The Great Lakes Aquarium, on the waterfront at Canal Park, is one of the few freshwater-only aquariums in North America and the only one dedicated to the Great Lakes ecosystem. The exhibits cover all five lakes and the rivers and wetlands that connect them, with live fish, otters, turtles, and a range of the less glamorous but ecologically important species that most aquariums ignore.
The lake sturgeon display is particularly impressive — these ancient fish can live over a century and grow to nearly three metres, and seeing them in a tank dispels any impression that freshwater means small and unspectacular. The aquarium also has a strong conservation focus, with exhibits on the invasive species that have altered the Great Lakes ecosystem. Allow two hours; the aquarium holds up well for children and adults alike.