Must-See Aquariums in the United States – Part 1 – West Coast

04/17/2024

NOT TO BE MISSED   the aquariums of the West Coast 

The aquariums in the United States are among the most beautiful in the world. Locations like Monterey, Boston, and Seattle offer unique opportunities to get close to marine wildlife to appreciate the beauty of the ocean floors and, at the same time, learn something about their protection, promoting environmental awareness.

Visiting an aquarium is an unforgettable and educational experience, a must for anyone who loves underwater nature. Here are some of the best West Coast aquariums in the United States that should be on every sea lover's travel list.

The most spectacular aquariums in the United States  - West Coast

• 1) Alaska Sea Life Center This is a 10,700 square meter facility, located in Seward, on Resurrection Bay. The center started as a non-profit organization committed to rescuing marine animals in the region, combined with one of the most beautiful aquariums in the United States.
  
  Visitors can meet various marine species up close, including octopuses, puffins, porpoises, and sea lions. Besides displaying animals to the public and spreading knowledge, the center's members are engaged in scientific research, organizing events like the Seward Marine Science Symposium. Indeed, a must-visit place for lovers of underwater nature and scientific research in Alaska.

• 2) Seattle Aquarium (Washington) Located at Pier 59 in Seattle, the aquarium is renowned for its beauty and the chance to explore the marine life of the Pacific Northwest. It offers hands-on and engaging experiences, like the “Puget Sound” in a particularly beautiful architectural structure, reminiscent of artist Antoni Gaudí's creations.
  
  It hosts a wide variety of marine species, including manta rays and the fascinating leopard shark, which can be freely admired or through guided tours and shows. The facility promotes shark recovery through the ReShark project and honors the traditions of the Coast Salish people, whose existence has contributed to the stewardship of local waters.

• 3) Oregon Coast Aquarium The aquarium, located along Yaquina Bay, is a vast public exhibition facility dedicated to marine studies and environmental education. Here, visitors can admire a wide range of species native to the Oregon coast, but also support them by adopting an animal or volunteering.
  
  The reason this aquarium in the United States is so renowned is its activities; guests can witness animal feedings and even interact with jellyfish by touching them, hugging sea urchins, and receiving splashes from puffins: all unforgettable experiences.

• 4) Monterey Bay Aquarium (California) It is one of the most visited aquariums in the United States, with an average of 1.8 million visitors a year. Truly spectacular, the facility houses a wide variety of marine species, including otters, penguins, and jellyfish, and has been committed to ocean conservation for over 40 years.
  
  Among its most famous attractions are a large live kelp forest, a truly breathtaking spectacle, and the wide variety of observable shark species, including the blacktip reef shark, the leopard shark, the hammerhead shark, and manta rays.

AQUARIUMS IN THE US: THE MAP

FOR THE EAST COAST AQUARIUMS

Follow us to discover the most important aquariums not to be missed if you're visiting the East Coast of the United States. These are unmissable destinations for anyone with an interest in the underwater world, with its exuberant vitality and the immense variety of species (many of which are still undiscovered) that populate it.

Alaska Sea Life Center - Oregon Coast Aquarium - Seattle Aquarium
WEST COAST AQUARIUMS - PHOTO GALLERY 

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CALIFORNIA COAST

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