It’s pretty common knowledge that the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is the best zoo in the world, but there are still too many Nebraskans who haven’t yet visited. In case you needed yet another reason to make the trip, take a look at one of the aquarium’s most amazing features: the 70-foot-long shark tunnel.

The Suzanne and Walter Scott Kingdom of the Seas Aquarium is the largest aquarium inside a zoo. The aquarium opened in 1995 to plenty of fanfare. The undertaking was a huge one, and the addition was a wonderful new reason to visit an already spectacular zoo.
flickr/Asten
When it was revealed that part of the aquarium would be a tunnel where sharks would swim right over the heads of visitors, it created quite an excited buzz.
flickr/Subharnab Majumdar
And the tunnel doesn't disappoint. For most of us, this will be the closest we'll ever get to sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, and other beautiful sea creatures.
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The first time you're standing in the tunnel when a shark swims right overhead is a surreal experience.
flickr/Pete Sheffield
Seriously, they get really close. It's a learning experience unlike any you could get from a book or a documentary.
flickr/Jo Naylor

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Not all of the tunnel's inhabitants are scary. This friendly sea turtle likes to swim up to the glass for a cute greeting.
flickr/Pete Sheffield
flickr/Pete Sheffield
Getting up this close to the creatures is an almost spiritual experience for the nature lover.
flickr/Pete Sheffield
Short of going scuba diving in some exotic place, the aquarium at the Omaha Zoo is one of the most stunning underwater experiences you can have - and you don't even have to get wet!
flickr/Jo Naylor
There are plenty of other things to see in this massive 71,000-square-foot building, so be sure to set aside plenty of time to visit the touch tank, the penguins, the jellyfish, the tidal displays, and so much more.
flickr/Jo Naylor

As an added bonus, the climate-controlled building is the perfect place to cool down in the summer or stay warm in the winter. It can get quite crowded on busy days, but if you can manage to go on a weekday (especially in the morning) you’ll be likely to have the whole tunnel to yourself.

Admission to the aquarium is included in the cost of zoo admission. Find out more about the zoo, including hours and admission prices, here – and learn more about the aquarium itself here.

All the way on the other side of the state is another kind of zoo that’s also well worth a visit whenever you’re in the area. Read more about it here.

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