9 Aquarium Visits in the USA to Build a Day Around

1.Georgia Aquarium Skip-the-Box-Office Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,476 reviews · 1 day · from $64Our pick

Use your voucher at the Georgia Aquarium’s Baker Street entrance, skip the ticket-purchase line, and go to security. Plan two to three hours for eight galleries, including the whale shark and manta ray habitat, cold-water species, touch pools, dolphin and sea lion presentations, and temporary exhibitions. Show seating is first come, first served.

“Amazing aquarium! Staff is very knowledgeable, friendly and very personable!”

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2.The Florida Aquarium Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 979 reviews · 1 day · from $36

Spend a full day exploring The Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa, from dwarf seahorses and free-flying birds to sharks, sea turtles, otters, and alligators. General admission includes three touch pools, educational presentations, and access to MORPH'D. Allow at least two hours, though families may stay longer.

“I found this site just by a Google search, but worked great. We got tickets for a little more than $10 less per person from the direct tickets through the Aquarium. Great value. We are also able to skip any lines and go straight in (other than the security line). The aquarium had a lot to see and do. They have a splash pad and playground for kids as well.”

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3.Shark Reef Aquarium Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 892 reviews · 1 day · from $29Best value

At Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef Aquarium, you’ll walk through 14 exhibits, touch stingrays and horseshoe crabs, and view sharks through a 360-degree tunnel. The ticket also includes the Undersea Explorer VR Experience, a short motion-seat ride featuring sharks and whales. Allow about 30 minutes to two hours, depending on your pace.

“it was nice.lots of sharks and other animals but the aquarium is small so i finished it in about 20 mins and the tickets are 29 dollars so you wont get much for it.the VR experience was nice.last only 6 mins but its fun.”

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4.LA: Aquarium of the Pacific Skip-the-Line Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 747 reviews · 1 day · from $44

Head to Long Beach for a self-guided day at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Your $44 ticket skips the ticket booth line and covers 12,000 animals, Shark Lagoon, Lorikeet Forest, Magellanic penguins, touch pools, and Pacific Visions Theater. Plan two to three hours, or stay all day.

“Nice place to see all kind of fish species . Perfect for families”

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5.New England Aquarium Entry + Optional Simons Theatre

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 746 reviews · 1 day · from $39

Enter Boston’s New England Aquarium with a one-day ticket and see African penguins, harbor seals, sea lions, turtles, stingrays, eels, and reef fish. Add a Simons Theatre film on the day of your visit, choosing from dolphin, shark, or ocean biodiversity programs. The aquarium is wheelchair accessible, family-friendly, and best visited early.

“The aquarium was lovely. The way it was set up was unique and fun. Of course the penguins were adorable.”

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6.SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 454 reviews · 1 - 365 days · from $30

At SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, you’ll follow a self-guided route through tanks filled with sharks, stingrays, turtles, eels, and tropical fish. Walk through Florida’s only 360-degree ocean tunnel, touch sea stars and anemones, and meet rescued loggerheads Ted and Chely. Optional add-ons include a 10-minute shark VR experience and a 35-minute backstage tour.

“We enjoyed the variety of animals and the fun passageway displays. We would have liked to have seen more signage advising the names of the animals. Thank you.”

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7.New England Aquarium Admission Ticket in Boston

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 446 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Use a mobile ticket for timed admission to Boston’s New England Aquarium. Plan about two hours to see harbor seals, penguins, sea turtles, rays, sharks, sea lions, seadragons, and Myrtle, the 550-pound green sea turtle. Exhibits are self-guided, with maps available in eight languages. Hollywood films at Simons Theatre cost extra.

“Easy pace, never rushed, great signage for information, fun to touch a stingray. Very clean, and the turtles, so graceful!”

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8.Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE Aquarium Combo Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 386 reviews · 1 day · from $41

Spend one day visiting Madame Tussauds Orlando and SEA LIFE Aquarium at 8449 International Drive. Meet Ted, a rescued loggerhead turtle, touch sea stars and anemones, walk through Florida’s only 360-degree ocean tunnel, then pose with Justice League heroes, Bad Bunny, Ariana Grande, and Dwayne Johnson. Parking is included, but wax hands and behind-the-scenes access cost extra.

“I had so much fun in the wax museum and the aquarium was amazing too there was so much sealife.”

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9.1-5 Day Attraction Pass with Shedd Aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 372 reviews · 1 - 5 days · from $139

Use one digital pass for more than 35 Chicago attractions, including Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck, 360 Chicago, Field Museum, Navy Pier, river cruises, and guided walks. Choose 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days. You must reserve popular timed attractions in advance, and the pass activates with your first visit.

“My trip was amazing, you should definitely book this 25 + activities.”

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