Family Tips for Visiting Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

We have spent many hours exploring all that the Loveland Living Plant Aquarium has to offer. It is quite literally one of my toddler’s favorite places in the entire world, which is why I am so ecited to be partnering with the aquarium today to bring to you everything you need to know before making your first visit. We love this aquarium and we know you will too! Visit the Aquarium this summer, and you’ll see and experience: ecosystems from around the world, including Journey to South America, Expedition: Asia, the Deep Sea, the South Pole, the Ocean and more.

The aquarium is full of amazing learning experiences that are so much fun kids will have no idea they are learning. There are animal meet and greets in the lobby where you can meet animals  from birds to insects up close and ask questions from the staff. On certain days you can see divers in the shark tank and interact with them, see animals learn, play and get their lunch. Check out the calendar for the full schedule of events and feedings, in July, they are celebrating Shark week! The Aquarium is open from 10 AM to 6 PM daily with extended hours on Mondays until 8 PM (after 4PM on Mondays tickets are $5 off!)

 

The aquarium is broken down into five different areas of the world and ocean. Each has different things to explore and see from penguins to sharks and an anaconda!

Antarctic Adventure – My favorite area in the aquarium features all of the amazing sites of Antarctica without the freezing temperatures. You will find exhibits featuring the only penguins in Utah, see many different kinds of jellies and explore the deep sea with the Deep Sea Lab. I could seriously watch the penguins play and swim all day. I love the way the habitat is set up so you can see the penguins whether they are on land or swimming. You can watch penguin feedings at 4 PM daily*.

Expedition Asia – The newest exhibit at the aquarium. This is where you will find the clouded leopards, Asian otters and gorgeous brightly colored fish.

Journey to South America– This exhibit is truly like stepping into South America. With the humid air, 17-foot waterfall and free flying birds, you are going to feel like you have traveled the world just by stepping inside. My kids love this exhibit because of the tall rope bridge, the poison dart frogs (both real and the statues) and the Dwarf Caimans (a crocodilian type creature). The large Anaconda is huge and my kids love laying against the large snake photo on the floor to see how they measure up. In this exhibit you can see Pihrana feedings on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00 am. River Giants feedings on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30 PM and Caiman Feedings on Tuesdays and Saturday at 3:15 PM.

Ocean Explorer – Is hands down my toddler’s favorite exhibit in the aquarium. She is always begging us to head to this exhibit first. She has to say hello to Nemo (the Clown Fishes) and Dory (the Blue Tangs) before she can go anywhere else in the aquarium. My older daughter loves the touch pools which feature Stingrays, Starfish and even a couple of small sharks. How many places give you the chance to touch a shark?

We love playing “Spot the Octopus” with the sneaky Octopus. He is a good hider but we can almost always spot a tentacle somewhere. My favorite part of the Ocean Explorer exhibit is the 40 foot Shark Tunnel. I could spend all day in the tunnel or the viewing room. The tank is massive and filled with sharks, fish, turtles and if you are lucky, maybe a diver or two. You can watch Shark feedings on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 *

Discover Utah – Is a beautiful representation of the wildlife you can find in our gorgeous state. You will find ducks, tortoises and even river otters.

You can buy tickets online before your visit or at the door. Go here to buy tickets and check current pricing. The aquarium also offers yearly memberships including individual memberships, family memberships and plus memberships (which include guest passes).

Which ecosystem will be your first stop?

*  Check the Aquarium schedule for current times

Visit the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium online and on social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thelivingplanetaquarium/

Twitter: twitter.com/LivingPlanetUT

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lovelandlivingplanet/

Website: www.thelivingplanet.com