SEA LIFE® Minnesota Aquarium

Technically in Bloomington—though with public transit direct from the Twin Cities—the SEA LIFE® Minnesota Aquarium has delighted adults and children since 1996. Inside the massive facility (the state’s largest aquarium), visitors will discover saltwater and freshwater habitats, with creatures from stingrays and octopuses to sharks, turtles, seahorses, and jellyfish. They’ll also experience a touch pool full of friendly rays, spot wildlife inside a rockpool and coral caves, attend aquarium-keeper talks, and even explore a rainforest exhibit, where piranhas and poison dart frogs hide in the shallow waters.

• Multiple ticketing options include “behind-the-scenes” and virtual reality experiences.

• The aquarium is both wheelchair- and stroller-accessible.

• Sensory bags with a feeling thermometer, fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones, and more are available at the guest service desk for checkout.

• Turtle, ray, and shark talks are typically given daily—ask about the schedule to catch a free show.

The Mall of America is well-connected: From downtown Minneapolis, the METRO Blue Line runs right here (yes, there’s a metro station at the mall itself). There’s also free parking—the East Ramp is the closest option, connecting to the East Entrance by skyway and from the street. Otherwise, you could also take a taxi or rideshare, like Uber or Lyft.

SEA LIFE® Minnesota Aquarium is typically open every day of the week, though hours shift on major holidays. This place can get pretty packed, so if you’d like more elbow room, come on a weekday or early morning. Coming near closing time can be fun, too.

The aquarium’s underwater tunnel—the most popular exhibit—is the length of a football field. A slow-moving conveyor belt takes you along, but as long as the crowds allow it, you’re welcome (and able) to move at your own pace. With 360-degree viewing, you’re bound to spot some fabulous creatures, like the aquarium’s three rescued sea turtles, as they float overhead.