning place to spend an afternoon in downtown New Orleans. Walk beneath the vivid Caribbean Reef, feed a stingray, become an Adventure Island explorer and
- Massachusetts — New England Aquarium
Boston, MA : Explore vibrant coral reefs, from the Bahamas and the tropical Pacific to temperate Australia. Meet the lionfish and the stonefish, some of the most poisonous fishes in the sea. Discover how the Aquarium collects these specimens at the Bahama
- Minnesota — Great Lakes Aquarium
Duluth, MN : A mostly freshwater aquarium, GLA features animals and habitats found within the Great Lakes Basin. The Aquarium also houses animals from other fresh water ecosystems such as the Amazon River.
- Minnesota — Minnesota Zoo
Apple Valley, MN : The Minnesota Zoo houses four aquarium exhibits. They are: Atlantic Reef, Coral Reef, Seahorse and Sea Dragon.
- Minnesota — Underwater Adventures Aquarium
Bloomington, MN : The world's largest underwater aquarium is located underneath the Mall of America. Come nose to nose with 5,000 sea creatures including sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, seahorses, an octopus, pufferfish, and crabs.
- Missouri — World Aquarium
St. Louis, MO : Come visit the World Aquarium and experience an exciting exploration of our exhibits with over 10,000 animals on display, many of which were given to the Aquarium as orphans.
- Nevada — Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay
Las Vegas, NV : Come face-to-face with some of the earth’s most fascinating creatures in North America’s only predator-based aquarium and exhibit. See sharks of all kinds, along with sawfish, giant rays, endangered green sea turtles, piranha, moon jellies
- New Jersey — Adventure Aquarium
Camden, NJ : Come explore nearly 200,000 square feet of sharks, hippopotamuses, free-flying birds and sea life from around the world.
- New Jersey — Jenkinson's Aquarium
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ : Exhibits such as Atlantic sharks, Pacific sharks, coral reefs, penguins, alligators and seals give you the opportunity to get up close to animals from around the globe. Another attraction, the touch tank, allows visitors to touc
- New Jersey — Marine Mammal Stranding Center
Brigantine, NJ : Since the Center’s founding in 1978, staff and volunteers have responded to over 3610 calls for stranded whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles that washed ashore on New Jersey beaches. These animals range from a 5 lb. Kemp’s Ridley Sea
- New Mexico — Albuquerque Aquarium
Albuquerque, NM : The Albuquerque Aquarium takes visitors on a journey down the Rio Grande from Albuquerque to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. Fresh water riverine, estuarine, surf zone, shallow waters, coral reefs, open ocean and deep ocean species are
- New York — Aquarium of Niagara
Niagra Falls, NY : There's nothing like a first kiss ..... from a Seal or Sea Lion! When you visit the Aquarium of Niagara, you better bring your camera! When you sign up for our Encounter Program, you will get close up and personal with either a harbor
- New York — Atlantis Marine World
Riverhead, NY : A visit to Atlantis Marine World is a journey rich in education, adventure, and entertainment. Whatever your appetite for learning and adventure, you’ll find the experience you’re looking for at Atlantis Marine World.
- North Carolina — North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Kure Beach, NC : During your visit, you’ll experience the sights and sounds of “The Waters of the Cape Fear” from freshwater streams and swamps, to coastline habitats, to reefs and the open ocean. And, be sure to meet Luna, a rare albino alligator.
- North Carolina — North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Manteo, Roanoke Island, NC : Visit the 68,000-square foot facility located on the Outer Banks. The Aquarium features many exciting and unusual residents that will guide you through your exploration of the “Waters of the Outer Banks.”
- Oregon — Oregon Coast Aquarium
Newport, OR : See 500 species of animals in stunning indoor and outdoor exhibits at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Some of our indoor exhibits include Passages of the Deep, Keiko’s former home, now an undersea adventure featuring sharks, rays and other creatu
- Pennsylvania — Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Pittsburgh, PA : Explore the diversity of water in this state-of-the-art Aquarium completed in 2000. Here, you'll find penguins, sharks, rays, and many more fascinating animals from the world's waterways.
- South Carolina — Ripley's Aquarium
Myrtle Beach, SC : Ripley’s® Aquarium in Myrtle Beach South Carolina is located in Broadway-at-the-Beach, an entertainment and dining complex that features restaurants, rides, shops and the 85,000 square foot Ripley’s Aquarium.
