Georgia Aquarium | Nashville | Houston | Kemah | Texas

million-gallon-plus facility is now privately owned by Landry's Restaurants (along with other "aquarium/restaurants" in Nashville, Houston, and Kemah, Texas). After a redux, it reopened in July 2005, offering programs that let you play marine biologist or zoologist for a day, camp out overnight in the rain forest exhibit, or swim with the fishes - including moray eels and 250-pound grouper! - in the Under the Sea display.

Georgia Aquarium
(404) 581-4000
www.georgiaaquarium.org
$17 to $23

Increasing traffic to downtown Atlanta is the world's new and largest aquarium, boasting more than eight million gallons of water and more than 100,000 fish. To beat the crowds, avoid midday; go as soon as the aquarium opens or a few hours before closing. Crowds tend to be a little lighter Tuesday through Thursday. You can also shell out an extra $50 per person for a guided behind-the-scenes tour, which takes small groups deep into the aquarium to watch workers feed the fish, inspect the impressive veterinary and kitchen facilities, check out the more than 300 pumps and miles of pipe it takes to run the place, and more.

GAIL BENJAMIN Living Planet Aquarium
(801) 355-3474
www.thelivingplanet.com
$4 to $7

Before construction could begin on its permanent home, Salt Lake City's new aquarium­ had to shut down and find a bigger space. After a record-breaking crowd showed up to its preview exhibit, officials reevaluated the locale, so its temporary exhibit now has a new home, with 20,000 square feet of space featuring a replica of an 1830s sailing ship and more than 110 species of sea creatures, including a 100-year-old lobster.

North Carolina Aquarium
at Pine Knoll Shores
(866) 294-3477
www.ncaquariums.com