Being a highly budget-conscious traveler, price is a huge factor in planning my itinerary. It’s not that I’m a stickler for low prices, I just like to be able to walk out of an attraction and feel that every dollar has been well spent.

During my recent visit to Sea Life Michigan, I was able to identify all the things within the aquarium that were well worth the admission fee of $23.00

The following is a list of 23 different things within Sea Life Michigan that are each well worth four measly quarters:

$1: Play Fishie Hide-and-Seek

Hmm…can you find the Moray Eels? Spend some time really looking into the tanks to find certain underwater creatures!

$1: Rub a Shark’s Belly

Turns out this guy likes to snuggle with the glass, which is great because you can reach up and give him a little pat on the tummy (through the glass of course).

$1: Learn Fishie Facts with Touch Screens

Not only can you learn new fishie facts, but the touch screens allow you to choose just which fish you want to learn about! As you can see, I chose to learn more about the Black Bar Damselfish.

$1: Hum the Jaws Theme Song While Being Encircled by Sharks

Is there any better setting in which to hum the Jaws theme song? These Black Tipped Reef Sharks know what’s up.

$1: Collect Sea-Worthy Stamps

My nephew, The Goob, was so entralled by the stamps throughout the aquarium. Get your stamp book at the entrance and collect all 9!

$1: Touch a Sea Star

At the Interactive Touch Pool, you are cordially invited to shake hands appendages with sea stars and other creatures! These guys pictured here are called Chocolate Chip Sea Stars. Any guesses on how they got their name?

$1: See a Monster-Crab

This dude. Blew my mind. I rounded a corner and came virtually face to face with this ginormous crab. The photo probably doesn’t do it justice, but I’d guess his legs were longer than 2 feet each! You’ve gotta see this.

$1: Join a School of Fish Without Getting Wet

The aquarium has several different places within its exhibits where you can stick your head inside a glass bubble to get a good perspective on what it’s like to be a fish. The best part? No holding your breath or getting wet!

$1: Get Hugged by a Sea Urchin

The Sea Urchins in Sea Life Michigan’s Interative Touch Pool may look prickly and sharp, but that’s not quite the case! If you stick your finger between their spines, they will give your finger a little hug!

$1: Photoshoot with this Cheeky Guy

This eel was all about having his photo taken. He struck pose after pose, always showing me his good side. Work it, Mr. Moray.

$1: Be Tickled by Tentacles

Okay, so octopi may be some of the coolest creatures ever. I mean how close have you ever been to tentacles like this? Did you know that if an octopus loses an arm, it can grow a new one?

$1: Gain Mad Respect for Daddy Seahorses

Can you believe that male seahorses are actually the ones that carry and deliver their offspring? High fin for manning up, Seahorse Baby-Daddies!

$1: Play with Puffer Fish

Okay, so you can’t actually take it out and play with it, but this guy was fairly curious about me and we maintained eye contact for quite some time. It was cool to see his spiny skin up close and imagine what he would look like all puffed out.

$1: Chill-Out in a Coral Reef

Sea Life Michigan’s exhibits put you into different underwater environments based on the fish in that area. Here, you can imagine being a fish living in a colorful coral reef!

$1: Participate In & Learn about Conservation

Conservation is extremely important to keep our Earth clean and our animals healthy. Sea Life encourages environmentally friendly practices and strives to teach its visitors about caring for the globe. In addition, when you visit Sea Life Michigan you are supporting its mission to breed, rescue, and protect aquatic life.

$1: Learn about Native Fish Species

Do you know all about the marine life we can find right here in Michigan? Well Sea Life can help you. Find out who you’re sharing the water with when you swim in the Great Lakes!

$1: Take on the Jellies

Jellyfish have to be some of the most interesting underwater creatures. I could have stood here for so long just watching the jellies being carried by the giant circular current. Did you know that Sea Turtles eat jellyfish? I guess they’ve never listened to one of my favorite songs…

$1: Witness a Fishie Throw-Down

Someone got a little too close to someone else’s favorite rock. Things got real for a minute here.

Though the photo I got is also great for imagining that each fish is an opera diva, trying to aggressively sing higher than her competitor.

Which ever story one you like best.

$1: Gain more Underwater Fun Facts

Do you want to be that guy that can just whip out fishie fun facts out of thin air water? Sea Life has got your back. They have great facts about different underwater species all throughout the aquarium. How about this for a fun fact?

$1: Fall in Love with Benson the Sea Turtle

Okay, I have a bit of a soft spot for turtles, being a Mama to two ridiculous Painted Turtles. Therefore it was quite easy for me to fall in love with the resident Green Sea Turtle at Sea Life Michigan. You can read all about him and his rescue and rehabilitation journey online!

$1: Mingle in the Mangroves

Swim through the tangled roots of the Mangrove forest as you learn more about Seahorses and the other creatures that live here!

$1: Find Dory

Disney-Pixar’s newest underwater movie came out recently and everyone’s got fish-fever! If you want to find a real-life Dory, don’t go out and find your own – look no further than Sea Life Michigan!

$1: Get Up Close & Personal with a Venomous Fish

See those big ‘ole spines coming off the Lionfish here? Yep. Those bad boys are venomous. While they most likely won’t kill a human being, they can certainly inflict a lot of pain!

There you have it. 23 different things at Sea Life Michigan Aquarium that are definitely worth $1. And you know what? I’d totally do them all again!

NOTE:  I visted Sea Life Michigan located inside the Great Lakes Crossing Outlet Mall in Auburn Hills, Michigan. For more Sea Life locations, Click Here.

Get a combo ticket and visit Legoland Discovery Center!

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