Sarasota, Florida
If you’re planning a trip to Sarasota, Florida, there’s one spot you can’t miss: the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. This incredible destination is more than just a place to see marine life—it’s a hands-on journey into the wonders of our oceans. When you’re looking for a unique things to do in Sarasota, head on over because Mote has something for everyone.
Let me show you around
Charleston, South Carolina
Nestled along the picturesque Charleston Harbor, the South Carolina Aquarium stands as a beacon of marine conservation, education, and awe-inspiring exploration. With its diverse array of habitats and captivating exhibits, the aquarium offers visitors a unique opportunity to understand the delicate balance of our marine ecosystems. From the vibrant colors of tropical reefs to the serene beauty of coastal marshes, each step within the aquarium’s walls invites an appreciation for the world beneath the waves.
Your first stop is to get close to these adorable stingrays. At this tank you can gently pet these beautiful creatures.
Bald Eagle
Otters (Look at that face!)
Gar
Myrtle Beach, SC
Nestled along the vibrant Grand Strand, this iconic attraction invites visitors to dive into the depths of the ocean. From the enchanting glow of bioluminescent creatures to the graceful dance of majestic sharks, Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach promises an unforgettable exploration of marine life.
Our favorite part was the tunnel. I love that you could either walk through, or stand on the rotating walkway. It was the perfect speed to get some wonderful pictures of the marine life floating above you.
You can see sharks, stingrays, interesting fish,
and even sawfish!
(Boston, Massachusetts)
As soon as you walk through the doors of the New England Aquarium, you leave the busy streets of Boston and are transported to a world under the sea. Beneath the dim lights you are surrounded by the calls of penguins and the shadows of the large fish swimming in the center tank.
Our favorite animals live outside of the aquarium and even if you choose not to go in, take some time to visit with the adorable Atlantic harbor seals. They are seriously the cutest little guys and they are so curious that they come right up to the tank to peek at you. Look at this sweet face!
My girls are big fans of Hope and Winter, the dolphins portrayed in the movies Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2. Winter is a great role model of strength and determination. If you don’t know their story, Winter was 3 years old when her tail became entangled in a crab trap line that cut off the circulation of her tail flukes. She was brought to Clearwater Marine Aquarium and, with the help of the staff, was given a prosthetic tail and fluke and relearned how to swim. Unlike a typical aquarium, Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a working animal hospital and marine life rescue center.
We started our day with a tour of the aquarium with Julia, who was knowledgeable of all the animals and answered all our questions. What struck me most was how committed the staff is to the well-being of all of the animals brought here. They were all quick to answer questions my girls had and if you were looking at an exhibit they would come over and give you facts about the animals like what led them to need help. It was a welcoming environment and we walked away with tons of knowledge about marine animals. The girls couldn’t stop telling my husband all about it over dinner.
The Florida Aquarium is a fun way to spend a few hours while visiting Tampa, Florida. There is so much to explore within the aquarium as well as additional tours and experiences. Let’s take a tour of the aquarium as I tell you about our fun day. With over 200,000 sea creatures this is only a glimpse.
It is hard to imagine going to Mystic, Connecticut without a visit to the Mystic Aquarium. It is an amazing place to see sea creatures in indoor and outdoor exhibits. There are many hands-on activities that will keep you entertained for hours. You could also take in a sea lion show, watch feedings, or experience a 4-D movie.