Please vote and explain why you choose that aquarium.
Number 1 Aquarium in the United States Poll
- Thread starter NAIB Volunteer
- Start date
elephantking
Well-Known Member
the national aquarium in baltimore is the best because it has great exhibit quality and a collection that is more than just fish
I've visited all 5 of the aquariums in the past 2 years, and while I feel that they are all excellent my order would go: Shedd, Georgia, Monterey Bay, Baltimore and Tennessee. The 6 million gallon whale shark tank at Georgia is the single best aquarium exhibit in America, but in terms of species, exhibits and overall presentation my vote goes to Shedd.
KCZooFan
Well-Known Member
Having only been to Tennessee and Baltimore, I had to choose Tennessee. It was a very tough decision, but the layout of Tennessee was great, as well as its freshwater focus. I enjoyed the dolphins, the Australia exhibit, and the stingray exhibit at Baltimore, but everything else was pretty average. Also, the rainforest in Tennessee is better than Baltimore’s because of the otters. But, Baltimore is still an outstanding aquarium.
team tapir
Well-Known Member
We voted for Shedd based on a huge variety of species and great exhibit quality.Another thing about Shedd that separates it from the others is its nostalgia its a very old school facility yet still world class
Team Tapir
Team Tapir
I voted Georgia only since I seen it in person and the Ocean Voyager exhibit is quite astounding.
I voted for Monterey because it is the single most un-compromised, mission-focused organization in the zoo/aquarium world. No glitzy theme-park "food courts" and cheesy lowest-common-denominator graphics (ala Georgia), no large marine mammals in (relatively) small pools (Shedd, Georgia, Baltimore), 100% fantastic exhibits, excellent use of technology for interpretation, great food and commitment to sustainable seafood, nationally-recognized conservation and education programs (Seafood Watch), beautiful integration with its setting (the Bay and the Wharf) and the single most spiritually-inspiring exhibit I've ever seen in an aquarium, even at 26+ years old: the Kelp Forest.
Shedd and NAIB are uniformly excellent, and Georgia unquestionably has a number of spectacular highlights, but for pure institutional quality (exhibits, programs, conservation impact, architecture, communications, people) Monterey is number 1.
Shedd and NAIB are uniformly excellent, and Georgia unquestionably has a number of spectacular highlights, but for pure institutional quality (exhibits, programs, conservation impact, architecture, communications, people) Monterey is number 1.
Ditto what reduakari said.
hadrada
Well-Known Member
Tennessee for me,ive only been to one other on the list,Georgia and apart from seeing Belugas & Whale Sharks didnt hold my[or my wife's] interest for more than an hour & a half max unless you pay extra to see the the other 3 or 4 attractions,we managed to get half price for our visit...not interested in returning anytime soon.
Tennessee on the other hand has more variety,without the need to add the other attractions,great examples of different river systems,the otters are great to watch[i would suggest 2-3pm to see them really active],if you are a big turtle fan like i am then you will not be dissapointed..we have spent about 2-3 hours there,but of course it depends on what your interested in.
Tennessee on the other hand has more variety,without the need to add the other attractions,great examples of different river systems,the otters are great to watch[i would suggest 2-3pm to see them really active],if you are a big turtle fan like i am then you will not be dissapointed..we have spent about 2-3 hours there,but of course it depends on what your interested in.
sugarapple
Member
Ditto what reduakari said as well. I have been to all the aquariums on the list except Tennessee and some multiple times over the years. There is a book published by Monterey's first curator David Powell and gives a lot of great and interesting insight into the development of many of the exhibits at the aquarium. Practically every single exhibit at Monterey has mixed taxa as well vs. many aquariums that may have interesting fiberglass backgrounds but rather sterile exhibits of fish or invertebrates only, at Monterey you feel like you are looking at a slice of the ocean. They have also had so many firsts in the modern aquarium age...Georgia may have whale sharks but it wasn't a first.
Dito, although I haven't been in Baltimore.
I've never been to any of these, In fact I've never been to america, so my vote goes to Monterrey bay purely due to pictures. Of course If I'm lucky enough to visit each of these aquariums, my vote may be different.
epickoala123
epickoala123
WhiteTiger
Active Member
I've been to all of these and while they are all stellar institutions, Georgia is absolutely best to me, due to the one of a kind opportunities they offer. Once you go snorkeling and scuba diving with the 4 whale sharks, 4 manta rays, and thousands of other fish in the Ocean Voyager exhibit, it really is breathtaking and one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Ditto with spending time with Beethoven, the adult male beluga whale. I recommend these programs to anyone who's not afraid of water. Last time I went I even got "whale shark scuba certified", where I got to learn how they care for the whale sharks and spend extra time in the water with them, along with earning a shark specialist certification. They also offer one for manta rays too, which I plan to do one day. Amazing experience, and it's the only place in the world you can do that.
Shedd Aquarium: Beautiful old architecture with little design elements hidden all over the place. Modern exhibits. For a mammal lover like me they have Pacific white sided dolphin, beluga whale, sea lion, river otter, and sea otter. It also holds a special place in my heart since I was able to touch a beluga whale there.