The 3 Best Aquariums in Michigan
SEA Life Michigan is one of the largest aquariums in the state, but the Belle Isle Aquarium in Detroit has a unique variety of fish you won’t want to miss.
Written by Bellina Gaskey
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
- #1: SEA Life Michigan
- #2: Belle Isle Aquarium
- #3: Polk Penguin Conservation Center at the Detroit Zoo
- What is the best aquarium in Michigan?
- How to save money on car insurance
- FAQs
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Michigan’s best aquariums include SEA Life Michigan, the Belle Isle Aquarium, and the Polk Penguin Conservation Center at the Detroit Zoo, which is home to five penguin species and a 326,000-gallon, 25-foot deep habitat.
The Great Lakes State may be known for its abundance of fresh water, but Michigan is also home to state-of-the-art ocean aquarium facilities where your family can get up close and personal with marine creatures from clownfish to sharks, stingrays, electric eels, and more!
But which one will best satisfy your curiosities? Here with an in-depth review of the three best aquariums in Michigan is
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#1: SEA Life Michigan
Address: 4316 Baldwin Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Admission cost: $23.99 per person; discounted rates for children during special events
SEA Life Michigan
is more than the state’s largest aquarium—it’s a highly-curated educational and entertainment experience for families of all ages.Explore over 10 exhibits recreating a diverse array of marine landscapes from freshwater areas to shoals, mangrove forests, and coral reefs. The aquarium’s proudest feature is the massive underwater tunnel, where you can see critters swim and play all above and around you.
Some of the tunnel’s inhabitants even have names! Meet the state’s two rescued sea turtles,
Benson and Carr
, who’ve been equipped with special weight patches to help them swim. Florence
, the nurse shark, sometimes naps above your head, and Slapper, the stingray, has two daughters in the aquarium, too! And if you’re willing to get (a little) wet yourself, come on by the
interactive touch pool
, where you can feel the textures of nine different creatures. This aquarium is a delightful experience for the littlest explorers, with a special “doodle reef” and a children’s play area at the end of the route. Be on the lookout for special children’s events, including
Toddler Time
(which offers discounted rates), Peppa Pig’s Aquarium Adventure
, treasure hunts, and more. Conservation efforts at SEA Life Michigan
SEA Life Michigan is part of the
SEA Life Trust
, a global conservation charity dedicated to creating marine protected areas, sea turtle protection, and the care and release of injured animals back into the wild. Their latest achievement has been creating a beluga whale sanctuary in Iceland—the first of its kind in the world.
Each visit to SEA Life educates you about not only the state of our global oceans but also how your contributions directly help with conservation efforts.
#2: Belle Isle Aquarium
Address: 900 Inselruhe Ave, Belle Isle State Park, Detroit, MI 48207
Admission cost: Free admission; $5 donation/person suggested
The
Belle Isle Aquarium
prides itself on being the oldest public aquarium in the continental US. It opened its doors in 1904! When you visit the aquarium, you can enjoy not only 50 tanks of fresh- and saltwater fish but also unique
turn-of-the-century architecture
.The Belle Isle Aquarium is unique in that it’s one of the few aquariums that have all seven species of gar found in North America. The other uniquely delightful creatures you will find include:
- Axolotls
- Seahorses
- Clownfish
- Red-bellied piranhas (a full tank of them!)
- One of the largest collections of air-breathing fish in the world—including West African lungfish
- Freshwater stingrays
- An electric eel, whose tank has a live voltmeter where you can monitor the electricity in real-time!
Visitors to Belle Isle Park won’t want to miss the newly-renovated koi pond and the greenhouse conservatory next door. There’s also an annual
koi festival
in the spring in partnership with the Consulate General of Japan! Note that the Belle Isle Aquarium is only open Friday through Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM. Check their Facebook or Instagram before you go to make sure there aren’t any surprise closures.
MORE: How to check for Michigan road closures
Conservation efforts at Belle Isle Aquarium
The Belle Isle Conservatory cares deeply about keeping the Detroit River and the surrounding Great Lakes ecosystem healthy. Throughout the aquarium, you can find educational panels about invasive species, protecting Michigan’s
sturgeon
, and more.Most of the park’s financial efforts go toward supporting the growth and renewal of Belle Isle itself, which spans 982 acres. You can learn about the park’s cleanup conservation efforts
here
. #3: Polk Penguin Conservation Center at the Detroit Zoo
Address: 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Admission cost: Non-members: $14-22 for adults ages 19-64, $11-18 for children ages 2-18, $11-18 for seniors over 65, plus $8 for parking. Members enter free
As you enter the gates of the
Detroit Zoo
, the first building that you’ll see to the right is the newly-renovated Polk Penguin Conservation building. The exhibit is home to 75 penguins representing five species
:- Chinstrap penguin
- Gentoo penguin
- King penguin
- Macaroni penguin
- Southern rockhopper penguin
You can view the penguins above and below the water as the exhibit runs 25 feet below the water’s surface into the lower level of the building.
In addition to watching the penguins swim, eat, play, and nest (in the right season, you’ll see the males carry pebbles to present to their girlfriends!), you’ll be treated to a 4D Antarctic exploration exhibit.
Walking through the building recreates the steps of the Endurance, a ship that voyaged to the Antarctic between 1914 and 1917 led by Ernest Shackleton. Feel the mist and hear the ocean waves as you cross the Drake passage in 3D, and view real artifacts and photos from the crew’s 18 months of survival after the ship was crushed by pack ice.
Conservation efforts at the Polk Penguin Conservation Center
The Polk Conservation Center is a full replica of the wild penguin habitat that encourages all their natural behaviors, including porpoising (jumping and swimming) and raising young. That’s right—several new penguin generations have been born right in Detroit!
- Rescuing and treating animals at the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center
- Sending trained staff to help with rescue and cleanup efforts after environmental disasters
- Promoting education to the public about biodiversity and funding conservation research initiatives
What is the best aquarium in Michigan?
The best aquarium all depends on what you’re looking to see! Of course, SEA Life Michigan is the largest aquarium with the most creatures inside, but you won’t want to miss out on the others:
- Belle Isle Aquarium has unique freshwater creatures in the surrounding conservatory
- The Polk Penguin Conservation Center is part of the large Detroit Zoo
- SEA Life Michigan has plenty of family events and specific activities for young children
How to save money on car insurance
Headed for a day to the zoo or aquarium—but not too happy about the ticket prices? One of the easiest ways to keep more money in your wallet for family-fun days is to make sure you’re not overpaying for your car insurance.
But between paying the bills, working, and finding time for fun, who has the time to reshop for new insurance quotes?
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FAQs
Does Ann Arbor have an aquarium?
No, there aren’t any aquariums within the city of Ann Arbor. Luckily, Ann Arbor is only 40 minutes from the Detroit Zoo and an hour away from SEA Life Michigan.
Is Belle Isle Aquarium free?
Yes, Belle Isle Aquarium is free to enter. If you are able, please donate to support the public aquarium ($5-10 per person is suggested).
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