AquariumMinnesota, US

SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium

Dive into an aquatic adventure at SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, Minnesota's largest aquarium located within the iconic Mall of America.

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About

Dive into an aquatic adventure at SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, Minnesota's largest aquarium located within the iconic Mall of America. This captivating venue, home to over 10,000 aquatic creatures, transports visitors into vibrant marine habitats, making it a perfect escape for all ages. With 1.3 million gallons of water and immersive exhibits, it promises a memorable exploration of ocean and freshwater ecosystems without getting wet.

The aquarium is renowned for its spectacular 300-foot 360-degree clear acrylic Ocean Tunnel, allowing guests to walk through and be surrounded by sharks, sea turtles, and sawfish. Key attractions include Shark Cove, featuring Sand Tiger Sharks and Green Sawfish, the mesmerizing Jellyfish Discovery with its ethereal moon jellyfish, and the interactive Ray Lagoon where visitors can touch and feed graceful stingrays. Other highlights are the "Brave the Rainforest" exhibit, showcasing creatures like spectacled caiman and piranhas, and the Pacific Northwest Rockpool, offering a hands-on experience with sea cucumbers and anemones.

More than just an exhibit, SEA LIFE Minnesota provides educational talks and feeding demonstrations, fostering appreciation for marine life and conservation. It's a place where families can connect with thousands of sea creatures, from the impressive Japanese Spider Crab to the delicate seahorses, creating lasting memories and inspiring a deeper understanding of our planet's aquatic environments. Explore the grounds like a pro—download the Snappit app to instantly identify animals and plants.

The aquarium at the Mall of America first opened its doors in 1996 under the name "UnderWater World" following 18 months of construction. In 2000, it underwent a rebranding to "Underwater Adventures Aquarium" to better reflect its mission of adventure and education. A significant milestone occurred in 2008 when the aquarium became part of the British-based Merlin Entertainments group of attractions. This transition culminated in March 2011, when it was officially rebranded as "SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium," featuring updated theming and new exhibits throughout.

What to do here

Explore the various themed zones, witness daily creature talks and feeding demonstrations, and engage with interactive exhibits. Consider a Behind-the-Scenes Tour for an in-depth look at animal care.

Seasonal info

While the aquarium is indoors, it's located within the Mall of America, which can see increased foot traffic during holiday seasons, affecting overall crowd levels.

Accessibility

SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium is fully wheelchair and stroller accessible, including its Behind-the-Scenes tours. Wheelchairs or electric scooters are not available for rent directly from the aquarium but can be rented from Guest Service Desks within the Mall of America.

Don't miss

300-foot Ocean Tunnel

Walk surrounded by sharks, sea turtles, and sawfish.

Shark Cove

Encounter various shark species including Sand Tiger Sharks, Nurse Sharks, and Brown Sharks, alongside green sawfish and Loggerhead Sea Turtles.

Ray Lagoon

Watch graceful stingrays glide and participate in feeding experiences.

Jellyfish Discovery

A mesmerizing exhibit featuring moon jellyfish.

Wildlife you might spot

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

Duck

Red Winged Blackbird

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Painted Turtle

Trumpeter Swan

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 tickets online in advance

This can often save money and allows you to pre-select an entry time, reducing wait times, especially during peak hours.

Visit during off-peak times

For a more relaxed experience with fewer crowds, plan your visit for weekday afternoons or evenings.

Utilize Mall of America parking

The East Ramp of the Mall of America is recommended as it's closest to the aquarium entrance. The mall offers smart parking systems to help locate available spots.

Attend a creature talk or feeding demonstration: These scheduled events provide valuable insights from expert staff and enhance the educational aspect of your visit. Check the daily schedule upon arrival.

Plan for extra time around touch pools

The Pacific Northwest Rockpool and Ray Lagoon are highly interactive and often draw crowds, so allow extra time if you wish to participate.

Consider attraction bundles

If you plan to visit other Mall of America attractions, look into bundled ticket options to save on admission.

Frequently asked questions

: A typical visit to SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium lasts between 1 to 1.5 hours for a self-guided tour. However, visitors are welcome to stay longer and explore at their own pace, especially if attending educational talks or feeding demonstrations.
: Yes, SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium is designed to be fully wheelchair and stroller accessible. This includes all exhibits and even the Behind-the-Scenes tours. Wheelchairs and electric scooters are not rented at the aquarium, but are available from Guest Services at the Mall of America.
: Key highlights include the 300-foot 360-degree Ocean Tunnel, where you can see sharks, sea turtles, and sawfish swimming overhead. Other popular exhibits are Shark Cove, the interactive Ray Lagoon, the mesmerizing Jellyfish Discovery, and the hands-on Pacific Northwest Rockpool. Don't miss the "Brave the Rainforest" exhibit for terrestrial and freshwater species.