On the last day of July, we spent a few hours at the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth, perched on the lakefront near Canal Park since it opened in 2000. At $17 admission for an adult, I wasn’t entirely persuaded at first that it would be worth it, but eventually I got some satisfaction for that price.

Besides, it’s a deal compared with the Shedd Aquarium, whose rack rate for an adult ticket is a hefty $40, a price devised to sell memberships and gouge one-time visitors from far away — and the reason one puts up with mass crowding on its occasional free days. Then again, the Shedd is a marvel and its collection vast and varied. The Great Lakes Aquarium, while certainly interesting, isn’t quite in the same league.

Maybe that’s because Great Lakes is only part aquarium. It’s also partly children’s museum, and while that might be a fine thing, I’ve seen enough of that kind of edu-tainment until the time comes when I might possibly entertain grandchildren.

As I said, there was some satisfaction to be had at the Great Lakes. For one thing, it focuses on freshwater creatures, including but not limited to the actual Great Lakes, which is unusual. There’s no lack of tanks and other things to see. The exhibit on Lake Baikal, for instance, was good, and the tanks featuring freshwater tropical fish tended to be colorful.

Also on display, a whopping big Lake Sturgeon, which the sign near the tank said can be found in the waters right outside the aquarium.
A snapping turtle in motion.
The girls had some fun with the children’s museum elements (and so did I), especially the model Great Lakes, on which you float toy boats and open and close toy locks between some of the lakes, to illustrate their respective elevations.
This was near the tank of river otters, as you’d guess.
One of those things installed purely for entertainment.