Sea Life at Mall of America photo
ZooMinnesota, US

Sea Life at Mall of America

Dive into an incredible underwater adventure at SEA LIFE at Mall of America, Minnesota's largest aquarium, housing over 10,000 aquatic creatures.

About

Dive into an incredible underwater adventure at SEA LIFE at Mall of America, Minnesota's largest aquarium, housing over 10,000 aquatic creatures. This captivating venue invites visitors to explore a mesmerizing 1.3-million-US-gallon aquatic wonderland, offering a perfect escape from the bustling mall environment. The visitor experience is designed to be immersive and educational, transporting guests through diverse habitats from vibrant coral reefs to mysterious rainforests, all while fostering an appreciation for marine life and conservation.One of the undeniable highlights is the spectacular 300-foot (91 m) 360° clear acrylic tunnel, where you can walk beneath a swirling ocean of fish, coming face-to-fin with giant sharks, rescued sea turtles, and majestic green sawfish swimming all around and above you. Beyond the tunnel, interactive exhibits like the Pacific Northwest Rockpool allow hands-on encounters with sticky anemones, sea stars, and crabs, while the Ray Lagoon offers the unique opportunity to touch and even feed gliding stingrays.Explore the "Brave the Rainforest" exhibit, showcasing exotic species such as spectacled caiman, poison dart frogs, and piranhas, bringing the Amazon's rich biodiversity to Minnesota. Don't miss the tranquil "Jellyfish Discovery," home to moon jellyfish, or the enchanting "Seahorse Kingdom," where delicate seahorses mesmerize with their graceful movements. Daily creature talks and feeding demonstrations further enrich the visit, providing deeper insights into the animals and their ecosystems. Planning to visit? Download the Snappit app to identify the wildlife you spot in real-time.

The aquarium at the Mall of America first opened its doors in 1996 under the name "UnderWater World" after 18 months of construction. In 2000, it was rebranded as "Underwater Adventures Aquarium" to better reflect its mission of adventure and education. A significant transformation occurred in 2008 when the aquarium became part of the British-based Merlin Entertainments group of attractions. In March 2011, it officially completed its transition and was renamed "SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium," featuring updated theming and many new exhibits to enhance the visitor experience. Over the years, notable additions included the "Seahorse Kingdom" in 2009 and "Jellyfish Discovery," which opened in 2010 as the largest jellyfish exhibit worldwide.

What to do here

Explore the various themed exhibits, attend daily creature talks and feeding demonstrations to learn more about the animals, and consider a Behind-the-Scenes tour for an exclusive look at the aquarium's operations. Interactive experiences like feeding the rays are also available.

Seasonal info

As an indoor attraction, SEA LIFE at Mall of America is unaffected by Minnesota's seasonal weather changes, making it an ideal visit any time of the year.

Accessibility

SEA LIFE at Mall of America is fully wheelchair and stroller accessible, with elevators available from the Mall of America parking lot to the aquarium entrance on Level 1. Behind-the-Scenes tours are also accessible.

Don't miss

1

300-foot Ocean Tunnel

Walk through a unique 360° acrylic tunnel surrounded by sharks, sea turtles, sawfish, and various marine life.

2

Pacific Northwest Rockpool

An interactive touch pool where you can feel sea stars, anemones, and crabs.

3

Ray Lagoon

Observe and even touch or feed cownose, Atlantic, and southern stingrays.

4

Brave the Rainforest

Encounter spectacled caiman, poison dart frogs, piranhas, and other exotic rainforest creatures.

Wildlife you might spot

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Good to know before you go

Buy tickets online in advance

Purchasing tickets online can save you money and guarantee your entry time, helping to avoid queues and potential capacity limitations.

Visit during off-peak hours

For a more relaxed experience, aim to visit on weekday afternoons or evenings to avoid larger crowds often present during mornings, weekends, and holidays.

Utilize the East Ramp for parking

The closest parking to SEA LIFE is the East Ramp at Mall of America, which is connected to the East Entrance by skyway or street level. Look for parking spots on the east side of the mall.

Check the schedule for talks and feedings: Enhance your visit by attending educational talks and feeding demonstrations. Check the daily schedule upon arrival to plan your timing.

Don't miss the touch pools

Engage with the marine life at the Pacific Northwest Rockpool and Ray Lagoon, where you can touch anemones, sea stars, and even feed stingrays (feeding may require an additional purchase).

Consider a Behind-the-Scenes Tour

For an even deeper understanding, a guided Behind-the-Scenes tour allows you to see areas like the food prep kitchen and water quality lab, and learn what it takes to care for the thousands of creatures.

Frequently asked questions

At SEA LIFE at Mall of America, you can see thousands of aquatic creatures, including various shark species (such as Sand Tiger, Nurse, and Brown Sharks), rescued sea turtles, green sawfish, stingrays (cownose, Atlantic, and southern), seahorses, and mesmerizing jellyfish. The aquarium also features rainforest animals like spectacled caiman and poison dart frogs, as well as freshwater fish from the Amazon and local Minnesota lakes.
Yes, SEA LIFE at Mall of America is completely wheelchair and stroller accessible. Visitors can access the entrance from the Mall of America parking lot using elevators to Level 1, where the aquarium is located. Even the Behind-the-Scenes tours are designed to be accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
The average visit to SEA LIFE at Mall of America typically takes around 1 to 1.5 hours for a self-guided tour. However, visitors are encouraged to explore at their own pace and can stay as long as they wish inside the attraction. During peak times, the duration may be longer due to increased crowds.

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