WOW captures best aquarium title for 3rd time

Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium won its third title as the best aquarium in North America.

The attraction was No. 1 on the recently concluded annual 10Best poll from USA Today. Officials last month announced WOW was a finalist in the reader poll.

“We are truly humbled by this distinction, which will inspire even more people to visit and follow in the footsteps of America’s conservation leaders by enjoying and protecting nature,” said Morris, founder of WOW and Bass Pro Shops, in the release. “Wonders of Wildlife represents the collective efforts of countless individuals and organizations who share a strong passion for conservation."

WOW previously was named the best North American aquarium by USA Today readers in 2020 and 2018. It did not rank in the Top 10 on the 2019 list.

On the 2021 list, WOW topped No. 2 Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and No. 3 The Florida Aquarium in Tampa. No other Missouri aquariums are in the Top 10.

The aquarium and museum attraction reopened in September 2017 after a nearly 10-year hiatus. It has a 1.5 million-gallon aquarium with some 35,000 animals on display.