Top Aquariums in the US: Our Family Favorites and Future Must Visits
We’re a family that loves a good aquarium day. Over the years, we’ve visited several, researched many more, and slowly started checking off what many travelers consider the best aquariums in the US.
Some of the aquariums on this list are places we know well. Others are still on our travel wish list but appear again and again in national rankings for the same reasons they’re widely considered among the best aquariums in the United States.
In our family, my husband and child could spend all day watching fish and sea creatures. I enjoy aquariums too, but I need variety to stay engaged. That means exhibits that feel different from one another, good pacing, and enough movement and color to keep things interesting over several hours.
Below you’ll find our picks for the best aquariums in the US, plus a few runner-up picks that are still worth visiting. Each entry includes either Our Experience or Why It’s On Our List so you can quickly see where we’ve been and what we’re planning next.
This guide lives inside my Trip Planning and Redemptions series, where I share practical ways to plan smoother family travel days. If you’re planning a trip around one of these destinations, you can explore all of our destination reviews and planning guides in the Aquarium Travel Guide.
The Best Aquariums in the United States (Quick List)
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Georgia Aquarium
- Shedd Aquarium
- National Aquarium
- Tennessee Aquarium
- New England Aquarium
- Oregon Coast Aquarium
- Audubon Aquarium
Runner-Up and Bonus Aquarium Picks
These aquariums can’t match the size or scope of the Top 8, but they absolutely deserve a mention. Both are strong regional picks that offer a great family experience for different reasons, and each one brings something unique that travelers consistently enjoy.
• The Florida Aquarium (Tampa, Florida)
• North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores (Crystal Coast, North Carolina)
The Top 8 Aquariums in the United States
1. Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey, California)
Best for: families who want a full-day aquarium with genuinely good food options, varied exhibits, and an easy pace that never feels rushed.
Our Experience
Monterey Bay Aquarium is still my favorite of any aquarium we’ve visited. We spent more than four hours here and still didn’t see everything. The kelp forest, open ocean gallery, and otter habitats all feel immersive and full of movement in a way that makes it easy to stay longer than planned.
The food surprised us in the best way. There were fresh meals, warm options, lighter choices, seafood dishes, desserts, coffee, and plenty of kid friendly plates. It isn’t exactly cheap, but we planned to make it part of the experience. Plus, we felt a lot better for the rest of the day than we would have on a $3 hot dog.
If you want a deeper look at what the experience is like, here’s our full Monterey Bay Aquarium review.
2. Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta, Georgia)
Best for: families who want to see whale sharks and experience the largest aquarium in the US in one unforgettable visit.
Our Experience
Georgia Aquarium is unforgettable. Standing in the underwater tunnel with a whale shark swimming overhead is one of our all time favorite travel moments. The scale of the exhibits makes everything feel larger than life in a way that keeps kids and adults equally captivated.
This was our daughter’s first flight, so we made the day a big adventure: fly in, aquarium, fly home. She handled it like a champ. As adults, we’ll probably stay overnight next time so we can enjoy the visit at a slower pace.
The food here is standard cafeteria style, but that didn’t take away from the experience.
If you want to stretch your travel budget, you can also see our Georgia Aquarium on Points and Miles guide for ways to save on flights or hotels in Atlanta.
3. Shedd Aquarium (Chicago, Illinois)
Best for: families who want an easy-to-navigate aquarium that pairs well with other Chicago museums in a single day.
Our Experience
Shedd Aquarium is one of the easiest aquariums for families. We spent a long time in the beluga viewing areas where you can watch them from both above and below the water. The touch tanks, animal presentations, and lakefront setting all make Shedd a full Chicago day without feeling overwhelming.
The layout flows nicely, the building is beautiful, and it pairs well with nearby stops like the Planetarium or the Field Museum.
Planning A Shedd Aquarium Visit?
If you’re building a Chicago trip around Shedd, here’s how I’d approach it:
- Start with the full Shedd Aquarium guide (tickets, timing, what to prioritize)
- Then read the review for a real experience breakdown
- Use the timing guide to avoid crowds
- And if you’re using rewards, see how we booked this trip on points and miles
4. National Aquarium (Baltimore, Maryland)
Best for: families who need constant variety and movement to stay engaged and do not want exhibits to feel repetitive.
Why it’s on our list
- Enough variety that families spend 3–4 hours without feeling like exhibits repeat
- The multi-level reef that you see from different angles as you move through the building
- The walk-through rainforest, which adds something you don’t get at most aquariums
- Repeated reviews saying it’s one of the best “you won’t get bored” layouts, which matters to us
5. Tennessee Aquarium (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Best for: families who enjoy freshwater exhibits and a calm, top-to-bottom layout that works especially well with younger kids.
