Aquarium of the Pacific With Kids: What to See, Tips & Planning Guide

If you’re planning a family trip to Long Beach, the Aquarium of the Pacific is one of the most popular attractions for a reason. Located right along the waterfront, this large aquarium introduces kids to sea otters, sharks, colorful tropical fish, and hands-on exhibits that make learning about the ocean fun.

Whether you’re visiting Long Beach for a weekend getaway or just looking for a memorable family activity, the aquarium is an easy stop to add to your itinerary.

If you're planning a full weekend trip, the aquarium is one of the highlights included in our 2-day Long Beach itinerary with kids, which also features waterfront parks, Shoreline Village, and family-friendly activities around the harbor.

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In This Guide

• Why Families Love the Aquarium of the Pacific
• Must-See Exhibits for Kids
• How Long to Spend at the Aquarium
• Best Age for Visiting
• Stroller Tips for Families
• Tips for Visiting With Kids
• Parking at the Aquarium of the Pacific
• Tickets and Skip-the-Line Options
• Is the Aquarium of the Pacific Worth It?
• FAQ: Visiting the Aquarium With Kids

Why Families Love the Aquarium of the Pacific

One of the best things about the Aquarium of the Pacific is that it’s designed to be engaging for kids of all ages. Instead of just looking at tanks, children can interact with exhibits, watch feeding demonstrations, and explore different ocean habitats from around the Pacific.

Many families also love the location. The aquarium sits right on the Long Beach waterfront, within walking distance of restaurants, parks, and other attractions, making it easy to turn your visit into a full day of exploring.

Must-See Exhibits for Kids

Shark Lagoon

One of the most exciting stops for kids is Shark Lagoon. Here, families can get surprisingly close to sharks and rays, and on certain days kids can even touch small sharks and stingrays in supervised touch pools.

It’s often one of the most memorable parts of the aquarium for younger visitors.

Penguin Habitat

The penguin exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific is another favorite stop for families. Kids love watching the playful Magellanic penguins waddle along the rocks and glide quickly through the water.

The viewing windows allow you to see the penguins both above and below the surface, which makes it fun for kids to follow them as they swim around the habitat.

Sea Otter Habitat

The sea otters are always a crowd favorite. Kids love watching them swim, play, and float on their backs while eating snacks.

The exhibit is outdoors, which makes it a nice break between indoor galleries.

Tropical Pacific Gallery

If your kids love colorful fish, the Tropical Pacific Gallery is a must-see. The large coral reef tanks are filled with bright fish, beautiful coral, and fascinating marine life that kids can watch for long stretches.

It’s one of the most visually stunning parts of the aquarium.

Lorikeet Forest

Another fun experience for kids is Lorikeet Forest, where families can walk through an aviary filled with colorful birds. Guests can purchase nectar cups and feed the lorikeets as they land on your hands or shoulders.

For many kids, this interactive exhibit ends up being a highlight of the visit.

How Long to Spend at the Aquarium

Most families spend about 2–3 hours exploring the Aquarium of the Pacific.

If you plan to attend animal feedings, interactive exhibits, or take your time exploring each gallery, you may want to allow a little extra time.

A good strategy is to arrive early in the day, explore the aquarium, and then walk over to nearby attractions like Shoreline Village afterward.

Many families turn their aquarium visit into a full weekend trip. If you're planning to stay overnight, check out our guide to family-friendly hotels near the aquarium in Long Beach.

Best Age for Visiting the Aquarium

The Aquarium of the Pacific is enjoyable for kids of all ages, but it’s especially engaging for preschool and elementary-aged children. Younger kids tend to love the colorful fish, touch pools, and animals like sea otters and penguins.

Older kids often enjoy learning about ocean habitats and marine conservation while exploring the larger exhibits throughout the aquarium.

Stroller Tips for Families

The aquarium is very stroller-friendly, with wide pathways and elevators between exhibit levels. Families with younger kids will find it easy to navigate most areas of the aquarium.

If you’re visiting with toddlers, bringing a stroller can also be helpful when little ones get tired after a couple hours of exploring.

Tips for Visiting With Kids

Arrive early when possible.
Weekends and holidays can get busy, so visiting earlier in the day helps avoid the biggest crowds.

Check feeding schedules.
Watching animals during feeding times can be one of the most exciting experiences for kids.

Plan for breaks.
The aquarium has both indoor and outdoor exhibits, which makes it easy to take short breaks between galleries.

Allow time to explore the waterfront.
Since the aquarium sits right along the harbor, many families enjoy walking around the waterfront after their visit.

