Dive into a world where your favorite Animal Crossing: New Horizons characters swim alongside real sea creatures-the beloved aquarium experience is hitting the road across the U.S. and beyond! From photo ops with Isabelle and Tom Nook to interactive exhibits blending gaming charm with aquatic wonders, this tour invites fans to explore underwater life like never before, all while enjoying the magic of their favorite island getaway.
Fans of Animal Crossing: New Horizons likely know the tedium and joy that comes with assembling an aquarium of their own and fishing season after season, but the fun doesn’t have to stop in the game. Nintendo announced that the company will be bringing its Animal Crossing: New Horizons aquarium tour nationwide on Monday. The event started with a partnership between Nintendo and the Seattle Aquarium that brought specially themed Animal Crossing exhibits to the aquarium. In June Nintendo announced that it would be expanding the event and tour several locations across the United States.
The Animal Crossing: New Horizons Aquarium Tour will come to eight U.S. cities in total. It includes a nice spread of events across several regions. Here are all the locations and dates for each aquarium Nintendo has announced so far:
- Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – June 14-Aug. 11
- Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans, Louisiana – June 21-Sept. 14
- Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia – Aug. 1-Sept. 26
- Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, Oregon – Aug. 26-Oct. 20
- New England Aquarium in Boston, Massachusetts – Sept. 21-Dec. 14
- Sea Life Arizona in Tempe, Arizona – Oct. 4-Nov. 17
- Sea Life Kansas City Aquarium – Nov. 1-Dec. 19
- Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tennessee – Dec. 21-Feb. 28
The official FAQ on the event describes the tour as an “aquarium experience inspired by the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game.” The participating aquariums will host events “and more with an Animal Crossing twist.” However if you want to get a stronger idea of what the official Animal Crossing aquarium experience could actually be like, it’s helpful to look at the aquarium tour hosted at the Seattle Aquarium.
A TikTok video from the user May showed what it was like to attend the event. The aquarium had giant Animal Crossing-themed backdrops to take photos. Visitors can look for cutouts of characters like Isabelle and Tom Nook in the aquarium, and get a card stamped as they find each character. Exhibits within the aquarium contain additional placards courtesy of Blathers, who will teach fans more about the fish they have caught in the game. Additionally, it looks like the event at the Seattle Aquarium contained adorable merch as well. If you want to see more, you can see the full video below.
Overall, it doesn’t look like anything overly fancy, but it doesn’t really need to be. The aquarium is already pretty dang fun – even without Tom Nook there – and it looks like the event could be the perfect excuse for an Animal Crossing fan to go and see some cool critters and fish.
How will the Animal Crossing tour change my aquarium visit experience
How the Animal Crossing Tour Will Change Your Aquarium Visit
Immersive Themed Activities
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The tour transforms standard aquarium visits with Animal Crossing: New Horizons-themed activities, blending the game’s whimsical world with real aquatic exhibits.
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Expect interactive photo opportunities featuring iconic characters like Isabelle, Tom Nook, and K.K. Slider, with themed backdrops for memorable snapshots.
Educational Enhancements
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Special signage and placards, presented as if by in-game curator Blathers, provide creature descriptions drawn directly from Animal Crossing, making learning about marine life more engaging for fans of the game.
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Some locations offer guided tours inspired by the game, adding narrative and fun facts along the way.
Collectibles and Rewards
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Guests can participate in stamp rallies or scavenger hunts, collecting stamps as they find character cutouts throughout the aquarium-a nod to the in-game International Museum Day event.
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My Nintendo kiosks let visitors earn Platinum Points for exclusive digital and physical Nintendo rewards, adding a gamified element to your visit.
Meet-and-Greets and Special Events
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On select days, you may meet characters like Isabelle or Tom Nook in person for photos and interactions, bringing the Animal Crossing world to life.
Blending Game and Reality
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The tour overlays the charm and interactivity of Animal Crossing onto real-world exhibits, offering a playful, family-friendly experience that appeals to both fans and newcomers.
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While the core aquarium experience remains, the Animal Crossing overlay adds a layer of storytelling, character, and collectability that’s unique to this collaboration.
In summary, the Animal Crossing tour will make your aquarium visit more interactive, educational, and fun, especially if you’re a fan of the game or visiting with children. You’ll leave not just with memories of sea creatures, but also with a sense of having stepped into your favorite virtual island adventure.
How will the themed signage and character interactions enhance my aquarium visit
Themed signage and character interactions will significantly enhance your aquarium visit by blending the playful, familiar world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons with real-life marine exploration. Themed signs, featuring witty and informative creature descriptions from Blathers, provide educational content in a fun, game-inspired voice, making learning about aquatic animals more engaging and memorable.
Character standees and opportunities to meet favorites like Isabelle, Tom Nook, or K.K. Slider add an interactive, immersive element-transforming the aquarium into a lively, story-driven space where fans can snap photos and feel as if they’re part of the Animal Crossing universe. This playful integration not only delights fans but also encourages deeper curiosity about marine life, making the experience both entertaining and educational for visitors of all ages.
