Sea-life at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Aquarium
by Tana Burkhart
Entertainment Editor
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium has recently been voted the “#1 Best New Attraction” in America by USA Today, and I, for one, can definitely understand why.
While it seems like the prices are steep, once immersed in the under-water worlds, the money becomes less of an issue. Adult prices are $29.95 for the aquarium only, $14.95 for the museum only and $39.95 for the combination ticket. Children ages 4-11 get into the aquarium for $19.95, the museum for $9.95 or $23.95 for the combo. Children 3 and under are free.
Upon entering the aquarium, the history of fishing is on display. Walls are covered with awards and even presidential fishing photographs and memorabilia.
When walking out of the history section, you end up downstairs. You can look up to see a display of world flags from every country leading to the bottom view of the display tank from above. When gazing up into the tank it becomes a spinning vortex of fish and water.
Once you return to the top floor and enter the doors into the next phase of the aquarium, it looks as though you have happened upon a ship wreck with all the crustaceans and barnacles that go along with it.
It is at the entrance of these underwater worlds that you will find a snack bar stocked with popcorn, pretzels, slushes and sodas in souvenir cups.
From there, you can view a short film on deep sea fishing in the theater adjacent to the snack bar.
After viewing the movie, I took turn after turn viewing nearly every type of deep sea, river and lake animal imaginable. The aquarium hosts everything from fish that look like they have been dusted with glitter to a sassy swan that will strike a pose when the camera comes out. No flashes, please.
The recently added flamingos were a lively and colorful attraction. Wonders of Wildlife even boasts a couple of black bears and a bald eagle, which is sure to excite the patriotic guests.
Tropical fish, frogs and turtles abound in tanks you are able to crawl under to snap a photo and look like you are right up in the tank with them.
More short movies on various types of creatures and places are shown in small theaters in a few spots throughout the aquarium journey.
There is also no need to worry about having to take a long walk to use the restroom as they are located at the beginning and ending of just about every section of the building.
Once you have completed the near three hour adventure, you are met with a chance to pet the sting rays and to color a picture with your name on it that is then scanned and projected on the animated aquarium wall.
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife museum was a trip I won’t soon forget. Of all of the aquariums I have visited, this one truly raised the bar. It is great entertainment for the entire family.
The only complaint I had on my visit is certain wagons and strollers are not allowed, so you have to rent one of theirs. The rentals are wide, two-seaters that barely fit through some of the tight spaces in the aquarium. This probably wouldn’t have bothered me so much, but the reason they wouldn’t let me bring mine in was because it may not fit through some of the spaces.
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