- South Carolina — South Carolina Aquarium
Charleston, SC : The Ocean Gallery allows visitors to see the varied habitats found in the ocean off the coast of South Carolina. The centerpiece of this gallery is the massive, two-story Great Ocean Tank which holds 385,000 gallons of salt water and cont
- Tennessee — Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Gatlinburg, TN : Ripley’s® Aquarium of the Smokies is literally teaming with life – our 10,000 exotic sea creatures comprise more than 350 individual species. There are more fish in this aquarium than there are people living in the entire town of Gatlinbu
- Tennessee — Tennessee Aquarium
Chattanooga, TN : BIGGER ISN'T BETTER. BETTER IS BETTER. The Tennessee Aquarium is the highest rated aquarium in the USA! Enjoy a remarkable journey with 10,000 animals. Ride the River Gorge Explorer, one of the best river boat cruises and tours in the
- Texas — Caldwell Zoo Aquarium
Tyler, TX : Come on in. There’s something in the water! It’s a colony of black-footed penguins! These tuxedo-clad birds aren’t Antarctic/sub-Antarctic dwellers, but do come from a temperate region of southern Africa, so you won’t see any ice and snow i
- Texas — Downtown Aquarium (Houston)
Houston, TX : The Downtown Aquarium is the product of redeveloping two Downtown Houston Landmarks -- Fire Station No. 1 and The Central Waterworks Building. This magnificient sex-acre entertainment and dining complex is a 500,000 gallon aquatic wonderlan
- Texas — Moody Gardens Aquarium
Galveston, TX : The Exhibit Sharks In Depth, the latest exhibit in the Aquarium Pyramid® at Moody Gardens®, explores shark fact versus fiction, anatomy and behavior through a series of hands-on activities.
- Texas — Sea World San Antonio
San Antonio, TX : SeaWorld San Antonio is ready for fun in 2009. Sit back and enjoy entertaining shows that combine artistry, emotion and marine animals into amazing performances. Cruise down a river or get splashed by a wave in the Lost Lagoon waterpark.
- Texas — Texas State Aquarium
Corpus Christi, TX : Come. Sea. Discover the amazing underwater world of the Texas State Aquarium. Travel an aquatic journey from the shore to the depths of the Gulf of Mexico and have the opportunity to experience dive shows, animal feedings, training se
- Texas — The Dallas World Aquarium
Dallas, TX : Experience nature’s adventure at The Dallas World Aquarium. The facility is home to a unique display of flora and fauna from five continents, 14 countries, three oceans, numerous seas and rivers.
- Virginia — Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Virginia Beach, VA : Come explore over 800,000 gallons of one of the best aquariums and live animal habitats in the country at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. Check out our hundreds of hands-on exhibits, outdoor aviary, nature trail, an
- Washington — Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Tacoma, WA : You can spend hours in the vastly different parts of the aquariums. From the steamy South Pacific to A Seahorse Odyssey to the oh-so-cool North Pacific and Marine Discovery Center, you won't want to miss this underwater wonderland.
- Washington — Seattle Aquarium
Seattle, WA : The heartbeat of hands-on marine experience and preservation education in the Pacific Northwest, the Seattle Aquarium offers fun, exciting ways to discover more about the amazing Puget Sound that surrounds you!
- Wisconsin — Reiman Aquarium at Discovery World
Milwaukee, WI : Step into the amazing Reiman Aquarium where you'll see aquatic life from the Great Lakes, North Atlantic, and the Caribbean. Interact with stingrays, a bamboo shark, slipper lobster, sea urchins, and sturgeons when you experience our Touch
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why are you doing this?
The short answer is that I love aquariums. Anytime I have gone on vacation and time/budget has allowed I have tried to visit the local public aquarium. I have been to 10 aquariums already and the thought came to me that I should probably bring along a video camera and record my trips to share on a blog. Hopefully people will enjoy the information I provide and can plan their vacations accordingly.
Do you have a facebook fan page?
Why yes I do. Thank-you for asking. You can become a fan of eXtreme Aquatics on facebook by following this link: eXtreme Aquatics Facebook Fan Page or you can just click the “Become a fan” button on the right side of this page.
How about Twitter?
Yes I’m on twitter as well. I am @xAquatic on twitter. Follow @xAquatic by clicking here.
Are you some kind of aquarium nut?
I guess you could say that. More of a coconut really.
How do I contact you to ask you a question or offer up words of encouragement?
You can send me a note through the About page.