Sensory-friendly Aquariums

Located on historic Cannery Row in Monterey, California, this renowned aquarium features a living kelp forest, colorful Pacific wildlife, sea otters, penguins, and deep-sea exhibits. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a leader in ocean conservation and education, dedicated to inspiring visitors to protect our oceans. Offers comprehensive school programs, teacher resources, and marine biology research opportunities.

Located in Atlanta, Georgia Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world, housing over 100,000 aquatic creatures. Visitors can experience unique exhibits like Ocean Voyager with massive whale sharks, interact with penguins, beluga whales, and sea lions, and enjoy captivating dolphin presentations. Features extensive educational programs, summer camps, and accessibility accommodations including sensory-friendly hours.

Chicago's famed Shedd Aquarium welcomes visitors to see beluga whales, stingrays, saltwater fish, dolphins, and sea lions. One of the oldest and most prestigious public aquariums in the United States, Shedd is home to more than 32,000 animals representing 1,500 species from around the world. Renowned for its marine biology research, conservation programs, and comprehensive educational offerings for all ages.

Located in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, the National Aquarium is home to more than 20,000 animals and 800 species. Featuring multiple levels of exhibits, visitors can explore everything from a multi-story Atlantic Coral Reef to an impressive Shark Alley, Australian reef habitats, and a tropical rainforest ecosystem. Offers award-winning educational programs, accessibility accommodations, and leading conservation research initiatives.

Situated on Boston Harbor, the New England Aquarium welcomes over a million visitors annually. Home to the largest shark and stingray touch tank on the East Coast, a Marine Mammal Center with California sea lions, and the impressive 200,000-gallon Giant Ocean Tank featuring a Caribbean coral reef ecosystem. Features marine animal rescue programs, research initiatives, and comprehensive educational offerings.

Located on Elliott Bay, the Seattle Aquarium offers interactive education experiences with sea and river otters, seals, moon jellyfish, pufferfish, and sea anemones. Recently expanded with the new Ocean Pavilion, the aquarium is dedicated to marine conservation and educating visitors about the Puget Sound ecosystem. Features extensive research programs, marine animal rescue, and citizen science opportunities.

Located in Brooklyn, the New York Aquarium offers a 4D theater, animal feedings, and numerous wildlife exhibits. Visitors can watch sea lions, penguins, and seals, then visit Conservation Hall to see colorful fish swimming through coral reefs. The Ocean Wonders exhibit features 18 different species of sharks and rays. Part of the Wildlife Conservation Society with strong research and conservation programs.

Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, OdySea brings ocean wonders to the desert with 2 million gallons of water, over 65 educational exhibits, and 370 species. Features include the world's only Russian sturgeon touch pool and Voyager, a unique rotating aquarium experience where visitors sit as they move past massive viewing windows. Offers educational programs and interactive experiences for all ages.

Located in Long Beach, California, this aquarium focuses on the Pacific Ocean's diverse ecosystems. Featuring more than 12,000 animals across 500 species, visitors can explore the Tropical Pacific Gallery with colorful coral reefs, the Northern Pacific Gallery with playful sea otters, and the mesmerizing Jellies exhibits. Offers comprehensive educational programs, research initiatives, and conservation education.

Located in Tampa, The Florida Aquarium houses more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals. Visitors can journey from Florida's freshwater springs to the depths of the Gulf of Mexico through immersive exhibits. Highlights include a 500,000-gallon coral reef habitat, outdoor wetlands, and interactive touch experiences. Features coral restoration programs, marine research, and comprehensive educational offerings.

Located in Camden, New Jersey, Adventure Aquarium houses more than 15,000 aquatic species. One of only a few aquariums in the United States to exhibit hippos, it also features the longest shark tunnel in the Northeast, a touch tank with both sharks and stingrays, and a popular African penguin colony. Offers comprehensive educational programs, summer camps, and accessibility accommodations.

One of California's most-visited cultural institutions located in Long Beach. Features more than 12,000 animals in over 100 exhibits that celebrate the Pacific Ocean and its inhabitants. Highlights include the interactive Shark Lagoon, the June Keyes Penguin Habitat, and the mesmerizing jellyfish gallery. Offers comprehensive educational programs, research initiatives, and conservation education.