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Downtown Aquarium
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age KidsPre-Teens & Teens
Science & Nature Museum
Amusement Park
Downtown Aquarium Description
Kids can be forgiven for forgetting the "fish" part of the aquarium -- they'll probably have a hard time making it past the Ferris wheel and miniature train in the front yard. Still, it's worth a trip inside to see the thousands of fish on display. Colorful and inviting, the exhibits submerge you in the underwater theme, with the lobby decked out like a vintage sea vessel (complete with sound effects) and tank rooms dressed like a submerged shipwreck. There's even a Maharaja's palace with stunning white tigers. In short, it's definitely not your average fish tank.
Kid Tips
Toddlers & Pre-K: The outdoor Big Squirt dancing water plaza is a magnet for this age, especially on a hot day. Bring a swimsuit or a change of clothes.
School-Age Kids: Kids will no doubt want to stay a while in the Discover Wing, where they can touch stingrays, two varieties of sharks, horseshoe crabs, and swordfish.
Planning Notes
- Go for the all-day pass. There are two ways to pay: $10 or so for the exhibits plus $3-5 for the rides or an all-day pass for about $16 that includes everything, including unlimited rides.
- Education and fun. The facility offers several additional programs, like Zoologist for a Day and Mommy and Me mornings. All require an extra fee. Call ahead for schedules.
Just the Facts
Hours: Sun.-Thu. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Fees: $10-$20
Recommended Time: 2 to 4 hours
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