Florida Aquarium’s Tide Pool Ranks Fifth Among Best New US Attractions

USA Today chose The Tide Pool at The Florida Aquarium as the fifth best new attraction in the country for 2026. Travel experts picked it. Readers voted.

The Tide Pool opened in August 2025. The 60-foot, 4,000-gallon exhibit stands as one of the only cold-water touch habitats on Florida's West Coast.

The attraction brings guests to the rugged shores of the Pacific Northwest. It holds over 250 marine invertebrates representing 22 species. Anemones swim inside. Sea stars cling to rocks. Squat lobsters scuttle across surfaces, and painted greenling fish dart through the water.

"This Top 5 national ranking is an incredible honor and a direct reflection of our unwavering commitment to providing world-class experiences that integrate ground-breaking exhibit design with animal well-being and guest expectations," Roger Germann, President and CEO of The Florida Aquarium, said in a statement, per WSTP. "The Tide Pool sets a new standard for animal exhibit and creates a meaningful, hands-on connection with ocean life."

Germann said seeing the recognition on a national stage reinforces the shared purpose to inspire conservation through experiences.

The habitat keeps a temperature of 50 degrees to mimic Pacific Northwest waters. Expert educators guide visitors through encounters with creatures like sea stars, urchins, and hermit crabs.

"Become an amateur marine biologist in this revolutionary touch experience featuring more than 200 coastal creatures in naturalistic habitats," USA Today wrote.

The exhibit features lifelike rockwork. An advanced wave-motion system churns the water. Immersive soundscapes fill the air, and a custom 70-foot UV-painted mural transitions from sunrise to starlight to complete the experience.

Two Florida attractions made the list. The Tide Pool ranked fifth, while Universal Epic Universe ranked at No. 9.