Monterey Aquarium

Why the Monterey Aquarium is special
Of all the world's major aquariums, this one in California is the most successful at being simultaneously very educational and interesting.

Monterey Aquarium tips and insights
Must-sees
There are two dozen significant indoor and outdoor exhibits, habitats and galleries. The most popular include:

• Kelp Forest
  This glass-fronted three-story affair has a multitude of fish swimming around towering kelp (see photo). If possible, be there at feeding time when divers hand-feed the denizens.
• Open Sea Galleries
  It boasts the world's largest Plexiglas viewing window, allowing you to see up close a slew of large-fish species in a single glance.
• Sea Otters
  Observe energetic, fun-loving sea otters as they dash about in and out of the water.
• Tidal Pool
  It teems with natural inhabitants including crabs, anemones and sea stars.
• Ocean's Edge
  See a giant octopus and walk through a special wave-crash tunnel.

Non-permanent presentations can also be stimulating.

Size
This Monterey Aquarium is large, and so are many of its exhibits.

Presentation
The organization does a fine job recreating natural habitats, as opposed to using standard fish tank style presentations normally used in public aquariums.

History of the building complex
It is a former fish-processing factory located in the historic Cannery Row.

Family favorite
A visit to the Monterey Aquarium will please both adults and children. There are exciting touch-the-sea-life opportunities.

Visitor count
The Monterey Aquarium attracts over two million visitors per year.

Location in America