Parking at the Aquarium of the Pacific

Parking is available in the nearby Aquarium Parking Structure and surrounding waterfront garages. Most visitors find parking within a short walk of the entrance.

If you plan to visit on a weekend or holiday, arriving earlier in the day can make parking much easier.

Tickets and Skip-the-Line Options

Tickets for the Aquarium of the Pacific can sell out on busy weekends, holidays, and school breaks. Many families choose to purchase tickets in advance so they can skip the ticket counter and head straight inside.

Buying tickets ahead of time also makes it easier to plan your day.

After visiting the aquarium, many families continue exploring nearby spots like:

• Shoreline Village
• Harbor boat rides
• The historic Queen Mary

Most families spend about 2–3 hours exploring the aquarium, so reserving tickets ahead of time helps keep the day running smoothly.

Why booking tickets ahead can help

• Skip the ticket counter line
• Secure your entry on busy days
• Plan the rest of your Long Beach itinerary more easily

Check current ticket availability below:

Tickets sometimes sell out during holidays and summer weekends.

Is the Aquarium of the Pacific Worth It for Families?

For most families visiting Long Beach, the Aquarium of the Pacific is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary. The aquarium offers a great mix of educational exhibits, interactive experiences, and fascinating marine animals that keep kids engaged throughout the visit.

Between the sea otters, sharks, penguins, and colorful reef fish, there is plenty for children to see and explore. The hands-on exhibits and outdoor habitats also make it easier for younger kids to stay interested as they move from one area to the next.

Another big advantage is the aquarium’s location along the Long Beach waterfront. After your visit, it’s easy to continue exploring nearby spots like Shoreline Village, waterfront parks, or even the historic Queen Mary.

If you're planning a family day in Long Beach, the aquarium is one of the easiest and most memorable activities to include.

Looking for more family activities nearby? Check out our full guide to things to do in Long Beach with kids.

Things to Do Nearby After the Aquarium

One of the best things about visiting the aquarium is how close it is to several other family-friendly attractions in Long Beach.

After your visit, you can easily explore nearby spots like:

• Shoreline Village

• Waterfront parks and walking paths

• Harbor boat rides

• The historic Queen Mary

You can find even more ideas in our guide to things to do in Long Beach with kids.

Where to Stay Near the Aquarium of the Pacific

If you're planning to spend the night in Long Beach, there are several family-friendly hotels within a short walk or drive of the aquarium. Staying nearby makes it easy to explore other waterfront attractions like Shoreline Village, harbor cruises, and the historic Queen Mary.

If you're planning to stay overnight, check out our guide to the best family-friendly hotels in Long Beach, including several options within walking distance of the aquarium.

Planning a Family Visit to Long Beach

If you're planning a full weekend in Long Beach, the aquarium is one of the best stops to include in your itinerary.

You can explore even more family-friendly attractions in our guide to things to do in Long Beach with kids, or start planning your trip with our 2-day Long Beach itinerary with kids.

If you're staying overnight, be sure to check out our guide to family-friendly hotels in Long Beach.

Final Thoughts

The Aquarium of the Pacific is one of the best family activities in Long Beach and an easy place to spend a few fun and educational hours with kids. With interactive exhibits, fascinating marine animals, and a beautiful waterfront location, it’s a stop many families include on every Long Beach visit.

If you're staying overnight, be sure to explore our guide to the best family-friendly hotels in Long Beach to find options close to the waterfront.

More Family Getaways in Southern California

If you're exploring Southern California with kids, there are plenty of other family-friendly destinations worth adding to your travel list.

You might also enjoy:

• Our guide to things to do in San Diego with kids
• A San Diego weekend getaway with kids
• Our family-friendly guide to Solvang with kids
• A relaxing Palm Springs family getaway

These destinations all make great weekend trips for families looking to explore more of California.

FAQ: Visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific With Kids

How long does it take to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific?

Most families spend about 2–3 hours exploring the exhibits. If you plan to attend animal feedings or interactive experiences, you may want to allow a little extra time.

Is the Aquarium of the Pacific good for toddlers?

Yes. The aquarium is very toddler-friendly, with colorful exhibits, interactive touch pools, and plenty of space to explore.

Can you bring a stroller to the aquarium?

Yes. The Aquarium of the Pacific is stroller-friendly with wide pathways and elevators between exhibit levels.

Is parking available at the Aquarium of the Pacific?

Yes. Parking is available in nearby waterfront structures and garages within a short walk of the aquarium entrance.

Is the Aquarium of the Pacific worth visiting?

For families visiting Long Beach, the aquarium is one of the most popular attractions and offers a great mix of educational exhibits, marine animals, and interactive experiences for kids.