The LA area is fortunate to have multiple aquariums and marine centers, including Santa Monica Pier's Heal the Bay Aquarium, San Pedro's Cabrillo Marine Aquarium,  the Manhattan Beach Roundhouse Aquarium, Dana Point's Ocean Institute, and the Marine Mammal Care Center for injured sea lions and seals. Every one of these is worth a visit and does key work supporting life in the Pacific. But they'd all tell you that the Aquarium of the Pacific is a "must-sea" destination, and one of the best aquariums in the country.

Fishy Friends at the Aquarium 

It shouldn't come as a surprise that the Aquarium of the Pacific is packed with... fish! In fact, there are more than 100 exhibits, including 19 major habitats. Towering tanks immerse you in the ocean, allowing you to get a glimpse of the magical world under the sea. The Aquarium of the Pacific has an excessive variety of fish, from the most colorful, to the biggest. to the tiniiest. Peek at an eel lurking in the stony coral, or marvel at a ray gliding by. There is a stunning two-story tank that greets visitors as they enter the aquariumi. It s stocked with sharks, colorful schools of fish, and even endangered sea bass. Sometimes, a friendly diver lectures on different species from inside the tank, and at Christmastime, a Santa diver often pays a visit. 

Want to get a glimpse? One of the aquarium's tropical fish tanks is available on YouTube livestream, as well as the Coral Predators tank, with eye-catching parrotfish. 

Interactive Exhibits my Kids Love 

Shark Lagoon Touch Tanks

One of the trickiest parts of taking kids to museums and attractions is those large and inflexible signs everywhere that say "do not touch." But at the Aquarium of the Pacific, there are plenty of opportunities for kids to plunge their hands in the chilly water and feel a shark, ray, or jelly. Outside, the aquarium has two giant touch tanks. Supervisors sit in the center of the exhibits, answering questions, offering facts, and enforcing the rules. The sand sharks, rays, and horseshoe crabs often glide surprisingly close to the surface of the water. My kids were thrilled each time they would feel the creatures- what a fun experience! 

Moon Jelly Touch Tank

Towards the museum exit a moon jelly tank is also open for touching. I had to drag my kids away from this one- something about the squishy, jelly-like orbs was all too addicting. And yes, in case you're wondering, the jellies can sting. But no, it doesn't hurt or leave any sort of mark. The staff encourage visitors to only touch the tops.

Tide Pool Touch Tanks

Want more tactile experiences? Inside the aquarium there are smaller touch tanks with tide pool critters such as sea cucumbers, sea stars, and anenomes. 

Create a Fish Tablet Experience

In a different vein of interactive- the "design your own sea creature" ipads in two different indoor exhibits were my kids'  undisputed favorite part of the aquarium. These new additions allow kids to virtually color a fish or another sea creature, and then watch it pop up in a virtual fish tank on a large screen. I know, it doesn't sound as incredible as waving at a sea lion or gazing into a coral reef- but for little kids with lots of creativity to offer, it was the highlight of the trip. They thrilled every time one of their bizarre oceanic creations swam into view. 

The Aquarium's Newest Exhibit: Frogs! 

Frogs are fascinating little creatures, and the aquarium's newest exhibit highlights these colorful amphibians. Poison dart frogs, newts, toads, and more wait to be discovered. This exhibit holds a story of how frogs are navigating a changing world, and what we can do to preserve these unique species from extinction through conservation. Visitors can get up close with some of the most poisonous (and similtaneously cute- what a combination) creatures on the planet. 

Outside Fun 

Play Structures

If your kids are getting wiggly from all the observing, take them outside to play on the climbing structures. There's a little yellow lifeboat, and some sneaky sea creatures that may spit water (you may want to bring an extra change of clothes- the kids can get pretty wet!) 

Sharks and Sea Lions

To the left of the touch tanks is shark lagoon, home to predatory sharks who glide by a giant window and show their razor sharp teeth. To the right of the touch tanks are the sea lions and seals, beloved and friendly little guys that love to pop up and greet visitors with a bark. Beyond being incredibly, ridiculously, irresistibly cute, these critters might just surprise you with how they connect with their land mammal visitors. In fact, we were witness to something quite extraordinary the day of our visit: Chase the Sea Lion playing with his best friend, a young girl who visits him weekly.

