Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is one of those places kids cannot get enough of. Sharks swimming overhead, jellyfish that glow in the dark, stingrays gliding right past the glass. It is pure wow from the moment you walk in.
Yes, tickets are a bit pricey and the crowds on weekends or holidays can be overwhelming, but for families it is still one of the most fun spots in Toronto. The best part is that it is right downtown and indoors, which makes it easy to combine with the CN Tower or to save as a rainy day backup plan.
With a little planning you can make the visit smoother and even save money along the way. These tips will help you get the most out of your visit so the kids are happy and you can relax and enjoy it too.
1. Plan Ahead: Buy Tickets Online and Skip the Line
Ripley’s Aquarium is one of Toronto’s busiest attractions and the line at the entrance often shows it. On long weekends or summer afternoons it is not unusual to see the lineup stretching outside. The easiest way to avoid wasting time is to buy your tickets online before you go.
Online tickets let you choose a date and a time slot, so you can show up knowing you already have your spot reserved. This is especially helpful with kids because the less time spent waiting in line, the better the mood for everyone. You can show your tickets right on your phone, so there is no need to print anything.
If you like to keep things flexible, you can also buy tickets online for a general admission window and then decide the exact time once you arrive downtown. Either way, booking ahead saves you stress and guarantees that you will not be turned away if the aquarium reaches capacity.
Book your tickets for Ripley’s Aquarium
2. Book Parking ahead with Parking Apps and Skip the Stress
Driving downtown with kids can be stressful enough without adding the hassle of searching for parking. The lots right next to Ripley’s Aquarium and the CN Tower fill up quickly and the prices can be steep. Instead of circling the block while the kids get restless in the back seat, it helps to book ahead with a parking app.
SpotHero is a popular choice, but there are other options too, such as ParkWhiz or BestParking. These apps let you compare rates, see exact locations, and reserve your spot before you even leave home. Knowing exactly where you are going and what it will cost takes a lot of the stress out of the day.
For families this makes a big difference. You start your visit calm and organized rather than frazzled, and the money you save on parking can easily cover a snack for the kids or a small treat from the gift shop.
3. Family Savings: Sea the Sky and CityPASS Options
Tickets to Ripley’s Aquarium are not cheap, especially once you add up the cost for a whole family. One of the easiest ways to save is to buy a bundle. The Sea the Sky package combines admission to Ripley’s Aquarium and the CN Tower, which are right next to each other. Buying both together is cheaper than paying separately and makes for a full day of sightseeing in one spot.
For example, if you buy tickets separately, an adult pays around 45 dollars for the CN Tower and 44 dollars for the aquarium. For a family of four that adds up to about 178 dollars. With the Sea the Sky bundle you pay closer to 150 dollars, saving around 30 dollars. That extra money can go straight toward lunch or a treat for the kids.
If you are planning to see more than two attractions, check out the Toronto CityPASS. It includes one-time admission to 5 attractions: admission to both the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, plus your choice of 3 more from the following: the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), City Cruises Toronto, Casa Loma, or the Toronto Zoo. If your family plans to visit at least three of these, the pass usually pays for itself, and it also helps you save time at ticket lines.
4. Arrive Early or Late to Avoid the Crowds
Ripley’s Aquarium is one of Toronto’s busiest attractions and it fills up fast. On long weekends, school breaks, and summer afternoons the line can stretch outside and the tanks can feel more crowded than a subway at rush hour. With kids in tow, that kind of crowd quickly becomes stressful.
The best way to enjoy the aquarium is to plan your visit for the quieter times. Arriving right when the doors open gives you a chance to see the big tanks and the shark tunnel before the crowds build. If mornings are not possible, evenings can also be calmer once the daytime rush has passed.
Avoiding peak times means your kids can get closer to the glass, you will have a better chance of grabbing a seat at the shows, and your photos will turn out much nicer without a sea of people in the background. A little planning with your timing can completely change the experience.
