Hello again, let’s leap right into today’s review!
My oldest could live at the aquarium if we let her — she’s got a season pass, and it’s easily one of her favorite places. So, we decided to make a family outing of it and see what Ripley’s Aquarium had to offer for all ages. From sharks to stingrays (and a few surprises in between), here’s how it stacked up for us.
Her season pass comes with a 30% discount on the flex ticket for up to four additional guests per visit, which is awesome for family outings. A regular flex ticket is about $50 for adults and $33 for youth (ages 6 to 13). The flex ticket gives you the freedom to visit on any day or time, which is super convenient.
If you want to save a few bucks, they also offer timed tickets, which are slightly cheaper — and let’s be honest, every dollar counts. There’s also a “Sharks After Dark” option that gives you a bit of a discount for visits later in the day.
We drove into Toronto and, while there’s no dedicated Ripley’s Aquarium parking, there are plenty of public lots within walking distance, so parking wasn’t an issue even with the Toronto Bluejays being in town.
When we got there, my daughter used her season pass to grab discounted tickets for the rest of us, and we headed inside. One of the things I like about Ripley’s is that there’s no time limit once you’re in — you can take your time, explore at your own pace, and take breaks if needed.
You’re allowed to bring in reusable water bottles, and there are two water refill stations inside the aquarium, which is great if you’re spending a few hours there.
Each section of the aquarium has informative displays that show which sea creatures live in that tank, along with a short write-up about them — really helpful for learning as you go.
They also offer different educational talks throughout the day, which are listed on their website. My oldest actually caught one of them while we were there and really enjoyed it.
One of the coolest parts of the aquarium is the moving walkway that takes you through a huge tunnel tank filled with sea turtles, various kinds of sharks, and tons of fish. We ended up doing that section three times because there was just so much to see — and it never gets old watching a shark swim right over your head!
In the middle of the aquarium, there’s a kids' play area with tubes, slides, and climbing structures — just a heads-up, kids are asked to keep their shoes on. There’s also a little interactive water table play station that our youngest really enjoyed splashing around in. There are a few food options in this area too, but we didn’t grab anything so I’m not sure what’s available.
Toward the end of the aquarium, there’s a touch tank area where you can interact with some sea creatures — though it’s not always open. There’s also an area where you can try to touch a stingray, which was a fun and memorable moment for the kids.
Once you’ve finished the full loop, you can either go back through and do it all again, or head to the exit — which, heads up, takes you through the gift shop. Personally, I’d prefer if there was an option to exit without going through it. Not every family wants (or can afford) to stop and buy something, and I think that kind of pressure isn’t totally necessary. Just something to keep in mind if you're planning a visit.
We ended up spending an amazing 4.5 hours at the aquarium — just exploring, learning, and taking it all in. Our youngest spent a good chunk of time in the play area while our oldest was off enjoying the educational talk.
When I look at the cost of a single visit compared to the price of a season pass, I honestly think the season’s pass is a pretty good value — definitely something I’d consider buying for myself in the future or suggesting as a gift idea for someone else.
According to my 6-year-old, the best parts of the day were the moving walkway, seeing the sharks swimming overhead, and the lobster tank. Personally, I was mesmerized by the jellyfish display and loved watching the stingrays glide through the water.
Thanks for hopping by to read my take — here’s to leaping into your own adventures.
Disclaimer
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Take are based solely on my own opinions and
experiences. No brand, business, or bullfrog has paid me in flies,
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review I share comes from my own honest perspective
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