For the first time, the Texas State Aquarium ranked in the top three aquariums in the United States in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.
The top 10 aquariums were nominated by a panel of experts, and readers voted on the choices.
Jesse Gilbert, president and CEO of the aquarium, said he and his team are overwhelmed with gratitude.
“We want to thank every person who took the time to vote, share, and rally behind us,” Gilbert said in a news release. “This moment belongs to all of you.”
A Caribbean flamingo waits to be fed at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi on Feb. 22. The aquarium ranked third in the 10 best aquariums in the United States as part of the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.
The top 10 aquariums are:
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, Texas
St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station in St. Louis, Missouri
Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut
Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey
The Florida Aquarium in Tampa, Florida
OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale, Arizona
The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut
The aquarium, located over the Harbor Bridge near North Beach, is the largest one in Texas and helps save wildlife while educating the community with family-friendly fun. It was established in 1990.
The aquarium offers a range of animal presentations and the popular H-E-B Splash Park. Its Wildlife Rescue Center helps save hundreds of animals annually by providing them with critical care and another chance at life.
For more information on the aquarium, visit texasstateaquarium.org.
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Have a story idea? Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Texas State Aquarium places in top 10 in ranking by USA TODAY readers