America's 100 Must See Exhibits

[pachyderm pro]

27. Kelp Forest
Monterey Bay Aquarium, CA
Opened: 1984
Size: 335,000 Gallons (1.25 Million Liters)
Inhabitants: A variety of kelp forest inhabiting fish

At 28 feet tall and 65 feet long, this stunning tank was a revolutionary step forward for aquarium design. This was the first ever successful recreation of a living kelp forest ecosystem anywhere in the world. During the project's development, many were skeptical that the aquarium would be able to naturally grow kelp to its fullest potential. There was also doubt that an exhibit like this would even appeal to the general public in the first place, but both assumptions were proven to be very wrong. A variety of factors were accounted for to ensure giant kelp would thrive in these conditions. The top of the three story high tank is completely open which allows direct sunlight to illuminate the space and raw seawater is pumped into the tank straight from the bay itself. As a result, the kelp grows faster, larger and thicker than it would at other facilities. This multi-leveled display is truly mesmerizing and one of the most awe-inspiring aquarium tanks in the world even without any enormous fish as the stars. Even so, the stocklist is quite lively with leopard sharks being the most eye-catching, but also notable is the large school of northern anchovies among many other colorful basses, perches and chubs.

@TheoV

@TheoV

@TheoV

@Coelacanth18

Similar Exhibits: After the success of this exhibit, kelp forest tanks began popping up a numerous major aquariums and today they're a rather common display. The one that's most similar in design is the multi-leveled tank at the Aquarium of the Pacific which was clearly influenced by the Monterey Bay tank.

@Blackduiker

 

[15399]

27. Kelp Forest
Monterey Bay Aquarium, CA
Opened: 1984
Size: 335,000 Gallons (1.25 Million Liters)
Inhabitants: A variety of kelp forest inhabiting fish

At 28 feet tall and 65 feet long, this stunning tank was a revolutionary step forward for aquarium design. This was the first ever successful recreation of a living kelp forest ecosystem anywhere in the world. During the project's development, many were skeptical that the aquarium would be able to naturally grow kelp to its fullest potential. There was also doubt that an exhibit like this would even appeal to the general public in the first place, but both assumptions were proven to be very wrong. A variety of factors were accounted for to ensure giant kelp would thrive in these conditions. The top of the three story high tank is completely open which allows direct sunlight to illuminate the space and raw seawater is pumped into the tank straight from the bay itself. As a result, the kelp grows faster, larger and thicker than it would at other facilities. This multi-leveled display is truly mesmerizing and one of the most awe-inspiring aquarium tanks in the world even without any enormous fish as the stars. Even so, the stocklist is quite lively with leopard sharks being the most eye-catching, but also notable is the large school of northern anchovies among many other colorful basses, perches and chubs.

@TheoV

@TheoV

@TheoV

@Coelacanth18

Similar Exhibits: After the success of this exhibit, kelp forest tanks began popping up a numerous major aquariums and today they're a rather common display. The one that's most similar in design is the multi-leveled tank at the Aquarium of the Pacific which was clearly influenced by the Monterey Bay tank.

@Blackduiker

I'm glad we are finally getting some aquarium representation in this thread! This certainly seems like an impressive tank, even though it's not one I was previously familiar with. I know that Monterey Bay has a reputation as one of the country's leading aquariums, so it doesn't surprise me that it'd have an exhibit worthy of must-see status.

 

[PSO]

Oh I bet another Aquarium exhibit north of me will be on here......

 

[TZDugong]

27. Kelp Forest
Monterey Bay Aquarium, CA
Opened: 1984
Size: 335,000 Gallons (1.25 Million Liters)
Inhabitants: A variety of kelp forest inhabiting fish

At 28 feet tall and 65 feet long, this stunning tank was a revolutionary step forward for aquarium design. This was the first ever successful recreation of a living kelp forest ecosystem anywhere in the world. During the project's development, many were skeptical that the aquarium would be able to naturally grow kelp to its fullest potential. There was also doubt that an exhibit like this would even appeal to the general public in the first place, but both assumptions were proven to be very wrong. A variety of factors were accounted for to ensure giant kelp would thrive in these conditions. The top of the three story high tank is completely open which allows direct sunlight to illuminate the space and raw seawater is pumped into the tank straight from the bay itself. As a result, the kelp grows faster, larger and thicker than it would at other facilities. This multi-leveled display is truly mesmerizing and one of the most awe-inspiring aquarium tanks in the world even without any enormous fish as the stars. Even so, the stocklist is quite lively with leopard sharks being the most eye-catching, but also notable is the large school of northern anchovies among many other colorful basses, perches and chubs.

