Gumbies R Us
Certified Noob
Never heard of that one but I want to go now!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.
Public aquariums
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o2manyfish
Valuable Member
I have been to:
Marineland (Palos Verdes) in the 80's
Waikiki - Dozens of times from the 70's thru 2022
Monterrey
Aquarium of the Pacific
New Orleans - Before the Hurricane wiped it out
Washington DC - National Aquarium - Depressing in the mid 90's
Baltimore
Texas, Dallas - There were 2 or 3 when I visited there - went to all of them
Mazatlan - Disgusting
Miami - There were 2 when I was there
Las Vegas - Was involved with the tanks behind the registration desk at the Mirage
Sea World - San Diego and Florida
Shedd Aquarium - For IMAC Conference
Monterrey was a great experience. Via friends in the industry we got a private tour of the Monterrey. Seeing Rooms dedicated to raising all different kinds of Jelly fish was really neat. But the most memorable thing we saw at Monterrey was in the out-buildings. When we were visiting they were doing a study on farm raising Blue Fin tuna. Inside the building were maybe 8-10 above ground pools. And inside the pools were Blue FIn Tuna -- And I don't mean cute lil fish. I mean giant fish. Fish so big that I commented to our docent - that the fish were too big to fit thru the double doors of the building. And he told us that was correct, that the fish when being removed from the building were removed for study - part by part.
Waikiki is not the biggest nor fanciest of aquariums. But having visited since I was a child in the 70's the displays are the same - Updated and modernized - but the same feel. They have some corals that I have been watching grow for decades.
Aquarium of the Pacific - Long Beach, Calif - I grew up just a few miles from the Aquarium of the Pacific. But it didn't open till I had moved away for college. I first started visiting the AOP in the early 90's when I had a transhipping business. We had a good relationship with the Dept of Fish and Wildlife and would transport seized livestock to the AOP to try to give it a chance at survival. So I got to see behind the scenes at all hours of the day. But my best experience at the AOP was when my wife, totally on her own without any input from me thought that it would be the ideal location for our wedding. So we rented out the Aquarium of the Pacific and had an amazing and unforgettable wedding. The entire aquarium was open for our guests with docents on hand to answer questions. Both my wife and I have no idea what was said at our wedding ceremony. Remembering vows is impossible when standing in front of a 3 story aquarium watching giant Sea Bass - Who were watching us get married.
Marineland (Palos Verdes) in the 80's
Waikiki - Dozens of times from the 70's thru 2022
Monterrey
Aquarium of the Pacific
New Orleans - Before the Hurricane wiped it out
Washington DC - National Aquarium - Depressing in the mid 90's
Baltimore
Texas, Dallas - There were 2 or 3 when I visited there - went to all of them
Mazatlan - Disgusting
Miami - There were 2 when I was there
Las Vegas - Was involved with the tanks behind the registration desk at the Mirage
Sea World - San Diego and Florida
Shedd Aquarium - For IMAC Conference
Monterrey was a great experience. Via friends in the industry we got a private tour of the Monterrey. Seeing Rooms dedicated to raising all different kinds of Jelly fish was really neat. But the most memorable thing we saw at Monterrey was in the out-buildings. When we were visiting they were doing a study on farm raising Blue Fin tuna. Inside the building were maybe 8-10 above ground pools. And inside the pools were Blue FIn Tuna -- And I don't mean cute lil fish. I mean giant fish. Fish so big that I commented to our docent - that the fish were too big to fit thru the double doors of the building. And he told us that was correct, that the fish when being removed from the building were removed for study - part by part.
Waikiki is not the biggest nor fanciest of aquariums. But having visited since I was a child in the 70's the displays are the same - Updated and modernized - but the same feel. They have some corals that I have been watching grow for decades.
Aquarium of the Pacific - Long Beach, Calif - I grew up just a few miles from the Aquarium of the Pacific. But it didn't open till I had moved away for college. I first started visiting the AOP in the early 90's when I had a transhipping business. We had a good relationship with the Dept of Fish and Wildlife and would transport seized livestock to the AOP to try to give it a chance at survival. So I got to see behind the scenes at all hours of the day. But my best experience at the AOP was when my wife, totally on her own without any input from me thought that it would be the ideal location for our wedding. So we rented out the Aquarium of the Pacific and had an amazing and unforgettable wedding. The entire aquarium was open for our guests with docents on hand to answer questions. Both my wife and I have no idea what was said at our wedding ceremony. Remembering vows is impossible when standing in front of a 3 story aquarium watching giant Sea Bass - Who were watching us get married.
