Aquarium of the Pacific

If you’re up for a fun, underwater adventure as you explore brightly colored sea anemones, coral, all kinds of different fish, friendly sea otters, and sea lions, while learning all about their lifestyles and habitat, then you most definitely want to check out Long Beach’s Aquarium of the Pacific.

 

 

We were up for some summer fun, so my mother-in-law and I took my three girls down for some exploration. My girls love learning about animals, nature and anything outdoor related, so they were thrilled to hear that we were going to the Aquarium of the Pacific. There are so many great things to see, it was hard to decide where to start once we got there.

 

We arrived just in time to see the Sea Otter show at the newly re-developed Sea Otter Habitat, so we headed there first. What a treat so see these adorable little sea otters swim and play in a makeshift environment of their natural habitat, all the while learning lots of tidbits about how they live, eat, and stay warm in the cold waters. The Aquarium really did a great job recreating the sea otters’ surroundings to make them feel at home. The ocean water was filled with all kinds of fish swimming around; there were rocks and caves to climb and hide out in; and piles of ice to burrow in. My girls really loved it.

As we made our way through each section, I was almost overwhelmed at the amount of information I received (in a good way). There was so much to learn about each habitat or animal, from the area they live in to the depths of the sea waters they inhabit, the type of food they eat, their mating habits, how they are affected by our ecosystem… you name it. If there was information to be learned, the volunteers and staff were there giving it you either by mouth or in written form. My kids never imagined that learning could be so fun! There are even interactive, computerized boards throughout the Aquarium, so the kids can participate hands-on while they learn. This particular one recorded your voice and morphed it to sound like that of a whale. Cool!

 

What would a trip to the Aquarium be without being able to touch some stingrays, sharks, starfish, sea cucumbers, and sea urchins, right? The girls went from being timid and nervous as they stretched out their little arms and fingers, to not wanting to leave because they were so mesmerized by these unfamiliar underwater creatures that they were now able to reach out and pet without harm. This was the highlight of their day for sure!

 

They also loved venturing into the Lorikeet area. Who wouldn’t, right? These beautiful, brightly colored, friendly little birds sneak up to you and eat sweet nectar right out of your hand. Very fun! And at just $3 for the nectar, not a bad deal.

We made sure to enjoy the kids’ water-play area too. These fun, interactive water features let the kiddos climb aboard large fish and a boat and keep cool on those really hot days.

We also made sure to stop by the gigantic, floor-to-ceiling (two stories. mind you) aquarium loaded with all kinds of sea creatures, and were able to check out the divers while they scuba dove to feed them all. Very fun indeed.

We didn’t want to miss checking out the new Molina Animal Care Center Hospital, where we learned that these precious animals are taken care of right on site – from their regular check ups to any treatment they need if they are sick or injured. They even have a glassed-in area where you can observe surgeries and procedures, and have a sign posted each day letting you know what the procedures of the day will be so that you can be sure to come by and observe.

 

As we were heading out, we made our way through the underwater aquarium area where you can observe the sea lions swim and play. You feel like you’re right next to them, as the only thing between you and this beautiful creature is a thick piece of glass. So much fun! It’s so surreal you almost feel as if you need to hold your breath because you’re underwater with the sweet, little guy. Be sure to check out the upper deck of this area, too, for the sea lion show, as the trainers show off some of the animals’ special talents. We marveled as they jumped and twirled in unison, walking on their hind fins, and waving at the crowd. So friendly! My girls couldn’t get enough.

I think some of the other favorites were just being able to see creatures up-close, like the lovable sea horses (especially the tiny, baby ones) and the miniature jelly fish. They practically glow in the dark in the aquariums with their brightly colored hues. We admired the multitudes of “Nemos” and “Dorises” in one tank, so colorful and cute, and were taken aback by the creepy looking eels and large, ominous lobsters and spidery crabs. Amazing. really, seeing these creatures that live so far away in depths far beneath us, up-close-and-personal. Definitely a memory-making day for sure.

For those of you whose days are full, and are looking for a later afternoon or evening adventure, be sure to check out the Late Nights summer hours during July when you can come after 5:00pm and stay until 10:00pm for just $11.95 per person. What a deal!

The Aquarium of the Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. For more information, call 562-590-3100 or visit aquariumofpacific.org.

For a different perspective, click here to read about

date night at Aquarium of the Pacific.