Missouri Aquarium Voted the Absolute Best in America

When you think of world-class aquariums, you probably don't think of Missouri first, but maybe you should. A new national vote from a major publication has placed a Missouri aquarium above all the rest in America and it's well-deserved.

USA Today has a very scientific way of determining where the best aquarium in America is. First, they have a panel of experts nominate dozens of places and then they allow their audience to vote for weeks to decide which is the best. After all of the votes from across the country were tabulated, it was this Missouri aquarium at number one.

This is the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri which is a creation of Johnny Morris and his Bass Pro Shops organization. If you've never been inside, you're missing a massive aquarium experience that spans over a mile and a half and contains a 1.5-million-gallon aquarium with 35,000 animals and 800 species and they even have historic boats from Ernest Hemingway and Zane Grey that are a part of their exhibits.

It's been more than 30 years ago that I was able to check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California that has long been considered one of the best in America. The fact that Johnny Morris' aquarium in Springfield, Missouri has bested that is quite an accomplishment.