Public aquariums

[vetteguy53081]

There are various Public aquariums and Large Public aquariums. Many can be of discovery and inspiration.
I have been to Chicago Shedd aquarium , Mall of America, New York and Miami Aquarium. My favorites are John Shedd and Miami.
Besides the thousands of gallons of sea water/sea life, I liked the variety of specimens. Miami had a variety of aquatic mammals and birds and reptiles.

Have you been to a public aquarium(s) and if so, which is your favorite?
What can you tell others who visit it and what did you like best at your favorite aquarium?

Miami:

 

[Gumbies R Us]

My favorite aquarium will always be the Georgia Aquarium. I remember going there a few times as a kid and one time a couple of years back. There is so much variety in terms of aquatic life there and so many different exhibits as well.

 

[srobertb]

Georgia Aquarium is definitely on my bucket list but going to the state of Georgia (sorry) is not.

Used to take my son to the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium in the Southern OBX every weekend. Not huge or anything but beautiful and well done.

Myrtle Beach, SC has a decent one (fun for kids).

Then there’s the London Aquarium which is great as I recall.

The aquarium is Lisbon had hands down one of the most amazing exhibits I’ve ever seen- quite honestly rivaling the aforementioned whale shark in Georgia (I believe that’s where it is or disregard above statement!) in ambition (but not in scale). It’s a large room filled with meticulously cared for planted freshwater tanks.


We live near Sea World now and my son is about to start their summer camp (he does it every year). He preps food, pets animals, etc. I know Sea World as a corporation isn’t exactly awesome but the staff and facilities (in regards to animal life) are absolutely amazing.

 

[vetteguy53081]

My favorite aquarium will always be the Georgia Aquarium. I remember going there a few times as a kid and one time a couple of years back. There is so much variety in terms of aquatic life there and so many different exhibits as well.

Ive heard much about Georgia and Monterey aquariums. As we go to Caribbean annually, we frequently go through Atlanta but never there long enough

 

[Sleeping Giant]

I've only been to the one in the mall of America, pretty cool.

 

[MyFirstCar]

The Vancouver Aquarium is a huge inspiration. They do these large biotope tanks that are really cool.

 

[Nate Chalk]

Georgia hands down best I've been to.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Florida Aquarium (Tampa) about half a dozen times. I'm due another trip that way.

 

[Slocke]

I recently became friends with someone who works at the Georgia Aquarium. I have to admit I used to not like it’s as it seemed very over the top and cared more about sponsors then the animals. However things seemed to have changed a lot and seeing things from behind the scenes has made me realize the incredible amount of work that goes into it. Of course they’re stocking could use some help and I did encourage them to come to me for some help adding some variety Far too few wrasse GA!!


Other than that I love the Shedd in Chicago and the Chattanooga is a really great hidden gem with probably the best ambiance of any aquarium I’ve been to (have you been @Gumbies R Us ?)

 

[rhitee93]

The Georgia aquarium is pretty amazing. We did a pilgrimage there a few years ago because one of my daughters has a thing for whale sharks. (Well, really, who doesn't)

Her fiancée is now a board member at the Shedd, and they get to do some interesting behind the scenes things. It is a cool place, adn much closer to me so it is probably a favorite.

Chattanooga has a nice little hidden gem of an aquarium, but I remember it being mostly fresh water.

 

[GlassMunky]

in terms of reef tanks, nothing beats the long island aquariums 20,000G living reef tank run by Joe Yaiullo

 

[Court_Appointed_Hypeman]

I've only been to the Shedd, its pretty decent, we got season passes and my toddlers go crazy for the sea horse and jellyfish displays.

 

[1112-425XL]

I've been to Boston and Tampa, they're both great. But, when you bring the grandchildren who are seeing it for the 1st time, they are amazing!

 

[Gtinnel]

Many years ago I went to the National Aquarium in Baltimore and it was good. I’ve also been to the Newport Aquarium in Kentucky several times and like it. Ripley’s aquarium in Myrtle Beach is okay but my least favorite of the three.

Next Friday I am going to Georgia Aquarium for the first time. We’re stopping on my families trip down to Florida for vacation. I’m pretty excited about it. For those of you who have been, is the behind the seas tour worth it, it is only $15 after all.

 

[EricR]

Been to Sea World with family too many times to count since semi-local.
Hands-on bat ray pond is my favorite there.

I've also been to many others around the US including Shedd and Miami mentioned but my wish list is to some day make it to Georgia. (Gotta see those whale sharks and manta rays)

 

[Reefer Matt]

Though it has been a little while, I like to see @Jay Hemdal 's work at the Toledo Zoo in Ohio. I will return there soon.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Honolulu Aquarium and the San Diego Aquarium. Virginia Beach Aquarium is nice for a smaller aquarium. Their Seahorses exhibit was best I’ve seen. Had to really talk myself out of starting a Seahorse Aquarium. I was super disappointed in the Baltimore Aquarium, but that was Eons ago. The Calvert Marine Museum has a lot of local waters Aquatic Life, I’ve done work there as a Contractor. Also I did a Start-up on the Amazon Exhibit at the National Zoo, got into a heated argument with their Ichthyologist, why they were killing fish. Way too much flow, not the materials in the pumps I understand it’s been dismantled.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I just recently did the Newport aquarium in KY, was pretty cool. I live near the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA its a hard favorite for me outside of the Monterey Bay aquarium.

 

[Indymann99]

Monterey Bay Aquarium is world class if you are ever in CA. Its a 2.5 hr drive south from SFO.
Its obviously mostly cold water species.

 

[doubleshot00]

My favorite aquarium will always be the Georgia Aquarium. I remember going there a few times as a kid and one time a couple of years back. There is so much variety in terms of aquatic life there and so many different exhibits as well.

Its an all day event. Its amazing.

My local aquarium is the NC Aquarium and its nice to go 2x a year but its very small. They do have a new coral exhibit. So that's exciting.