The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is a public aquarium run as a nonprofit, founded in 1998. Two areas stand out for children: the Moon Jelly Touch Lab and Lorikeet Forest. Each has its own hours, and they take their daily breaks at different times: Lorikeet Forest closes over lunch, and the Touch Lab closes in the early afternoon. It pays to plan the order of your visit around them.
The catch is weekend flexibility. Reservations are required on weekends and holidays (the youngest children don’t need one), so you can’t just turn up on a Saturday. A timed ticket bought online already includes the reservation.
Coolers and ice chests aren’t allowed, with exceptions for infants and people with special medical needs. Wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge at the Information Desk. Audio tours designed for blind guests are also free, either from the desk or through the Visitor Guide app.
