Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo

"The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo, a trio of attractions in Flatts Village, couldn’t possibly be a better place to bring the kids for a half-day of island-inspired exploration. The sprawling waterside facility has three distinct permanent components: the aquarium, where you’ll peruse tanks filled with fish and other marine life (like the 140,000-gallon North Rock tank, which mimics a local reef system and houses sharks, tuna, and barracuda); the zoo, which features animals found in island ecosystems around the world; and the natural history museum. See more on our favorite Bermuda museums, here." - Katherine Cusumano

"So, can you tell us a little about this place? The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, a trio of attractions in Flatts Village, couldn’t possibly be a better place to bring the kids for a half-day of island-inspired exploration. And even if you don’t have kids, the open-air animal exhibits, tanks of aquatic life, and multimedia presentations of natural history offer a unique window into Bermuda’s singular mid-Atlantic world. How is it all organized? This sprawling waterside facility has three distinct permanent components: the aquarium, where you’ll peruse tanks filled with fish and other marine life (like the 140,000-gallon North Rock tank, which mimics a local reef system and houses sharks, tuna, and barracuda); the zoo, which features animals found in island ecosystems around the world; and the natural history museum. Any temporary exhibits of note? It’s rare that anything new goes on display here; after all, the BAMZ is already packed with animals and exhibits with little extra space for temporary collections. What's the crowd like? This place turns into stroller central on busy weekend days, but with so much to see, the abundance of families with small kids isn’t really a bother. This place does an excellent job of keeping kids busy—in addition to a toddler-friendly Discovery Room, there’s also a waterfront playground with a giant pirate ship, sandbox, and plenty to climb on. How easy is it to navigate—for the stroller-bound, especially? All of BAMZ’s exhibits are on one level, so you won’t be waiting for elevators or climbing any stairs. In fact, the air-conditioned aquarium and natural history museum are great places to cool off on hot summer days, and there are plenty of shady benches along the water’s edge. Any special tours to check out? If you’ve come between March and April, ask about a whale watching tour; humpbacks can routinely be spotted migrating north through Bermuda’s mid-Atlantic waters. Tours last six hours, so be prepared for a long day at sea. Is the gift shop worth a stop on our way out? Stock up on colorful Bermuda-branded T-shirts, island-inspired Christmas ornaments, and trinkets galore, plus children’s books with a decidedly scientific spin and local gifts that would be hard to find elsewhere. How's the café? For a casual no-frills lunch or an alfresco snack with a water view, there’s no better place than Buzz Beastro. Located directly next to the playground—so the kids can romp around while they wait—the cafe has a simple menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches. Anything we should prioritize if naptime is fast approaching? If you’ve only got an hour, hit the highlights: the North Rock tank at the aquarium; the seven-minute video about how the island was formed from a volcano in the museum; and one of the daily harbor seal feedings at the zoo (9 a.m., 1:30 p.m., or 4 p.m.)." - David LaHuta

"The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo, a trio of attractions in Flatts Village, couldn’t possibly be a better place to bring the kids for a half-day of island-inspired exploration. The sprawling waterside facility has three distinct permanent components: the aquarium, where you’ll peruse tanks filled with fish and other marine life (like the 140,000-gallon North Rock tank, which mimics a local reef system and houses sharks, tuna, and barracuda); the zoo, which features animals found in island ecosystems around the world; and the natural history museum. See more on our favorite Bermuda museums, here ." - David LaHuta