Aquariums provide us with a window to the fascinating watery world hidden beneath the ocean’s white-capped waves. Here primeval sharks swim over and around Plexiglas tunnels giving visitors a close-up view of these fierce ocean predators. Undulating stingrays glide through the water making the sea grasses and fantail corals dance. Just inches from your nose fish of every shape and size swim back and forth, from neon-bright, orange-striped clown fish to schools of sleek, silvery mackerel to the aptly-named hammerhead shark.
America’s best aquariums go beyond displaying fish and other sea life; they offer vacationers unique opportunities to experience the ocean community first-hand – sometimes by getting in the water and swimming with the fish! If you are fascinated by the ocean’s residents, you will want to schedule a visit to one of these outstanding U.S. aquariums during your next vacation:
- Maui Ocean Center was voted Hawaii’s top-rated family attraction by the highly respected Zagat Survey U.S. Family Travel Guide and is the largest tropical reef aquarium in the Western Hemisphere. Located less than 30 minutes from most Maui vacation rentals, it’s a great place to spend a rainy afternoon and provides plenty of hands-on exhibits to keep children engaged. If your kids are scuba-certified, they can dive with stingrays and sharks.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California allows visitors to enjoy the playful antics of the penguins and Southern California’s native sea otters up close. The fascinating lives of sea horses, jellyfish, stingrays and rare ocean sunfish are also revealed.
- SeaWorld San Diego is an aquarium, theme park and water park rolled into one. The dolphin and killer whale shows are must-sees and special programs put visitors behind the scenes where they can help with animal care and training.
Beautiful iTrip vacation rentals are available close to all of these outstanding aquariums. Book yours today!
