Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium is at 500 W. Sunshine St., adjacent to Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. The expansive museum's focus is on the importance of conservation and does a thorough job of exploring the nation’s hunting and fishing heritage. Some 35,000 living creatures inhabit the space. More than 800 species of live amphibians, birds, fish, mammals and reptiles as well as aquariums totaling 1.5 million gallons of water illustrate our relationship with our natural surroundings.

Wildlife Galleries bring the world to you as you journey through exotic locations including the African Savanna, Alps and North American woodlands. Immersive dioramas of wildlife in their native environment feature special effects including temperature-controlled climate, lighting intensity and painted murals as well as the smells and sounds experienced in those habitats. Get an up-close view of magnificent beasts such as crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, wolves and zebras. Not all the animals are taxidermy specimens; some live animals include a bald eagle, bats, crocodiles, owls, river otters, snakes and tree frogs.

Your journey through the Aquarium Adventure brings you face-to-face with an impressive display of eels, fish, jellies, rays and sharks. Great Oceans Hall is a 300,000-gallon ocean habitat that surrounds you from floor to ceiling with tanks of sea life including game fish, rays, sea turtles and sharks. Pop-up viewing bubbles and a walk-through tunnel provide an underwater perspective of ocean and freshwater river inhabitants. Daring guests can touch horseshoe crabs, rays, sharks and starfish in two touch tanks.

Other exhibits explain the role hunting and fishing play in the preservation of outdoor resources.

Note: General admission is by timed entry.

Picnicking is permitted. Food is available. Time: Allow 3 hours, 30 minutes minimum.