Aquariums offer a great way to see all the interesting and sometimes exotic sea life you would never normally see.
Some of the best aquariums in the US let you get up close and personal with everything from dolphins and sharks to manta rays and whales. It’s also very educational for children as they learn about different sea life species. Each aquarium houses two or more of these magnificent Arctic water animals, which are distinguished by their massive size, pale-white color, and globular heads.
6 Aquariums With Whales in the United States
Discover the aquariums in the United States with beluga whales, where you can engage with them and where you can see these white whales in the wild. These aquariums are listed below:
- Georgia Aquarium
- Mystic Aquarium
- Shedd Aquarium
- SeaWorld San Antonio
- SeaWorld Orlando
- SeaWorld San Diego
Georgia Aquarium – Atlanta, Georgia
Open Hours: 8 am – 9 pm
Ticket Pricing
- Single-Day General Admission Ticket, Same-day Purchase: $47.99
- Single-Day General Admission Ticket, Advance Purchase: $42.99
The Georgia Aquarium, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the largest aquariums in the world, with over 10 million gallons of water and more than 120,000 animals from over 700 species. It is home to several notable exhibits, including the Ocean Voyager, which houses the largest indoor aquatic habitat in the world.
One of the main attractions at the Georgia Aquarium is the beluga whale exhibit, which features several beluga whales in a large tank with clear viewing windows.
Location: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Contact Number: (404) 581-4000
Mystic Aquarium – Mystic, Connecticut
Open Hours: 9 am – 5 pm
Ticket Pricing: $34 – $44
Mystic Aquarium, located in Mystic, Connecticut, is a popular attraction for visitors of all ages, featuring a wide variety of marine animals and educational exhibits. The aquarium is home to over 3000 animals representing over 300 species, including several types of whales, dolphins, sea lions, penguins, and sharks.
One of the highlights of Mystic Aquarium is the Arctic Coast exhibit, which features several beluga whales in a large outdoor habitat that simulates their natural Arctic environment.
Location: 55 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT 06355
Contact Number: (860) 572-5955
Shedd Aquarium – Chicago, Illinois
Open Hours: 9 am – 6 pm
Ticket Pricing:
- General Admission: $35 – $50
- Chicago Residents: $19.15
The Shedd Aquarium, located in Chicago, Illinois, is one of the oldest and most popular aquariums in the United States. It is home to over 32,000 animals representing over 1,500 species, including fish, marine mammals, birds, and reptiles.
One of the main attractions at the Shedd Aquarium is the Oceanarium, one of the world’s largest indoor marine mammal habitats. The Oceanarium is home to several species of marine mammals, including Pacific white-sided dolphins, beluga whales, sea otters, and California sea lions.
Location: 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
Contact Number: (312) 939-2438
SeaWorld San Antonio – San Antonio, Texas
Open Hours: 10:30 am – 9 pm
Ticket Pricing: $49.99
SeaWorld San Antonio, located in San Antonio, Texas, is a marine theme park and aquarium home to a wide variety of marine animals, including several species of whales.
One of the main attractions at SeaWorld San Antonio is the Orca Encounter, a live show featuring a pod of killer whales. In addition to the Orca Encounter, SeaWorld San Antonio has several other notable exhibits, including the Pacific Point exhibit, which features California sea lions and harbor seals, and the Discovery Point exhibit, which offers visitors the opportunity to swim with dolphins.
Location: 10500 SeaWorld Dr, San Antonio, TX 78251
Contact Number: (210) 520-4732
SeaWorld Orlando – Orlando, Florida
Open Hours: 9 am – 7 pm
Ticket Pricing: $99.99
SeaWorld Orlando, located in Orlando, Florida, is a marine theme park and aquarium that is home to a wide variety of marine animals, including several species of whales.
One of the main attractions at SeaWorld Orlando is the Wild Arctic, where you can get close to walruses and beluga whales. SeaWorld Orlando has several other notable exhibits, including the Dolphin Days show, which features several species of dolphins, and the Turtle Trek exhibit, which offers visitors an immersive 3D experience that highlights the journey of a sea turtle.
Location: 7007 Sea World Dr, Orlando, FL 32821
Contact Number: (407) 545-5550
SeaWorld San Diego – San Diego, California
Open Hours: 10 am – 8 pm
Ticket Pricing: $69.99
SeaWorld San Diego is a great destination for families and anyone interested in marine life and conservation, with its impressive animal exhibits, interactive displays, and commitment to education and research.
SeaWorld San Diego is also committed to marine conservation and education and has several educational programs and initiatives focused on protecting marine habitats and wildlife. You can go behind the scenes of the beluga habitat and join these beautiful mammals poolside to learn more about them.
Location: 500 Sea World Dr., San Diego, CA 92109
Contact Number: (619) 222-4732
All About Beluga Whales
Beluga whales are known for their distinctive white coloration and playful personalities, which makes them a popular attraction at aquariums. However, significant controversy has been over the ethical implications of keeping whales and other cetaceans captive. Many argue that it harms the animals’ physical and mental well-being.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to phase out captive whale and dolphin displays in favor of alternative marine conservation and education forms. Some aquariums, such as the Vancouver Aquarium in Canada, have already decided to stop keeping cetaceans in captivity altogether.
While no aquariums in the United States currently have orcas or other whale species on display, visitors can still learn about these fascinating animals through educational exhibits and programs. Many aquariums also offer opportunities to observe wild whales and other marine mammals in their natural habitats through whale-watching tours and other ecotourism activities.
Beluga Whale
| Size | 11-15 feet (3.4-4.6 m) |
| Diet | Fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and even zooplankton |
| Range | Found throughout the Arctic |
| Habitat | Varies from deep offshore waters to shallow bays and estuaries |
Whale Shark
| Size | 18-32 feet (5.5-9.8 m) |
| Diet | Zooplankton |
| Range | Tropical Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans |
| Habitat | Typically found offshore |
Take a look at some of the most interesting facts about these whales:
Visitors can watch as the whales swim and play and learn about their unique adaptations and behaviors from knowledgeable staff and educational displays.
