Monterey Bay Aquarium, California, United States

5mylesdolphin 5:00 PM Sep 18, 2022

Best aquarium visit I've ever been to
I can't add too much more than what people have already shared - the Aquarium is an absolute must-see if you're in the area. Budget 2 to 4 hours if you can, there is so much to see - there are sporadic feedings as well (not the penguins, tho, that's on hiatus). The otter feeding was especially fun but get there early, people really cram next to each other on that second level and if you're short you won't see much. Thankfully there are monitors that you can look at for a better view! The Aquarium has a great cafe, gift shop and even a historic part that talks about Cannery Row. My wife and I really enjoyed our afternoon there. There is a real emphasis on sustainability, too, and keeping our oceans and waterways clean, which I liked.

4TravelFun_seekerz 5:00 PM Feb 20, 2023

Great family trip to the Monterey Aquarium
Love this place! Sure there's enough to complain about but we're lucky to have such a great experience available. Get the complaints out of the way. Yeah, it's kinda expensive. Can be really crowded. The constant game of bumper-strollers is annoying. Some of the stuff is once in a lifetime to see yet the kids complain of being bored after a couple hours... but it is what it is. Positives, it's just a really special place to see. I appreciate their focus on sustainability; the Seafood Watch cards are educational and convenient. The tanks are amazing. I could sit and stare at the deep water tank all day long. The docents are all very helpful and eager to answer any questions. The folks doing the presentations at feedings are very enthusiastic and engaging for the kids. For the cost you want to get in all you can see before the kids get whiney. Plan ahead. Arrive at opening and then move around with the Daily Schedule. We caught the otter feeding at 10:30. Kids loved how the otters come right up to the glass. Made our way over to the Deep Sea feeding at 11:00 and that was my favorite. It's amazing to watch the giant swarm of sardines swimming around and feeding as a group. Highly recommend. The kelp feeding was pretty cool, but the kids were more interested in the touch pools on the 2nd floor. Overall a must-do experience. It didn't look like much of a cost-premium to upgrade from a single day ticket to a season pass but I don't know if its a trip we'd do more than once every year or so.