The Aquarium at the Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield is worth a few hours of your time in Southwest Missouri.
My wife and I visited the aquarium soon after it opened and were quite impressed--which is not easy because we have seen some great aquariums in the US, UK, and NZ.
When you first walk in you see a huge multistory aquarium, which in itself is impressive--300,000 gallons worth! You quickly find yourself tracking movement as you navigate the circular structure.
What's next?
Well, there are displays of fishermen and their equipment. That might not thrill folks not into fishing. But don't despair. There's more. Much more actually. According to the ads, there are "more than 35,000 animals...over 800 species of sharks, rays, jellies, eels, sport fish..."
Here's a glimpse of some of the things you can enjoy.
Shipwreck Reef
Swamp at Night-- with audio effects! (Kinda dark so, no photos)
Rivers and Streams * Mangroves * The Amazon
An under river experience * Shark Alley * Coral Reefs
A fantastic display of seashells from around the world (they are in glass cases so I did not get any good photos here)
A look in deep waters
Sometimes you can see divers feeding fish.
There are dark caves and River Monsters
And there's a chance to touch rays and starfish. Great for kids-- all ages of course.
And of course a gift shop where you can find gifts at reasonable prices. We naturally thought of our grandchildren.
INFORMATION
Location: 500 W. Sunshine St. Springfield, Missouri, USA 65807
Hours: Mostly 10:00 am to 8:00 pm - some variations so check the website for details.
Entrance Fees: It is expensive but not more than you would pay at a large city aquarium.
TIP: Check closely as there are a variety of tickets for individuals and families with discounts available. We plan to go back so we purchased an annual pass. Ask about the upgrade rules before you leave if you bought a one day ticket and want to return.
Refreshments: There is a place to eat inside. You can find a number of restaurants nearby.
Parking: The parking is free and so far, there has been plenty of spaces available.
Website: http://www.wondersofwildlife.org/visit.html
Beauty comes in many shapes
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