Every year, millions of us come face-to-face with stingrays, squid, and sharks -- and we do it without ever leaving dry land. Aquariums are much more than just over-sized fish tanks, offering a wonderful opportunity for us to discover an underwater world and view aquatic creatures up close.
It's not surprising that the best aquariums also tend to be the most kid-friendly, providing a fun environment that fosters discovery through hands-on exhibits to spark interest and kindle a life-long appreciation for conservation. Here are seven of America's best aquariums for families:
--Dave Parfitt of Adventures by Daddy contributed this to MiniTime.com
7 Amazing American Aquariums for Families
Georgia Aquarium: Atlanta(01 of07)
Shedd Aquarium: Chicago(02 of07)
(credit:Flickr:Serge Melki)
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas: New Orleans(03 of07)
(credit:Flickr:Kiawah Confectionery)
Monterey Bay Aquarium: Monterey(04 of07)
(credit:Flickr:Mike Weston)
National Aquarium: Baltimore(05 of07)
(credit:Flickr:chrisbb@prodigy.net)
New England Aquarium: Boston(06 of07)
(credit:Flickr:angela n.)
SeaWorld: Orlando, San Diego, San Antonio(07 of07)
(credit:AP)