Vancouver Aquarium

Tucked inside Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium is Canada's largest aquarium and one of Vancouver's most beloved family destinations. With over 65,000 animals spread across 120 exhibits, it's the kind of place where you plan for two hours and end up staying all day.

The indoor galleries are where most families spend the bulk of their time. The jellyfish exhibit is genuinely stunning — floor-to-ceiling tanks with color-changing lights that make the jellyfish look like living lava lamps. Toddlers are transfixed.

The Amazon gallery is a humid, warm rainforest environment with caimans, piranhas, and anacondas that make older kids feel like they're on an expedition. The Arctic Canada section features beluga whale viewing from both above and below the waterline.

The real magic, though, is in the interactive elements. The touch pools near the BC Coast exhibit let kids handle sea stars, sea cucumbers, and anemones while marine educators explain what they're feeling. The 4D theatre adds sensory effects like mist and wind to short wildlife films.

And the sea otter rescue program gives the visit real emotional weight — these animals were rescued as orphaned pups and nursed back to health right here.

Outside, the outdoor exhibits feature harbour seals and sea lions with regular feeding demonstrations that double as educational shows. There's plenty of covered space if it rains, which in Vancouver is more of a when than an if.

Practically speaking, the aquarium is fully stroller-friendly with wide pathways, elevators between levels, nursing rooms, and family washrooms. The on-site Canteen serves decent food, but packing snacks will save you money and keep little ones fueled between exhibits. The gift shop is well-stocked but strategically placed at the exit — fair warning.

Combine your aquarium visit with a walk along the Stanley Park Seawall or a stop at the nearby Lumbermen's Arch playground for a full day out. The aquarium sits right on the park's eastern edge, so you can easily connect it with other Stanley Park attractions without moving your car.