Aquarium of the Pacific

• Hours: Open every day except December 25
• Reservations: Not required, except for special activities
• Cost: Entrance fees charged - check current prices
• Location: Downtown Long Beach, directions below
• How Long: Allow a couple of hours - more if you do a special activity
• Best Time to Visit: Go early on weekends and after 2:00 p.m. on weekdays during the school year

Very few people realize that the Aquarium of the Pacific is the fourth-largest aquarium in the United States. Considering that they were founded in 1998, it's an admirable achievement - and it doesn't stop with size. The Aquarium of the Pacific is home to over 11,000 animals and besides all the goings-on inside, they also sponsor harbor tours and sea life cruises in the ocean just outside their back door.

A general admission ticket gets you in the front door, where you can view exhibits, watch the animals being fed, see a film or check out a few of their great touch pools - where you can touch jellyfish (the non-stinging kind), sea cucumbers, bat rays and lots of other sea creatures.

Tours and special activities as of mid-2011 include a one-hour behind-the-scenes tour that shows you what happens at feeding time, animal encounters with sea otters, seal and sea lions or sharks - or feed a bat ray. And if you're a certified diver, you can even go into an aquarium exhibit. All them come with an extra fee, of course.

Aquarium of the Pacific Tips

• You don't have to stand in line inside for parking validation - just show your ticket when you leave the parking garage
• It's like getting a free tour guide. You can download gallery tours for your mp3 player or smart phone.
• If you have a smart phone, download their visitor app before you leave home to get a map, species identifier and daily schedule to carry along. It's the environmentally friendly way to visit.
• The aquarium has a small cafe, but you may want to bring a picnic and have it outside instead.
• If anyone if going to be touching the sea creatures, bring hand sanitizer to tidy up the afterward and something to dry off with. The salt water is drying to the skin, so a bit of lotion might be good, but don't feed it to the animals - put it on after you're done.

Aquarium of the Pacific Discounts and Coupons

• AAA members can get a discount at the aquarium ticket window, local grocery stores sometimes sell discounted tickets and members of some groups can get in for a lower (or no) cost. Check for current discount offers.
• Members-only Goldstar sometimes has discount tickets - and membership is free.
• If you're also going to the Los Angeles Zoo within the same year, you can buy a combo ticket that saves 15% or more.
• You may be able to get discounted tickets through Goldstar.
• If you're visiting several other attractions, the Go Los Angeles Card can be a big money-saver. Use this handy guide to find out all you need to know about it.
• And if you're visiting the Queen Mary, there's a package for that, too - and a free shuttle that travels between the two attractions.
• Here's a way to save money and avoid the crowds at the same time. On summer Sunday evenings, the aquarium stays open later than usual and if you go late enough, everyone gets in for the kids' admission.

Aquarium of the Pacific With Kids

You'll find a ton of things for kids to do at the Aquarium of the Pacific and they seem to have more touching pools than any similar facility in the state.

If your kid really loves animals, an animal encounter might be just the thing for a special occasion. Participants must be at least 10 years old and accompanied by an an adult if they're under 16. Check their website for specifics that may include include minimum heights and what to wear.

Aquarium of the Pacific Review

We rate Aquarium of the Pacific 4 stars out of 5 for all the great activities they offer.

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Where is the Aquarium of the Pacific Located?

Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA
562-590-3100
Aquarium of the Pacific website

The Aquarium of the Pacific is on the waterfront in Downtown Long Beach. Get detailed directions here. You'll find a parking structure for the Aquarium on the water side of Shoreline Drive between Chestnut Place and Aquarium Way. You get a discount on parking if you show your aquarium ticket on the way out of the garage.

You can also get there by public transportation. Find out more.

^{As is common in the travel industry, the writer received complimentary admission to the Aquarium of the Pacific. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.}