Best public aquariums?

[Jubei2006]

Georgia aquarium is phenomenal, especially the behind the scenes. There 150000 reef tank is coming along, but I second Joe's tank at Long Island is amazing. Haven't seen it in person yet, but I've watched Marc Levensons interview linked above several times. Great info!

 

[Mical]

The Denver Aquarium ROCKS - https://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumdenver/

 

[vetteguy53081]

Chicago Shedd
Georgia
Minneapolis

 

[mellgibs]

In San Diego we have the Birch Aquarium and Sea World. Neither is huge but both have nice collections.

Are they still playing pandemic at the birch aquarium?

 

[jdiefenbaugh]

Depends what you want to see. Joe's tank at long island is the only real nice large reef, there isn't a close second. If macro fauna, Georgia. Monterey Bay is the best overall public aq in the US, however. Shedd, Dallas, Denver, CAS, there are lots of others that have nice exhibits.

 

[Bepis]

Montery bay aquarium was incredible, The aquarium of the pacific in Long Beach cali also has some nice tanks

 

[mindme]

Went to the Florida Aquarium in Tampa today.

It was ok, lots of exhibits. I think the $30 per person was too high.

 

[jacalhou]

You can hit a few up pretty close-by in Central Florida. Orlando has Seaworld which has a nice reef setup under the Manta roller coaster. Worldwide Corals recently put a YouTube video up highlighting that Seaworld setup. Also in Orlando is Sea Life aquarium at Icon Park. They have some neat reed setups in there as well as larger species. An hour and a half or so from Orlando is Tampa, which hosts the Florida Aquarium. It’s large, with a combination of large setups and some reef as well. Orlando also has TopShelf Aquatics, Worldwide Corals and Living Reef also. Kind of a catch-all for awesome coral stores and aquariums.

 

[MtlReef25]

Musee Oceanographique de Monaco (founded by Jacques Cousteau, for those who know what I'm talking about) is one amazing place I've been many times. The other one is the Oceanographic de Valencia, in Spain. Both places are worth the detour! Wonderful and educational places!

 

[atomos]

For Northern California -

California Academy of Sciences (F/K/A, Steinhart Aquarium) > https://www.calacademy.org/
Check out the live cams:
Live Coral Reef Cam (Philippine Coral Reef) > Live Reef Lagoon Cam >
Monterey Bay Aquarium (Pacific/Kelp Forest) | It's been awhile but I think it's more focused around the Bay Area waters (?) but I could be wrong.....
https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/visit/exhibits

 

[Klowborg]

Future vacation planning - which public aquariums have lots of reef corals and home aquarium size fish on display? Most seem to favor penguins, seals, stingrays, dolphins and similar large animals.

Blue Planet here in Copenhagen, Denmark. Great reef

 

[Viva'sReef]

My favorites.

Georgia Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium

I can't write this without mentioning one I've been too countless times as a young boy and as an adult. It's our local Belle Isle Aquarium. It is the Oldest public aquarium in the country built in 1904 and designed by the famous Detroit architecht Albert Kahn. It's a real treasure and if you're ever in the area it's worth a visit, it's free to the public but they do accept donations.

 

[FrontRangeReefer]

Recently visited the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in SLC and was amazed at both the size of the exhibits and the variety of livestock in the displays. Highly recommend!

 

[Steve Fast]

Check out this video of the l Long Island aquarium

 

[Squidward]

I personally thought Georgia Aquarium was highly overrated. I enjoyed Newport Aquarium in Kentucky though.

 

[GardenReef]

Musee Oceanographique de Monaco (founded by Jacques Cousteau, for those who know what I'm talking about) is one amazing place I've been many times. The other one is the Oceanographic de Valencia, in Spain. Both places are worth the detour! Wonderful and educational places!

Monaco is a bucket list item for me for sure! Ever since the first specials watching Cousteau on TV as a kid. He was a Very inspiring man!

 

[Dustballz]

Seattle had my favorites reefs.

 

[Appoloreefer]

Future vacation planning - which public aquariums have lots of reef corals and home aquarium size fish on display? Most seem to favor penguins, seals, stingrays, dolphins and similar large animals.

Florida Aquarium in Clearwater is quite nice

 

[CincyReefer07]

I don’t have much input on the matter but Newport Aquarium is right by me on the Ohio river. Can hang out at the aquarium and the surrounding shops or go right across the river into cincinnati check out the stuff to do in Cincinnati. It’s a pretty well done aquarium. Been several years since I was last there, don’t remember how much they have as far as reef tanks go.

 

[Forty-Two]

I second the Ripley's aquarium in Toronto. Ive been several times and taken my kids.

It has a great reef tank which is quite large (not sure of the gallons), and a large number of other displays.