New Aquarium & Science Center
Discovery World
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Head for Pier Wisconsin to check out this aquarium and science center, which opened last fall. It boasts a 75,000-gallon freshwater tank filled with Great Lakes creatures, and a huge scale model of the local watershed. 414-765-9966; discoveryworld.org

Turtle Hospital Cam
South Carolina Aquarium
Charleston, South Carolina
Installed last summer, this camera lets visitors peek behind the scenes to see sea turtle rehabilitations and other fascinating real-life events at the zoo's turtle-care facility. Especially cool for kids interested in the work of marine-animal vets. 843-577-3474; scaquarium.org

Otter Exhibit
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey, California
It's hard not to love playful otters, and the new residents at Monterey's famed aquarium include three species of these natural performers. See fish, reptiles, and plant life from otter habitats. And in the family craft room, create your own book about the cute critters. 831-648-4888; mbayaq.org