Lbrdsoxfan
5000 Club Member
World class frankly, its a must see.
Gumbies R Us
Certified Noob
My local one now isn't anything to write home about when compared to the one in atlanta, but I'm still happy there is one that is somewhat close to me
Gumbies R Us
Certified Noob
That's pretty awesome, you got to do a wedding in an aquarium. Talk about an unforgettable experience!I have been to:
Marineland (Palos Verdes) in the 80's
Waikiki - Dozens of times from the 70's thru 2022
Monterrey
Aquarium of the Pacific
New Orleans - Before the Hurricane wiped it out
Washington DC - National Aquarium - Depressing in the mid 90's
Baltimore
Texas, Dallas - There were 2 or 3 when I visited there - went to all of them
Mazatlan - Disgusting
Miami - There were 2 when I was there
Las Vegas - Was involved with the tanks behind the registration desk at the Mirage
Sea World - San Diego and Florida
Shedd Aquarium - For IMAC Conference
Monterrey was a great experience. Via friends in the industry we got a private tour of the Monterrey. Seeing Rooms dedicated to raising all different kinds of Jelly fish was really neat. But the most memorable thing we saw at Monterrey was in the out-buildings. When we were visiting they were doing a study on farm raising Blue Fin tuna. Inside the building were maybe 8-10 above ground pools. And inside the pools were Blue FIn Tuna -- And I don't mean cute lil fish. I mean giant fish. Fish so big that I commented to our docent - that the fish were too big to fit thru the double doors of the building. And he told us that was correct, that the fish when being removed from the building were removed for study - part by part.
Waikiki is not the biggest nor fanciest of aquariums. But having visited since I was a child in the 70's the displays are the same - Updated and modernized - but the same feel. They have some corals that I have been watching grow for decades.
Aquarium of the Pacific - Long Beach, Calif - I grew up just a few miles from the Aquarium of the Pacific. But it didn't open till I had moved away for college. I first started visiting the AOP in the early 90's when I had a transhipping business. We had a good relationship with the Dept of Fish and Wildlife and would transport seized livestock to the AOP to try to give it a chance at survival. So I got to see behind the scenes at all hours of the day. But my best experience at the AOP was when my wife, totally on her own without any input from me thought that it would be the ideal location for our wedding. So we rented out the Aquarium of the Pacific and had an amazing and unforgettable wedding. The entire aquarium was open for our guests with docents on hand to answer questions. Both my wife and I have no idea what was said at our wedding ceremony. Remembering vows is impossible when standing in front of a 3 story aquarium watching giant Sea Bass - Who were watching us get married.
Lbrdsoxfan
5000 Club Member
Now thats the way to do it! Beats the church like I did it, lol.I have been to:
Marineland (Palos Verdes) in the 80's
Waikiki - Dozens of times from the 70's thru 2022
Monterrey
Aquarium of the Pacific
New Orleans - Before the Hurricane wiped it out
Washington DC - National Aquarium - Depressing in the mid 90's
Baltimore
Texas, Dallas - There were 2 or 3 when I visited there - went to all of them
Mazatlan - Disgusting
Miami - There were 2 when I was there
Las Vegas - Was involved with the tanks behind the registration desk at the Mirage
Sea World - San Diego and Florida
Shedd Aquarium - For IMAC Conference
Monterrey was a great experience. Via friends in the industry we got a private tour of the Monterrey. Seeing Rooms dedicated to raising all different kinds of Jelly fish was really neat. But the most memorable thing we saw at Monterrey was in the out-buildings. When we were visiting they were doing a study on farm raising Blue Fin tuna. Inside the building were maybe 8-10 above ground pools. And inside the pools were Blue FIn Tuna -- And I don't mean cute lil fish. I mean giant fish. Fish so big that I commented to our docent - that the fish were too big to fit thru the double doors of the building. And he told us that was correct, that the fish when being removed from the building were removed for study - part by part.
Waikiki is not the biggest nor fanciest of aquariums. But having visited since I was a child in the 70's the displays are the same - Updated and modernized - but the same feel. They have some corals that I have been watching grow for decades.
Aquarium of the Pacific - Long Beach, Calif - I grew up just a few miles from the Aquarium of the Pacific. But it didn't open till I had moved away for college. I first started visiting the AOP in the early 90's when I had a transhipping business. We had a good relationship with the Dept of Fish and Wildlife and would transport seized livestock to the AOP to try to give it a chance at survival. So I got to see behind the scenes at all hours of the day. But my best experience at the AOP was when my wife, totally on her own without any input from me thought that it would be the ideal location for our wedding. So we rented out the Aquarium of the Pacific and had an amazing and unforgettable wedding. The entire aquarium was open for our guests with docents on hand to answer questions. Both my wife and I have no idea what was said at our wedding ceremony. Remembering vows is impossible when standing in front of a 3 story aquarium watching giant Sea Bass - Who were watching us get married.
