Looking for stops to add to your next adventure? Consider taking the family to an aquarium, where you can get close and interact with multiple different species of sea creatures and even participate in once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
If that sounds like an activity your family will love, check out these best aquariums in the United States.
The National Aquarium is located in Baltimore Harbor. During a visit to the National Aquarium, expect to see more than 20,000 specimens representing 600 different species of wildlife. Explore dozens of unique aquatic habitats from northern Australian river gorge to Indo-Pacific reef to the tropical rainforest.
Located in the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Ripley’s Aquarium is home to 10,000 sea creatures representing more than 350 individual species. Explore the shark tanks, stingray exhibits and more. Guests can enjoy unique experiences like sleeping with sharks or taking a glass-bottom boat adventure over the Shark Lagoon.
Ranked one of the top 10 aquariums in the United States, Oregon Coast Aquarium is located in New Port, Oregon. Explore the many exhibits on your own or partake in an Animal Encounter & Tour. Book a behind-the-scenes tour and learn the day-to-day operations with the sea life, encounter an octopus and get a slimy handshake, or swim through the water with different animals.
This aquarium is located in Monterey, California, and offers plenty of exhibits for people to explore while visiting. Hang out with octopi, sharks, penguins and more. One of the best exhibits is the Life on the Bay, which provides an ocean view, making it easy to spot sea otters and humpback whales.
The Florida Aquarium in Tampa Bay is home to more than 20,000 aquatic animals and plants from around the world. While visiting make sure to take advantage of the Shark Swim Program. This snorkel-like adventure allows you to swim alongside more than 1,000 fish, including stingrays, sand tiger sharks, barracudas, sea turtles and more.
Read This Next
5 Family-Friendly Museums in Charleston
Destinations / North America
Aug 22, 2024#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Oct 19, 2026Beyond Haunted Houses: A Luxe Halloween Getaway in the Poconos
Fall is in full swing and it's time for family travelers to plan a last-minute spooky season getaway. For East Coasters, there is no better fall escape than the Pennsylvania Pocono Mountains. Tucked away is The Pines at Woodloch, a luxury, all-inclusive escape offering an elevated take on a fall trip by pairing accommodations, dining and fall experiences.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Travel Tips
Oct 19, 2026Keep These Items Out of Your (and Your Kid’s) Carry-On If You Don’t Want to Miss Your Flight
Lines at TSA checkpoints can be long enough, but when you’ve got something in your carry-on that raises a red flag, you could be there much longer than anticipated. There are the obvious things you can’t take on a plane, like weapons and liquids more than 3.4 ounces, but some things that seem totally innocent could lead to unnecessary delays and missed flights.
Destinations / North America
Oct 16, 2026Skate With Santa on Lake Tahoe
Families looking to escape their traditional hometown holiday season while still participating in festive activities may want to look to Everline Resort & Spa, Lake Tahoe. The resort brings back its annual Magical Memories 2026 celebration. Transforming the resort into a winter mountain retreat, the celebration lets families ring in the holidays, from skating with Santa and Mrs. Claus bedtime stories to snow fort building and holiday feasts.
Sponsored Content
Celebrating 25 Years of The Peninsula Chicago
June marked The Peninsula Chicago’s 25th anniversary, commemorating a quarter century for the hotel as a pillar of luxury on North Michigan Avenue.
North America
Oct 16, 2026Subaru Finds Pets to Reshape 2026 Holiday Travels, Road Trip Plans
This week, Subaru released a report revealing just how central family pets are in holiday travel plans for Americans. The report found pet owners nationwide increasingly prioritize their animal companions when planning upcoming trips, so much so that 73 percent of U.S. drivers and pet owners surveyed said they’re more likely to bring their pet along.
ShareThis