Visiting the Aquarium on the Boardwalk in Branson, MO

On our third day of vacation in Branson (my true love gave to me... hehe) we explored the newly opened Aquarium at the Boardwalk. Home to 7,200 sea animals and 250 different species, this aquarium holds more than 400,000 gallons of salt water, with 9 different viewing galleries. As aquarium connoisseurs we have been missing the experience more than I can express! This was just what we needed.

Upon our entrance we boarded the Submarine Adventure, a 5D ride that "transported us" to the bottom of the ocean, guided by Aquarius the Octopus and Finn the Golden Puffer, where we were let out into the Observation Station and the heart of the Aquarium.  For those of you who like "mini quests" there is a Hidden Aquarius Game. Find all 9 of the cleverly disguised sculptures of Aquarius the Octopus hidden throughout the Aquarium. I found 5 when I remembered to look!

Some of my favorite rooms include the underwater tunnel into Shipwreck Cove.

The Mermaid Palace which housed the Seahorses (one of my favorite sea creatures!)

The Bloom Room with all the jellyfish (another favorite sea creature!) and infinity mirrors that was downright magical!

We ended at the Kelp Climber, a 24-foot structure in the Kelp Forest environment. Kinsey and Bea made it all the way to the top, Clark tapped out on the fifth leaf lol. This was also where we could touch stingrays, sharks and horseshoe crabs, as well as sea anemones and sea stars.

There were so many photo ops scattered throughout the Aquarium, it added to the joy! My kiddos had a blast finding all the crawl-throughs and pop ups within each viewing room. I even crawled through one and it did not disappoint.

I also want to draw attention to Aquarium at the Boardwalk's partnership with Coral Restoration Foundation to support their mission to bring healthy corals back to key sites along Florida’s coral reef. Over the next 20 years, CRFTM, NOAA, and other partners will be working to restore seven iconic reef sites along Florida’s Coral Reef, restoring a total area equivalent to 52 football fields.

Serious family fun, 671 miles from the closest body of salt water (Alabama's Gulf Shore, if you want to know!) the Aquarium on the Boardwalk is a must-visit while in Branson, MO! And for more Branson fun, check out my post about the Hollywood Wax Museum!