Address: 120 East Broadway East Side, Bloomington, MN, 55425
Upcoming Events: Jump to SEA LIFE at Mall of America Events
Website: SEA LIFE MOA
Phone:Â (952) 883-0202
Scroll to the bottom to find Family-Friendly Events at SEA LIFE
Visit jellyfish, sea turtles, sharks and sea life of all kinds at Sea Life Aquarium in the Mall of America. Sea Life Minnesota is a for-profit aquarium owned by European-based company, Merlin Entertainments. The aquarium is located on the first floor of the Mall of America. For families who live near enough to visit the MOA often, Sea Life can be a budget-friendly family fun. Read on to get our best advice for saving on Sea Life visits and scroll down to read our comparison of Sea Life Aquariums to Minnesota Zoo Aquariums.
What to expect on a visit to Sea Life
Visitors can view sea creatures, including rescued sea turtles, sharks, seahorses, jellyfish, sting rays and a variety of other fish in large aquariums and end the visit in a petting zoo. The attraction features a 300 foot ocean tunnel that visitors can walk through to view the sea life. Expect to spend an hour to an hour and a half when you visit. However, if you visit regularly with a pass, you can spend more time in your favorite areas and speed through your less-favorite areas. There is no limit (other than store hours) to how long you can visit.
Sea Life Minnesota admission prices
It is always best to buy your tickets online ahead and, if you live in Minnesota, choose the resident deals, they are lower than the already discounted online deals. Admission is between $22.99 and $28.99. Tots 2 and under are free. Prices are subject to frequent change.
Where to park when visiting Sea Life MOA
If you are visiting the Mall of American mainly for Sea Life, then you’ll want to park in the East Parking Lot on the lower level. You will see the aquarium almost immediately upon entering the mall.
Sea Life vs. Minnesota Zoo
For the most part Minnesota Zoo wins
Sea Life tends to be more of a tourist destination that the zoo. Since the Minnesota Zoo is just 15 minutes away, costs less and provides more, it is often the better choice for local families. A household membership to the zoo is also the better deal as it allows you to bring all your minor children for one annual price, whereas a Sea Life Membership is per person and will cost more for a family of three*.
*As with their Sea Life daily tickets, membership prices fluctuate and you may be able to find a better deal on annual memberships if you keep an eye out for it.
Where Sea Life is better
The upside of Sea Life is that it is housed in the MOA, where parking is free and there are other family-friendly activities that are also free or offer annual memberships.
We highly recommend annual passes for those who want to visit the Mall of America regularly with kids. The mall can be loud and the sensory overload can be too much for anyone. Sea Life is an escape from that environment. The underwater tunnels are cool, calmly lit and quiet – even on busy days. With annual passes, a family always has a quiet place to take a break when needed. Once you get to know the aquarium, you can just go to your favorite places and spend as little or as much time as you need. Tots 2 and under are always free at Sea Life. If you plan to regularly attend Toddler Tuesdays with your 1- or 2-year-old, only the parent will need a membership pass lowering your cost significantly.
What else can I do with my kids when we visit the MOA Aquarium?
We recommend visiting on Tuesday with your younger kids. The mall is less busy and there are special Toddler Tuesday activities and deals aimed at smaller children. Other kid-friendly stores include:
- The nearby LEGO store (especially when the build area is open)
- You may want to consider a membership to Crayola Experience as a companion to your Sea Life Membership. This will give you plenty of spontaneous free family fun anytime you want to drop into the mall.
- If you visit on a Saturday, drop by Barnes & Noble (next door to the aquarium) around mid-morning for a story hour or just visit Barnes & Noble anytime on your own for a quiet respite from the business of the mall.
- For more ideas, Gianna has created a MOA Floor by Floor Guide, outlining her favorite places to visit with kids.
Aquarium birthday parties for sea loving kids
Birthday Party Packages are available that include aquarium admission for up to 10 people. To add a party to your birthday outing, the Ultimate Party Pack admits up to 15 people, and includes a 30-minute party as part of the package.
Kitten Takeover at SEA LIFE at Mall of America
SEA LIFE and Twin Cities rescue organization Bitty Kitty Brigade celebrated Happy Cat Month in September of 2025 with kitten field trip. See a video of this kitty fieldtrip below:
More information
- Find the most up-to-date admission prices here.
- Find annual passes here.
- Birthday Party Package Information
- Homeschool Visits & Tickets
Related content
- Discover the Magical World of Mermaids at Sea Life
- Mall of America Family Guide, Floor By Floor
- Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley
- Twin Cities Birthday Parties for Kids: Discovery
- Family Fun: Aquariums in Minnesota
Upcoming Family-Friendly Events
Events TBA
Fun Past Events We Hope to See Again
- Underwater Pumpkin Carving - 10/26/2025 - 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
- Homeschool Month at SEA LIFE at Mall of America - 01/01/2026 - 02/13/2026 - 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Please Note: FamilyFunTwinCities.com is an independent website run by Twin Cities families for Twin Cities families. We attempt to include the information we find most essential as parents. We make every effort to keep up with changes. However, we are not employed by or connected to this venue, and information sometimes changes without our knowledge. We recommend calling or checking the venue’s website for up-to-date information.
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