The Monterey Aquarium

Probably the best family attraction of the Monterey Peninsula is the Monterey Aquarium. It's big, it's fun, it's educational, it's in a beautiful setting, but cheap it's not.

Tickets are $24.95 for adults, $15.95 for children 3-12, $22.95 for students 13-17, and for seniors 65 and older, and $15.95 for disabled.

Check here for Monterey Bay Aquarium discount possibilities.

The Monterey Aquarium features many fine exhibits, over 200 of them. Kids will love walking through the wave tunnel. The Splash Zone exhibit has interactive fun for kids where they might even get wet. There's amazing jellyfish, fun loving sea otters, penquins, sharks and more. Learn about the Monterey Bay Aquarium great white shark on exhibit.

For souvenirs of your visit, there's the Monterey Bay Aquarium gift shop.

It's located right down at the end of Cannery Row, making it easy to go browse shops or eat out at one of the restaurants. But the aquarium itself has a really great self service cafe, with inside and outside (bay view) dining. It has healthy and delicious items to choose from. There's also a fine dining full service restaurant open for lunch.

You can buy your tickets online at www.montereybayaquarium.org or at the aquarium itself the day you arrive.

Since the aquarium is so popular, you might try and come during off season months, or between 2 and 6 on a weekday. My family went at 2:00 on a summer Tuesday and it wasn't very crowded at all. It was more than enough time to enjoy everything, though we barely made it into the cafe in time (it closes at 5, an hour earlier than the aquarium closes). The full service restaurant closes at 3.

They're open 10-6 everyday except Christmas. In summer and holidays, they open half an hour earlier. For more information call 831-648-4888.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is at 886 Cannery Row. If you're lucky enough to be staying at a hotel within walking distance, leave your car there rather than hassle parking at the Cannery Row parking garage. It's three blocks away anyway.

In summer, there is a free trolley that goes along the waterfront, the aquarium and several area hotels.

Click here to find a Monterey Bay Aquarium hotel nearby.

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