10 Aquarium Visits in the USA, Ranked by What You Get

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

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

Enter Georgia Aquarium at the Baker Street main entrance, bypass the ticket-purchase line, and go straight to security. Spend the day across eight aquatic galleries, from whale sharks and manta rays to belugas, sea lions, touch pools, and a huge reef exhibit. Reserve seats for the dolphin and sea lion presentations, then explore at your own pace.

“I loved it! I didn’t want to leave, a breathtaking experience!”

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2.The Florida Aquarium Ticket

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

Spend a day exploring The Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa. See sharks, sea turtles, alligators, lemurs, river otters, free-flying birds, and dwarf seahorses. Touch stingrays and jellyfish at three interactive pools, then add a dolphin cruise or SeaTREK experience if you want more time on the water.

“it was fun and exciting to see the exotic animals especially the underground aquariums;”

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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 see 14 exhibits, walk through a shark-filled tunnel, touch stingrays and horseshoe crabs, and watch jellyfish drift through a large tank. Your ticket includes the Undersea Explorer VR Experience, a motion-seat ride that puts you among sharks and whales. Allow 30 minutes to two hours, depending on your pace.

“The shark reef was very beautiful and a wonderful and affordable activity to do while here in Las Vegas. The hotel area that it’s in also has a few other things to take part in so explore once you are done with the Reef ( everything is inside)!”

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

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

Spend a flexible day at Long Beach’s Aquarium of the Pacific with skip-the-ticket-line entry. See 12,000 animals across Pacific regions, from sea otters and penguins to sharks, turtles, and sea jellies. Allow two to three hours for highlights, or stay longer for touch pools, lorikeet feeding, outdoor exhibits, and the Pacific Visions theater.

“Excellent no need to wait for my ticket without line”

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5.New England Aquarium Entry + Optional Simons Theatre

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

Enter the New England Aquarium on Boston’s waterfront and see African penguins, harbor seals, sea lions, reef fish, sea turtles, stingrays, piranhas, and anacondas. Add a Simons Theatre film, chosen on the day at the will-call window, for a 45-minute ocean film on a five-story screen.

“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.Skip the Ticketing Line: Aquarium of the Pacific General Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 485 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $44

Use a mobile ticket to enter the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach and explore 19 habitats covering Alaska, California, Baja, and Micronesia. See sharks, sea lions, otters, penguins, jellyfish, and tropical fish, then add lorikeet feeding or animal encounters for a fee. Plan on about three hours.

“We went on Tuesday June 18, 2024. Got there around 11. There must have been 1000 preschool and day camp kids there bused in on school buses. There was so many kids it was terrible, we 2 adults with our 2 grandkids ( aged 16 and 11) couldn’t get close to see anything. Also, there were attractions closed for “special events”. I feel like I wasted money for nothing.”

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7.SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

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

At SEA LIFE Orlando, you’ll follow a self-guided route past sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, tropical fish, eels, and a Pacific octopus. Walk through Florida’s only 360-degree ocean tunnel, touch starfish and anemones, and meet rescued loggerheads Ted and Chely. Add a 10-minute shark VR experience or a 35-minute backstage tour if available.

“IT was a good Aquarium just didn't realize how small it was. We completed the thing in less than 30mins so we went back to look around and gaze at the big walk thru tank.”

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8.New England Aquarium Admission Ticket in Boston

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

Spend about two hours exploring Boston’s New England Aquarium, from harbor seals and penguins to the 200,000-gallon Giant Ocean Tank. Your mobile admission includes the main exhibits, Marine Mammal Center, Penguin Colony, and touch areas. Plan ahead for crowds, and note that the penguins will be off exhibit in January and February 2026.

“Weekend attendance comes with tons of children. For folks with disabilities, this visit might be better during the weekdays and earlier in the day. This was a great place to visit, very informative!”

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9.Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE Aquarium Combo Ticket

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

Spend one day at Madame Tussauds Orlando and SEA LIFE Aquarium on International Drive. Meet wax versions of Justice League heroes, Bad Bunny, Ariana Grande, and Dwayne Johnson, then see thousands of fish, walk through Florida’s only 360-degree ocean tunnel, and touch sea stars and sea anemones. Free parking is included.

“Nice experience we enjoyed my family good time and memories .”

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10.1-5 Day Attraction Pass with Shedd Aquarium

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

Use a digital Go City pass for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days and visit more than 35 Chicago attractions. See Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck, 360 Chicago, Field Museum, Navy Pier, river cruises, and more. Reservations are required for several popular stops, so plan before your first day.

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

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