Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada: Keeping My Feet Dry Under the Sea

I love visiting new places, exploring, and having amazing experiences. Mommy is always trying to think of activities that I can do and places where I can go. Last fall Mommy had one of her best ideas yet. We went to the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada!

We have quite a bit of fun in our own neighborhood just visiting local parks and playgrounds. I love going to these places, but once in a while it’s nice to try something new and out of the ordinary. Apparently not all locations are toddler friendly, and finding suitable activities that are both safe and fun isn’t as easy as it sounds. Ripley’s Aquarium is fun for the whole family.

Downtown Toronto Doesn’t Disappoint

The Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto is located right in the heart of the city, just steps from the CN Tower. Sadly, that’s a bit of a drive for us, so we can’t make this a weekly visit, but going every once in a while is certainly not impossible. It’s definitely worth the trip.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is located in Toronto at 288 Bremner Blvd, just southeast of the CN Tower. Open daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. It’s always a good idea to double-check their hours before you go.

It takes a couple of hours to tour the aquarium if you go at a leisurely pace. That leaves plenty of time to make it a day trip and enjoy some of the sights and sounds of the area. After visiting the aquarium, you can take a stroll along the waterfront or visit the nearby Rogers Centre for a Blue Jays game. Or explore the shops and restaurants in the surrounding area.

First Impressions at Ripley’s Aquarium

The fun starts as soon as you get into the aquarium. You walk into a dimly lit world with floor-to-ceiling walls of glass. Most of the lighting comes from the tanks themselves, which contain a variety of creatures. The colors, shapes, and movements of the fish and other sea creatures create a sense of wonder and enchantment.

Each tank is beautifully designed and truly a habitat for the lifeforms that call Ripley’s Aquarium home, all 20,000 of them. You feel like you are underwater alongside them as you wander through the exhibits. Ripley’s Aquarium is a place to escape and be amazed by the wonders of the underwater world. It truly is a mesmerizing experience that will leave you in awe of the beauty and diversity of marine life.

There are, of course, fish of every shape, size, and color that you can imagine. Ripley’s also has a number of other marine creatures. My personal favorite was all the jellyfish, and they had an entire section devoted to them! The way the jellyfish gracefully floated and glowed in their tanks was truly captivating. Mommy liked the octopus and the seahorses best.

Jellyfish have been around for over 500 million years. Jellyfish lack brains, hearts, and bones. Their bodies are made up of a gelatinous substance called mesoglea. They are found in every ocean around the world, from the surface to the deep sea.

Hands-On Fun

Ripley’s aquarium also has several touch exhibits where you can interact with animals such as stingrays as well as horseshoe crabs, sharks, and scarlet cleaner shrimps. I tried out the horseshoe crab touch exhibit, but I was too distracted by the water itself to feel any crabs. Maybe I’ll have better luck next time. I am bigger now and quite a bit more mature.

Despite their name, horseshoe crabs aren’t true crabs. They are more closely related to arachnids like spiders and scorpions. Their spiked tail (telson) helps them right themselves if they get flipped over.

Nearby was a huge water table with all sorts of activities, and I played there for quite a while. By the time I was ready to move on, I was thoroughly soaked. If you’re anything like me, I would strongly recommend bringing a change of clothes, which I will certainly do on my next visit. Luckily, the aquarium is quite warm, and my clothes were mostly dry before we made our way to the exit.

Another fun thing to check out is the dive shows. People in diving equipment make presentations from within the tanks, and you can learn all sorts of interesting facts and see the animals interacting with the divers. These shows are performed every two hours, so each visitor is sure to see at least one during their time at Ripley’s Aquarium.

Immersive Underwater Viewing Tunnel and More

Mommy and I agreed that our favorite exhibit was the underwater viewing tunnel. It is the longest of its kind in all of North America and a definite highlight of the aquarium. It consists of a moving sidewalk that transports you through a tunnel.

Imagine gliding along as 5.7 million liters of water are all around you. This allows for a truly magical and immersive viewing experience of all the creatures who live in the exhibit. If you want to take a closer look, you can step off the moving sidewalk and get back on again when you’re ready to move on.

The underwater viewing tunnel at Ripley’s Aquarium is located in the Dangerous Lagoon on the lower level. It includes a variety of marine life, such as sharks, rays, and green sea turtles swimming overhead and beside you. You’ll also find moray eels, groupers, angelfish, snapper, tang, and other tropical fish. It is a truly unforgettable experience that will leave you in awe of the incredible creatures that call the aquarium home.

Unlike most sea turtles, adult green sea turtles are primarily herbivores, feeding on sea grasses and algae. They are the largest hard-shelled sea turtles, growing up to 3-4 feet in length and weighing 300-500 pounds. Their shells are heart-shaped, which sets them apart from other sea turtles.

Plan Your Visit to Ripley’s Aquarium

The best time to go is during off hours, as the aquarium can get busy. During peak times you’ll have to wait your turn at the more popular exhibits. Ripley’s Aquarium is open late and operates all year long, so there are many opportunities to go when other people are less likely to be there.

It’s a good idea to order your tickets online. It can be hard to wait in line patiently when you’re excited to get going. Time you’re not waiting in line can be time you’re exploring. Plan ahead and book your tickets online for a smooth and enjoyable visit to Ripley’s Aquarium.

If you’re looking for more information, consider purchasing the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada commemorative guidebook. It contains fascinating facts and beautiful images that will enhance your experience. Pick it up ahead of time and be well prepared for your visit. It’s also a really nice keepsake to remember your trip to the aquarium.

The Ripley’s Aquarium is incredible, and I would recommend it to everyone. It’s a great place for eager explorers and for families with curious toddlers. If you find yourself near the downtown Toronto area, you really need to make time to check out this place. Or find the nearest aquarium to wherever you call home and have an underwater adventure of your own.