Sea Life of Michigan: 7 Nearby Destinations for Kids and Families
Sea Life of Michigan, the state’s largest aquarium, opened Thursday in Great Lakes Crossing Mall. The large indoor animal exhibit is sure to be a hot attraction this spring and summer from Michigan tourists. While the destination makes a great one time day trip option, it can also be combed with a variety of activities located in close proximity that could make a perfect trip during the week or long weekend vacation. While the aquarium visit is estimated to take 60 to 90 minutes, keep in mind that your tickets are good for all day, so you can go back through as many times as you want.
Viewing Bubble Allows Close Access to Rays
Sea Life of Michigan
The grand destination of Auburn Hills will soon be Sea Life of Michigan. You can find the aquarium at Entrance 7 of Great Lakes Crossings Mall, near Rainforest Café. The aquarium is more than 35,000 square feet and hosts a wide variety of sea creatures that your kids will love. Check out our detailed review and post of pictures for more information.
Here is a look at other nearby destination to Sea Life of Michigan:
Great Lakes Crossing Mall
The aquarium is located inside the largest outlet mall in the state of Michigan. That should have moms excited to take their kids here as it could likely lead to a full day of shopping. The mall has a reported 185 stores that consumers can shop in. Along with the stores, there are numerous restaurants, a full food court, a carousel, and a large play area. The food court and play area are located in close proximity to Sea Life, making an awesome pre or post visit spot for restless kids.
Sea Life Aquarium in Great Lakes Crossing Mall, Entrance 7 by Rainforest Cafe
Detroit Pistons Games
Located just six minutes away from Great Lakes Crossing Mall is the Palace of Auburn Hills, home of the Detroit Pistons since 1988. A trip to the aquarium during the day could be capped perfectly with a night game featuring Detroit’s NBA team. Check the schedule and find a day that works to do the double. One hot game is sure to be February 24th’s matchup versus the Cleveland Cavaliers, featuring Lebron James.
Detroit Zoo
The Detroit Zoo is around a half hour away from the city of Auburn Hills. A day trip or weekend could include a trip to this zoo, which includes more than 3000 animals. The combination of the largest aquarium in the states and this large zoo is sure to please children, especially those animal lovers. If you wait until later in 2015 to plan this trip, you’ll be fortunate enough to see the new penguin exhibit at Detroit Zoo.
Pricing for the zoo is $14 for adults and $10 for children. The zoo is open year round and has winter hours of 10am to 4pm for those interested in a near future trip.
Bass Pro Shop
The Bass Pro Shop is part of Great Lakes Crossing Mall and an easy combo destination with the Sea Life of Michigan Aquarium. Located near entrance 7 of Great Lakes Crossing, Bass Pro Shops is a 130,000 square foot retail store dedicated to hunting, fishing, and outdoor gear. The key piece of this destination is the 23,000 gallon aquarium that features native Michigan fish inside. This aquarium is free to view and a favorite of kids who get dragged into the store by their parents.
Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill
After a day at the aquarium, you and your kids will need a place to eat. If you’re sick of the typical food court or fast food that is located near the mall, consider this one of a kind (in Michigan that is) restaurant themed after a hit song by country superstar Toby Keith. This is the only one of the more than 15 I Love This Bar & Grills located in Michigan. Here’s another great idea for parents, consider a trip to the aquarium on Monday, as you can get free kids meals here all day.
Marvel Universe LIVE!
As mentioned above, the Palace of Auburn Hills is only six minutes away from the new Sea Life of Michigan. Consider planning your trip to the aquarium around this kid friendly presentation the weekend of September 25th. That is the time your kids can see more than 25 Marvel superheroes and villains together in a one of a kind show pitting good versus evil.
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, seven different shows will take place giving you plenty of opportunities to treat your kids to this event. The show is themed for all ages and features the costumed characters doing martial arts, aerial stunts, and even some motocross. There are brief periods of pyrotechnics and loud special effects as well.
The two hour show (plus a 15 minute intermission) features superheroes Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Spider-man, and Wolverine. Noted villains include Loki, Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Red Skull, Madame Hydra, and Electro.
Disney on Ice Presents Frozen
If you’re not sick of watching Frozen or hearing the song “Let it Go” yet, you might consider rewarding your kids with a trip to this ice spectacular at the Palace of Auburn Hills. This is the 34th show in the popular Disney on Ice series.
The Frozen themed version takes you into Arendelle with popular movie characters Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf. Spectators will be able to sing along with songs like “Let it Go”, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman”, and “Fixer Upper”. A cool feature is that the show will also feature Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and characters from Toy Story and The Lion King.
There are a total of nine performances at the Palace of Auburn Hills from March 12th through the 15th. Tickets are $38 to $93 for the shows.