@TheoV

@TheoV

@TheoV

@Coelacanth18

Similar Exhibits: After the success of this exhibit, kelp forest tanks began popping up a numerous major aquariums and today they're a rather common display. The one that's most similar in design is the multi-leveled tank at the Aquarium of the Pacific which was clearly influenced by the Monterey Bay tank.

@Blackduiker

I don’t think there will be any debate about this exhibit’s inclusion.

Kelp Forest is one of my favourite Aquarium exhibits, and a place you could spend hours in front of watching all the different kinds of fish.

I’d also be surprised if this is Monterrey’s last inclusion in this thread, although I think this is pretty clearly the exhibit that best fits the criteria of “must-see”.

 

[Fallax]

I'm glad we are finally getting some aquarium representation in this thread! This certainly seems like an impressive tank, even though it's not one I was previously familiar with. I know that Monterey Bay has a reputation as one of the country's leading aquariums, so it doesn't surprise me that it'd have an exhibit worthy of must-see status.

That surprises me, to me this is the MBA exhibit and I immediately picture it when I think of the aquarium. I remember being mesmerised by it even before joining ZooChat!

 

[15399]

That surprises me, to me this is the MBA exhibit and I immediately picture it when I think of the aquarium. I remember being mesmerised by it even before joining ZooChat!

I'm not super knowledgeable about west coast facilities to begin with. The US is a very large country, and as someone who has lived his entire life in the Northeastern most Corner, I'm not super knowledgeable about facilities from the western coast, about as far from me as you can get in the continental US. Even San Diego I'm largely unfamiliar with, barring a few of their most famous exhibits. I'm much more familiar with the zoos of the east coast and midwest, either places I have visited or are much more realistic possibilities for future visits.

 

[Emanuel Theodorus]

Bare minimum I’d give Shedd the Pacific Northwest area. Probably also Amazon Rising, although I could see something like Mesker Park or the Smithsonian’s Amazon areas being deemed better due to their size / theming, respectively.

I thought Oceanarium is frankly quite an obvious choice.

 

[Emanuel Theodorus]

I'm glad we are finally getting some aquarium representation in this thread! This certainly seems like an impressive tank, even though it's not one I was previously familiar with. I know that Monterey Bay has a reputation as one of the country's leading aquariums, so it doesn't surprise me that it'd have an exhibit worthy of must-see status.

We technically already had the Seabird Aviary from Oregon Coast Aquarium here, and it's only a matter of time before this and Ocean Voyager from Georgia Aquarium gets a mention to be in the list. The Kelp Forest of Monterey Bay is pretty much THE kelp forest representation for every kelp exhibits out there.

 

[Aardwolf]

Even more so than in zoos, I feel like in aquariums the centerpiece, star attractions are often pretty similar - it's often that big, main tank with sand tiger sharks and sea turtles. Some are bigger than others, some have tunnels, some have a few other species in the mix, but yeah - pretty similar. It's very cool, especially if you've never been to a public aquarium before. If you've been to many, as I'm sure many of us have, it gets pretty repetitive.

The Kelp Forest is just such a great demonstration of an aquarium breaking that mold and daring to be different. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find many folks who would contest this entry onto the list!

 

[birdsandbats]

Bare minimum I’d give Shedd the Pacific Northwest area. Probably also Amazon Rising, although I could see something like Mesker Park or the Smithsonian’s Amazon areas being deemed better due to their size / theming, respectively.

I don't want to talk more about Shedd right now as I'd be shocked if it doesn't make this list later, but the Pacific Northwest is just about the only area I wouldn't put on a list like this.

 

[Fallax]

I'm not super knowledgeable about west coast facilities to begin with. The US is a very large country, and as someone who has lived his entire life in the Northeastern most Corner, I'm not super knowledgeable about facilities from the western coast, about as far from me as you can get in the continental US. Even San Diego I'm largely unfamiliar with, barring a few of their most famous exhibits. I'm much more familiar with the zoos of the east coast and midwest, either places I have visited or are much more realistic possibilities for future visits.

And I'm even further away...

