Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver (must see)

The Vancouver Aquarium stands as a prominent highlight within Stanley Park. Beyond its role as a popular tourist destination, this expansive public aquatic center also serves as a pivotal hub for the study and preservation of marine life. Encompassing an impressive area of nearly 100,000 square feet, the aquarium showcases a captivating array of exhibits that collectively hold around 10,000,000 liters of water, spread across 166 distinct displays.

The exhibition spaces at the Vancouver Aquarium encompass a diverse range of aquatic ecosystems and species from various geographical regions. Notable areas include the Pacific Canada Pavilion, which accommodates an array of fish originating from the Strait of Georgia. The Arctic Canada exhibit is home to enchanting Beluga whales, arctic fish, and invertebrates. Meanwhile, The Wild Coast section features captivating displays of Pacific White-sided dolphins, sea otters, harbor porpoises, and a selection of interactive exhibits showcasing invertebrates.

The Tropic Zone introduces visitors to tropical species, highlighted by the presence of a vibrant green sea turtle. Lastly, the Amazon Rainforest exhibit presents an immersive experience, housing Amazonian fish, invertebrates, snakes, caimans, sloths, birds, and an array of other captivating species. Notably, the Vancouver Aquarium proudly houses the sole captive harbor porpoise in the world, known by the name Daisy.

The captivating creatures and captivating scenes of the Vancouver Aquarium have earned their place in television shows, movies, and viral online content. Its interactive displays and engaging exhibits have transformed it into one of Vancouver's premier tourist draws.

Why You Should Visit:
There are significant interior spaces that concentrate on certain ecosystems, with an intense focus on the local environment and the types of life in British Columbia's waters.
There are outdoor areas as well, where different instructional shows occur, providing additional context for the life on display and their behaviors in the wild.
If you are hungry there are a cafeteria (featuring sustainably caught fish), café, and ice cream stand, and for shopping, there's a souvenir & gift shop.
The added bonus is that just outside is one of the best parks in the world, so there's no shortage of experiences after you've ended your visit.

Tip:
Check the aquarium website for additional information on activities for the family such as behind the scene interactive 'touch' exhibits.
You can buy your tickets either online or at the automated booths to the left outside the aquarium for a discount and to skip the queue.