Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

Note: Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is located in Draper, Utah — approximately 4-5 hours north of Las Vegas near Salt Lake City. This listing appears under Las Vegas in the directory but the facility is in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area.

That said, it's one of the best aquariums in the Intermountain West and absolutely worth knowing about for families traveling through Utah or based in the Salt Lake area. With over 19,600 Google reviews and a 4.6 rating, it consistently delivers.

The shark tunnel is the anchor experience: you walk through a transparent tunnel while sharks, rays, and large fish swim directly above and around you. For kids who have dreamed about being underwater, this is as close as it gets without scuba gear. The exhibit is large enough that you can pause and watch for several minutes without feeling like you're blocking traffic.

Beyond the tunnel, the aquarium houses penguins, sea lions, touch tanks with stingrays and starfish, and a full range of ocean zone exhibits spanning Pacific, Atlantic, and freshwater environments. The variety means a full visit takes 2-4 hours and rarely feels repetitive.

The touch tank sections are particularly valuable for young children — the hands-on contact with living animals creates a fundamentally different kind of memory than watching fish swim behind glass. Staff are stationed at these areas to guide kids and ensure both the animals and the children have a positive experience.

Monday hours extend until 8PM, offering an uncrowded weekday evening option. Annual memberships are worthwhile for Salt Lake area families given the repeat-visit value.