 

[NAIB Volunteer]

27. Kelp Forest
Monterey Bay Aquarium, CA
Opened: 1984
Size: 335,000 Gallons (1.25 Million Liters)
Inhabitants: A variety of kelp forest inhabiting fish

At 28 feet tall and 65 feet long, this stunning tank was a revolutionary step forward for aquarium design. This was the first ever successful recreation of a living kelp forest ecosystem anywhere in the world. During the project's development, many were skeptical that the aquarium would be able to naturally grow kelp to its fullest potential. There was also doubt that an exhibit like this would even appeal to the general public in the first place, but both assumptions were proven to be very wrong. A variety of factors were accounted for to ensure giant kelp would thrive in these conditions. The top of the three story high tank is completely open which allows direct sunlight to illuminate the space and raw seawater is pumped into the tank straight from the bay itself. As a result, the kelp grows faster, larger and thicker than it would at other facilities. This multi-leveled display is truly mesmerizing and one of the most awe-inspiring aquarium tanks in the world even without any enormous fish as the stars. Even so, the stocklist is quite lively with leopard sharks being the most eye-catching, but also notable is the large school of northern anchovies among many other colorful basses, perches and chubs.

@TheoV

@TheoV

@TheoV

@Coelacanth18

Similar Exhibits: After the success of this exhibit, kelp forest tanks began popping up a numerous major aquariums and today they're a rather common display. The one that's most similar in design is the multi-leveled tank at the Aquarium of the Pacific which was clearly influenced by the Monterey Bay tank.

@Blackduiker

An excellent choice! As someone who has visited often and has had the privilege of diving in this amazing exhibit, it really is a testament to the outstanding scientists and exhibit designers which crafted a very unique ecosystem to such perfection. I had this exhibit on my bingo card, so I'm excited to see what other aquarium exhibits as well as a few personal favorite zoo exhibits continue to make the list.

 

[Gondwana]

27. Kelp Forest
Monterey Bay Aquarium, CA
Opened: 1984
Size: 335,000 Gallons (1.25 Million Liters)
Inhabitants: A variety of kelp forest inhabiting fish

At 28 feet tall and 65 feet long, this stunning tank was a revolutionary step forward for aquarium design. This was the first ever successful recreation of a living kelp forest ecosystem anywhere in the world. During the project's development, many were skeptical that the aquarium would be able to naturally grow kelp to its fullest potential. There was also doubt that an exhibit like this would even appeal to the general public in the first place, but both assumptions were proven to be very wrong. A variety of factors were accounted for to ensure giant kelp would thrive in these conditions. The top of the three story high tank is completely open which allows direct sunlight to illuminate the space and raw seawater is pumped into the tank straight from the bay itself. As a result, the kelp grows faster, larger and thicker than it would at other facilities. This multi-leveled display is truly mesmerizing and one of the most awe-inspiring aquarium tanks in the world even without any enormous fish as the stars. Even so, the stocklist is quite lively with leopard sharks being the most eye-catching, but also notable is the large school of northern anchovies among many other colorful basses, perches and chubs.

@TheoV

@TheoV

@TheoV

@Coelacanth18

Similar Exhibits: After the success of this exhibit, kelp forest tanks began popping up a numerous major aquariums and today they're a rather common display. The one that's most similar in design is the multi-leveled tank at the Aquarium of the Pacific which was clearly influenced by the Monterey Bay tank.

@Blackduiker

Great exhibit. The extreme depth, natural light and sway effect from the surge machine really set it apart from more typical kelp exhibits elsewhere.

Also a prime "zoo in the movies" exhibit, appearing as both itself and as the "humpback whale viewing area" in Star Trek IV.

 

[Great Argus]

27. Kelp Forest
Monterey Bay Aquarium, CA
Opened: 1984
Size: 335,000 Gallons (1.25 Million Liters)
Inhabitants: A variety of kelp forest inhabiting fish

At 28 feet tall and 65 feet long, this stunning tank was a revolutionary step forward for aquarium design. This was the first ever successful recreation of a living kelp forest ecosystem anywhere in the world. During the project's development, many were skeptical that the aquarium would be able to naturally grow kelp to its fullest potential. There was also doubt that an exhibit like this would even appeal to the general public in the first place, but both assumptions were proven to be very wrong. A variety of factors were accounted for to ensure giant kelp would thrive in these conditions. The top of the three story high tank is completely open which allows direct sunlight to illuminate the space and raw seawater is pumped into the tank straight from the bay itself. As a result, the kelp grows faster, larger and thicker than it would at other facilities. This multi-leveled display is truly mesmerizing and one of the most awe-inspiring aquarium tanks in the world even without any enormous fish as the stars. Even so, the stocklist is quite lively with leopard sharks being the most eye-catching, but also notable is the large school of northern anchovies among many other colorful basses, perches and chubs.

@TheoV

@TheoV

@TheoV

@Coelacanth18

Similar Exhibits: After the success of this exhibit, kelp forest tanks began popping up a numerous major aquariums and today they're a rather common display. The one that's most similar in design is the multi-leveled tank at the Aquarium of the Pacific which was clearly influenced by the Monterey Bay tank.

