A day at the aquarium can be a fun experience no matter who or where you are, but there are some aquariums that give a little something extra. Whether you get to feed the fish, swim with sharks, experience the real-life humidity of the Amazon rainforest, or eat crickets, immersive experiences make an aquarium visit even more memorable. These experiences can set the stage for a career in marine biology, an awareness and care for natural resources, or just a healthy respect for the power of sea life, especially for little ones accompanying you on this family friendly excursion.
So we searched the nation, reading reviews on TripAdvisor and Google, consulting reader voting polls from USA Today, and scouring lists from travel sites to find the absolute best exhibits that allow visitors to get just as up-close and personal with sea life as if they were snorkeling in one of Florida’s riveting parks or interacting with Hawaiian wildlife, all without getting your feet wet.
Get up-close and personal with African penguins at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Rated on best-of lists from Travel Awaits, TripAdvisor, and USA Today readers, the treasures of Ripley’s Aquarium are abundant at this family-friendly aquarium in the Smoky Mountains. The Penguin Playhouse is an indoor-outdoor private penguin beach just made for these adorable creatures. They can be seen from beach-level, or under the water through a glass tunnel. The Penguin Painting Experience allows visitors to watch as they paint with their feet; a Penguin Encounter ticket also allows visitors to pet a penguin and take home a photo of it. The Penguin Playhouse, located on the lower level, is open-access for aquarium visitors, but you’ll need to book an additional reservation (at additional cost) for the up-close encounter that allows you to pet the penguins…