Must-visit summer encounters at Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium combines entertainment and education at its finest, having been named America’s Best Aquarium by USA Today readers five times.
Located in America’s Conservation Capital, Springfield, Missouri, Wonders of Wildlife celebrates the country’s more significant conservationists throughout history with fun and engaging exhibits.
The space spans 350,000 square feet, with more than 1.5 miles of trails. Here are some favorite encounters and programs.
Out to Sea Shark Dive
This thrilling adventure gives visitors the chance to go underwater inside a metal cage and come face-to-fin with sand tiger sharks, brown sharks, and Atlantic goliath groupers.
The full experience, including a safety briefing, lasts approximately one and a half hours, and guests will spend about 15–20 minutes in the water.
- Who can participate: All participants must be at least 10 years or older. Children ages 10–14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and children ages 15–17 may participate with a parent or guardian signature.
- Pricing and reservations: Advanced reservations are required and can be made online at wondersofwildlife.org/ticket/shark-dive/. Tickets range from $65–$89.95. Admission to tour Wonders of Wildlife is sold separately.
- What’s included: The experience includes towels, wetsuits, dive helmets, an underwater camera, one 6-by-8-inch printed photo and souvenir flash drive, and a commemorative T-shirt.
- What to bring: Bring along a bathing suit, personal toiletry items to shower afterward, and a waterproof bag.
The Out to Sea Shark Dive takes place inside the aquarium and is not visible to non-aquarium guests; therefore, a Wonders of Wildlife ticket or membership is required for any family or friends wishing to view the dive.
Come face-to-feather with the all-new Penguin Encounter, where you can learn all about gentoo penguins. Get the full experience of Penguin Cove by immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, and temperature of their environment.
The full experience will last 30–45 minutes, 15 of which will be spent in Penguin Cove. For your safety and theirs, touching or feeding the penguins is not permitted.
- Who can participate: All participants must be at least 4 years or older. Children ages 4–14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Pricing and reservations: Advanced reservations are required and can be made online at wondersofwildlife.org/ticket/penguin-encounter/. Tickets range from $30–$35 on weekdays and $35–$40 on weekends. Admission to tour Wonders of Wildlife is sold separately.
- What’s included: The experience includes one 6-by-8-inch printed photo and a commemorative “I Chilled with the Penguins” T-shirt.
- What to bring: Comfortable clothing to keep warm in the 45-degree Penguin Cove and that can get dirty, as well as closed-toed shoes.
The Penguin Encounter takes place inside the Wildlife Galleries; therefore, any guests wishing to observe the Penguin Encounter must purchase an admission ticket or membership. Admission to Wonders of Wildlife is not included with the Penguin Encounter.
Wonders of Wildlife is home to the only sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center in the Midwest. Although the center is not open to the public, you can follow along with the Class of 2024 on Facebook and Instagram.
The Class of 2024 includes 16 new turtles, including loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, and green sea turtles, all of which are named after universities across Missouri.
This marks the fourth consecutive year Wonders of Wildlife has participated in sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Through partnerships with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Turtles Fly Too, Wonders of Wildlife has provided critical care for 40 sea turtles before releasing them back into the wild.
The sea turtles were retrieved on the New England coast after experiencing “cold-stunning,” a condition that occurs when a rapid decline in water temperatures affects the sea turtles’ internal body temperature, causing life-threatening illnesses such as pneumonia, hypothermia, and dehydration.
The specialized life sciences and veterinary teams monitor them around the clock and carefully feed, measure, and assess. Typically, the turtles will be released back to the ocean after about a 12-week rehabilitation process.
Something new to the Sea Turtle Center is the use of state-of-the-art satellite tracking tags. Before their release, five of the center’s loggerhead sea turtles will be tagged, allowing teams to observe individual data of each turtle such as their temperature, depth, dive profiles, migration routes, and swim speed. By sharing this invaluable information with researchers and other institutions around the world, Wonders of Wildlife’s goal is to inform and engage communities with wildlife conservation.
What People Are Saying About Wonders of Wildlife
Wonders of Wildlife continues to be one of the area’s best destinations for tourists and locals alike, coming in with a 4.5-rating on TripAdvisor with nearly 1,500 reviews.
Here’s what guests are saying:
- Go For the Penguins, Stay for the Fun!: “Being a local, we’ve been several times and have found something new and interesting each time. The aquarium is my favorite but the museum is worth the visit as well. I adore penguins so the penguin encounter is a must see exhibit in my opinion!” —Joy
- Great to experience both a Natural History Museum and Aquarium in a few hours: “Spent several hours here today. And it truly lives up to its Best Aquarium in America. The walk is well guided and lets you see everything in the Aquarium in a timely manner. Loved all the themed areas and the artwork for all the backdrops. Had lots of live animals and fish. Very kid friendly and had very easy access for strollers and wheelchairs. This is one of the places I will definitely visit again.” —Ryan M.
- Definitely one of the nation’s best: “Our family visited WoW and we were definitely wowed for sure. We are animal lovers by heart and seeing these displays, from prehistoric to modern times, were breathtaking, both on land (animal displays) and in the water (live aquarium with static displays). The goal of conversation is extremely admirable and makes you love WoW all the more. If you love animals and want to learn about conservation in the process, WoW is the place to go!” —Sam W.
Do you have an animal lover or future conservationist in your home? Consider checking out Wonders of Wildlife’s annual Summer EdVenture Camps.
In a fun and safe environment, students will further their knowledge in the areas of biology, chemistry, Earth science, engineering, fishing, hunting, and survival. Participants can also apply for financial aid scholarships.
Below are some of the upcoming camps for kids. Find the full listing online.
- Ages: Kindergarten
- Times: 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Details: With hands-on experiments, learn about different ways these ‘cool’ creatures adapt to survive in a habitat made of ice, snow, and frigid water.
- Price: $200
- Registration deadline: May 19 at 11:59 p.m.
National Park Ranger: May 28–31
- Ages: Grades 1–2
- Times: 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Details: Learn about some of the most popular national parks in the U.S., meet some animals that live there, and learn what park rangers do every day.
- Price: $320
- Registration deadline: May 19 at 11:59 p.m.
- Ages: Grades 9–12
- Times: 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Details: Learn about caring for animals through back-of-house opportunities, chats with people in these careers, and hands-on animal experiences. Camp includes an Out to Sea Shark Dive on June 5.
- Price: $350
- Registration deadline: May 26 at 11:59 p.m.
- Ages: Grades 3–5
- Times: 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Details: Learn all about animal husbandry in this camp that’s packed with behind-the-scenes opportunities, chats with people in the field, and hands-on animal experiences. The camp includes the Penguin Encounter.
- Price: $280
- Registration deadline: May 26 at 11:59 p.m.
- Ages: Grades 1–2
- Times: 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Details: Go on a voyage through the seven seas to explore the history of seafaring people. Try your hand at a treasure hunt, assemble your own vessels, hear tales of deep-sea creatures, and learn a bit of nautical navigation.
- Price: $240
- Registration deadline: May 26 at 11:59 p.m.
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Wonders of Wildlife.To plan your trip to Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, visit wondersofwildlife.org, where you can also learn more about their conservation efforts.
