By CJ Thomas
Did you know that you can come face to face with a tiger shark or a 400 lb. Goliath Grouper right here in Missouri? Now you can, thanks to Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife: National Museum & Aquarium, located adjacent to Bass Pro Headquarters in Springfield, Missouri. Your visit to Wonders of Wildlife is so much more than your standard trip to the aquarium. They offer unique immersive experiences that put you right in the heart of the action from the moment you walk in the doors!
Whenever you visit Wonders of Wildlife you’re not just stepping into any aquarium. You’re visiting America’s Best Aquarium and Best New Attraction, as voted by USA Today! It’s no wonder that it was voted number one in the nation. The state of the art facility is home to more than 35,000 living fish, mammals, birds, and reptiles. Wonders of Wildlife has gone the extra mile to perfectly recreate the animal’s natural habitats for their health and well-being. Bass Pro founder, Johnny Morris, has a passion for conservation and educating the next generation about the natural world and all of its’ creatures, and it shows in every square inch of the facility.
Prepare yourself for a one of a kind experience with animals from around the world! Inside the aquarium you will find more than 800 unique species of jellyfish, eels, rays, and sharks displayed in breathtaking rounded and tunnel aquariums that allow you to experience the majesty from every possible angle..Outside of the aquarium visitors will be able to mingle with flamingos, Gentoo penguins, crocodiles, bears, and bald eagles, owls, and that’s just to name a few.
Wonders of Wildlife features exquisitely detailed 4-D wildlife galleries which showcase exotic recreations of animals in their natural habitats. These unique galleries allow visitors to stand in the presence of majestic elephants leading their young and side by side with a pack of wolves seeking prey in the glow of the northern lights. It is the authentic foliage, hand-painted murals, and special sound and lighting effects that make you feel as though you’re trekking through the Alps or the heat of the African Savanna.
If you’re looking for a truly immersive experience than the Shark Dive at Wonders of Wildlife is for you! No diving experience is required for this unique journey into the underwater world of vibrant reef fish, barracudas, sharks, and giant groupers! Your ticket includes a 1.5-hour Shark Dive Experience, a commemorative t-shirt, an underwater camera to take photos during your experience, and a souvenir flash-drive with the photos from your experience. All divers must be at least 10 years old and a maximum of 4 people can fit inside the shark cage at one time. Family and friends are able to comfortably watch your experience from the outside of the tank!
The National Museum and Aquarium offers hours of indoor entertainment for guests of all ages. No matter the weather or the time of year the aquarium has a breathtaking adventure awaiting you and your family!
Learn more at www.wondersofwildlife.org
