An aquarium is one of the easiest outings to plan: it's indoors, it works in any weather, and it's just as interesting at seven as at seventy. Big public aquariums like the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach can fill most of a day, with kelp forests, shark tunnels, jellyfish galleries and touch pools. Smaller marine centers, often on a pier or run by a university, are cheaper and quieter and usually take an hour or two.

Most aquariums are a lot more than fish tanks. Many run research and conservation programs, rescue and rehabilitate injured marine animals, and schedule talks and feedings throughout the day. Check the schedule when you walk in: watching the sea otters or penguins at feeding time is often the highlight of the visit.

The Date Activity

An aquarium makes a great early date. There's always something to talk about, the jellyfish rooms are dim and genuinely beautiful, and you walk side by side instead of staring at each other across a table. Go on a weekday afternoon or in the last couple of hours before closing to miss the school groups and strollers.

Many large aquariums host adults-only evenings with music and drinks, and those are worth planning around. Afterward, keep the theme going with dinner at a seafood place nearby, or take a walk on the beach if the aquarium is on the water.

On Your Own / With Friends

With a group, an aquarium is a relaxed, low-pressure outing that suits every age. Most offer group rates for ten or more people, and some rent out galleries for birthdays and private events. Families get the most out of the touch pools and kids' exhibits. For more animals in one day, pair it with the zoo, or finish with a planetarium show.

Going alone is underrated, too. You can move at your own pace, sit in front of the big tank as long as you like, and catch every talk. If there's one near you, an annual membership usually pays for itself within a couple of visits.

Good to Know

Buy tickets online ahead of time: popular aquariums sell timed entry on weekends and holidays and can sell out. Plan on two to four hours at a large aquarium. Flash photography is usually not allowed because it stresses the animals. Ask about discounts for kids, seniors, students and military, and look for free or reduced-price community days.