Penguins

Guess what else is outside? Penguins! They do have a distinct smell- make sure to hold your nose if you're sensitive to strong odors, but these little guys waddle, splash and play all day long, and if you watch long enough you start to see their unique little personalities come out. 

Lorikeets - A Can't Miss Experience at the Museum 

These pudgy, brightly-colored little birds are one of the highlights of the Aquarium of the Pacific. A large aviary holds hundreds of these little feathered friends, and they're exceptionally friendly. For a few dollars, you can buy Lorikeet food, which entices the birds to come closer, and maybe even land on your arm or shoulder (or head- it's happened to me!). Keep in mind that like all birds, lorikeets use the bathroom whenever they please- and on whomever they please. I have left this exhibit before with a "gift" on my clothes. 

My Favorite Exhibit: The Otters

I'm biased- anything fluffy, cute, and playful gets my attention. Otters check all the boxes, and the otters at the Aquarium of the Pacific are just insanely adorable. I could sit on the risers that face the exhibit and watch them all day. Workers do daily presentations and feedings so you can see them in action. The otters are shockingly smart- trainers often let the otters perform tricks based on their natural inclinations and abilities for eager onlookers. 

Special Programs at the Aquarium

Kids who love the aquarium will be delighted to know that they can attend summer camp or take a variety of classes there, with topics that target kids from toddler to teen. There are even classes in Spanish. Other family favorites include holiday and cultural festivals (the Halloween Scarium of the Pacific event is a popular one), homeschooling days, and special after-hours family autism evenings. The aquarium also runs some of the best whale watching excursions in the Southland, with naturalists on board every cruise conducting research and sharing insights. 

Want to add some free fun to your aquarium day? There is often a scavenger hunt available for kids to participate in. Right now, visitors who collect all eight embosser animals on their visitor guide maps can take the completed map to the front desk for a surprise. 

The aquarium also offers several unique behind-the-scenes opportunities for encounters with some of these animals. If meeting a penguin face to face is on your bucket list, you can cross that item off by arranging a special encounter in advance on the Aquarium website. 

The Aquarium's Conservation Projects

More than just a cute face, some exhibits make an impact on kids about protecting the environment, highlight the many things the aquarium does to make a difference in the world. Some of these effort support endangered species; endangered animals in the breeding program include giant sea bass, abalone, sharks, and Magellanic penguins. The aquarium also participates in rehab programs for injured animals, from turtles to frogs to otters.

The facility's efforts to help replenish the world's coral reefs are also impressive. We learned that researchers are growing coral in the aquarium on tiles, which are then lodged back into living coral reefs in the Pacific, to help fill them in.

Parking

Parking at the Aquarium of the Pacific is easy; there is a spacious lot adjacent to the aquarium that charges $8 per day with validation. Street parking in the immediate area isn't so easy to find, so the all-day deal is the simplest approach with kids.

Food Options 

As far as food options at the aquarium, the outdoor Bamboo Bistro offers pizza, hot dogs, and cold beverages. There is also a causal little snack counter called the Blue Whale Cafe inside the aquarium in the center of the foyer. When our crew got hungry, we took a break here in view of the largest tank to enjoy a few soft pretzels, water bottles, and bags of chips (there's coffee available too, for tired parents). If you're looking for more of a meal (or a healthier bite), try getting a table at Cafe Scuba, where you can enjoy lunch with a view of the sea lions.

The Aquarium is walking distance from The Pink Outlets and Shoreline Village- two of Long Beach's best dining and shopping destinations. We often walk over to Bubba Gump's or Islands Burgers after our visit for a hearty dinnner. 

Caring for Little Guppies at the Aquarium 

Strollers are welcome at the aquarium, though there are times that we left ours outside of an exhibit. When the aquarium is crowded, it can be tricky to navigate with a bulky stollers in tow. The aquarium provides changing tables in the bathrooms. Next to the women's restrooms downstairs, there is a baby care center. If you are bringing toddlers or babies to the aquarium, I suggest coming on a weekday morning, when there aren't as many visitors. The outdoor exhibits are exceptionally toddler-friendly- my littlest loves climbing around on the play equipment and getting her wiggles out. All exhibits are also wheelchair accessible and wheelchairs are available to rent on-site. 

All photos by author Kylie Williams