5. Pack Smart: Strollers, Snacks, and Family Facilities
Ripley’s Aquarium is designed with families in mind, but a little preparation goes a long way. Strollers are allowed and the paths are wide enough to handle them, although it can get tight in the busiest areas. If your kids are old enough to walk, a lightweight carrier might make it easier to move around during peak times.
Food is where you will want to plan ahead. The aquarium has a small snack shop, but options are limited and pricey. Bringing a few simple snacks for your kids is a smart move, especially if you are trying to keep the budget under control. There is a snack area where families can take a quick break, which makes it easy to recharge before diving back into the exhibits.
Facilities are family friendly, with washrooms that include changing stations and seating areas where you can take a breather. If you are spending a few hours here, these little conveniences make the experience much smoother.
6. Make Time for the Interactive Kids’ Areas
While the sharks and stingrays grab the headlines, some of the biggest hits for kids are the interactive play zones. These areas give little ones a chance to burn off energy and get hands on instead of just looking at tanks.
Highlights include the Discovery Centre, where kids can crawl through tunnels, pop up inside viewing bubbles, and play in a mini submarine. The touch tanks are another favourite, letting kids feel the texture of stingrays or other gentle sea creatures with staff close by to guide them.
These stops break up the visit and keep kids engaged. Parents often find that the interactive areas are what their children remember most, sometimes even more than the giant shark tunnel. If your family is on a tighter schedule, make sure you set aside at least 20 minutes for these zones.
7. Catch a Feeding or a Live Show
One of the best ways to make the aquarium experience more exciting for kids is to time your visit around a feeding or a live show. Throughout the day, staff host short presentations where divers enter the tanks or educators share fun facts about the animals. Watching a shark or stingray feeding is a highlight, and kids love seeing the divers swimming right alongside the creatures.
Schedules for feedings and shows are usually posted on the aquarium’s website and on signs inside the building. It is worth checking these as soon as you arrive so you can plan your route around them. The shows are not long, but they add a layer of excitement and learning that keeps kids engaged.
Parents appreciate that the shows break up the visit, giving everyone a chance to pause and focus instead of just moving from one tank to another. Even if your kids are not big on sitting still, the action of a live feeding usually grabs their attention.
8. Pair It with the CN Tower or a City Cruise
One of the best things about Ripley’s Aquarium is its location. It sits right at the base of the CN Tower, which makes it easy to bundle both attractions into one outing. The Sea the Sky package makes this even more tempting, since you save money by visiting both on the same day. Kids love the combination of a thrilling elevator ride high above Toronto followed by an underwater adventure with sharks and stingrays.
If you would rather stay outdoors after the aquarium, consider booking a Toronto city cruise. The boats leave from nearby Harbourfront and give you a whole new perspective of the skyline from the water. For families, it is a relaxing way to break up the day, and kids enjoy the novelty of being on the lake.
Whether you pair the aquarium with the CN Tower or a city cruise, the location makes it easy to plan a full day of fun without a lot of extra travel.
Is Ripley’s Aquarium Worth It for Families?
Ripley’s Aquarium is not the cheapest ticket in Toronto and it can feel crowded at times, but kids absolutely love it. From the shark tunnel to the jellyfish and the touch tanks, there are enough wow moments to keep them excited from start to finish.
Parents will appreciate how easy it is to fit into a day of sightseeing. The downtown location means you can combine it with the CN Tower or a city cruise, and the fact that it is indoors makes it a reliable option no matter the weather. With some smart planning on tickets, parking, and timing, the visit feels less stressful and much more enjoyable.
If you are visiting Toronto with kids, Ripley’s Aquarium is one of those stops that is worth putting on your list. It is fun, educational without feeling like school, and full of memories your family will take home with them.
Beaver Adventurous
Every journey is an adventure waiting to happen, so I dive in with a smile and an open mind. From spontaneous road trips to carefully planned escapes, I’m here for the memories, the mishaps, and everything in between!
