From its recent free birthday bash to a packed calendar of concerts, immersive experiences and pop-ups, Mall of America clearly sees a visit as more than a shopping trip. This August, teachers visiting SEA LIFE at Mall of America, Minneapolis will get in free — and can bring up to six friends or family members at 30% off. It’s part of the aquarium’s Teacher Appreciation Month, which celebrates our educators by offering free admission and discounts. The promotion runs throughout August 2026 and is available exclusively as a walk-up offer; tickets must be purchased on site and cannot be booked in advance.
How to get free entry to SEA LIFE this August
To redeem the free teacher ticket, educators must also purchase at least one discounted Friends and Family ticket. Valid proof of employment — a Teacher Employer ID or a recent pay stub — is required at admissions. Tickets are limited, and children under 2 are admitted free regardless of the promotion. Please remember that tickets must be purchased on site and cannot be booked online.
What’s inside Mall of America, Minneapolis’ SEA LIFE aquarium?
The aquarium’s centerpiece is a 300-foot underwater ocean tunnel that winds through four connected aquatic habitats: Sturgeon Lake, featuring North American freshwater species such as lake sturgeon and alligator gar; Wild Amazon, home to arapaima and stingrays; Shark Cove, where 9-foot sand tiger sharks share space with rescued loggerhead turtles and a critically endangered pair of 14-foot green sawfish — Duke and Duchess — among the only such pair on display in a U.S. aquarium; and Rainbow Reef, a tropical marine environment that includes rescued sea turtle Seemore.
Beyond the tunnel, the “Brave the Rainforest” exhibit recreates a 2½-story immersive rainforest environment with caimans, green tree monitor lizards, tarantulas, and piranhas. The Pacific Northwest Rockpool offers a hands-on touch area where visitors can interact with sea stars, anemones, and sea urchins under staff supervision.
SEA LIFE Minnesota also runs an active conservation effort for bowmouth guitarfish — whose wild populations have declined by 91% over 40 years — having become the second aquarium in North America to successfully breed the species, welcoming eight pups through its program.
What else can you do at Mall of America, Minneapolis?
Coming to Mall of America this season, Bubble Planet is a playful, photo-ready immersive experience that turns the humble bubble into a full-scale sensory spectacle. Visitors will drift through 11 fantastical themed environments—from glowing LED scenes, kaleidoscopic light and infinity-mirror illusions to a balloon-filled “Bubble Ocean,” a giant bubble installation, and a larger-than-life Bubble Bath ball pit—before stepping into a virtual-reality adventure.
Designed for all ages and taking roughly 60–90 minutes to explore, it is less a traditional exhibition than a pastel-hued escape built for curiosity, interaction, and unabashed fun; bring socks for the Bubble Bath and leave plenty of room on your camera roll.
26 October 2026 10:00 + more dates
