Michigan’s Largest Aquarium Opens January 29th: What You Need to Know
A shark at Shedd Aquarium, Chicago
For years, my family and I have been traveling to Chicago to visit Shedd Aquarium. While there we can view 1000s of sea animals. I have been there with and without kids, and both of these types of trips are rewarding. There’s something about watching tropical fish and sharks swim around that makes a visit to an aquarium a wonderful day trip or centerpiece of a vacation. The good news for Michigan residents is the fact that the state will soon be home to a 35,000 square foot aquarium.
Michigan Sea Life Aquarium is set to open in Auburn Hills as part of the Great Lakes Crossing Mall. The 35,000 square foot attraction is part of an agreement between Taubman centers (owner of several shopping malls in the state) and Merlin Entertainment (owner of Legoland and Madame Tussauds wax museums). There are nine listed Sea Life attractions in the United States with dozens more in Europe.
One of the key pieces of the aquarium is the Touchpool Experience. This attraction allows kids to hold a crab or touch a starfish. A walk through underwater tunnel should also be a key attraction in the aquarium.
More than 250 species and a total of more than 5000 sea life creatures make up this wonderful destination. Species listed on the company’s website are Blacktip Reef Shark, Giant Pacific Octopus, Cownose Ray, seahorses, and jellyfish. The site lists an average of 60 to 90 minutes to enjoy all of the facility and see all the creatures.
The aquarium has the following hours of operations and cuts off entries after one hour prior to closing time:
- Monday-Friday: 10am to 9pm
- Saturday: 10am to 9pm
- Sunday: 10am to 9pm
Ticket prices are $23.50 for adults, $18.50 for children, and kids under 3 are free. The website currently has a pre-opening special price of $17.50 for both adults and children. Not sure how long that deal will last, but it is a good savings for a family of four or more. Michigan Sea Life also offers annual passes for those that live close by or want to make frequent stops. Parking is free for the aquarium.
The aquarium is sure to be a frequent destination for schools as field trips. The site has details on school pricing as well, which brings tickets for kids down to $8 a person for elementary school aged kids. The site also lists details of birthday parties, like a $350 package that includes admission for 20 guests, an annual pass for the birthday child, and gifts and games for the kids.
While the price may seem a little bit expensive, it is likely worth the price for kids and with its close proximity to the Great Lakes Crossing mall makes the perfect day trip or weekend getaway. Remember that a day pass also gets you into the aquarium all day, so you can visit, go do lunch or shop, and then come back to enjoy more viewing.
This destination will likely be busy from the open as there are no comparable aquariums in the state and the closest ones take hours of driving and planning ahead to get to. We plan on visiting Michigan’s largest aquarium sometime in February or March and will update on the results of our trip after.
Reblogged this on 2 Boys 1 Homestead and commented:
Hey! We’re getting something cool!
You let me charge those prices and Ill get you something cool! The prices are out of line!
Prices do seem high considering they say it’s a 60-90 minute experience. When we go to the Shedd it’s at least a 1/2 day experience and we could even stay longer to see more if the kiddos weren’t tired by then.
Actually the prices are in line with most aquariums. I have been to quite a few and for my family average is approx 20.00 a person. The shedd cost me over 90.00 for 3 of us. If you think you would visit more than once a year the annual passes would be a good deal.
Fish gotta eat !!
Balancing 35,000 gallons of water to replicate ocean current and ph isnt easy or cheap. I cant wait, my sons 9th birthday party will probably be here.
Not 35000 gallons…35000 sq feet!! WAY more gallons than 35000!!
The price is not expensive, it is completely acceptable.The aquarium isn’t operating on charity and cheap tickets. Someone mentioned, “Chicago was a longer/cheaper tour” You also have to drive (on gas) three-fours, one way. Spend $$ on hotel and six meals. AND pay the aquarium fee. This aquarium is in your backyard. Find the positive and enjoy.
Close proximity to great lakes crossing mall? Its in the mall right next to the hugely popular bass pro and rainforest cafe. Should have made it a standalone. One thing that mall doesn’t need is another tourist destination. Parking is already a premium everyday of the week there
What is the exact address/location??? Those that aren’t familiar with that mall would like to know.
Its in Auburn Hills at Great Lakes Crossing Mall. Cant miss it, right of 75,signs everywhere once you get close!
I would love to take my wife & 4 kids there but it takes me $121 to just walk in the door can’t affort that wish they could get the prices down to a reasonable level .
lower prices, brings more people, more $$$$$$$….
Reblogged this on rosebleue9 and commented:
Good news for those of us in Michigan!
Sorry but the Detroit Zoo … with MORE animals and MORE space costs LESS for admission. And they have more to do there. Zoo costs $14 for adults and $10 FOR KIDS … ALMOST 1/2 of what this aquarium is going to cost. Sorry, but to take the family out for an afternoon to see an aquarium shouldn’t cost over $100. We pay for a family zoo membership every year and it’s not $100 … and that’s for the WHOLE YEAR!!!
If everyone wants the best value go visit the Belle Isle Aquarium. It’s free with free parking. They are open every Sat and Sun from 10am till 4pm. The Belle isle aquarium is the oldest aquarium in the country opening In 1904. Visit them on Facebook.
I think I will just save my pennies and go to the Oceanarium in Gulfport/Biloxi MS thank you.
I have visited the aquariums in Kentucky, Georgia, and Tennessee. They all were basically the same price for admission as this. Not sure what everyone is so upset about. Seems reasonable to me!
I just spent $40 bucks to get into Monterey Bay Aquarium. This is not expensive for an aquarium.
When my family visited my in laws in Arizona we went to a Sea Life Aquarium. I was beyond pleased with it. My children loved every moment in the aquarium. So many things to look at. The prices are reasonable when you consider they have to make the environment stable for the marine life they have there. I think we spent about 2.5 hours there. Can’t wait to take my kids back.
While visiting the Aquarium, you the kids to Rainforest Cafe in Great Lakes Crossing or later than night go see the Detroit Pistons play at nearby Palace of Auburn Hills.
Can’t wait!! Very excited!! It’s about time we got an aquarium here!! Yeah!!!
Price is to high! Let’s give a break to the average family. Here is another attraction like Disney most cannot aford to take the family.
Aquariums are worth the cost of admission. For most people you will never get close to see life Loke this. I for one cannot wait to go. The cost is on the average for most aquariums I have been too. Cost around 25.00 per person in Virginia. The shedd cost me 90.00 for 3 people. Newport aquarium in Kentucky cost pretty close to the same. And the Ripleys aquarium in Tennessee cost about 27 a person.
I think the price is worth it. Plus the trip is for your kids to enjoy sea life.