ZooIdaho, US

Idaho Aquarium

Discover the captivating underwater world at the East Idaho Aquarium, an interactive and engaging journey into marine and freshwater life.

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About

Discover the captivating underwater world at the East Idaho Aquarium, an interactive and engaging journey into marine and freshwater life. This unique attraction, officially known as the East Idaho Aquarium (though its original website domain might suggest otherwise), offers an immersive experience where visitors can not only observe but also interact with a diverse collection of animals. Located in Idaho Falls, it provides a vibrant educational environment perfect for all ages, emphasizing hands-on learning about aquatic ecosystems and beyond. Step inside this renovated former cinema building and prepare for an adventure filled with touch tanks, feeding opportunities, and close encounters with fascinating creatures. From gracefully gliding stingrays to powerful sharks, and even exotic land animals like sloths and porcupines, the aquarium brings distant habitats to life right in Idaho. Its mission as a non-profit organization is to inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation for the planet's water ecosystems through memorable interactive experiences. A visit to the East Idaho Aquarium is more than just viewing animals; it's about connecting with them. Imagine feeling the smooth skin of a stingray, feeding a friendly bird, or getting your hands tickled by "Doctor Fish." These unique interactions make the aquarium a dynamic destination where every visit offers a chance for discovery and wonder, making it a worthwhile stop for anyone exploring the region. Explore the grounds like a pro—download the Snappit app to instantly identify animals and plants.

The East Idaho Aquarium has a notable history rooted in passion and community effort. The vision for an aquarium in East Idaho began in 2013 with founder Arron Faires, who was inspired by children's eagerness to get close to aquarium tanks. After several attempts to find a suitable location, Faires and his partner Wes Haws, along with numerous volunteers and local sponsors, transformed a vacant, old movie theater in Idaho Falls into the aquarium's home. The facility officially opened to the public in the fall of 2017, with its grand opening coinciding with the completion of its shark exhibit in March. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the aquarium relies on community support to educate and inspire visitors about aquatic ecosystems through interactive experiences.

What to do here

Engage in hands-on activities, including feeding fish, stingrays, birds, iguanas, and even Rufus the porcupine. Look for daily shows and feeding times, which offer deeper insights into marine life. Consider booking an animal encounter for a more personalized experience with sharks, rays, sloths, or other animals.

Seasonal info

Being an indoor facility, the aquarium is comfortable regardless of outside weather conditions, providing a great escape from extreme temperatures. Special events like "Shark Week" and holiday-themed activities may occur, adding unique experiences to your visit.

Accessibility

The East Idaho Aquarium strives to be accessible. While specific details are best confirmed with the venue, aquariums typically offer wheelchair accessibility throughout their exhibits and provide accessible restrooms. Parking is generally available near the aquarium.

Don't miss

Shark Exhibit

Features various shark species like Nurse, Blacktip Reef, Horn, and White Spot Bamboo Sharks. Visitors can crawl through a tunnel to view sharks swimming overhead and to the side, and even participate in a shark diving experience or feeding.

Stingray Touch Pool

A highly interactive exhibit where guests can gently pet and feed stingrays, and even sit in a shallow tank with them.

Aviary

An enclosure where visitors can interact with and feed various birds, including macaws and parrots.

Sloth Encounter

Meet Wookie the Sloth, a popular resident, often available for special encounters.

Wildlife you might spot

Each card links to a full Explore page with photos, traits, and fun facts.

Great White Shark

Blue Spotted Stingray

Pine

Bearded Dragons

Box Jellyfish

Starfish

Snap map for this place

Start with the big picture, then zoom in to explore individual wildlife observations around this place.

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Good to know before you go

Purchase tokens for feeding

Enhance your visit by buying tokens at the front desk to feed stingrays, fish, birds, and lizards. This is a major highlight for many visitors.

Check for special events

Look up the aquarium's schedule for daily feeding times, shows, and seasonal events like "Shark Week" or holiday festivities to maximize your experience.

Consider an animal encounter

For a truly memorable experience, book a specialized animal encounter to interact more closely with sharks, sloths, or other creatures.

Arrive early

Visiting closer to opening hours can help you avoid crowds, especially on weekends and holidays, allowing for a more relaxed experience.

Bring a camera

The interactive nature and colorful exhibits offer many opportunities for unique photographs, especially during feeding sessions.

Wash hands before and after

For the safety of both visitors and animals, utilize the handwashing stations located throughout the aquarium, particularly before and after touching animals.

Frequently asked questions

: The East Idaho Aquarium is renowned for its interactive experiences, allowing visitors to do more than just observe. You can feed stingrays, various fish, birds, and even iguanas and a porcupine. There are also touch pools where you can pet starfish and experience "Doctor Fish" that gently clean your hands. For an extra special experience, animal encounters can be booked to get up close with sharks, sloths, and other animals.
: Yes, there is typically parking available near the East Idaho Aquarium, making visits convenient for families and those traveling by car. It is located in a central area of Idaho Falls.
: The East Idaho Aquarium houses a diverse collection of animals, including various sharks (Nurse, Blacktip Reef, Horn, White Spot Bamboo), stingrays, jellyfish, and eels in its ocean life exhibits. Freshwater exhibits feature local species like Rainbow Trout and Sturgeon. Beyond aquatic life, the aquarium is also home to birds such as macaws and parrots, lizards like iguanas and bearded dragons, a sloth named Wookie, and Rufus the porcupine.