Why it’s on our list
- The two-building setup: River Journey and Ocean Journey
- Some of the strongest freshwater exhibits in the country
- A top-to-bottom flow that families say feels calm and easy
- A frequent pick on “surprisingly good aquariums” lists, which always gets our attention
6. New England Aquarium (Boston, Massachusetts)
Best for: families visiting Boston who want one standout attraction that fits neatly into a weekend itinerary.
Why it’s on our list
- The four-story Giant Ocean Tank, a feature that keeps coming up in national rankings
- Penguins at the base, which makes the start of the visit fun and lively
- The spiral walkway that gives different views of the same habitat instead of unrelated tanks
- Easy to pair with a Boston weekend, which makes it a realistic trip for us
7. Oregon Coast Aquarium (Newport, Oregon)
Best for: families interested in Pacific Northwest species and a slower, more outdoor-focused aquarium experience.
Why it’s on our list
- Walk-through tunnels that consistently show up in “best aquarium tunnels” lists
- The indoor–outdoor layout, including aviaries and coastal habitats
- A strong focus on Pacific Northwest species we don’t see often
- A slower, more nature-connected visit compared to big city aquariums
8. Audubon Aquarium (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Best for: families who want a shorter aquarium visit that still delivers a bright tunnel and strong regional Gulf Coast exhibits.
Why it’s on our list
- The Caribbean reef tunnel, which looks bright and full of movement
- Strong Gulf Coast exhibits, giving it a unique regional angle
- A smaller footprint that still delivers great exhibits without taking half a day
- Easy to pair with a New Orleans weekend, which is exactly how we’d visit
Runner-Up Aquariums Worth Visiting
The Florida Aquarium (Tampa, Florida)
Best for: families who enjoy interactive moments, outdoor habitats, and experiences like penguin encounters.
Our Experience
The Florida Aquarium is a runner up for us because it’s simply a fun, well done aquarium day. We arrived in time for their scheduled penguin stroll, where the African penguins walk through the hallway to interact with guests. It was fun to see up close and a great way to start the visit.
We also really liked the Wetlands Trail, an outdoor habitat with bright pink roseate spoonbills, turtles, ducks, and other species in a boardwalk style setting. The close view made this area a highlight.
Inside, the Journey to Madagascar exhibit has ring tailed lemurs, which instantly reminded me of the Madagascar characters. It’s a good stop for kids and adults.
You can see more detail in my full Florida Aquarium Review here.
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores (Crystal Coast, NC)
Best for: families looking for a low-key aquarium stop that blends naturally into a relaxed Crystal Coast beach trip.
Our Experience
We’ve visited Pine Knoll Shores at least ten times. It’s small, calm, and easy to enjoy with kids. You can take your time through the exhibits without crowds or pressure to rush, and it has a nice outdoor playground.
But the biggest reason it earns a bonus spot is the Crystal Coast itself. The aquarium fits naturally into a trip that includes beach days, Fort Macon, ferry rides, wild horses and huge shells, plus small local stops. It’s not a fly-in location, but more of a road trip and stay-for-a-few-days spot. You won’t regret it.
Recommended Reading for Crystal Coast Travel
- Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium review – what to expect, tips for kids, and how long to stay.
- Crystal Coast vacation guide – beach days, PKS, Salter Path, Fort Macon, and easy family planning tips.
- Crystal Coast hotels on points – oceanfront and pet friendly options you can book with rewards.
How We Evaluated These Aquariums
We compared national “best aquarium” lists, traveler reviews, and videos to find aquariums that are genuinely worth planning a family trip around. We looked for aquariums that offer:
• Exhibits that feel different from each another
• Layouts that make sense once you’re inside
• The ability to spend several hours without feeling rushed or bored
• Space to take breaks with kids
• Food options that support a longer visit
• A natural fit within a larger weekend trip
Tips for Visiting Aquariums
A quick note: Some of the items below include Amazon affiliate links. They don’t change your price, but they do help support this site and the free guides I share. I only include things we actually use and find helpful for travel days like these.
A few small items we use that make aquarium days easier:
• Lightweight daypack
• Refillable water bottle (lightweight Hydro Flask saves you money in the long-run!)
• Single use hand wipes (won’t dry out and thank me later)
• Small wet bag for damp sleeves or kid clothes (touch tank reminder)
• Portable charger for photos
Use what fits your family and travel style.
Packing It Up
Aquariums are one of our favorite ways to slow down and explore something together. Monterey remains our personal favorite, but every aquarium on this list offers something worth traveling for. As we visit more, we’ll keep this guide updated with new favorites and full reviews.
If you have a favorite aquarium that should make a future version of this list, we’d love to hear.
Your Next Read
How Smart Travelers Turn Everyday Spending Into Real Trips
How to Use Credit Card Points for Travel: A Beginner’s Guide to Flexible Rewards
Travel Carry-On Only for Long Trips (and Still Have Room for Souvenirs)