OP
OP
vetteguy53081
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Ive been behind the scenes more than once at Shedd. Amazing how meticulous they are with food prep, the amount of spare animals for their displays, the huge filter system and tons of Instant ocean stored on hand.
PhishMonger84
Well-Known Member
I live in Massachusetts, we have the New England Aquarium its okay. there is one huge tank with a fake reef and a million fish including triggers, they also have a cuddle fish or nautilus tank ( i forget which) that is awesome.
We also have the aquarium in Mystic CT which is cool.
i really liked the aquarium i visited in Vegas at Mandalay Bay.
I've talked about focusing vacations around public aquariums Georgia, the Shedd & Belle Isle are on the list
We also have the aquarium in Mystic CT which is cool.
i really liked the aquarium i visited in Vegas at Mandalay Bay.
I've talked about focusing vacations around public aquariums Georgia, the Shedd & Belle Isle are on the list
secret_reefer337
Well-Known Member
I have been to Monterey Bay (several times), Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach CA, Seattle Aquarium, Vancouver Aquarium, SeaWorld, San Francisco Academy of Science and Manila Ocean Park. So far Monterey gave me a pleasure of visiting, though each place have their special corners it never really aroused my attention.
Rp8
Valuable Member
Been to Seaworld Orlando, Omaha aquarium, Myrtle beach sc one, New Orleans, Charleston sc one, Gatlinburg Tn one. For me the one that sticks out the best were Omaha first, Gatlinburg close second. Both had a good variety of livestock and REAL coral
Jay Hemdal
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I’ve been to a number of public aquariums in North America and Europe. I don’t have a single favorite, because many of them excel in certain aspects.
I’ve worked for the Shedd and designed the new Toledo Aquarium, so I’m biased there (grin). Here is my list and why:
Georgia - whale sharks, overall size
Artis - architecture (tied with Shedd and Monaco)
Long island - Joe’s reef exhibit
Monterey - white sharks when they had them
Florida Aq. - off site coral prop
Steinhart - mesophotic zone fish
Cabrillo - cold water reefs
Toledo - overall small sized general aquarium
Sea Life Aquariums - sustainability
Jay
I’ve worked for the Shedd and designed the new Toledo Aquarium, so I’m biased there (grin). Here is my list and why:
Georgia - whale sharks, overall size
Artis - architecture (tied with Shedd and Monaco)
Long island - Joe’s reef exhibit
Monterey - white sharks when they had them
Florida Aq. - off site coral prop
Steinhart - mesophotic zone fish
Cabrillo - cold water reefs
Toledo - overall small sized general aquarium
Sea Life Aquariums - sustainability
Jay
X-37B
Fight The Good Fight
I have been to Seattle, Moterey, and Steinhart public aquariums.
Steinhart in SF is my favorite as I have been going their since the 60's. It's cool to watch how it changes over the years.
I need to make another trip to SF again soon.
Steinhart in SF is my favorite as I have been going their since the 60's. It's cool to watch how it changes over the years.
I need to make another trip to SF again soon.
kevgib67
10K Club member
Years ago I was visiting my sister and brother in law in Cincinnati with my oldest son who was 3 at the time. Their city’s aquarium had just opened that week and I was really impressed. Perhaps because it was shiny and new. But it left me with great memories.
fish farmer
2500 Club Member
Living near Boston I've been to the New England aquarium many times....back when they had sharks in the bottom pool.
Been to the Shedd, Mystic, Aquarium of the Bay(SF), Monterrey, Cape Cod Aquarium, some Washington DC aquarium, Sea World many years ago.
Monterrey topped the list.
Been to the Shedd, Mystic, Aquarium of the Bay(SF), Monterrey, Cape Cod Aquarium, some Washington DC aquarium, Sea World many years ago.
Monterrey topped the list.
Gumbies R Us
Certified Noob
The Ripleys in Gatlinburg, TN is also very nice as well
KrisReef
10K Club member
The Monterey Bay Aquarium was started by the Packards (of Hewlett-Packard). The story I heard was that he built little models of the huge acryllic aquariums to determine how thick the walls needed to be to prevent bowing when they were filled. He did the model fill tests in his bathtub! I always appreciated The Packard's. They new how to spend their money wisely, imo.
