Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies No.1, Tennessee Aquarium No. 5 as Top Aquariums in the Nation by USA Today 10Best.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies was voted No. 1 and Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga was voted No. 5 in the nation by USA Today 10Best.com.

There were 20 aquariums credited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that were nominated by a panel of 10Best experts to represent the best in the U.S. for their high quality exhibits and visitor interactions.

People were able to vote once a day on 10best.com for their favorite Aquarium until the contest ended Monday, March 27. Winners were announced Friday, March 31.

The top 10 winners accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and voted by 10Best readers in the category are as follows:

1.            Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies-Gatlinburg

2.            Georgia Aquarium-Atlanta

3.            Dallas World Aquarium-Dallas

4.            Audubon Aquarium for the Americas-New York

5.            Tennessee Aquarium-Chattanooga

6.            Newport Aquarium- Newport, KY

7.            Texas State Aquarium- Corpus Christi, Texas

8.            Adventures Aquarium-Camden,  NJ

9.            Monterey Bay Aquarium-Monterey, California

10.          Aquarium of the Pacific-Long Beach, California

A panel of experts partnered with 10best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Debra Erickson (International Zoo Educators Association), Kyle McCarthy (Family Travel Forum), Eileen Oginitz (Taking the Kids) and Alan Sironen (Zoo Consultants International) were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of American aquariums and family travel.   

For more information, call 888-240-1358 or visit www.ripleysaquariumofthesmokies.com.

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