Amazing Aquariums in Wisconsin, Illinois, and More!

Jul 14, 2023

It’s Shark Awareness Day! While there aren’t any sharks in the Great Lakes (that we know of…), we’re still going to take a moment to appreciate and honor this Apex Predator! We’re sharing some fun facts about sharks on today’s blog, as well as a list of incredible aquariums to visit so you can learn even more. From Wisconsin to Illinois to Iowa to Michigan and Ohio, you’ll find amazing aquatic stops to explore on your next family or friends road trip.

Fun Facts to Impress Your Friends on Your Road Trip

Sharks have been around for more than 200 million years and pre-date dinosaurs, and have survived five mass extinctions!
They’ve existed in our planet’s oceans for 30 million more years than trees have been around on the Earth’s surface.
Statistically speaking, there’s a larger chance of being struck by lightning than there is of being attacked or killed by a shark.
Sharks will lose approximately 30,000 teeth in their lifetime.
Orcas are one of the few critters that can scare a shark!
Sharks are vital to our planet’s ecosystem, and they keep ocean animal populations in check to prevent overpopulation and maintain balance. With more than 100 million sharks killed each year for their fins, it’s creating a frightening imbalance and a need for conservation efforts to increase.
There are more than 500 different species of sharks.
Sharks’ anatomy has inspired “biomimicry”, or the imitation of nature’s design for problem solving in the human world, and you’ll notice a lot of the aerodynamics and physical structure of everything from watercraft to cars imitates these majestic creatures! In fact, some researchers are attempting to replicate an artificial skin to prevent bacterial growth in medical environments and other applications.
The Whale Shark is the world’s biggest shark, growing as much as 40 feet long!

Here are some wonderful facilities that are worth visiting this summer with your family and friends:

The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago IL is home to more than 20 sharks in its 400,000 gallon habitat! You’ll find Blacktip Reef Sharks, Sandbar Sharks, Japanese and Spotted Wobbegongs, Zebra Sharks, Bamboo Sharks, Bonnethead Sharks, Horn Sharks, Dogfish, Leopard Sharks, and Swell Sharks! The field scientists of Shedd Aquarium are working tirelessly on conservation efforts, and currently conducting research in the Caribbean to learn about how to best safeguard these majestic ocean predators.
Seven Seas at the Brookfield Zoo in Riverside IL has a wonderful aquarium feature with gorgeous bottlenose dolphins as their star attraction. It’s also been home to two types the Horn Shark and the Leopard Shark, and has played home to a rotating cast of characters from the deep blue sea over the years!
Oceans of Fun in Milwaukee County Zoo in Milwaukee WI is host to a 28,000 gallon Pacific Coast Marine Aquarium featuring gorgeous landscaped habitats and touch-a-ray displays. It has been home to White-Spotted Bamboo Sharks and Bonnethead Sharks along with Sting Rays, and an ever-changing cast of creatures.
Reiman Aquarium at Discovery World in Milwaukee WI has a many wonderful exhibits exploring all sorts of aquatic and marine life, and has highlighted several species of shark in the past, including a previous installation touch-tank experience with bamboo sharks! A visit to their Facebook page also explains how the staff helps train and feed the animals.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque, IA is a pinnacle research center and museum associated with the Smithsonian Institution that helps connect visitors with the importance of the Mississippi River. Their “Rivers to the Sea 2.0” exhibit explains how major waterways across the US contribute to larger environmental and biological effects. You’ll learn about aquatic environments and the different species that live in each, and even get to learn about how Great White Sharks breed. The facilities offer outreach programs to the Midwest including a mobile shark touch tank, and the Conservation Lab provides virtual and physical labs to connect folks with research and exhibits.
The Greater Cleveland Aquarium in Cleveland, OH – Home to a 175-foot shark tube, this incredible aquarium is a shark enthusiasts dream! Located in the historic brick FirstEnergy Powerhouse, this boutique aquarium is home to hundreds of species of marine critters. Plus, there’s even an 11,000 gallon stingray touch pool for an up-close-and-personal experience with marine life. It’s not the biggest aquarium on our list, but it’s worth several hours of your time to get a chance to watch marine biologists and animal keepers at work, and maybe even have a chance to feed some of the creatures yourself!
SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium in Auburn Hills, MI – This is Michigan’s Largest Aquarium, and it truly takes pride in that award-winning claim! Pair your admission along with a visit to the LEGOLAND Discovery Center or the Peppa Pig World of Play for a fun-filled family excursion at a discounted price. At this aquarium you’ll get to see five exquisite examples of species of shark, and you’ll get to view Florence the Nurse Shark as well as some very tiny shark buddies in their underwater tunnel. But that’s not all! There’s jellyfish, sting rays, sea turtles, and so very much more. Plus, there’s a full calendar of special events including watershed cleanups, shark days, and sing-alongs.
Belle Isle Aquarium in Detroit, MI – This humble aquarium was once the third largest aquarium in the world, and remained the oldest continually operated aquarium in the country until 2005 when it closed for economic reasons. It reopened to the public in 20212, and continues to impress generations of tourists and visitors. In 2020, the aquarium was given the opportunity to receive a major overhaul, update, and renovation! Improvements included upgrading exhibits, improving life-support systems, and modernizing their infrastructure. Thanks to investments from the Bell Isle Conservancy, the facility is now able to present visitors with an even more wonderful experience! You’ll find creatures from the Great Lakes to Africa to South America, each in their own special environment.