The Great Lakes Aquarium is celebrating another year of record-breaking attendance. In 2024, 225,420 people passed through the Great Lakes Aquarium, which is up 11,000 more people compared to the year before.

The aquarium credits the opening of its new saltwater exhibit Oceans Alive, including seadragons, reef fish, and a Giant Pacific Octopus Fitz.

Attendance was up in all categories including general admission, membership, events, and youth programming.

2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the aquarium. They’re set to open a new exhibit in the spring called Lava to Lakes, which tells the story of how Minnesota’s land was shaped into what we know today. It will feature a shark touch pool and a jellyfish touch pool.