SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri is now home to the largest fish and wildlife attraction in the world.
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield is a 350,000-square-foot facility with 1.5 miles of trails and has been in the making for 10 years.
"We are bigger than the Smithsonian Museum in D.C.," said spokesperson Shelby Stephenson.
It consists of wildlife galleries and an aquarium, which takes up more than half the space.
"With 35,000 live animals, there is a lot to see on the aquarium side," she said.
There's a whopping 1.5 million gallons of fresh and saltwater aquariums.
"It is an immersive journey around the world's most exotic habitats and it is truly unlike anything else that is done before," Stephenson said.
This massive attraction is adjacent to Bass Pro Shops National Headquarters in Springfield.
"Johnny Morris, who is the founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, has had a dream for a very long time to create an institution like this where people could come and learn about the conservation movement in a way that was fun and engaging and inspire them through the beauty of nature, to also get involved in conservation," she said.
The aquarium has a number of interactive features, including pop up tanks which allow you to get inside and look around.
"You can actually crawl inside the aquarium and pop up inside a bubble, so you are surrounded 360 degrees by the ocean habitat around you," Stephenson explained.
That's not the only place where you'll be surrounded by water.
"You're in a freshwater river habitat like you'd find in Missouri but you're seeing fish on all sides of you,” Stephenson said. “So you're seeing fish from above you which is a unique perspective."
Wonders of Wildlife is jaw dropping attraction you have to see in person to believe.
It opens to the public on Friday, September 22 and is located at 500 W Sunshine Street in Springfield, Missouri.
The number is (888) 222-6060. Prices vary but the aquarium prices are as follows:
KIDS 4-11: $19.95
ADULTS: $29.95.
KIDS UNDER 4: FREE
For more information, visit WondersOfWildlife.org.
