Last weekend, our family explored the immersive Aquarium at Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield. What a spectacular experience! From the moment we stepped into the cool, climate-controlled exhibits, it was the perfect escape from the sweltering Midwest heat.
We began our journey in the Great Oceans Hall, a 1.5 million-gallon aquarium featuring over 35,000 creatures in truly immersive habitats. The Great Barrier Reef amazed us with vibrant reef fish and even a life-sized humpback whale suspended overhead. We couldn’t get enough of Shipwreck Reef, especially the stingray touch tanks, while the eerie Swamp at Night brought us face to face with owls and alligators in a shadowy bayou.
We also loved the Mangroves, Amazon Rainforest, and especially the Under River tunnel. Seeing bass, walleye, and freshwater rays gliding above was simply magical. Our 3-month-old was mesmerized by the bright colors and fish swirling by. He gazed in awe until he finally tuckered out and fell asleep in his stroller.
Beyond the aquatic journey, the Wildlife Galleries feature immersive dioramas and powerful conservation stories. It’s no surprise why Wonders of Wildlife has repeatedly earned the title of America’s Best Aquarium. In 2025 alone, it was named Best Aquarium by Newsweek readers and has now won USA TODAY's Readers’ Choice award for America’s Best Aquarium an unprecedented seven times, more than any other aquarium.
And to top it off, my husband was thrilled to discover it’s directly connected to Bass Pro Shops’ massive flagship store. So we seized the opportunity to do a bit of belated Father’s Day shopping while we were there. We recommend making a day—if not a whole weekend—out of it, with plenty of dining and shopping options right on-site. My personal pick? Grab a bag of the warm, fresh candied pecans for a sweet treat as you browse. It’s the perfect fuel for exploring.
Final Take: With exceptional aquatic life, interactive exhibits, vivid storytelling, fun photo opps all in refreshing indoor comfort, Wonders of Wildlife is a standout destination. It’s easy to see why so many have voted it the nation’s top aquarium and why our family will be going back.