Instilling Wonder and Curiosity in Children and Adults alike…Especially on Hot Summer Days
I am a huge fan of going and doing and seeing all that Southern California has to offer – especially during summer vacation when our busy schedules are less restricted by school hours. I tend to look for new activities and experiences that teach something valuable on top of being fun for both the kids and I. The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California provides education and plenty of fun on hot summer days. I received tickets in exchange for this post, all opinions are my own.
Having Splishy, Splashy Fun Since 1998
Founded in June 1998, The Aquarium of the Pacific is Southern California’s largest aquarium featuring more than 11,000 animals in over 50 exhibits. Because it is such a fabulous place – the Aquarium of the Pacific is the fourth most attended aquarium in the nation. In fact each year more than 1.5 million people visit the Aquarium. Beyond its world class animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages from hands-on activities to lectures by leading scientists. That is a lot of splishy, splashy fun.
Celebrating the planet’s largest and most diverse body of water: the Pacific Ocean
The Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates the Pacific Ocean in it’s 19 major habitats and 32 focus habitats. There are exhibits to watch, exhibits to touch and exhibits to experience.
Exhibits to Watch
My kids are shy in public (not at home! not at all!) and they seem to clam up while out in large groups of people. So for them, “exhibits to watch” are the best. They like quietly standing and watching as the tropical fish in the Tropical Pacific exhibit swim by. The Otter exhibit was a big hit for them as well.
Exhibits to Touch
The touch pools located in the Shark Lagoon and throughout the entire aquarium are superb. If you like getting wet-hands-on experiences that is. I love snapping pics of the kids touching bat rays and black tipped sharks in the Sharks Lagoon. Their surprised and happy faces are worth memories.
Exhibits to Experience
I love the Lorikeet Forest. I love the brightly colored birds zipping past my head, close enough to make the wind move my hair. I love the smell in the air, the feeling of their claws on my skin…I just love it all. The day that we visited the aquarium the only kid that was brave enough to give the Lorikeets nectar was my 2 year old son. He tried so hard to feed them…
We visited The Aquarium of the Pacific on my son’s 2nd birthday, it was his special birthday treat. He loved it as most curious 2 year old do. This outing was actually our first as a family of 6 and it went quite easily since we were at a place that we all loved. That’s one great thing about The Aquarium of the Pacific – there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Get Up Close
The Aquarium of the Pacific allows up close and personal experiences with the exhibits. With it’s specially designed thick glassed tanks, the colorful fish swim right up to the glass lending themselves to a unique opportunity. My oldest had fun sitting up against the glass and watching the tropical fish leisurely swim by.
The Best Aquarium to Visit During the Summertime!
The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach California is the best place to visit during the summer time. The shark lagoon and Lorikeet forest are located outside. There is a little splash waterpark that my kids adore and it’s great for cooling off in on hot summer days. Since the aquarium is located in rainbow harbor you can even make a whole day out of your aquarium visit.
Tons of Picture Taking Opportunities
The Aquarium of the Pacific offers gorgeous picture taking opportunities around every corner. I had a ton of fun capturing candid moments of the kids. Here are my favorite Instagrams of the day:
The Aquarium of The Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone: (562) 590-3100
Hours: 9:00am – 6:00pm every day of the year
(except Christmas Day and during the Long Beach Grand Prix mid April)
For more information and to purchase tickets log on to The Aquarium of The Pacific