@Blackduiker

A splendid exhibit indeed, and one that is impressively tall when standing on the bottom floor. Supposedly there is a little known but public accessible viewing area on the roof, looking down at the surface as well. One of my favorite exhibits that I've seen and one I expected to see here at some point.

Also this exhibit has a live webcam - https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams/kelp-forest-cam

 

[Jurek7]

27. Kelp Forest
Monterey Bay Aquarium, CA

I was surprised that it is so flat, with just one line of kelp. I imagined it to extend further back.

 

[TinoPup]

Regarding your Polar Bear exhibit examples though, I have some disagreement in that aspect. For example, let's take Louisville's Glacier Run, Columbus's Polar Frontier, and Detroit's Arctic Ring of Life. They all house the same animal, that being the polar bear. However, lumping them all on the same spot clearly doesn't do any of them justice, because while they house the same animal, they are completely different in architecture, design, and experience. Columbus allows you to view the bears in a beautiful underwater viewing fashion that you cant find on any other zoos, Louisville brought the experiemce of living in an Arctic village expedition for seeing the polar bears. While Detroit brings the arctic snow life that we all know polar bear lives in, with an impressive predator prey viewing of the neighboring seals as well. You can easily see why they really stand out, and it's all about the presentation. Can you find this kind of stuff in other zoos? If you can, how do you make it stand among the rest?

Louisville has multiple underwater viewing windows for the polar bears. Pittsburgh has an underwater tunnel for theirs.

 

[Great Argus]

I was surprised that it is so flat, with just one line of kelp. I imagined it to extend further back.

It is a fair bit wider than it appears in the photos, but width is the shortest span. It is an oddly shaped tank to begin with, I believe to help replicate the conditions necessary for growing the kelp.

 

[pachyderm pro]

28. River’s Edge
Saint Louis Zoo, MO
Opened: 1999 (Phase 1), 2001 (Phase 2), 2002 (Phase 3) and 2014 (Phase 4)
Size: 10 Acres (4 Hectares)
Inhabitants: Asian Elephant, Black Rhino, Nile Hippo, African Painted Dog, Cheetah, Spotted Hyena, Andean Bear, Sun Bear, Red River Hog, Giant Anteater, Capybara, Dwarf Mongoose, various birds and Missouri native fish.

If there’s one category where American zoos are far ahead of their European counterparts, it’s immersion complexes. Exhibits of such a large caliber come few and far between nowadays and similarly few are more comprehensive and naturalistic than River's Edge. The complex focuses on species that are found in and around river ecosystems across South America, Africa, Asia and North America in that order. With this unique premise, many charismatic species are highlighted including some that the zoo is a leader in breeding, notably cheetah. Larger megafauna kept here include species that are of interest to both the general public and zoo nerds alike. There’s only a handful of enclosures for each section and many of them aren't particularly large, but are superbly landscaped and incredibly lush. Even though they are all around 20 years of age, minus the enclosures for painted dogs and tropical bears which were added much later, the exhibits here are absolutely phenomenal. Any sort of industrial components are completely obscured by the vegetation that engulfs the environment. The most impressive series of enclosures are the heavily forested Asian elephant habitats, which feature simulated riverbanks, protected trees and multiple water features for a large herd. While public indoor housing for the larger inhabitants would help keep this area lively in the winter months, its omission is understandable as it would have come at the cost of the immersive atmosphere. The only glaring flaw with the exhibit is one that is easily fixable, which is the signage that is so incredibly minimal that it’s virtually non-existent. While being heavily focused on large mammals, the exhibit subverts expectations by ending with a surprising, yet truly captivating display: a large cave containing a beautifully done tank for indigenous fish species.

@Moebelle

@pachyderm pro

@pachyderm pro

@pachyderm pro

@Moebelle

@pachyderm pro

@Moebelle

@Moebelle

Similar Exhibits: None

 

[Batto]

If there’s one category where American zoos are far ahead of their European counterparts, it’s immersion complexes

*Ahem*...Maybe you should take another look at some of the exhibits mentioned here

 

[pachyderm pro]

*Ahem*...Maybe you should take another look at some of the exhibits mentioned here

Believe me, I've taken plenty of looks at that thread over the last year . Europe is definitely ahead when it comes to immersive indoor biomes I won't deny that, but there are far more elaborate outdoor immersion complexes in the US. The only exhibits featured on that list that fit the bill of what I'm describing are Islands at Chester and a few exhibits from Zurich and Pairi Daiza - and the exhibits from the latter aren't exactly must-see for their enclosure quality.