Sea Life Aquarium - Great Lakes Crossing Michigan

We visited Sea Life Aquarium at Great Lakes Crossing for the first time. I honestly may do a separate video on our thoughts on it, because I know I was asked a number of times on my Instagram pictures whether it is "worth it" or not... My husband was really not thrilled with the value to experience ratio. It held Bella's attention (5 years old) and she enjoyed it - however Natalie (3 years old) lost interest mid way through in the "darker" areas.

Bella enjoyed completing the stamp book.

Here's a comparison of just the numbers, without getting into any sort of critique of how the exhibits were...

For 2 Adults, 2 Children (over age 3):
1 Day at Sea Life Aquarium... $84
1 YEAR Membership at Detroit Zoo... $79

Detroit Zoo is obviously a great value and I spend an additional few hundred dollars a year there to continue supporting them as well, making a point to go to special events, purchase food and merchandise there. (Sea Life Yearly membership is $260.) However, for the content available - I'm not sure I would recommend Sea Life unless you are just wanting to try it out and especially like fish.

A General Admission to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, a short 5 hour drive away and MUCH larger aquarium, with a wider variety of animals - what I would consider to be an "actual" aquarium is $8 per adult and $6 for children... a total admission of $28 for the same family of four.

I would be inclined to suggest you drive to Chicago and spend the night there, applying the additional purchase price towards a hotel to visit Shedd Aquarium. Parking does cost additional in Chicago if you're going to park a vehicle, so there are additional expenses (parking is free at Great Lakes Crossing)... however having had both experiences, I can say the Shedd Aquarium experience is a much grander experience and would be my recommendation.

My local recommendation would be Detroit Zoo.

All of that being said, if you don't mind spending $84 and want to just try it out, it is nice that metro Detroit now has an "aquarium"... although it would be great if it were a bit bigger.

Check out a video our experience here:


Here are links with all of the info on the three places I listed above:
Shedd Aquarium - http://www.sheddaquarium.org/plan-a-visit/advance-ticket-options-tickets/
Detroit Zoo - www.detroitzoo.org
Sea Life - https://www.visitsealife.com/michigan/

** This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.